Way back when I did UC, we never heard of an electric starter. When I started back up with RC, I bought a starter like eveyone else. I soon got tired of lugging 12 volt batteries around and starters - too dang heavy. I went back to hand starting everything - .015 up to 160 cc gas burners. If it doesn't readily start, you got something that needs fixing. Works for me, but when people ask me at the field about doing it that way, I tell them with a bit of practice they can also do it by hand, but be sure to use a good leather glove. Even though I have been at hand starting for 35+ years, I always use a glove. One mistake is all that it would take to lose body parts. Three years ago a buddy at a meet was hand flipping - I offered use of my glove - he said he didnt' need it - until about five flips later. Would have save him a trip to the ER and a bunch of stitches.

Dan