Lowpuller
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2013
- Messages
- 2,230
- Reaction score
- 26
Ok, I learned a hard lesson today on my first flight ever using a JLCR.
Beautiful flight on my Space X Falcon, nose cone ejects perfect, then wait for it, wait for it, wait for it, OH CRAP! She lawn darted. The chute was in tow but never deployed.
Ironically, the lawn dart looked like a perfect Space X Falcon landing and drew cheers from the crowd.
So what was the problem..................I FORGOT TO TURN IT ON.
The manual is very specific, REMEMBER TO TURN IT ON.
However in my case I believe there were two contributing factors.
No. 1, I forgot plain and simple, but here's why. I ran several test, but after every test you have to turn it back on.
No. 2, I believe this is the primary reason I forgot. I purchased a Dino JLCR protector. The protector is well made and does protect the CR. However it makes it a total pain in the butt to turn the CR on, or to verify the CR is turned on. The way the protector fits, you have to put it on the CR before you load the canopy. Then you have to try to pull it down enough to access the buttons, and then you still can't see the lights. So you pull the cover a little further down and it makes the rubber band move. Now you have messed up your pack job.
Subsequent flights, the JLCR worked as advertised. It was a windy day, so I was thankful to have it.
Bottom line, I really like my JLCR, but I would strongly recommend against the cover, at least until it is modified to allow access to the buttons and visibility of the lights. This could easily be accomplished with the addition of a small piece of the pliable clear plastic.
Edit:
The JLCR open opens momentarily, this has the potential to create two issues:
No. 1 If you have wrapped the CR around your chute in such a manner as to put the "pin" in a slight bind at trigger, it won't release. If at trigger the pin release stayed open it would create an additional chance for the chute to open as it "shakes" around.
No. 2 If the release was not momentary, it would have to be turned on to use. This would eliminate the need to remember to turn it on. You would have to turn it on to use it.
And one more positive, very portable, I used it on 4 different rockets at the same launch. I used a larks head knot to attach it to the shock cord right below the parachute. Again great device but would be even better if you had to turn it on to use it. I know, I know, you can't make things idiot proof........but you can try.
Beautiful flight on my Space X Falcon, nose cone ejects perfect, then wait for it, wait for it, wait for it, OH CRAP! She lawn darted. The chute was in tow but never deployed.
Ironically, the lawn dart looked like a perfect Space X Falcon landing and drew cheers from the crowd.
So what was the problem..................I FORGOT TO TURN IT ON.
The manual is very specific, REMEMBER TO TURN IT ON.
However in my case I believe there were two contributing factors.
No. 1, I forgot plain and simple, but here's why. I ran several test, but after every test you have to turn it back on.
No. 2, I believe this is the primary reason I forgot. I purchased a Dino JLCR protector. The protector is well made and does protect the CR. However it makes it a total pain in the butt to turn the CR on, or to verify the CR is turned on. The way the protector fits, you have to put it on the CR before you load the canopy. Then you have to try to pull it down enough to access the buttons, and then you still can't see the lights. So you pull the cover a little further down and it makes the rubber band move. Now you have messed up your pack job.
Subsequent flights, the JLCR worked as advertised. It was a windy day, so I was thankful to have it.
Bottom line, I really like my JLCR, but I would strongly recommend against the cover, at least until it is modified to allow access to the buttons and visibility of the lights. This could easily be accomplished with the addition of a small piece of the pliable clear plastic.
Edit:
The JLCR open opens momentarily, this has the potential to create two issues:
No. 1 If you have wrapped the CR around your chute in such a manner as to put the "pin" in a slight bind at trigger, it won't release. If at trigger the pin release stayed open it would create an additional chance for the chute to open as it "shakes" around.
No. 2 If the release was not momentary, it would have to be turned on to use. This would eliminate the need to remember to turn it on. You would have to turn it on to use it.
And one more positive, very portable, I used it on 4 different rockets at the same launch. I used a larks head knot to attach it to the shock cord right below the parachute. Again great device but would be even better if you had to turn it on to use it. I know, I know, you can't make things idiot proof........but you can try.
Last edited:
