Estes Sidekick is here
 

https://estesrockets.com/product/007287-sidekick/

Looks like fun. Two engine cluster, first clustered model in a long while.
I may pick one up (sooner or later).
Gives me a chance to use my stash of Q2G2 igniters.

That DOES look like fun! Gotta get one.

WHAT YOU NEED TO LAUNCH (sold separately): Estes Porta-Pad II Launch Pad with a 1/8 inch launch rod and Pro Series II Launch Controller, Estes model rocket engines, starters and recovery wadding. Four 1.5V high quality AA alkaline batteries are also required for launch controller (not included).



Gonna be some disappointment here

This is a kit, not a launch set. Most of us have the required launch hardware already.

The point is this: This is the first clustered kit Estes has offered in awhile. Someone buying the kit for the first time and then following the recommendations is going to use 6 volts to light the cluster. He or she is going to have a launch failures. Not all of Estes' buyers or BARs or geezers

Yeah, there is a typo in the recommendations. Pro Series launch controller is recommended, but that uses 6 "C" batteries, not 4 "AA" batteries. Also 9 v. is what I consider to be marginal, I would go with 12v. minimum. And with plenty of amperage. Maybe a PS II controller using the external connector to a 12 v. source.

The only controller I’ve used since becoming a BAR for cluster - and two rocket simultaneous - launches has been my PSII controller. I’ve used alkaline throw away C batteries and NiMH rechargeables - both worked fine. I used alkalines for at least two school aged build and fly workshops where we did multiple two rocket simultaneous launches. Granted, those were 1/2A Estes BP motors in Art Applewhite paper rockets on the alkaline batteries - I had the NiMH rechargeables for the last one I did with ModelRocket.us Turbos on A8 Estes BP motors.

There was a discussion somewhere that it flies ok if only one motor lights. The frustration will be if the controller can’t light either.

THAT would be due to double failure to insert the igniters correctly or a combination of that and shorts.

Six C cells through the decently-sized wire on the PSII controller works fine.

That said, of the two PSII controllers I have, the one I use regularly has a 3s 1250 mAh LiPoly inside, connected through the provided port in the battery bay. That works even better (even though the internal port takes the little orange JST plug, which is not what I would choose for high current use). The duty cycle is so low, one gets away with it just fine.

I've started a build of the Estes Side Kick on my blog today -

http://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com/