I use a Missile Works RRC2X. It's a simple, reliable unit. It isn't the smallest unit out there, and hardly the most complex, but at $90 ($72 if you buy it from Wildman at Mayhem), it is inexpensive compared to a lot of the units out there, and it is easy to use.

I too use Missileworks RRC2X's for most of my workhorse dual deployment rockets - the altitude resolution isn't as fine as some, but the reliability and accuracy are great. To club members, Jim sells them for $65 so you can get an even better price than Wildman sells them for if you buy from Jim Amos directly.

Warren

In my opinion the Missleworks RR2X is the best out there. This altimeter saved many rockets and survived many crashes. The crashes btw were not caused by the altimeter.
I also use the G-wiz and it hasn't failed me, but it doesn't have the features that the Missleworks has.

Dale.

Being that from my preliminary investigation I was leaning towards a Missileworks RR2X, you guys input sounds great. Thanks for the responses 🙂

I also use the Perfectflight MAWD, small enough to do dual deploy in a 24mm airframe, but it has problems sometimes.

Warren

Anyone know the best way to get ahold of Jim Amos?

jimamos@missileworks.com or (303) 823-9222 9AM to 5PM.

Warren

Thanks again Warren!

batman,

a good choice, the one thing not mentioned and may be of irrelevance to you for now, the missileworks does not data log. A succesor is rumored to be in the works, but don't hold your breath--Jim has many irons in the fire.

The data log lets you plot altitude vs time so you can compare ascent with a simulator--tweak Cd's, etc which can be very helpful in contests, and also know your descent velocity.

john s

that sounds kinda neat, which units have that capability? I'll prolly still start with the RRC2x. Seems like you can't beat that price for a reliable first alti, but I'm a gear geek, so I'll prolly end up with several eventually (unless the wife takes my CC away :P)

There is a decent list of good recording altimeters, both barometric and accelerometer based. How fancy you get determines how much you spend.

I have a Perfectflight MAWD - fits a 24mm tube, downloads data to the PC, dual deploy, barometric, mach delay to 18 seconds. Good deal - $125 with computer cable and software.

Others are the Defy Gravity unit, the G-wiz AltAcc, the LokiResearch ARTS unit and many more. If you want to get really fancy, you need to think about a full blow flight computer which the Defy-Gravity unit actually is, the Euro-made RDAS modular unit, and if Jim Amos ever finishes it, the Missileworks MPAC. There are others as well. High Power Rocketry did a full-scale review last year or the year before. Don't have the issue handy here at work, but worth looking into.

Warren Musselman

I have a Black Sky 1010 AltAcc2C , but I haven't used it yet. Just ground tested it according to its directions. Saving it for L3 with a MWC XRRC2 40k backup. Has anyone else used one of these?

Without referring to the issue Warren cited, the biggest bang for buck probably comes down to a choice of three altimeters, possibly four as I'm unfamiliar with the Black Sky gear. I've chosen these as they will all easily fit in a 38/54mm tube, have both accelerometer and baro sensors, do data logging and come bundled with software, as well as can be configured to fire 4 to 5 pyro channels, (all below 200).

Defy Gravity (now back in the hands of the developer at Rocketmotion) "Control" is an extraordinarily flexible unit that has "switches" for events such as touchdown which can be used to set off an alarm or via a "tether" cut loose shroud loops.

Ozark ARTS available thru Loki. With bundled software can estimate total N-s of impulse and Cd--great for EX and can support GPS with add-ons.

and G-Whiz MC-2, not as full feaured as its bigger brother, but been around for a long time and just keeps getting better. Believe there is a +/- 100 gee version for extreme flights.

As I said may be more, but this is a short list of of the sweet spot. RDAS, G-WHIZ top of the line, and Jim's MPAC (when available) are the top of the heap, but all retail for significantly more $$$$. 😯

JS

Without referring to the issue Warren cited, the biggest bang for buck probably comes down to a choice of three altimeters, possibly four as I'm unfamiliar with the Black Sky gear. I've chosen these as they will all easily fit in a 38/54mm tube, have both accelerometer and baro sensors, do data logging and come bundled with software, as well as can be configured to fire 4 to 5 pyro channels, (all below 200).

Defy Gravity (now back in the hands of the developer at Rocketmotion) "Control" is an extraordinarily flexible unit that has "switches" for events such as touchdown which can be used to set off an alarm or via a "tether" cut loose shroud loops.

Ozark ARTS available thru Loki. With bundled software can estimate total N-s of impulse and Cd--great for EX and can support GPS with add-ons.

and G-Whiz MC-2, not as full feaured as its bigger brother, but been around for a long time and just keeps getting better. Believe there is a +/- 100 gee version for extreme flights.

As I said may be more, but this is a short list of of the sweet spot. RDAS, G-WHIZ top of the line, and Jim's MPAC (when available) are the top of the heap, but all retail for significantly more $$$$. 😯

JS

I would agree that those are good altimiters, but I would still go with the RRC2 or RRC2X for a first time altimiter. The extra features are nice, but unnecessary, and can only add confusion for a very first altimiter flight. Keep it simple at first, then work your way up.