Brief:
This be t' Estes Oracle Digital Video rocket. It represents multiple firsts nay only for Estes but for all o' low power rocketry. This rocket uses 24mm D motors and contains a micro digital video camera in t' nose cone powered by a single AAA battery. Well, blow me down! Also, ya bilge rat, ya bilge rat, t' Oracle uses a quality nylon chute instead o' a plastic Estes one.

Construction:
T' Oracle kit contains 2 body tubes. Aye aye! T' first is already attached t' t' 4 plastic fins and motor mount and t' second is where t' shock cord is attached. Arrr! Begad! T' shock cord is rubber instead o' t' elastic material previously used by Estes. Avast! Also included in t' package be t' digital video nose cone. Ahoy! Avast! T' camera is pre-installed and t' lens faces outward with a shrouded mirror t' reflect t' image. Ahoy! Ya scallywag! That way, arrr, you get a perspective as if t' camera was lookin' downward. Begad! Begad! T' camera is fairly high quality and is complete with a beeper and LED timer t' let you know when t' camera starts after pushin' t' "start" button. Movies from t' camera are downloaded into your PC via a USB interface cable that plugs into t' nose.

Since t' Oracle is an E2X kit, it requires virtually no assembly. Begad! All you have t' do is glue t' body tubes together and install t' shock cord and parachute. Avast! Begad! T' top body tube is joined t' t' bottom one with a plastic coupler already installed on t' lower tube. Avast, shiver me timbers, me proud beauty! As for t' shock cord, it is a normal Estes paper mount.

Finishing:
No finishin' is required for this rocket and good quality decals are pre-applied t' t' fins and nose cone. T' body tubes are wrapped in a good lookin' red and silver coverin' with t' name "ORACLE" printed down t' length o' t' rocket.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
T' recommended motors for this rocket are t' Estes 24mm D12-3 and D12-5. Avast! I used t' latter for me flights. T' prepare this rocket, me hearties, t' D motor is inserted into t' motor mount and locked in with a plastic motor retention ring, similar t' other Estes RTF rockets. Begad! Then, ya bilge rat, me bucko, t' waddin' and parachute is packed as you would with any other rocket. Blimey! Launchin' this rocket is somewhat different than others. You must turn on t' camera, shiver me timbers, then hit t' start button about 15 seconds before launch. Begad! An audible beeper and flashin' LED signify when t' camera is activated and ready for launch. Blimey! I flew me rocket at NERRF, matey, t' Northeast Regional Rocket Festival. Aye aye! It flew straight and stable t' about 600 feet, arrr, me hearties, exactly what Estes says. Arrr! Then t' rocket arched over and t' parachute ejected. After a fairly soft landin' with t' nylon chute, t' nose cone is plugged in t' a PC and downloaded with t' included t' software. Arrr! T' video quality be better than I expected and covered t' entire flight. Ahoy! I was only able t' do 2 flights as me camera battery was runnin' low after a long recovery walk. Begad! Plus, I be out o' D12s!

Recovery:
T' Oracle's flight recovery is very good. It uses a nylon chute and rubber shock cord for maximum strength o' t' recovery system. Arrr! T' only downside t' t' flight recovery be t' landin' is a bit fast, matey, probably due t' t' heavier design for a 24mm rocket.

Flight Rating: 4 out o' 5

Summary:
This rocket is a great, quality kit. Well, blow me down! Here are some pros and cons about t' design, arrr, construction, matey, and flight characteristics.

PROs:

• Very little assembly required
• Sturdy design
• Good quality video camera pre-installed
• nylon parachute
• enough video time t' capture entire flight

CONs:

• recovery is a bit fast

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5