I saw a thread on RMR about a new Estes' rocket with t' capability t' determine altitude. Blimey! Blimey! I decided t' purchase one from t' local Walmart. Ahoy! Avast! It is a Ready t' Fly rocket (for all practical purposes) included with a starter set. Arrr! Launch pad, controller and two motors (B6-4 and C6-5). Avast! T' rocket is called t' MaxTrax™. Walmart sold it for $18.99. Aye aye! You have t' purchase a "button" battery for t' nose cone and t' (4) four AA batteries for t' launch controller separately.

THE LAUNCH EQUIPMENT:

Not much t' say here as it is Estes' standard stuff. T' pad assembles easily by slidin' t' three legs into t' base slots. T' rod comes in two pieces and has t' be "bounced" together. Arrr! T' rod, stand-off and deflector plate then go into t' 1/8" slot. It has an adjustable tilt with a win' nut t' loosen or tighten as needed. Ya scallywag!

T' launch controller is a black plastic box with a place t' insert a safety key which lights a bulb indicatin' continuity. Begad! T' safety key has a feature which is nice. Ya scallywag! Avast, me proud beauty! It must be pushed in t' be active. Begad! Blimey! If you let your finger off, matey, it springs back breakin' continuity. Well, blow me down! Nice safety add. Blimey! By pressin' t' safety key and then t' launch button t' rocket is ignited. Well, blow me down! T' 15' wire runs from t' launch controller t' t' launch pad and attached t' t' ignitors with two "toothless" alligator clips.

THE ROCKET:

T' rocket is Ready-to-Fly after you tie t' pre-assembled parachute t' t' elastic shock cord. Arrr! You also need t' put t' battery into t' nose cone MaxTrax™ Electronic Capsule. Begad! You will need a small Phillips-head screw drive t' do that.

T' rocket has fairly nice looks. Avast, me proud beauty! It has a black plastic fin can with 4 fins and a motor retention ring. Begad! Ya scallywag! T' rin' is a twist-lock type that holds t' motor in place durin' flight. T' 1.35" (BT56) body tube is covered with a holographic lookin' silver paper with MaxTrax™ displayed on t' side. Begad! Begad! T' nose cone has a black section and a removable red foam covering. Ya scallywag! Begad! Nay bad over all.

Overall, me hearties, for CONSTRUCTION I would rate this kit 5 points . Avast! Arrr! After all, me bucko, me hearties, it would be hard t' be anythin' else.

FLIGHT/RECOVERY:

To prepare t' MaxTrax™ for flight, me hearties, you need t' put waddin' in and then place t' parachute into t' body tube. Avast, me proud beauty! Aye aye! Next you put t' streamer and nose cone in place. Begad! Next place your motor into t' mount and twist on t' retainer ring. Slide t' rocket onto t' launch rod, shiver me timbers, matey, then your turn on (or turn off then on t' reset from a prior flight) t' electronics capsule. Well, shiver me timbers, blow me down!

My first flight be on a B6-4 and was straight and stable. But no readin' on t' electronics capsule. My second flight was a repeat and still no reading. Begad! Both o' these flights were on a perfectly calm day and in taller grass. Ahoy! So I felt that maybe t' electronics capsule needs t' hit a bit harder than t' tall grass allowed it.

I tested me theory by settin' up t' next flight in our newly mowed lawn. With another great lift-off on another B6-4, t' nose cone ejected and fell t' t' ground. Ya scallywag! Blimey! With great anticipation I picked it up and low and behold it said 339.1 feet. Ahoy! Blimey! Success at last.

T' next flight be again on a B6-4. It definitely flew higher and t' delay seemed longer (which makes me wonder about t' variability betwixt motors). Ya scallywag! It ejected and fell t' t' ground. This time t' readin' be 411.9 feet. Begad! This was interestin' because me RockSim predicted 436 feet.

T' last flight in this series on a B6-4 gave me another no reading. Hmmmm. Avast! Ya scallywag! Blimey! 2 for 5 flights, 40%. That needs t' improve.

You may wonder how t' MaxTrax™ electronics capsule works. Ahoy! There is a small switch that is held in place by t' body tube. Avast! Arrr! T' capsule is reset while in this position. Blimey! Upon ejection t' switch activates a timer in t' capsule. When t' capsule hits a solid surface it stops t' timer and calculates t' altitude based on t' time o' t' fall.

Below is an interestin' report from Jeff Vincent that he said I could use. Blimey! Check out his experience.

For FLIGHT/RECOVERY, I would rate this kit 2 ½ points . since I have only gained 40% on t' readings. Aye aye! Blimey! T' rocket itself flies and recovers nicely.

Overall, t' MaxTrax" Starter Set was a great buy for $19. It is unique and adds some additional fun t' flyin' model rockets. Ahoy! T' electronics capsule can be used in other Estes kits too. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! T' instructions mention t' Tidal Wave, Ionizer, and Code Red. Aye aye! I'm ready t' try it with some C and D motors! I give t' Starter Set an OVERALL ratin' o' 3 ½ points .