Questions about Entacore AIM altimeter.

[Bat-mite]

If you have purchased one and know the answers, please chime in.

1. Is there a downloadable instruction document?
2. Do they ship from South Africa or the US (or somewhere else)?
3. If they ship from outside the US, how expensive is shipping?
4. If they ship from outside the US, how slow is shipping?
   
5. Looks like the terminal blocks are three on each side. How are they laid out functionally?
6. Max voltage is 8.4V. Does that mean that you cannot use a 9V battery and must use a LiPo?
7. If you have one, would you recommend?
8. Does it mount flat to the sled or does it need standoffs?

Thanks!

 

[Nytrunner]

Based on my college competition days which are retreating into the past

1- Should be on Apogee (or google)
2- Ask where Apogee gets them (and google)
3- tbd
4- tbd
5- Deployment side: 2 hots on the outside, common ground in the middle.
---Power side: +, -, on the outside, central terminal is for one leg of switch and battery if you use a switch (one leg of batt goes in -, one leg of switch goes in +, free ends go in center terminal)
6- 9V acceptable
7. It worked. I'd rate it somewhere between Stratologger and Missileworks for user interface
8. Needs standoffs (is there a deployment alt that doesn't?)

 

[ksaves2]

Download the firmware and the instructions are in there after you unpack the zipfile. I have an AIM 2.0 which works fine except it is directly written in the instruction that Rf trackers could interfere with the function of the altimeter.
I confine my use to lower flying DD rockets that don't need an Rf tracker because of that warning. I don't know if the newer versions have that warning but you can download and look in the instructions. Apogee carries it but I got mine from
South Africa some years ago and the shipping went smoothly. Kurt

 

[g.pitts]

If you have purchased one and know the answers, please chime in.

1. Is there a downloadable instruction document?
2. Do they ship from South Africa or the US (or somewhere else)?
3. If they ship from outside the US, how expensive is shipping?
4. If they ship from outside the US, how slow is shipping?
   
5. Looks like the terminal blocks are three on each side. How are they laid out functionally?
6. Max voltage is 8.4V. Does that mean that you cannot use a 9V battery and must use a LiPo?
7. If you have one, would you recommend?
8. Does it mount flat to the sled or does it need standoffs?

Thanks!

I'll send you a PM with my experience.

 

[Bat-mite]

The fact that apparently no one on the forum currently uses them is a bit telling. Thanks, all!

 

[Nytrunner]

I have nothing against it from a technical standpoint. There just happen to be cheaper altimeters available that provide a similar level of functionality

 

[Bat-mite]

I have nothing against it from a technical standpoint. There just happen to be cheaper altimeters available that provide a similar level of functionality

My problem is that I want to have two logging alts in my bigger rockets, but not the same model. So an RRC3 and .... Perfect Flight doesn't seem to be making Stratologgers any more. I can't build an Eggtimer with my old, clunky soldering iron and bad fingers. Next up is the Raven at $160. The AIM was $45 cheaper.

 

[Nytrunner]

.... Perfect Flight doesn't seem to be making Stratologgers any more

Who announced that? Their production is slow, but not halted. They release product in small batches ~ once a week or so. Unfortunately everyone is in hoarding mode and they sell out quickly.

 

[Bat-mite]

Who announced that? Their production is slow, but not halted. They release product in small batches ~ once a week or so. Unfortunately everyone is in hoarding mode and they sell out quickly.

Oh, I just assumed. When you can't get one on the manufacturer's site or at any authorized dealer's site, that causes you to speculate, I guess.

 

[Maxwelljets]

Are you talking about the AIM USB or the much higher functionality AIM XTRA? I've used the XTRA before, but not the USB. IMO the USB isn't worth it over a Stratologger or missile works RRC. The XTRA on the other hand is pretty great. It has nearly identical functionality to the Telemega, but it is slightly cheaper and uses replaceable screw-on antennas instead of soldered. The newest version uses a new GPS chip that can be on several different GNSS constellations simultaneously, so the most recent time I used it the AIM had around an 18 satellite lock at launch.

 

[Bat-mite]

Are you talking about the AIM USB or the much higher functionality AIM XTRA? I've used the XTRA before, but not the USB. IMO the USB isn't worth it over a Stratologger or missile works RRC. The XTRA on the other hand is pretty great. It has nearly identical functionality to the Telemega, but it is slightly cheaper and uses replaceable screw-on antennas instead of soldered. The newest version uses a new GPS chip that can be on several different GNSS constellations simultaneously, so the most recent time I used it the AIM had around an 18 satellite lock at launch.

I think i was talking about the USB. But I am not going to go in this direction. I will wait to see if I can get a Stratologger, or maybe an Altus Metrum.

 

[Bat-mite]

Just to close out this thread -- I bought an Altus Metrum EasyMini.