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Rocket tracking gadget

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J.A. Michel - 22 Nov 2003 18:59 GMT
Anyone tried these?  Is this GPS comparable to Garmin unit that others have
said was so good for rocket tracking?  I like the fact that it's GPS and FRS
in one gadget!

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/wholesaleoverstocks/augmfrtr.html

--
Joe Michel
NAR 82797 L1
Phil Stein - 22 Nov 2003 23:07 GMT
Here's their ruturn policy:
Can I return or exchange an item? And how?
The return will be accepted ONLY on exchange basis. If an item is
defective upon arrival and has to be replaced, customer must notify us
with one (1) day of arrival date.

It looks cool but with this return policy, I'll wait for someone to
try one.

Buyer beware.

Phil Stein

>Anyone tried these?  Is this GPS comparable to Garmin unit that others have
>said was so good for rocket tracking?  I like the fact that it's GPS and FRS
>in one gadget!
>
>http://shop.store.yahoo.com/wholesaleoverstocks/augmfrtr.html

Phil Stein
Bob Kaplow - 23 Nov 2003 03:55 GMT
> Here's their ruturn policy:
> Can I return or exchange an item? And how?
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> It looks cool but with this return policy, I'll wait for someone to
> try one.

So. Isn't this the standard Microsoft warranty?

    Bob Kaplow    NAR # 18L    TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD"
        >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD! <<<
Kaplow Klips & Baffle:    http://nira-rocketry.org/LeadingEdge/Phantom4000.pdf
   www.encompasserve.org/~kaplow_r/    www.nira-rocketry.org    www.nar.org

Save Model Rocketry from the HSA!   http://www.space-rockets.com/congress.html
Phil Stein - 24 Nov 2003 23:19 GMT
No.  Microsoft gives you more than one day to return a product you are
not satisfied with.  I think it's at least 30 days.  Check
www.microsoft.com for details.  You know you want to.

Phil Stein

>> Here's their ruturn policy:
>> Can I return or exchange an item? And how?
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Save Model Rocketry from the HSA!   http://www.space-rockets.com/congress.html

Phil Stein
Bob Kaplow - 25 Nov 2003 18:35 GMT
> No.  Microsoft gives you more than one day to return a product you are
> not satisfied with.  I think it's at least 30 days.  Check
> www.microsoft.com for details.  You know you want to.

But can I actually return the shrinklicense software that comes with a new
peecee and get a refund of the microshaft license costs that are bundled in
with the box? A bunch of Linux folks tried, and were refused refunds. Search
on something like "windows refund day"...

    Bob Kaplow    NAR # 18L    TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD"
        >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD! <<<
Kaplow Klips & Baffle:    http://nira-rocketry.org/LeadingEdge/Phantom4000.pdf
   www.encompasserve.org/~kaplow_r/    www.nira-rocketry.org    www.nar.org

Save Model Rocketry from the HSA!   http://www.space-rockets.com/congress.html
Gary - 26 Nov 2003 19:47 GMT
>>No.  Microsoft gives you more than one day to return a product you are
>>not satisfied with.  I think it's at least 30 days.  Check
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
>  Save Model Rocketry from the HSA!   http://www.space-rockets.com/congress.html

My emachines T-1090 came with a Windows XP "restore" CD which simply
writes a low-level system image to the hard drive. It over-writes any
partitioning done on the drive and destroyed my Linux partitions when I
attempted to re-install XP. I repartitioned and left XP off the machine.

I contacted emachines about the "Microsoft Tax" refund. They said the
disk image restore was based upon MS OEM license agreements (you can
bundle Windows, but nothing else) and I needed to contact MS for any
refunds.

Microsoft (depending upon the division I contacted) essentially said the
hardware OEM's were responsible for refunds. It wasn't worth the hassle
of dealing with MS, and I quit trying (the T-1090 was a deal without XP
when I got it on sale. A full OS refund would have been 2/3 of what I
paid for the machine).

