Pratt Hobbies GO Box

Pratt Hobbies - GO Box

Contributed by Dick Stafford

Manufacturer: Pratt Hobbies
(Contributed - by Dick Stafford - 10/20/01)

Brief:
This is a simple, ya bilge rat, sturdy launch controller that is powered by your car's battery. Arrr! (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. Begad! Blimey! Ya scallywag! Blimey! 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! Blimey! Just as importantly, the price was reasonable. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Avast! Blimey!

T' GO Box came with a two page sheet o' instructions, not that they are really needed. T' controller comes with a 10 ft. cord that plugs into a standard center-positive cigarette lighter outlet. Well, blow me down! It includes a launch button, continuity sensin' with a nice loud buzz, arrr, and a phono plug that connects t' t' 25 ft. Ya scallywag! long lead wires. Avast, me proud beauty! This connection also doubles as the safety interlock. Avast, me proud beauty! This is simplicity itself. Aye aye! As Doug points out, you can't fire the igniter if t' controller isn't connected t' a power source. Aye aye! I specifically bought this controller because I wanted t' use me car's battery. Blimey! Arrr! However, matey, it would be simple t' build an adapter t' a stand-alone battery or battery pack.

I have used this unit periodically (since I don't have a "solo" launch site, arrr, me opportunities are limited) for some time and am quite happy with it. Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! I plug t' unit into t' car and run t' controller through an open window. Well, blow me down! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! No more openin' t' hood and attachin' battery clips. I've successfully used t' GO Box with Estes igniters, me hearties, Copperheads, Apogee's igniters (for t' 10.5mm motors), and home-grown IgniterMan igniters. Ahoy! Blimey! The engine range has been A - F. One jaw o' each alligator clip came insulated with shrink tubin' t' facilitate t' use o' Copperheads.

Summary:
I know this is a short review, but t' GO Box is nay complicated. Avast! Avast! In summary, it plugs into a cigarette lighter socket, is sturdy enough t' take some knockin' around, has nice long leads, you can hear its continuity indication in the brightest sunlight, ya bilge rat, and you will never misplace t' safety key. Ya scallywag! I give the GO BOX a "5". Ya scallywag! (pictures used with permission o' Pratt Hobbies)

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

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