This pad is an extended version of the basic Estes port-a-pad. The same legs are used to attach to a much larger base, with a much larger blast deflector. The included rod mount supports both 3/16 and 1/4 rods. This pad has worked so well for my D and E rockets, that I have picked up another one and added a 1/8 and 3/16 rod base from another pad.

this works but why not just get a launching rod and stick it in the ground instead of paying for all this?

I have an E Model Rocket Launch Pad and my main complaint is the plastic launch rod mount sits almost under the rocket nozzle at launch, melting the plastic slowly over time. So I took an empty 2 lbs. coffee can cut the bottom out, drew 2 perpendicular straight lines 180 degrees from each other from the cans edge down the full length of the can, cut along one line, with tin shears and folded it along the other line to open and expose the interior. Drill a whole in the center of the crease for the larger launch rod to slide through and you will have a very nice launch pad that will last, not melt, for 24mm F motors too.