The $220 that Scot-650 has mentioned is close to affordable. The Simple GPS Tracker that I like is $450. I'm not flying rockets a mile high. I would like to get to the 2000ft. mark. Eventually. The rocket I lost was in a 1200 foot field in all directions. Lost it into a milky cloud and never saw it again. I've searched for 3 hours and nothing. So ya, I'm going to 'save up' and get a tracker. Thanks for the replies. I'm new to mid-power and I really want to have fun flying these beautiful rockets.Define "affordable." What's your price range?
Thanks but I don't do amozan. I mean amagone. I mean auntijon. I mean.... Ya, um. No.If you are flying that low, you might be able to get away with a screamer. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DMT8SLQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
Hope this helps.
So I see the RTX has a base and a rocket unit. Not seeing a screen anywhere. How is one 'directed' to the downed rocket.??Missile Works RTX. Haven't lost a single rocket since getting the full Navigator system.
The MW RTX has an LCD screen that attaches to the module and 3D printed cases for both the RTX and LCD. These two cases lock together to form a handheld receiver with display. The LCD provides coordinates and/or directions for the rocket location, depending on whether you’ve also purchased the RTX base unit with GPS module.So I see the RTX has a base and a rocket unit. Not seeing a screen anywhere. How is one 'directed' to the downed rocket.??
Also I'll add this..... When I read about this product at their website, abbreviations everywhere. Not cool in my book. Not giving up on it but I couldn't purchase it without asking a bunch of questions.
So I see the RTX has a base and a rocket unit. Not seeing a screen anywhere. How is one 'directed' to the downed rocket.??
Also I'll add this..... When I read about this product at their website, abbreviations everywhere. Not cool in my book. Not giving up on it but I couldn't purchase it without asking a bunch of questions.
Great reply. Thanks 88. I get it.To be certain, no one's web page or manual is very GPs Newbie friendly, as I learned 6 years ago when I was a BAR, but a certain amount of exposure and, like anything else, you start to pick it up and find out what your needs are and what products will service that need. Me, I'm a data junkie, so anything that records for later download is right up my alley. Doesn't hurt that MW has NEVER had a supply issue that I know of, and that I fly RRC3s and RRC2+ in just about every rocket I own biased me toward their GPS about a year after it hit the market and was proven out as reliable.
I use the "Navigator System"
https://www.missileworks.com/store/...Navigator-System/p/67781466/category=25228107
Which pairs with the LCD screen:
https://www.missileworks.com/store/#!/LCD-Terminal/p/25232679/category=5895759
That I installed into these hand held case units:
https://www.missileworks.com/store/...e-m3-LCDT-module/p/68712166/category=20268014
https://www.missileworks.com/store/...r-the-RTx-System/p/68712211/category=20268014
Some prefer the simpler and smaller T3 system, but I have z.e.r.o. faith in any 'apps' or anything tethered to my phone, although I do use the 'last known position' coordinates entered into Google Maps on my phone to give me an approximation of where I'm going if the rocket has landed out of sight.
The Navigator system gives me a 'walk to' arrow from several miles out, and have NEVER failed me, even in the middle of a swamp that I had to drive 2 miles away from to find a field that I could cross to get into it and recover my rocket.......it has put me within 10 feet of the downed rocket every.single.time. I now have 5 different TXs on 'universal' nose cone sleds as well as a 'universal pod' that I can tether into the recovery harness of any appropriately sized rocket.
I've owned a BRB and a EggFinder, sold 'em both off for the RTX and never looked back.
Richard.... Fantastic reply. Super advice right there. I've thought of it this way..... I have 2 choices, get a tracker and learn how to use it OR keep my flights in sight, no tracker. What you are suggesting is both. Thanks for your reply.I once heard someone say "I don't buy expensive GPS trackers because I occasionally loose my rocket."
But, it's true, buying a tracker is kind of an investment, and I think the most important things is that they work well and that you get experience using them when you can still see your rocket, or use a back up like a CommSpec tracker.
For just about all of them, learning how to mount and secure an adequate battery is very important to having a successful track and recovery.
One of the cool things and an added benefit of having a GPS tracker on board is being able to download the tracking file and show on something like Google Earth. You learn a lot about winds above the deck and what the actual trajectory of your rocket was.
I have a couple different trackers and two I have are the Eggfinder and the Featherweight. In my experience (which has been severely limited since March last year), the Featherweight works a bit better for over say 10K'. I would recommend them both.
So, my suggestion is learn how to mount the tracker you choose to avoid interference and protect it and the battery from vibration and shock. Then, get some experience using it early, so you will be ready for those high alt flights. I know rocket people, they never want to go lower or slower.
Great post for me. Thanks a lot.Regarding the Eggfinders: If you don't want the pride of self-build, you still will be way better off financially getting them built by one of three people who offer services on this thread:
Eggtimer GPS system | The Rocketry Forum
or this one:
Providing Eggtimer kit assembly | The Rocketry Forum
I love my Eggtimer. I follow the arrow on my LCD and walk right up to the rocket every single time.
Great post for me. Thanks a lot.
I'm egging, I mean edging towards the mini unit. It'll be 2 or weeks before I order but its on my radar as #1. And I'll use one of the builders you have linked here. Thanks again buddy.
There are screamers tailored more specifically for rockets... but I'm darned if I can find any of them on the web right now. Well, there's one on Apogee's site: https://www.apogeerockets.com/Electronics-Payloads/Rocket-Locators/Transolve-BeepX. That one is quite a bit larger and heavier than the ones I was thinking of, though.
I'm not sure if a screamer will help you when you have absolutely no idea where the rocket went, although I suppose there is a chance that if you do a reasonable amount of searching you might eventually get close enough to hear it.
Interesting stuff, thanks for the pointer. Even the micro is a bit on the heavy side at 14g, though very reasonably priced. I feel like there were some smaller and lighter ones out there, but again I don't remember where.Those transolve products are made by John Fleischer who is a member of our local NOTRA Tripoli club. I have several. You can see the complete line up at: https://www.transolve.com/ The micro is crazy loud with that plexiglass tube installed. There is some sort of weird resonance that goes on when it's installed. The only downside is it takes a 12V battery. Give John's stuff a look!
The Transolve screamers look great - the Micro looks like a solid low cost solution. If you just want to try a screamer cheapo “personal alarms” from discount stores can work - bulky compared to a Transolve unit but the low cost and availability let you try the technique. Big help if your rocket is close but out of sight. I had decent success with a couple for very little money - ready to move up to a better one, like a Transolve Micro o Mini.Those transolve products are made by John Fleischer who is a member of our local NOTRA Tripoli club. I have several. You can see the complete line up at: https://www.transolve.com/ The micro is crazy loud with that plexiglass tube installed. There is some sort of weird resonance that goes on when it's installed. The only downside is it takes a 12V battery. Give John's stuff a look!
Enter your email address to join: