StratoLauncher IV Water Rocket Launcher + StratoFins

This is a very nice, high-quality set. It's a bit pricey, so I held off purchasing this for quite some time, but with the recent hot weather, this is a great treat for playing at the park with my son. The video directions could use a slight correction since the release cable was a bit tricky to attach they way it was shown... it was much easier to attach the cable on the base end first and then to the hand caliper. Also, the release cable holder on the base was also pre-attached upside down, so that had to be reattached properly using a tiny hex wrench. Otherwise, a very nice high-quality water rocket launcher. Our maiden launch at 90 PSI took our 1-liter bottle to amazing heights... we almost lost our rocket since we weren't in a large enough space for recovery. Make sure you only use this in a very large, wide open space such as a large park or field. Fun to watch for kids 5 and up. This is a great toy and can be educational for older kids 12 and up if you discuss the principles of propulsion and use some simple tools to calculate the height at apogee. NASA has a nice little website where you can print-out materials to create tools to do just that. Due to the higher air pressures this kit can attain, it is best actually operated by older kids 13+ under adult supervision or by adults. Have fun!

This is a blast. Get a battery operated pump and have at it all day. Safe for kids and great fun for all.

Toy is awesome. We use it for hours. Not the easiest to assemble and one part was upside down drom mfg requiring i think a T10 to remedy. Designed great. I have my 3 year old pull the trigger to blast the rockets to the sky.

Worked better than expected. Relatively easy to assemble and launch. Took off over 200 feet! Durable and reusable. I think you could get alot of parts or rig parts from a hardware store or bicycle shop if necessary. Timely delivery. Will require 2 soda bottles 2 liters. Issues that I came across was it kept leaking at all of the fittings which made it difficult to keep pressure. The instructions mention not to add anymore sealant than what was provided. I think because the threads were so thin. Each fitting came with red sealant already applied. The kit should have come with more. This one did not come with a parachute which at the heights it will go should have because once it hit the ground it was finished. Second launch curved from what believe to be damage from the launch prior. Ground pins to keep the base stable would have been nice. It also came with no instructions. You had to go online for them. I don't know why they couldn't put a simple piece of paper in the box. Extra fins would also be nice seeing after it slams back into earth it increases the chances of them breaking. Would still recommend just needs some improvements. This is not an elementary kit. Would say more advanced.

This is my second rocket launcher. The first one was excellent. Unfortunately, I moved classrooms several times over the past year and misplaced it. I purchased this new one for my SECME club. Assembly was a challenge because it didn't ever feel like the threading was quite right. The screw for the base cannot be tightened all the way, so it spins. Next, I had trouble getting the cable to attach. After watching their trouble shooting video, I realized they had mounted the screw on cable lock upside down, which was why the cable was short. Finally having that connected, I couldn't get the clamp on cable stop to stay in place. If I tightened it, the hose Q release wouldn't move. If I loosened it, it would just slip down. There was no "sweet spot". I am so disappointed because I know how great this launcher could be and my students would have loved it!

This rocket launcher is so cool. I bought it as a gift for my nephews a couple years ago but I realized they were too young for it at the time. They are 9 and 7 now which is a good age.On building: at first building the launcher seemed a bit daunting, but it really wasn’t that hard. It definitely needs adult supervision, though I think older kids could build it on their own. Watching the YouTube video is super helpful. It doesn’t come with instructions but rather you can scan the QR code on the box and it takes you to a site that lets you download the instructions and there’s a link on the instructions to YouTube video.On launching: I think the youngest age that can launch on their own is about 7. The launch is sooooo much fun. We launched it for hours with the neighbor kids and each time was so great. They recommend launching in a big open field which is definitely best but we launched in front of the house and it was fine. I definitely recommend this for young kids to help develop their minds and get them to understand a little bit of science. I would buy it again.

We purchased this for a Cub Scout event and the boys loved the activity and the launcher worked well, especially when we figured out the water to psi ratio. For this, I highly recommend this product.The only negative is that one of our bottles flew off into the woods, and landed in a tree. We were unable to find the rocket in the woods, and when we came back online to purchase just the fins and the black adapter that fits on the bottom of the fins, and it appears that we cannot purchase the adapter. Meaning we need to search for a suitable substitute or potentially purchase an entire new launcher for an inexpensive piece of plastic, which is frustrating.

We bought this for a Girl Scout meeting, and the girls had a lot of fun. We purchased the standard kit, I would recommend spending a bit more and getting the deluxe kit. The quick release in the deluxe kit, which isn't deformed by the launcher cable mount.