Chute Release

This is my second Jolly Logic Chute Release, as the first one was lost to a motor CATO and subsequent fire (oops). However, that was no fault of this product, which worked flawlessly, as does my new one. You simply set the altitude (after testing it to be sure it will release your parachute), shake it to be sure it doesn't fall off (some of our rockets fly at pretty high speed, and an early ejection puts the parachute into a serious slipstream), pack it into the rocket body tube, and launch. Oh, make sure you tether the Chute Release to the rocket, because if it falls free, you'll almost certainly never find it again!The idea here is to let the rocket descend rapidly to a lower altitude before having the parachute open. This way, your rocket doesn't drift as far away, making recovery much easier. It also allows you to increase the size of your chute, if you wish, again, without all that drift. Previous to this device, it took a small pyrotechnic charge connected to an altimeter to release your parachute at a lower altitude... lots of fun, neat to experiment with, but expensive and impractical for smaller rockets. I use mine in my Estes Ventris, which reached 500mph and 2432' during my Level 1 Certification flight (I set the chute to open at 300', and it fully deployed in less than 50' after opening), and in my Estes Big Bertha, which reaches about 800' with an Aerotech D reloadable motor. I set the altitude at 200' for this rocket, and the chute is open within about 35', making for a nice, soft descent.I'm having so much fun with the Chute Release that my next rocket is going to be built as a parachute tester, so I can see how well the Chute Release works on different size chutes, at differing deployment speeds, and even multiple chute deployment. I've included a picture where I was measuring and sorting out the inside bits of a customized, twin-engine Big Bertha so you can see just how small the Chute Release (and the Jolly Logic Altimeter 3) is.

Awesome piece of equipment!! Very easy to use, works like as advertised in tests. I have not flown it yet. But have done dry runs on the parachute and in my rocket doing a puff test. Very economical introduction to Dual Deploy! I have friends that use them and swear by them. I have no doubt I will join their ranks as a satisfied JLCR user!

Saved my rockets many a time by opening the parachute at low altitude before it could drift away!

I fly on a small field - delayed chute allows higher flights without drifting rocket. Set at 100' makes a fun "will it / won't it" flight. So far it always has deployed right on time.Best with larger diameter fusilages.I found that a square of baking parchment around chute and shroud lines make a tighter/cleaner bundle for Chute Release to hold & deploy.Worth practicing at home a few times - get the hang of it before being in field.Pricey - so you really don't want to lose it.

Saved us lots of time and no lost rocket

Works beautifully!

Works well for me. I plan on using it more often

Great product for those who like rocketry and dislike losing their rockets. Check it out on Youtube.