Some people have received refunds from the OEM, most have not. Small
claims court cases usually side with the consumer, but you shouldn't
have to sue just to get a refund on an item you don't want or use.

Not sure what is going on now as the T-1090 is the only OEM machine I
own (all the others are scratch-builds with Linux and/or an ancient
Win95 OS I bought retail).

Signature

Gary Bolles
NAR 82636

summum jus, summa injuria est

To contact me; bollesg at comcast dot net
http://home.comcast.net/~bollesg/rockets/rockets.html

Bob Kaplow - 23 Nov 2003 03:54 GMT
> Anyone tried these?  Is this GPS comparable to Garmin unit that others have
> said was so good for rocket tracking?  I like the fact that it's GPS and FRS
> in one gadget!
>
> http://shop.store.yahoo.com/wholesaleoverstocks/augmfrtr.html

It doesn't give details, but it most certainly doesn't do the site-n-go
feature of the Summit, Vista, or 76S units. It seems more like the Garmin
Rino in features. One by itself is only marginally helpful in rocket
locating.

But since this and the Rino show you the position of other similar units by
transmitting data over the FRS radio, if you put one unit IN your rocket,
you could use another to home in on it after it landed.

One other comment: I've never seen an Audiovox GPS. Garmin, Magellin, and
other quality GPS units are built rugged to take field abuse. I've seen
Audiovox FRS radios. Drop one on a hard surface, and it's dead, Jim. At this
price, I wouldn't expect the kind of ruggedness I've got in my Garmin GPS or
Motorola FRS.

    Bob Kaplow    NAR # 18L    TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD"
        >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD! <<<
Kaplow Klips & Baffle:    http://nira-rocketry.org/LeadingEdge/Phantom4000.pdf
   www.encompasserve.org/~kaplow_r/    www.nira-rocketry.org    www.nar.org

Save Model Rocketry from the HSA!   http://www.space-rockets.com/congress.html
J.A. Michel - 23 Nov 2003 04:54 GMT
Thanks Bob.  I checked up on the Garmin units you mentioned, none of them
list the site-n-go feature.  Do they call it something else?  Both the
Garmin and Audiovox units list about the same features, waypoints, tracking,
routing, etc.

Funny you mention putting it in the rocket because I had that idea too.
Don't know if it would work.  The only way to know would be to buy one and
try it.

--
Joe Michel
NAR 82797 L1

> > Anyone tried these?  Is this GPS comparable to Garmin unit that others have
> > said was so good for rocket tracking?  I like the fact that it's GPS and FRS
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
>  Save Model Rocketry from the HSA!   http://www.space-rockets.com/congress.html
Terry Swift - 23 Nov 2003 04:53 GMT
I found a link to the user manual -

http://www.audiovox.com/manuals/owners/1286146_OM.pdf

But it's a 55 page document if you're on dialup.

p39 talks about using the locate feature.

Terry

> Funny you mention putting it in the rocket because I had that idea too.
> Don't know if it would work.  The only way to know would be to buy one and
> try it.
Bob Kaplow - 23 Nov 2003 22:58 GMT
> Thanks Bob.  I checked up on the Garmin units you mentioned, none of them
> list the site-n-go feature.  Do they call it something else?  Both the
> Garmin and Audiovox units list about the same features, waypoints, tracking,
> routing, etc.

To compare Garmin units, go to http://www.garmin.com/products/comparison.jsp
The enabling feature you're looking for is the ELectronic Compass.

