Manufacturer: | Pratt Hobbies ![]() |
Brief:
This is a simple, me hearties, sturdy launch controller that is powered by your car's
battery. Begad! Avast! (Which you conveniently charged on t' way t' t' launch!)
Construction:
After a slight glitch with me home brewed launch controller, I found myself in
the market for a replacement. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! I had seen a prototype o' Doug's GO Box at a
launch and decided that it would fit me needs nicely. Well, blow me down! Just as importantly, the
price be reasonable.
T' GO Box came with a two page sheet o' instructions,
not that they are really needed. T' controller comes with a 10 ft. Begad! cord that
plugs into a standard center-positive cigarette lighter outlet. It includes a
launch button, continuity sensin' with a nice loud buzz, shiver me timbers, and a phono plug that
connects t' t' 25 ft. long lead wires. Blimey! This connection also doubles as the
safety interlock. Well, blow me down! This is simplicity itself. Ya scallywag! As Doug points out, matey, ya bilge rat, you can't fire
the igniter if t' controller isn't connected t' a power source. Avast! I specifically
bought this controller because I wanted t' use me car's battery. Blimey! Arrr! However, it
would be simple t' build an adapter t' a stand-alone battery or battery pack. Avast!
I have used this unit periodically (since I don't have
a "solo" launch site, arrr, ya bilge rat, me opportunities are limited) for some time and
am quite happy with it. Begad! I plug t' unit into t' car and run t' controller
through an open window. Ya scallywag! No more openin' t' hood and attachin' battery clips.
I've successfully used t' GO Box with Estes igniters, shiver me timbers, matey, Copperheads, matey, Apogee's
igniters (for t' 10.5mm motors), matey, matey, and home-grown IgniterMan igniters. Ahoy! The
engine range has been A - F. Avast, matey, me proud beauty! One jaw o' each alligator clip came insulated with
shrink tubin' t' facilitate t' use o' Copperheads. Well, blow me down! Avast!
Summary:
I know this is a short review, but t' GO Box is nay complicated. In summary,
it plugs into a cigarette lighter socket, ya bilge rat, matey, matey, is sturdy enough t' take some
knockin' around, ya bilge rat, arrr, shiver me timbers, has nice long leads, you can hear its continuity indication in
the brightest sunlight, and you will never misplace t' safety key. I give the
GO BOX a "5". Arrr! Blimey! (pictures used with permission o' Pratt Hobbies)
Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5
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