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#1
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New Estes Astron II Launch Controller - first impressions
A Hunter's Choice launch set arrived at my door on Monday and I finally got a chance to open it up and take a look tonight. My main interest was to get a look at the new pad and controller - especially the latter - since I was one of the beta testers for the LED-based Electron Beam controller nearly two years ago now.
The Astron II controller is 9V battery-based and uses a white LED for continuity indication. It reminds me more of a smaller version of the original Solar launch controller from what - 1976 or so? - in layout. It requires the same two-handed operation as EBs in recent years - using a similar tethered safety key with a bit of rubber tubing as the spring you must squeeze to maintain continuity. Speaking of continuity - those of us who like to use Quest Q2G2 igniters have nothing to fear using this controller. I measured a measly 6.5 mA continuity current with a brand new Duracell 9V battery installed (the picture below was taken with another Duracell of undetermined condition that I had on my workbench. The actual launch switch feels like a membrane type - it has not much travel and a definite snap action. It's clearly not just bending down a piece of sheet metal as in just about every handheld Estes launch controller all the way back to the original Electro-Launch. The arrangement of that button and the continuity key and the shape of the unit feel far less awkward to use two-handed than the Electron Beam. I'll let some kids try it out and see what they think. There's not much more to tell before I actually use it.....so more later. Attached are a few pics..... The black EB has one of those Pinball Life replacement LED lamps in it. The yellow EB is a recent one with a sealed-in lamp. Its batteries must be getting weak since it was under 200mA continuity current tonight (instead of more like 250 mA).
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Bernard Cawley NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member SAM 0061 AMA 42160 KG7AIE |
#2
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Thanks for the report on this new product.
I have been meaning to pick up a Hunter's Choice launch set.
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Bob S.A.M. # 0014 |
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Quote:
Will you be getting an iPhone 5, iPad or iPod Touch so you can get and use the Estes app just released? If not, I can let you drool on my iPhone 5 on Saturday.....
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-Fred Shecter NAR 20117 (L2) Southern California Rocket Association, NAR Section 430 |
#4
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Bob,
You're welcome. With a little luck I can try it and the interesting new pad out this weekend and report. Fred, I gotta upgrade to iOS 6 first......been holding off. This may push me over.
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Bernard Cawley NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member SAM 0061 AMA 42160 KG7AIE |
#5
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There is a thread on the other forum discussing the new pad and controller. What is a surprise is that the new pad does not have rod-tilting capability nor can it accept a 3/16 rod.
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#6
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True....but but it looks to me like the intent is that this setup (both the pad and the controller) is designed to be much less expensive to manufacture, which means it can be sold for less and maybe get out into more hands....so we can hook a some more folks into the hobby.
I thought about posting pics and more in that thread on TRF, but that will wait until I've field tested the things. All the discussion over there is based on looking at one in a box in a hobby shop, not actually using the thing. The pad is very clever in how it goes together (and comes apart again) and can be packed almost as compactly as that little mini-pad with the wooden legs (which uses a half-length rod and is also not adjustable, but which works just fine).
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Bernard Cawley NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member SAM 0061 AMA 42160 KG7AIE |
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Quote:
I explained that in my post in that other thread. This pad is an improvement over the pad it actually replaces. it does not replace the normal Porta-Pad - it replaces the flimsy mini-pad with 3 wood dowel legs. And that goofy plastic pad from years ago that originated with the Episode 1 rockets was unable to tilt and also had a half length launch rod like the wood dowel pad. This pad is a vast improvment. Read my complete other post for more info.
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-Fred Shecter NAR 20117 (L2) Southern California Rocket Association, NAR Section 430 |
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