I have a tendency to purchase a new starter set every couple of years or so and some time ago I found this Quest Vertigo Starter Set on a clearance sale for $9.99. I decided I couldn't beat that. I put it away until I was ready for a new launch pad and rod.

There is already a review on the Quest Controller as well as a review on another of Quest's Millennium series of RTF rockets; the Genesis.

The Vertigo rocket is a ready to fly rocket. Well, technically, "almost" ready to fly considering you need to install the parachute. It has great looks/design on the outside body. It has 4 fins and a nose cone made of purple plastic. It includes a Kevlar® and elastic shockcord and a motor retaining hook. All-in-all, simple and good looking.

I made an interesting (at least to me) change to the rocket. I eliminated the parachute and used the two plastic "remove before launching" warning flags as a double-streamer. For those not familiar with those warning flags: one attaches to a plastic rod tip protector and the other attaches to safety key for the launch controller. (notice the yellow and orange ribbons).

Overall, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 5 points. Really, what can you say?

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

Vertigo is supposed to be "a disordered condition in which one feels oneself or one's surroundings whirling about." Maybe not the best choice of names for a model rocket with the expectation that a rocket flies straight and true verses "whirling about". No worries here though, this rocket flies as straight as an arrow.

First flight was on a Quest A6-4. Nice flight with the rocket starting to head downward upon ejection. Rocket landed within feet of the pad.

So, with the no wind situation, we loaded it up with a C6-5. Did see the ejection because it went so high. In fact, we lost site of it. With the streamers and no wind... it landed just about 30 feet away. Very nice indeed.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, I would rate this rocket 4 ½ points. Nice flights on A8 through C6, but watch out on the C's... it goes. I would like to see this as a streamer rocket (to get the perfect score).

I give the rocket an OVERALL rating of 5 points. The starter set is nice and if you've never flown a Quest motor, you're in for a real treat as well. Love the smoke from them. The rocket is durable and fun to have had, flown... and lost!