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Estes - Chrome Dome

Manufacturer:Estes

Contributed by

Rating
(Contributed - by Chan Stevens)

Estes Chrome DomeEstes Chrome DomeBrief:
Eye-catching metallic finish and glitter body tubes make these very attractive rockets, and good values as well.

Modifications:
Beefed up shockcord.

Construction:
These are your basic E2X series, though they're getting much easier to build. The fin cans are single piece, and even the launch lug is pre-molded to fit right into the tube. What really impressed me about these components, though, is the finish quality. The glitter tubes (similar to the Blue Ninja) and metallic finish on the cones and fins are beautiful. They were also very carefully protected with a plastic sleeve. It took me longer to unpack these than build them. As is customary with Estes, the shock cord is a flimsy and undersized 1/8" elastic. Normally I substitute my own 1/4", and did so on these kits.

I've had problems with the fit & finish of E2X series in the past, but these kits were absolutely no problem. Just use a little plastic cement to bond the fin can to the body tube, tie the shock cord to the launch lug assembly, bond the launch lug to the tube, apply the decal and you're done. As much as I hate making 'chutes, I was glad to see that these kits include pre-assembled 12" chutes.

Finishing:
The finish on these kits is the best I've ever seen (without having to paint them myself). I'm especially fond of the red/gold combination. All the parts fit very well, resulting in a total build time of about 10 minutes per kit.

Construction Rating: 4 out of 5

Flight:
I went with a B6-6 motor, longer delay than the recommended B6-4. Sure enough, it arced over and deployed on the way down, but not too late. The recommended 4 second delay is definitely a better motor. The flight was straight up, with a slight weathercock into 10mph winds. Recovery was soft, landing in a snug blanket of Ohio snow. I've also flown on a C6-5 with perfect deployment, though the chute melted a bit, and full recovery without damage has me praying for better weather to fly again.

Recovery:
Standard Estes shock cord is only good for about 5 flights, my 1/4" cord will fare longer. I'll also wind up switching to a more durable Mylar chute.

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
I was very disappointed with the 2001/2002 Estes line, but based on what I've seen so far in 2003, they are back on track. These kits are great looking, easy to build, and can be found for $6-8 each.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

