Change From Streamer to Parachute for the Goblin?

[Hank1986]

Like many others, I found a great deal on the Estes Goblin at Hobby Lobby yesterday--$4.39. At the time of purchase, I did not know it uses the streamer recovery system. Never used streamers before.

If I convert to a parachute instead, what size should I use? Anything about the shock cord or other parts of the rocket do I need to consider before the building begins? THANKS!!

 

[Scott_650]

The included shock cord is much too short - a three-ish footer would be good - 4ft wouldn’t be too long. If you’re going to use Estes 24mm motors (or adapted QJet Ds) stick with the streamer, it can really get up there and it’s not that big - very tough to track and under any chute it’s going to drift a long way. But if you’re going to use a chute a 12” should be fine, nothing bigger unless you’re planning on it being a fire and forget it rocket

Goblins tend to pop fins regardless of how they’re recovered - I’ve reglued 3 on my yellow one and I think 1 on my green one and that’s on fairly soft grass.

 

[GlenP]

You can cut a small spill hole in the middle of the chute to get it to fall faster.

 

[Hank1986]

The included shock cord is much too short - a three-ish footer would be good - 4ft wouldn’t be too long. If you’re going to use Estes 24mm motors (or adapted QJet Ds) stick with the streamer, it can really get up there and it’s not that big - very tough to track and under any chute it’s going to drift a long way. But if you’re going to use a chute a 12” should be fine, nothing bigger unless you’re planning on it being a fire and forget it rocket

Goblins tend to pop fins regardless of how they’re recovered - I’ve reglued 3 on my yellow one and I think 1 on my green one and that’s on fairly soft grass.

Thanks Scott. Very helpful info.

 

[dpower]

I’d recommend using the streamer, unless you limit flights to B motors. I fly mine on C11-5 and D12-7 motors, and it’s tough getting it back even with a streamer. If it lands in the tall weeds, there’s no damage.

 

[DMehalko]

Went to parachute on mine, I fly mine on aerotech e20 and f44 motors . Check out the vanderburn fin upgrades for them

 

[Ronz Rocketz]

After flying the Apogee Diamondback, I'm more excited about streamers now. I bought the following to see if it's equivalent material. My Black Brant IV went almost 1000ft so that would be a good one to try with.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0043580OQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[caveduck]

I turned mine into a "HobGoblin" with a ~6' kevlar shock line and a 2 mil z-fold Mylar streamer and glassed-on fins to fly on E12's 9 (add nose weight for that please). Worked great and didn't recover too far away. You can control the descent rate by how many folds you put into the streamer and how wide they are. I would not use the streamer nor the shock cord that comes with the kit, too wimpy regardless of power level. I got a huge roll of 2 mil aluminized mylar 56" x 50 ft from a local hydroponics grow shop for ~$25. I use 1" Kapton tape from Amazon for sticking the kevlar to the streamer (make the line wavy under the tape).

 

[Back_at_it]

When flying my Goblin on smaller 18mm motors I tend to run with a 9in parachute as the altitude isn't very high and recovery is generally pretty close to the pad. When running 24mm motors I still use a streamer but I have switched to the foil z-fold type and buy them from Apogee. Typically I just buy their largest one and cut it into smaller streamers to fit my needs. In the Goblin I use the 2"x48" with good success.