Category: Product Updates

New for May 2011, the AltimeterTwo packs even more power into a package the same size as the AltimeterOne. With the addition of a triple axis accelerometer and a processor that is four times faster, the AltimeterTwo can now measure speed, acceleration, and the timing of events throughout a rocket’s flight.

The AltimeterTwo provides a fairly extensive flight analysis, including:

ŒŽ‘’“”•1 ŒŽ‘’“”•ŒŽ‘’“”ŒŽ‘’“”•ŒŽ‘’“”•ŒŽ‘’“”•ŒŽ‘’“”•ŒŽ‘’“”•ŒŽ‘’“”•ŒŽ‘’“”•ŒŽ‘’“» Altitude at apogee (FT or M)
2 » Maximum speed (MPH or KPH)
3 »  Engine burn time (sec)
4 »  Maximum burn acceleration (Gs)
5 »  Average burn acceleration (Gs)
6 »  Coast time to apogee (sec)
7 »  Time from apogee to ejection (sec)
8 »  Altitude at ejection (FT or M)
9 »  Average descent speed (MPH or KPH)
10»  Duration of flight (sec)

A couple of points are worth noting:
»  You don’t need a computer to use the AltimeterTwo
»  All of its features can be used outdoors, in bright sunlight
»  Because of its specialized flight logic, it’s for rockets only
»  Like the AltimeterOne, it does NOT download data (it just displays it)

In keeping with the overall design theme of the product line, the AltimeterTwo is analogous to a high-end “point and shoot” camera. It gives you the data you need to maximize your flying enjoyment, without all of the care and feeding of a computer-based recording altimeter. It’s designed for and by rocket enthusiasts to stand up to rough treatment and real-world flying conditions.

Expected retail prices:
AltimeterOne: $49
AltimeterTwo: $69

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We’re always looking for ways to improve. Thanks to our customers and dedicated beta testers, we’ve designed some neat improvements to the AltimeterOne that we’ll be phasing into production soon. Upcoming enhancements to the AltimeterOne include:

»  A second generation case design to increase ruggedness
»  An enhanced screen to indicate battery charge
»  Optional display of metric units for international users
»  New, high-quality retail packaging

The new case will hopefully eliminate those situations where a sudden impact could crack the glue seam of the case. In most cases, this was occurring either during rough landings (a fall from 1,000 feet without a parachute, for instance) or in high power rockets where the ejection charge would slap the altimeter violently against the bottom of the nose cone. The new case is designed with some pretty rough conditions in mind, gives the altimeter a little more of a “rugged” appearance, eliminates the entire gluing process, and actually lowers the weight of the altimeter slightly.
Expect to see these changes appearing soon, as well as an expansion of the product line!
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