    Flight Log

    DateRocket NameMotor(s)AltitudeNotes
    2003-01-25Chan Stevens's Estes Chrome DomeB6-6-
    2003-03-15Tim Morris's Estes Chrome DomeB6-3- Super kit for demos. E-Z build and a fun flyer.
    2003-05-26Michael Mangieri's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Beautiful straight-up boost. Eject at apogee. Shroud lines melted together a bit.
    2003-07-25Michael Mangieri's Estes Chrome DomeC6-5- Launched with a 6 ft x 1 inch streamer. Great boost; landed 100 ft from launch site.
    2003-09-06Michael Mangieri's Estes Chrome DomeA8-3- Nice, low altitude flight. This rocket is underpowered on an A8.
    2003-09-06Michael Mangieri's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Flies really nice on a B6. Dusk sky made it possible to see the engine glow all the way up -...
    2003-09-06Michael Mangieri's Estes Chrome DomeB6-6- Another nice flight.
    2003-09-20Ryan Kluth's Estes Chrome DomeC6-5- Perfect Flight
    2003-10-18Michael Mangieri's Estes Chrome DomeA8-3- Nice low flight.
    2003-10-18Michael Mangieri's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Nice medium-high flight. Eject a bit late.
    2003-11-08Michael Mangieri's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Equiped with 10' long streamer due to breezy conditions at launch site. Nice boost; good flight....
    2003-11-08Michael Mangieri's Estes Chrome DomeC6-5- Third flight of the Chrome Dome Gold. Nice flight; good recovery.
    2004-05-16Michael Mangieri's Estes Chrome DomeC6-5- High straight boost. Loaded her up with a long 10ft streamer. Landed 20ft from the pads after a...
    2004-07-02Mike Mistele's Estes Chrome DomeA8-3- Not enough motor. Wobbly flight, was on her way down when the ejection charge blew. Good recovery.
    2004-07-02Mike Mistele's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Much better on the bigger motor. Very nice high flight, near-perfect ejection, good deployment,...
    2004-07-03Doug &Max's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Great first flight. Sharp looking rocket. High and straight. Landed about 50 yds from pad.
    2004-07-19Mike Mistele's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Great flight -- perfect engine for this rocket. Perfect deployment, soft landing.
    2004-07-24Greg Deeter's Estes Chrome DomeC6-5- Perfect 1st flight. Straight & very high on a C6-5, perfect recovery no damage to stock chute.
    2004-09-04Michael Mangieri's Estes Chrome DomeA8-3- Very low flight; only about 100ft or so. Test flight for the new SureFire 15in. plastic parachute.
    2004-09-04Michael Mangieri's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- A little tip off sent this rocket into the trees, but she landed just short of the tree line and...
    2004-09-27Andy Turits's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- 2 dud igniters have me questioning engine validity. Third one works. Smooth take off. ascension...
    2004-10-03Andy Turits's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Perfect flight, apogee almost beyond sight maybe 400ft. spill hole chute propelled by gusts into...
    2004-10-09Marissa Surdu-Miller's Estes Chrome DomeC6-3- With three taped-on glow tubes. Straight, high boost and coast. Very long drift. Recovered fine...
    2004-10-09Marissa Surdu-Miller's Estes Chrome DomeA8-3- With three 6mm x 27mm glow tubes taped on. Straight and low boost and coast. Perfect recovery.
    2004-10-24Andy Turits's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- nice straight off the rod a little shifted by the wind mid boost. custom 12 spillhole chute...
    2004-11-13T Muir's Estes Chrome DomeA8-3- Nice flight.
    2004-12-05Andy Turits's Estes Chrome DomeB4-4- slow lift off (B4). dusk launch, minor wind redirection at about 100 ft. Max about 300 ft. 12...
    2005-04-03Jason Vennard's Estes Chrome DomeC6-5- Pretty quick boost, nice flight again and much better altitude. Recovery again with 12 plastic...
    2005-04-03Jason Vennard's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Little nicer flight but then again a little longer drift. Nice flight overall. Recovery again 12...
    2005-04-03Jason Vennard's Estes Chrome DomeA8-3- Pretty low flight especially in wind but help cut drift down. Arching flight really needs a little...
    2005-11-27Michael Mangieri's Estes Chrome DomeA8-3- As usual, this bird flies great.
    2005-12-29David Allen's Estes Chrome DomeB4-4-
    2006-01-02Greg Deeter's Estes Chrome DomeC6-5- Long time since this one got some air. Launched on a Quest C6-5 for perfect apogee. Even with...
    2006-01-15Dave Brunsting's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4-
    2006-03-12Dave Brunsting's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4-
    2006-04-15Doug &Max's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- A wind gust took it about 75 yards away, but otherwise great flight
    2006-05-06Marissa Surdu-Miller's Estes Chrome DomeB4-4- Straight boost to moderate height. Parachute didn't open fully, but rocket was recovered with no...
    2006-06-13Mike Mistele's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Beautiful flight, soft landing...actually came to rest with the body standing upright on the fin...
    2006-06-18Richie Brunjes's Estes Chrome DomeC6-4- Nice flight , nice reflection of the sun off the shine
