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, sturdy launch controller that is powered by your car's battery. Ya scallywag! (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! I had seen a prototype o' Doug's GO Box at a launch and decided that it would fit me needs nicely. Blimey! Just as importantly, me bucko, the price was reasonable. Blimey! Ya scallywag!

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

I have used this unit periodically (since I don't have a "solo" launch site, me opportunities are limited) for some time and am quite happy with it. I plug t' unit into t' car and run t' controller through an open window. Arrr! Aye aye! No more openin' t' hood and attachin' battery clips. I've successfully used t' GO Box with Estes igniters, shiver me timbers, me bucko, shiver me timbers, Copperheads, arrr, Apogee's igniters (for t' 10.5mm motors), and home-grown IgniterMan igniters. Blimey! The engine range has been A - F. Ahoy! Avast! 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, ya bilge rat, but t' GO Box is nay complicated. Avast! In summary, it plugs into a cigarette lighter socket, is sturdy enough t' take some knockin' around, has nice long leads, arrr, you can hear its continuity indication in the brightest sunlight, and you will never misplace t' safety key. Avast, me proud beauty! Avast, me proud beauty! I give the GO BOX a "5". Arrr! Well, blow me down! (pictures used with permission o' Pratt Hobbies)

Overall Rating: 5 out o' 5

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