For smaller hybrids, I'm a big fan of the Hypertek system, but there are a lot of folks in the club who swear by RATT. On the larger hybrids, one of our club members has flown a lot of big Hyperteks and a group of club members own a large RATT. We have equipment for both. All fly well.

Depends on the size. The big Ratt motors scream so loud sometimes, it awsome. The big hypertech sounds like its vibrating, like thuds over and over. Ratts are really long, so there hard to build around. hypertech are shorter and are easy to load. In performance I would go with RATT, with easyness I would go with Hypertech.

I do like my Hypertek... in fact, I'm overdue to fly it and I still have 3 or 4 grains handy-like... I guess that means I have to repair my 4" bird and get it ready for a few flights. The biggest problem is the GSE is a bit expensive compared to the RATT. The club owns GSE, but tbere is a certain amount of wear and tear, particularly with failed ignitions, that screw up the Fill stem assemblies...

Hypertek is only easier and quicker if you don't have to deal with the ground support yourself. The RATT is more of a bitch to prep and light, but the Hypertek has more GSE to deal with.

Warren

If you can wait until the new year Alpha Hybrids will have a 54mm I and J to offer. They are pre-filled tanks so there is no GSE at the pad. You need a scale and nitrous tank to fill them. In my testing they come out to an I160 and J165. The J motor is 28" long.

Edward

I use the Skyripper system (SRS) 38mm and 29mm engines. I have never used the Hypertek. I think the The Skyripper and Ratt very similar and mechanically are very simple. They both require Pyrotechnic to ignite where as the Hypertek doesn't.

I have really enjoyed using the Skyripper, it has been extremly reliable and is the only HP engine that I use anymore. The clubs GSE is the same for for both but you only use part of it for the SRS or Ratt motors.

Warren is right about having to build around the engine, that is the only caution that I would have for the Ratt or SRS engines. I purchased a Hybrid ready PML kit and it was all ready to go, but I really had to look around for other kits that would work and even the ones that I found I had to modify. Of course that is half the fun. If you build from srcatch its probably not really and issue but you do have to design around it.

Hybrids are more sensitive to the weather, because both hot and cold will keep you grounded. I'm not familiar with Edwards system, but that could extend the weather conditions that would be safe to launch since you could keep the engine at a nominal temperature until ready to launch.

We have had great luck w/ RATT and Sky Ripper. I'm very much looking forward to Edward's system. It is very fair to say that we have had less luck w/ HyperTEKs. It is true that they have flown at NCR launches, but their batting average pales in comparison to RATT and SRS. I personally wouldn't go the HyperTEK route, but that is me....

JW

The RATT is more of a bitch to prep and light, but the Hypertek has more GSE to deal with.

Warren

Boy, with all due respect, I have to totally disagree. We've had 100% success with lighting the RATT, except once when we broke a fitting. I'm something like 12 for 12 with lighting RATTS (thanks to Dale for always providing adult supervision). I use two igniters, just in case. The igniters go into a slug of AP. They light *every* time.

I've been to a lot of launches at a lot of venues, and I'd honestly say that Crapperheads light more often than HypertTEKs (no kidding - I believe that to be true). I'd be shocked if we got more than 50% of our HyperTEKs lit at NCR. It is also fair to say that our club is not the only one that has had difficulties.

Loading a RATT is really simple as well. I'd have to say it is easier to build than a G75. I fly the RATT M900, the L?600?, and the K240. The K240 is, in my opinion, the greatest HPR motor on the face of the earth. The noise it makes is just outrageous. I'm going to fly it at MHM... You will never set an altitude record with it, but you will most assuredly turn every head on the flightline. The noise it makes is excruciating. The first one we flew actually scared some of the kids. It has a very loud whistling/screaching noise. Very cool.......

JW

I've flown my Hypertek without a single problem. Biggest bitch was mounting up the fill stem assembly to the rail I was using and getting it all tweaked in so in moved freely when the tie-downs melted through. Flew the first time we pushed the button and turned in quite a respectable flight. I've watched Beggs fly a few as well and as far as I can tell since I've been with the club, every Hypertek has flown flawless on the first button push. No N02 dumps, no re-fills, no nothing except very nice flights. Not to knock the RATT or other motors. From my perspective the benefit of no pyro and very easy assembly compared to the other hybrids makes the Hypertek a good choice. On the other hand, they are more expensive for fuel grains and the GSE is definitely more involved.

You pays your money and takes your choice.

Warren

Elvis has had his problems w/ HyperTEK, as have others. The stem issue has been a booger. I have heard TCO has had issues as well.

Doug Pratt sells igniter grains for the RATTs, which are conveniently just a hair under 60g so they are street legal. I run two igniters into each one of the grains, just in case I have a bad igniter. Works every time!

I've got the Skyripper 29 and 38 motors. These are wonderfully simple for my idiodic self to put together and fly. The others that I've seen flew equally as well. Much simpler than Hypertec.

That being said, I've also flown some of Alpha Hybrid's motors with good success as well and can't wait for them to hit the market!

Dave2