To actually see how Site N Go works, select one of the units (Summit, Vista,
GPSMAP76S), click on Manuals, and download the owners manual. Sight N Go is
on page 25 of the Summit manual, which can be opened from http://www.garmin.com
/products/manual.jsp?market=3&subcategory=37&product=010-00212-00

    Bob Kaplow    NAR # 18L    TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD"
        >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD! <<<
Kaplow Klips & Baffle:    http://nira-rocketry.org/LeadingEdge/Phantom4000.pdf
   www.encompasserve.org/~kaplow_r/    www.nira-rocketry.org    www.nar.org

Save Model Rocketry from the HSA!   http://www.space-rockets.com/congress.html
J.A. Michel - 24 Nov 2003 04:16 GMT
Thank you for the links.  In lieu of having a GPS with an E-compass or
site'n go, what could a guy do in the way of tracking?  With a non site 'n
go GPS, wouldn't it be possible to do the following:

1. Watch your rocket come down and get a good 'bead' on it.
2. Mark the position your standing at.
3. Walk in the direction of your bead for 100 feet or so.
4. Mark that point.
5. Continue in a strait line relative to the first two waypoints you just
marked until you find the rocket.

All the rockets I have lost was because I lost my bearings going over a hill
or being in tall weeds or CORN.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's a lot easier for me to get
wife-approved-funding  on a 70 or 80 dollar GPS than one that costs 200.

--
Joe Michel
NAR 82797 L1

> > Thanks Bob.  I checked up on the Garmin units you mentioned, none of them
> > list the site-n-go feature.  Do they call it something else?  Both the
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
>  Save Model Rocketry from the HSA!   http://www.space-rockets.com/congress.html
Bob Kaplow - 24 Nov 2003 18:40 GMT
> Thank you for the links.  In lieu of having a GPS with an E-compass or
> site'n go, what could a guy do in the way of tracking?  With a non site 'n
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's a lot easier for me to get
> wife-approved-funding  on a 70 or 80 dollar GPS than one that costs 200.

The cheapest I've seen a Garmin or other quality unit is about $100.

Looking through the Garmin manual, I'd at least look for any GPS unit to
meet the IPX7 water resistant standards so you don't have to worry about
rain or splashes damaging the unit. Also check the interface formats for
downloading, connecting to a PC or other electronics. And see what software
is available to work with them. Garmin is VERY software friendly. Not sure
about other brands.

    Bob Kaplow    NAR # 18L    TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD"
        >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD! <<<
Kaplow Klips & Baffle:    http://nira-rocketry.org/LeadingEdge/Phantom4000.pdf
   www.encompasserve.org/~kaplow_r/    www.nira-rocketry.org    www.nar.org

Save Model Rocketry from the HSA!   http://www.space-rockets.com/congress.html
Leonard Fehskens - 26 Nov 2003 17:50 GMT
> The cheapest I've seen a Garmin or other quality unit is about $100.

Wow.  Finally, after 320 posts of noise, some signal!

And the moon is new, not full.

len.
Randy - 27 Nov 2003 02:51 GMT
> And the moon is new, not full.

Someone screwed up in reverse.  ; )

Randy
Bob Kaplow - 28 Nov 2003 13:41 GMT
>> The cheapest I've seen a Garmin or other quality unit is about $100.
>
> Wow.  Finally, after 320 posts of noise, some signal!
>
> And the moon is new, not full.

I just saw they basic yellow Garmin GPS in the holiday Target at for $79.

    Bob Kaplow    NAR # 18L    TRA # "Impeach the TRA BoD"
        >>> To reply, remove the TRABoD! <<<
Kaplow Klips & Baffle:    http://nira-rocketry.org/LeadingEdge/Phantom4000.pdf
   www.encompasserve.org/~kaplow_r/    www.nira-rocketry.org    www.nar.org

Save Model Rocketry from the HSA!   http://www.space-rockets.com/congress.html
Al Max - 28 Nov 2003 21:06 GMT
3. Walk in the direction of your bead for 100 feet or so.
4. Mark that point.
5. Continue in a strait line relative to the first two waypoints you just
marked until you find the rocket.

that does work

> Thank you for the links.  In lieu of having a GPS with an E-compass or
> site'n go, what could a guy do in the way of tracking?  With a non site 'n
[quoted text clipped - 46 lines]
> >  Save Model Rocketry from the HSA!
> http://www.space-rockets.com/congress.html
Ismaeel Abdur-Rasheed - 23 Nov 2003 04:47 GMT
It looks like a nice unit, but how would you adapt it for use in
rocketry?  If I understand the description properly, it seems that the
entire handheld unit would need to be in the rocket, transmitting to a
companion unit on the ground.

check out this unit designed expressly for rocketry/RC application

GPSFlight
http://www.gpsflight.com

from their website:

GPSFlight delivers the smallest, most affordable GPS based telemetry
solutions available to the RC, Recreation, and other markets. Track
anything in real-time, and see exact speed, heading, altitude, and
position information for more than 15 miles range!

also see http://www.gpsflight.com/GPSF/how_works.html

- iz

> Anyone tried these?  Is this GPS comparable to Garmin unit that others have
> said was so good for rocket tracking?  I like the fact that it's GPS and FRS
> in one gadget!
J.A. Michel - 23 Nov 2003 14:27 GMT
I was really interested in the site-n' go feature that Bob talked about.
Meaning you point the GPS in the direction that you seen your rocket come
down, and the GPS keeps you on a straight line walking to it.  Putting it in
a rocket was just a random thought that probably wouldn't work anyhow.

--
Joe Michel
NAR 82797 L1
> It looks like a nice unit, but how would you adapt it for use in
> rocketry?  If I understand the description properly, it seems that the
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> > said was so good for rocket tracking?  I like the fact that it's GPS and FRS
> > in one gadget!
Mark - 23 Nov 2003 22:43 GMT
Actually, there is another little piece of gadgetry ya'll might be
interested in.

It's kinda new, and used in Model Airplanes... was about 2 months into the
hardware\software when I discovered it already existed.

It takes the GPS way point info (more specifically, two distinct NEMA 2.0
sentences) and gives an RC output to operate a solenoid to move left or
right to steer a vehicle back to a way point (or along a given course).

A little modification and creativity (and help from GPSFlight?) and the
thing could be used to operate the brake lines of a Parafoil, or even an
X-Form 'chute.

I smell the technological foundation of 'GPS Recovery by Autonomous
Steerable Parachute'...

GRASP system anyone?  Tired of going to find your rocket?  Let your rocket
come back to YOU!

> I was really interested in the site-n' go feature that Bob talked about.
> Meaning you point the GPS in the direction that you seen your rocket come
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
> FRS
> > > in one gadget!
Jerry Irvine - 23 Nov 2003 23:00 GMT
> Actually, there is another little piece of gadgetry ya'll might be
> interested in.
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> GRASP system anyone?  Tired of going to find your rocket?  Let your rocket
> come back to YOU!

Be glad to test it in so cal with you.

I have a few spare motors :)

Signature

Jerry Irvine, Box 1242, Claremont, California 91711 USA
Opinion, the whole thing. <mail to:01rocket@gte.net>
Please bring common sense back to rocketry administration.
Produce then publish.  http://www.usrockets.com
My articles valuable? Donate at iKobo.com c/o my email.

Mark - 24 Nov 2003 00:11 GMT
> > GRASP system anyone?  Tired of going to find your rocket?  Let your rocket
> > come back to YOU!
>
> Be glad to test it in so cal with you.
>
> I have a few spare motors :)

Invitation excepted!
(May need a few spare rockets as well)
;)
Jerry Irvine - 24 Nov 2003 00:45 GMT
> > > GRASP system anyone?  Tired of going to find your rocket?  Let your
> rocket
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> (May need a few spare rockets as well)
> ;)

Email me for this feature.

Signature

Jerry Irvine, Box 1242, Claremont, California 91711 USA
Opinion, the whole thing. <mail to:01rocket@gte.net>
Please bring common sense back to rocketry administration.
Produce then publish.  http://www.usrockets.com
My articles valuable? Donate at iKobo.com c/o my email.

 
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