There's a feature in the simulation area where you can run the mass optimizer. The problem is that it is horrible at finding the optimal mass. I have found it's better just to adjust your nose weight and re-run it yourself.

Thanks, Adrian. I just changed mass and kept re-running it, too.

So the graph that it plots for you isn't accurate? I use this feature all the tim but I haven't built anything yet that I've flown enough to really test it's accuracy.

Hey guys,

I have never used the Rocksim, I use Openrocket, it sounds like they are simiair. In Open Rocket, thats how i have been doing it also, just keep tweeking the nose weight. Open Rocket post altitude and speed, on the build page, so every adjustment you make you see how it effects the rocket, right then, no simulation run. Rocket sim do this also?

Sure do build faster on the computer screen.

So the graph that it plots for you isn't accurate? I use this feature all the tim but I haven't built anything yet that I've flown enough to really test it's accuracy.

There have been many times where I set the mass based on the graph, and then when I re-run the sim I get a lower altitude than what I started with.

At least with Rocksim 7.x I've seen that the manual optimization works far better than the automatic. Rocksim 8 (paid for) doesn't work on any of my systems at all.

At least with Rocksim 7.x I've seen that the manual optimization works far better than the automatic. Rocksim 8 (paid for) doesn't work on any of my systems at all.

Can we go back in time? 😉

Wilke still uses the free version of Rocksim 4.0 I think.

After I rebuilt my computers and lost RS 8 in the process, and after pointing out bugs that didn't get fixed in RS 9, I gave up and I only use Open Rocket and RASAero now.

Wilke still uses the free version of Rocksim 4.0 I think.

You are mostly right - I paid for it (I think it was $40). Shortly after than, version 5.0 came out and they stopped supporting 4.0... I coughed up the $$ for version 5.0 and it was so bad I went back to 4.0.

Believe it or not - I still have the FLOPPY DISCS it came on. It is the best of the Rocksims, I think.

I've seen a few bugs with Rocksim 8, but nothing major. Unfortunately, it's those who are pushing the envelope who need more accurate simulations, and Rocksim fails them. For the rest of us who fly suboptimal birds in the range of Alpha to big draggy LOC designs, it's been pretty accurate, even though we don't need much accuracy!

I think Apogee is targetting the biggest market within a fairly small hobby, and that is the sport flyers, especially TARC. Tim Van M. needs to make money to stay in business and if he loses a few HPR altitude junkies due to not fixing trans-sonic issues, etc. he's not going to lose any sleep.

Just my $0.02.
-Ken

I lick my finger and hold it up in the wind. 8) I usally get pretty close! 😉