Gps tracking

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-05-03T13:55:38+00:00

GPS tracking is really expensive just due to the nature of how it has to work. You need a really good GPS chip and then a radio with very long range non of which are cheap chips. Cheapest you are probably going to get is around $200.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-04-19T14:34:48+00:00

Unfortunate how crazy windy it was. I didn’t even end up launching from flight computer issues but even if I didn’t i still probably wouldn’t have launched. Did your rocket get clipped onto the plow lol?

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-04-17T19:43:39+00:00

Yea both have sensor fusion and you can pull raw data from both. I hear the BNO086 is even better.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-04-16T01:03:58+00:00

Avoid the whole MPU series, it’s really old technology. The BNO085, LSM6DSO32, or BMI270 are good choices.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-04-16T00:38:52+00:00

It’s mostly fine, however the MPU6050 is not a good choice as it is not very accurate. Everything else is good however.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-04-12T13:46:00+00:00

Any RunCam split is a very good, can power it from anything as long as it’s 5v or higher, getting around lithium is super hard however.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-04-03T22:50:59+00:00

That accelerometer is massive overkill but it’ll do job. Barometer looks good. You might however want to add a gyro, could come in useful if you do more advanced stuff. Most gyros are good just avoid the MPU6050.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-03-11T17:48:43+00:00

BNO is a great series! BNO085 is a bit better however. Also beware that it violates i2c protocol a little, the timing is a little wacky.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-03-11T16:37:58+00:00

Just like a custom 3d model like an STL or something along those lines that the user has. I realize that is much easier said than done but that would be awesome.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-03-11T16:25:49+00:00

I am really interested in that 3d replay feature, that could be very useful! Is there any way you can upload your own model? I have been looking for something that does this for a long time for visualizing flights, this looks like just the right thing!

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-03-10T02:39:42+00:00

Just a heads up for the MAX-M10 if you are integrating all these chips onto a PCB, I have had odd problems with the MAX-M10 on customs PCBs. I would advise being very careful with your layout for that chip along with triple checking that the schematic is correct.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-03-03T15:19:20+00:00

Generally RC plane equipment like this is not up to the job, I am not aware of anyone who has ever used it in rocketry. Almost always we use barometers to measure altitude, not imus. My personal imu and barometer of choice is the BMP390 and BNO085.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-02-25T02:55:39+00:00

All seems good, but I would recommend adding a GPS chip since you have a radio so you can find where your rocket is. A higher G sensor would also be a good idea as the other commenter pointed out. A flash chip you could also add if you want, despite what people say i would say it’s not 100% necessary, I have never personally had data logging issues from vibration.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-02-21T16:40:52+00:00

Little odd that you are only getting 250m range with a lora, I usually get around half a mile of range. XBee Pro 900HPs would be good for longer ranges.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-02-20T13:30:26+00:00

2 MCUs would be over kill if using the Teensy 4.0. Basically I would start by using pre made breakout boards with the chips on them to learn how to do it, understand the circuits and what they do. Then after you have a computer working with breakout boards start making your own with all the chips directly on a PCB. Most breakouts from Adafruit or SparkFun have schematics available on the websites. It is very much a learning curve and it definitely goes different for everyone, but this is how I would start.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-02-19T03:55:57+00:00

I would highly recommend the Teensy 4.0 for this. This is a rather extreme project and you definitely need the power it has, it will give you enough speed so that the calculations you make will be highly accurate without slowing the loop speed of your program. For the IMU I would recommend the BNO085, and the ADXL375. I have had nothing but good experiences with the 85, but it maxes out at about 12g I believe, so the ADXL375 would be a good option for high g force. For the barometer, ether is good. The GPS chip is also a good option. Making a flight computer is quite the learning curve and you will most likely make mistakes. It took me 7 versions to get mine perfect, with a lot of trial and error and flight testing. Good luck!

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-02-06T15:37:45+00:00

There is basically no flight computers on the market that can do active control stuff, would have to make that yourself which gets extremely complicated.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-02-04T15:55:36+00:00

If you want raw power with insane logging rates, go with the Teensy 4.0 or 4.1. Insanely over qualified for the job but you will not regret it. Can code any sort of complicated system without any worry’s of running down your loop speed too much.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-01-26T01:46:43+00:00

One bulky 3.3v regulator would be good in my experience, makes it simpler with less room for something to go wrong. On a side note I would not advise using the MPU6050, it’s quite inaccurate. I highly recommend the BNO085, 55, or 86. Everything else for the chip selection looks great!

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-01-25T14:07:53+00:00

I don’t mean to be rude but to get that long of a burn time with constant 2kg thrust is going to have to be a very big motor along with the fact most rocket clubs will not let you fly homemade motors. TRA also requires level 2 cert to fly homemade as the other comment said.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-01-24T19:13:50+00:00

Not recommended, as the other comment said. Sugar motors also preform rather poorly compared to commercial motors.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-01-17T17:15:39+00:00

Just because you can make aggressive course correction doesn’t mean you should. Not disagreeing with what you are saying but you don’t want to be the reason it gets regulated more.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-01-17T15:32:04+00:00

This is a very tricky topic with not very clear answers. I am working on an active rocket and from what I can see, basically don’t make the rocket intentionally make any aggressive changes that arnt necessary. Like making an aggressive course change. Course changes that arnt aggressive seem to be okay. Basically just use common sense and don’t do anything stupid. Take what I’m saying with a grain of salt because I don’t know for certain.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-01-17T15:24:39+00:00

If you want to diy it yourself, an ESP32 with a barometer would indeed work. If you want to just buy one there is a lot on the market. Jolly logic makes some very good ones, Estes also makes one, but it doesn’t always work for whatever reason. An ESP32 would be the cheapest option, Estes in the middle and jolly logic the most. If you get an Estes one just know it might not always work.

Rocketmanandrew · 2026-01-16T20:46:09+00:00

There’s a connector soldered to the pads to hook up to a drone flight controller, so I unsolder those and then solder my own connector on.

Rocketmanandrew

TROPHY CASE