7 replies to this topic

[Sparky]

Hi all

I have to confess I am completely inexperienced regarding how firing equipment works and how many individual e-matches you can ignite with any equipment. I'm therefore looking for a some advice as I'd like to buy something just for my personal use when firing small firework displays for friends and family.

I don't want/need anything that can be automated as yet but simply a nice electronic and remote method of firing off a complete display by the press of a button.

I need advice on the basics on transmitters and receivers and how you can program enough separate "events" to fire a small display but which I presume would need up to dozens of unique steps.

I imagine that I could have a controller which press buttons that each button would fire any number of matches. E.g button one could be linked to 2 e-matches which would fire 2 cakes. Then button 2 would be a salvo of small shells etc etc.

I have a reasonable budget for all of this as it's my only expensive hobby but I don't want to waste money :-)

[dave]

how about the new cobra 18r2 with module(s) ?
perfect for backgarden use and larger shows

pyroshure if you have more money perhaps ?

dave

Edited by dave, 11 November 2012 - 11:07 PM.

[nihc]

Hi,

I've been using a Cobra 18M firing module with an 18R remote for over a year now and it's great.
It'll fire up to 10 e-match/ ignitor clips in series and up to 4 in parallel on each cue.
I just fired a show with all 18 cues. 8 cues had 2 e-matches in series and 2 had 3 e-matches in parallel.
The number of series and parallel e-matches can be increased greatly by adding an external battery.

I bought the system from easypyro.com, but when I needed some support a few weeks ago their site was down, so I emailed Cobra directly on a Sunday and got a reply from the Cobra CEO, Scott, immediately. We had a chat and he posted a re-programmer ( for updating the firmware), on the Monday. Excellent support.

As Dave said, I would go for the 18R2 Remote as it adds support for scripted firing and some other cool stuff such as seeing which cues have continuity while in Fire mode.
With the 18R remote, you have to be in test mode to see the cue continuity on the Remote.

Regards, Chris.

[Atom Fireworks]

Would the Kingdom 20 cue modules not be what you are looking for? Easy Pyro have them and if you get the ones housed in the orange peli type case then you have a good ammount of "waterproofness", Many can be linked together and be fired remotley.

Different firing modes and enough juice to fire many Ematches on any cue. We do proffesional displays and this year my dad decided he had enough of hand lighting and bought a couple of these, they worked a treat for him! I use our in house built system as I do the bigger shows but I would be just as happy to use them on smaller weddings etc......

[cooperman435]

There is curently a cobra 18r for sale on the UKFR forum if your interested

[Sparky]

Thanks guys for the advice. I'll check these out.

I'm thinking just to start I just need something that will manual fire 18 - 20 cues, the Kingdom looks ideal for the size I'd be doing. I may progress to something that will script a whole display at another time.

Phil where did you see that? I saw the package from from Wireless but they are sold out I think. Probably the wrong time of year to be buying really.

[cooperman435]

Its simply a post on the UKFR from a member selling one of his second hand units

[aquarius]

I just bought a set with four 18M firing modules, one 18R2 remote and some other stuff from Cobra. Had quite a few email exchanges with Scott Smith, and the customer service was outstanding! Now, I await for the package to arrive and use it for the first time on a pro display on NYE.

My previuos experience before I started my own company was with Galaxis, a German made system. Really a pro system, with really pro pricing..

As for a cheap backyard remote system, you'll allways have the Chi SuperbFire made by FRremote (rfremotech.com).
It uses a internal as well as a external batteri, and I have had no problems firing alot of pro matches with a simple 12 VDC SLA battery.