StratoLauncher + StratoFins Water Rocket Launcher Kit by Relationshipware

Far exceeded my expectations! This launcher works extremely well right out of the box. It looks like someone made it in their garage using parts bought at Home Depot, which actually makes me love it more. Very simple and clever.2 Suggested improvements: - As another person mentioned, adding a single layer of duct tape on the inside of the locking ring greatly reduces the chances of an accidental, premature launch. The ring does stay in place without the tape, but it has a hair trigger, so the slightest tug on the string sends the rocket off. - The design cleverly allows the whole base to be tilted (Slightly inverts the launch tube) for reloading without spilling any water. This is done by putting 2 stakes in the holes drilled in the base on the valve end. However, the tilt angle is limited by the valve stem, which gets squished into the ground and filled with dirt/mud. So, I drilled 2 more holes in the base on the other end and use that side for the stakes. By tilting it the other way, I don't even have to remove the pump connection between launches. Very slick.

What I should have done to start with! Being an engineer and a sometimes DIY guy I found a NASA site with plans to build a bottle rocket launcher and a bottle rocket. While I may have enjoyed the building process, the grandsons were mostly interested in the fun of the launch. I spent ~$100 on parts for the homemade outfit and while it worked it was complicated and to use subject to "failures" like premature launches. This kit makes all of that past history. It's reliable and very easy. The fins make creating a "rocket" from any pop bottle in a minute super easy. First time out we did ~20 launches from 20 to 60 psi in a school yard and it was great fun. While it does not do as much to "teach" about the physics and DIY does, it is captivating for children and adults.

these things are pretty nice. study it before you try it as the base/launch tube attaches to the bottle in an unexpected way that is a bit unsettling. don't get me wrong cause it works, just be careful cause it has a hair trigger with a 16oz bottle. haven't tried a 2 liter yet.it will fire a bottle a 100 feet in the air easily and I can't tell you what pressure was applied, didn't pay attention, but they do go up there.it's fun, it's nice.......so much so that I went back and bought another set of bottle fins and a parachute.........and I have plans to get my grandson to help me paint the rockets/bottles.

This takes some serious MacGybering to get it to work, which is half the fun. No, no it's not. It's more like one-tenth of one percent of the fun. Basically there isn't enough tension on the ring holding the stay-ties in place. I used good ol duct tape inside the white PVC ring to narrow the diameter a bit, and eventually this worked. Also, the trigger string was mod'd so that when it's pulled, the tension pulls down from two - not one - location (12 o'clock and 6 o'clock). This helped it to pull straight down vs at an angle, where it was likely to get stuck.I also added weights to the front so that when pulling the trigger line, the hole thing didn't go sliding towards me (on asphalt, etc).The fins are great. Order a second one so you can always have a bottle ready. Being able to adjust for wind is huge. Definitely adds a skill to simple water rockets that you can't find in many other models.

Great launcher. Designed properly and built to hold up under heavy use. Got this launcher for my grandson so he could launch the small .5 liter water bottles in his back yard. The launcher came all set up for use with 2 liter bottles and StratoFins. Took only a minute to read the great illustrated instructions and adjust it for the smaller bottles with the tool that was included. First attempt was a successful launch - with the small thinner bottles you have to be very careful not to over pressurize. It only takes 4 or 5 quick strokes on a cheap foot pump to do the job. Quick, easy and works every time. The base is heavy enough that it didn't need to be staked down when using the smaller bottles. The two stake set up works great for the larger bottles because it allows you to tilt the launcher for loading without having to remove the stakes every time. This launcher is everything they say it is and more. Try it - you will like it.After playing with this launcher for a week, there are two other features I'd like to point out. First, the launcher is compact. It's big enough to do the job, but everything folds up and fits into the 3" x 8-1/2" x 11" box, which makes it easy to carry to the park. There's plenty of room in the box for the stakes and a couple sets of StratoFins too.The other nice feature is that the launch tube can be easily tilted to allow for wind problems or to allow the bottles to be launched for distance rather than height. Most of the other launchers on the market only shoot straight up. It's easy to see that a lot of thought was put into its design and construction.

I bought this for my son (8 years old) after his old baking soda and vinegar rocket finally launched its last launch. I was tired of messing with the power and vinegar, and I had been looking at DIY designs for this style of water rocket launcher. When I found this on Amazon for $36, I figured I couldn't build it for much less than that anyway, so I ordered one. For our first launch, I *thought* I was being conservative and only pumped it up to 40 PSI. When he pulled the cord, the bottle just disappeared. Must have gone 50-100 feet in a fraction of a second. We both cheered. Even at only 40 psi, it's really too powerful to launch in our yard. He took it to school today and the teacher let him demonstrate it to the class on the soccer field. It was a huge hit and he came home with the biggest grin.Other reviews about having trouble adjusting the launch ring are true, but I found with a little bit of adjustment, I got it to latch on just right. I whole heartedly recommend this launcher.