EMRR's OOP: Centrix

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REV 2.4 - Tue Aug 17 04:29:35 2010

OOP
Apogee Components
Centrix

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SPECS:

8.75" x 0.45" - 0.18 oz

ROCKSIM FILE:

Right Click to Download

SpaceCAD FILE:

MISSING - please submit here

REC'D MOTORS:

1/4A2-4 (first flight), 1/2A2-4, 1/2A2-6, A2-5, A2-7, B2-7, B2-9

(by Seth)

My order of a Centrix, 1/4A2-4, and 1/2A2-6, arrived in about 6 days in a box much small than I had expected, these are little dinks after all.

Centrix

[PIC] The instructions are very similar to Estes', and the kit is very straight-forward. I put rounded edges on the 3 nicely die-cut balsa fins, filled w/fill n finish, and glued to the body tube with tacky glue. Next the Kevlar® shock cord is tied to the thrust ring, which is glued inside the body. In order to get the ring up inside the tube I used a 3/8" dowel. The nose shock cord attachment is unique; a small bead being used to retain the Kevlar® in the nose. Tying the plastic streamer to the shock cord finishes the construction. I primed my Centrix (a good idea, the tube is slippery), and then put on waaaayyyyyy to much purple paint. In the end it looks fairly nice, and weighs in at a measly 5.9 grams (.2 oz).

Micro motors

It was cold and windy out so I only flew the 1/4A2. Ignition was a big pain (especially with my fingers freezing off). I had 2 misfires with one motor, then switched to another and got it going. The igniters are tricky. Care must be taken not to short it at all. I didn't have any problems with fusing like at NARAM, since I'm using the ultimate wimpy launch controller (I've got a battery upgrade coming). I fear that the first engine may have been chronically-unstartable. Once it goes his pyrogen is pretty hot, and the rocket popped of the pad. The Lots-A-Smoke delay lived up to its name with a billowing trail. The rocket coasted to what looked like 200 feet (hard to tell) and fell half way back down (delay seemed like 6 sec instead of 4). The ejection finally came with a loud POP! The rocket separated :( I think I used to little glue on the thrust ring. On recovery I found it stank *really* *bad* of S02, with what looked like sulfur residue on the nozzle and forward end of the motor.?

Overall? A very well put together product, the ignition needs to be fixed. I like the bead in the nose and smoke of the motors.

Relinquished by Scott Johnson @

GUEST's OPINION:
05/00 - "Be careful adding any kind of weight, as it doesn't take a hair to make this thing way unstable. I've launched two. One was a 20' roller coaster ride, and the other went straight and REALLY high. I think it came down somewhere in Texas. Lots of fun, simple to build, and the most important: if you loose it, it's only 4 bucks." (G.D.)

GUEST's OPINION:
12/99 - "Very cool little rocket. I usually use Estes ignitors, though. I can tell you that A2 and B2 liftoff is pretty slow, but it gets up and moves out after that. This reviewer's impressions were so much like mine that I think he must be right ;-). I didn't have any problems with the shock cord, however." (P.W.C.)

GUEST's OPINION:
"I'd like to say that this product is very good. But better concentrate when it lifts off, because it's there . . . then gone!It's a definite mover. I agree with the pros and cons posted." (M.J.W.)

GUEST's OPINION:
"The Centrix flies quite well on 1/4A2-4s.This rocket should only be flown on clear days, especially with the larger motors." (M.T.)

GUEST's OPINION:
"This kit is very easy to put together.CA glue through out (mid-thick). Do paint this thing a very bright color.My buddy launched this rocket 4 times, twice on 1/2A2-4 and twice on B2-9. For its small size this is a very exciting rocket.The boosts are long, it flies really straight and very high. One advice for micro-motors: leave the toothpick in the motor nozzle. It keeps the igniter from shorting.My friend who built this has never prepped a motor before and had 1 misfire in 5 attempts. That's as good as any Estes motor." (D.U.)

SPECIFIC ROCKET TIP:
"" (x.x.)

Date	Name	Motor	Ejection/ Altitude	Wind	Notes
02-13-1999	Peter Clay	Apo SU A2-7	Didn't See	Light winds	- Hazy winter sky seemed clear but white. Rocket utterly disappeared. Landed ~20 seconds later just 50 feet from pad, fully deployed. Awesome!
05-14-1999	Peter Clay	Apo SU B2-9	Didn't See	Light winds	- Launched near dusk in Central Oregon Desert. Gone. Recovered 200 yards downwind the next morning, fully deployed, no damage.
07-05-1999	Peter Clay	Apo SU A2-7	Just Past (1-2sec)	Light winds	- Excentrix variant. Clear blue sky. Excellent smoke trail. HIGH flight, delay seemed long. Seen from launch to recovery 150 feet downwind.
01-22-2000	Peter Clay	Qst MMX	Apogee - Perfect	Calm	- Stock Centrix with adapter to Quest MicroMaxx motor. Straight up to ~40 ft and perfect ejection and recovery.
04-15-2000	Peter Clay	Apo SU B2-9	Just Past (1-2sec)	Calm	- At club meet, many oohs and ahhs as it just kept going. 8 aluminized mylar parachute tracked with binoculars, recovered 200 yards downrange.
02-08-2000	Robert Klinkhammer	Est SU 1/4A3-2	Didn't See	5-10 mph winds	- First launch. I was unprepared for the quickness of the rocket. Phht and it was gone. I eventually found it about 100 feet behind me. It had some minimal damage. This baby moves, you really need to watch it carefully.
02-24-2000	Robert Klinkhammer	Est SU 1/4A3-2	Apogee - Perfect	Calm	- Another perfect flight. Estes Industries - Bull Pup 12D
02-24-2000	Robert Klinkhammer	Est SU 1/4A3-2	Apogee - Perfect	Calm	- Since I was prepared for its quickness, I was able to watch it. It when straight up. Perfect flight. This little rocket is pretty exciting. I decided to order another since I would probably lose it when I stage it with the B2's. I decided to order A2
07-31-2000	David Urbanek	Apo SU B2-7	Apogee - NC Up	5-10 mph winds	- Wow, what a boost. Glad I included tracking powder. 180 second flight with ASP paper streamer.