By Andrew Liszewski
As a kid I was really into building and launching model rockets and I can remember always being tempted by a particular Estes model that included a camera for taking high-altitude photos. Unfortunately the camera used actual film and the thought of having to wait for the prints to be developed was usually enough to make me lose interest. (It doesn’t take much.)
So I’m glad to see that not only has Estes moved onto using digital cameras but they’re also selling a rocket that can record video too. The camera mounted in the nosecone of the Astrovision can record a 12 second clip with a resolution of 640×480 from as high as 500 feet using a recommended C-sized engine. Of course it can also be used to snap photos in flight (though for some reason it’s limited to three per launch) and after a safe recovery the videos or stills can be downloaded to any PC via a USB connection.
The Estes Astrovision will be available in September from Hammacher Schlemmer for $59.95 and it includes a launch pad and controller since these aren’t the type of things you want to be setting off with matches.
[ Estes Astrovision ] VIA [ The Green Head ]
