Estes - AstroVision {Kit}

Estes AstroVision

Estes - AstroVision {Kit}

Contributed by Bruce Canino

Construction Rating:
Flight Rating:
Overall Rating:

Manufacturer:

Estes

Estes Astrovision

Brief:
Estes Astrovision is a RTF digital video / camera rocket that downloads t' a Windows based computer. Avast! Sold with a standard Estes launch pad and launcher. Well, blow me down! Video mode is 320x240 and camera mode is 640x480.

Construction:
1 RTF Digital Rocket Camera. Also comes with standard Estes launch pad and launcher.

You need a small Phillips head screwdriver t' open t' battery compartment t' add three small button cells. Rocket comes with 6 cells.

Finishing:
No finishin' required. Arrr! Blimey! RTF rocket comes with preprinted body tube.

Construction Rating: 3 out o' 5

Estes Astrovision

Flight:
Launched three times, 2 times in video mode and once in camera mode. Avast! All three flights were on a C6-5. T' two video flights t' rocket spun makin' a dizzy view o' t' ground. Avast, me proud beauty! Well, blow me down! On t' camera flight, ya bilge rat, me hearties, it took 4 photos. Begad! 1 still sittin' on t' pad, arrr, 1 from altitude, 1 o' t' parachute comin' out, ya bilge rat, and 1 o' just blue sky.

To fly, you turn on t' camera. Ya scallywag! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Once you push t' start button on t' camera, a LED flashes for 15 seconds then goes out. Ahoy! Blimey! T' LED is bright enough t' be seen from a safe distant from t' pad. Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! T' camera starts runnin' 3 seconds after t' LED stops flashing. Aye aye! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Start you count down from 5 when t' LED stops flashing.

Recovery:
This rocket used a rubber band shock cord that be attached t' t' launch lug mount. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! It held up t' t' three flights with no wear. Avast, me proud beauty! It could have been a tad bit longer.

I didn't use t' parachute that came with t' rocket. Ya scallywag! Blimey! It comes with a low quality China made chute that has t' cheap parachute lines that break way t' easy. Blimey! I used a nylon chute that comes with t' Estes Oracle. Aye aye! That chute also comes with t' Liquidator.

Chute size is just about right t' land without damage and too much drift.

Flight Rating: 3 out o' 5

Summary:
Easy and fairly inexpensive (goes for about $50 on discount) way o' gettin' aerial digital photos and videos. Blimey! Ya scallywag! Doesn't require large motors, so you get more launch opportunities on smaller fields.

Overall Rating: 3 out o' 5

Other Reviews

Estes AstroVision By Joy Sills (December 16, 2007)
Brief: The Estes Astrovision is a RTF rocket that comes in a Rocket Launch set with a launch stand and controller. The unique thing about the Astrovision is that it lofts a digital camera into the air. The camera can take both digital video (12 seconds worth) and digital still pictures. Construction: The parts list: Camera Nosecone Plastic Fin Can Pre-preprinted ...

Flights

Comments:

A.H. (January 10, 2008)

If the rocket was simple to construct and recovery was perfect . I do not understand the low scores in those categorys. In Fact there were no bad points about the rocket mentioned in the review at all. were there reasons for the lower scores that can be passed on to someone who may want to purchase one?

B.P. (March 6, 2008)

I think the reason behind the low construction scores nay come from the fact that there wasn't much of a build at all. I was impressed at the price tag compared to the Oracle.

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