4 replies to this topic

[chemicalwazi]

Could one of you kind rocketeers enlighten me to the difference between Estes and Quest igniters?

They seem to be the same thing, but Quest are soooo much cheaper.

Cheers

Waz

[Richard H]

The Estes ones you are probably familiar with. These are bridgewire igniters with some pyrogen surrounding the nicrome wire. The Quest ones are two strips of copper foil insulated with a plastic tape sandwiched between them, and again the end dipped in pyrogen. I think the quest igniters also use bridgewires.

Essentially the Quest ones are more fragile and a bit fiddly, but I've never had a misfire when launching Quest motors with them.

[chemicalwazi]

The Estes ones you are probably familiar with. These are bridgewire igniters with some pyrogen surrounding the nicrome wire. The Quest ones are two strips of copper foil insulated with a plastic tape sandwiched between them, and again the end dipped in pyrogen. I think the quest igniters also use bridgewires.

Essentially the Quest ones are more fragile and a bit fiddly, but I've never had a misfire when launching Quest motors with them.

Thanks Richard

i will get a few for testing

Waz

[Karl]

I dont totally agree with what Richard said....

Estes Igniter's if fired with 12v will melt the Nichrome and it will disintegrate the igniter without lighting the Pyrogen, dont ask me how but it has happened on several occasions.
They are also prone to snapping the very thin Bridgewire and flaking the pyrogen off.

Quest igniter's, I have never had a failure with. They have always seemed very reliable to me, and always come with near enough the same amount of Pyrogen on each igniter unlike Estes.
Just my 2p
Karl

Edited by Karl, 28 July 2005 - 11:49 PM.

[Richard H]

I use a 12v system and I have never had a single failed motor ignition using Estes igniters in several years.