Rocketry Planet

DANVILLE, California USA — Jolly Logic today announced the commercial release of the AltimeterTwo, a small rechargeable barometric and accelerometer-equipped altimeter for model rockets that includes advanced flight analysis features.

In addition to peak altitude, the AltimeterTwo reports:

The new AltimeterTwo, top, is available now from Apogee Rockets and selected retailers. At the bottom, the various stages of flight the AltimeterTwo records.

• Top speed (in MPH or KPH)
• Engine burn time
• Peak and average acceleration under thrust
• Coast time to apogee
• Apogee to ejection time
• Ejection altitude
• Descent speed (in MPH or KPH)
• Total flight duration from ignition to landing

All of these statistics can be reviewed on the LCD screen of the AltimeterTwo following each flight, even in bright sunlight. The AltimeterTwo weighs just 6.7 grams (0.24 ounces) and is the same size as the company's popular AltimeterOne which it released last year.

"One of the key design goals for the AltimeterTwo was to make it convenient to use," said John Beans, Jolly Logic's founder. "You can drop it into a payload section, or just clip it to your parachute line. It doesn't need a lot of babying, and it can be moved from rocket to rocket easily." The addition of a sophisticated 3-axis accelerometer allows the AltimeterTwo to work in any orientation, with no special mounting requirements, and now provides instant speed measurements for every flight.

"If you're just using one or two axes of acceleration sensing," explains Beans, "you have to require the user to mount the altimeter carefully in order to maximize its accuracy, and you're hoping for perfectly vertical flight so that it can factor in gravity correctly. Although more expensive and in shorter supply, 3-axis accelerometers allow the altimeter to figure out for itself how it's oriented and to more accurately analyze arcing flights."

The flight statistics provided by the AltimeterTwo can be useful in comparing the effect of different motors, delays, airframe modifications, weight, and parachute recovery equipment. During recent beta testing, advance units were in high demand during the height of this year's high school science fair season.

For more information, go to www.jollylogic.com. The AltimeterTwo is available now for $69.95, and can be ordered online from www.apogeerockets.com and selected local retailers.