    2006-06-18Richie Brunjes's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Another good flight
    2006-06-18Richie Brunjes's Estes Chrome DomeA8-3- Real low but still a great flight
    2006-06-18Marissa Surdu-Miller's Estes Chrome DomeB4-4- Straight boost. Impressive height. Perfect deployment. Gentle landing. Recovered with no damage.
    2006-06-26Marissa Surdu-Miller's Estes Chrome DomeA8-3- Straight boost to moderate height. Perfect 'chute deployment. Low drift. Recovered with no...
    2006-07-08Brady Cutts's Estes Chrome DomeC6-5- Very nice straight launch. Slight weathercocking at upper end of flight. Lost sight of it till...
    2006-07-10Brady Cutts's Estes Chrome DomeC6-5- Nice straight launch. Great flight. Has spill hole in chute. Landed about 30 yards from launcher....
    2006-07-13Mike Mistele's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Great flight, perfect deployment, good landing.
    2006-09-08Mike Mistele's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Beautiful flight, soft landing (stuck in the soft ground standing straight up).
    2006-09-24Moe Bertrand's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Inagural launch of this rocket. Performed as designed. Parachute lost a couple shroud line...
    2006-10-08Bob Harrington's Estes Chrome DomeB4-4-
    2006-11-18Bob Harrington's Estes Chrome DomeC6-5-
    2007-01-07Bob Harrington's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4-
    2007-02-17T Muir's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4-
    2007-02-17T Muir's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4-
    2007-02-17T Muir's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4-
    2007-02-17T Muir's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Tried 3rd new chute of the day. Lines tangled. Hard landing on ice, 2 fins snapped. Will be a...
    2007-02-17T Muir's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- No parachute ejection, this time definitely a chute problem (working kinks out of new chutes).
    2007-02-17T Muir's Estes Chrome DomeA8-3- No parachute ejection, probably packing issues.
    2007-02-17T Muir's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Nice flight...chute problems fixed for now
    2007-04-21Bob Harrington's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4-
    2007-04-29 Moe Bertrand's Estes Chrome DomeA8-3- Decent flight
    2007-06-09Bob Harrington's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4-
    2007-07-21Scott Smith's Estes Chrome DomeB4-4350 feet 2nd flight was the same as the 1st except the ejection was a little rough -- no damage.
    2007-07-21Scott Smith's Estes Chrome DomeA8-3200 feet First flight, not very straight but no problems.
    2008-05-25JST's Estes Chrome DomeC6-5- Perfect flight to about 800 feet. Apogee-perfect ejection. Nose cone tangled in parachute shrouds,...
    2008-06-01JST's Estes Chrome DomeC6-5- Another perfect flight to about 900 feet. Kid almost caught it on recovery....very cool. We like...
    2008-06-01JST's Estes Chrome DomeC6-5- Nice flight, looked like about 900 to 1,000 feet. Came down about 400 feet from pad.
    2008-06-07JST's Estes Chrome DomeD21-7- FAST ascent to about 2,100 ft. Har dto tell ejection relative to apogee due to height. Took...
    2008-06-07JST's Estes Chrome DomeC6-5- Straight up to about 900 feet. Perfect deployment. Came downin top of tree adjacent to field....
    2008-12-27 Moe Bertrand's Estes Chrome DomeC6-5- Nice flight of the Chrome Dome. Stuck the landing...perfect way to close out the afternoon of...
    2009-03-28 Joseph Olexa's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Good stable flight with parachute deployment and soft landing. first flight for my Chrome Dome,...
    2009-06-05Michael Emerick's Estes Chrome DomeC6-5-
    2009-08-22 Joseph Olexa's Estes Chrome DomeC6-5- Good stable flight for my Chrome Dome. This rocket always seems to fly nicely. Deployed...
    2010-07-10Mike Mistele's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4-
    2010-07-17Mike Mistele's Estes Chrome DomeB4-2-
    2010-07-24 Joseph Olexa's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Good straight flight with parachute eject and soft landing. Great Flight!
    2010-09-05Mike Mistele's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Good flight, as usual for this one.
    2010-09-25Mike Mistele's Estes Chrome DomeB6-4- Great flight, but the parachute never unfurled, and it landed hard, snapping a fin in two. ...

    Comments:

    T.M. (March 16, 2003)

    Nice easy kit to build. I used it for a flight demo after my Girl Scout rocket camp. (I teach at the Michigan Space & Science Center) The silver nose and tail with the glitter body tube made a super eye catching flight on a B6-4. Recovery flawless. The only mod made was a beefed-up shock cord.

    M.J.M. (June 28, 2004)

    It looks like this kit may have changed a bit from the version the reviewer had. - The launch lug now comes pre-glued to the body tube, and the shock cord is pre-attached into this assembly. - The fin can is now a two-piece assembly, which must be glued together (after scraping the chrome off the edges to be glued, so the plastic cement can take). One change makes it quicker, one change adds a step, but the net is it's still very quick to put together.

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