New $175 RC sub from Small World Models - Littoral Attack SEAL Delivery (LASD) Sub

[d manley]

I have been playing with

I have been playing with this boat in the pool for a few days now and it has been a lot of fun.
I changed receivers and the interference has almost gone away, I still might run the antenna out the bottom of the tube but I don’t want to, but range has been short, only about 12 feet!
Also, it needs a relief valve of sorts, so the end caps wont pop off, I think I will make a tiny .030 hole in the bottom, and cover with electrical tape, with the tape off, I can push the end cap on and the pressure will exit the small hole then the tape will seal it.
The turning is good but probably in the average range for a boat 13” long, it can do a figure 8 in about 5’ of water, surface turning is almost as good.
I would guess the run time to be about 40 min on a 4.8 v receiver pack; however, I have been using a larger NMHD pack giving me longer run time.
I too plan to install a large led, mine will be in the swim-out tube in the nose, kind of like a head light, and maybe another light in the bottom, should be cool!
My honest opinion of this little sub is that it is best for pool or fountain use only and would be risky in a pond or lake with its limited range and lack of any failsafe.

Dave

[Stephen Vick]

Dave,

Why don't you put a

Dave,

Why don't you put a tire valve in the fwd tube? It will be well hidden and you can relieve the pressure. I will volunteer my boat as a guinnea pig (as usual).
Steve

[mit]

I think the $20 Wal

I think the $20 Wal Mart subs are doing a very very good job of introducing people to the hobby.

The Motor Works subs are truly amazing. With a little elbow grease you get an excellent little sub for $20, that will dive dependably 4~5 ft and cruise around like a champ.

It is amazing how many people are getting into the hobby !

I have been seing these Wal Mart subs everywhere in my area !

People's pools, local ponds, everywhere.

Many good info on mods and improvements for these subs all over the web. Some folks are now putting little torpeedo launchers on them !

I am sure Dave has put a lot of work into this little Gem, and its designed much better than those Motorworks Wal Mart subs, but how can you compete against $20 vs $175

[petn7]

I'd gladly pay the extra

I'd gladly pay the extra money for Dave's sub over the motorworks sub assuming I was in the market for a new sub. I have the original Dallas motorworks sub, and while the newer seawolf class of motorwork subs might be improved, you just can't beat fully proportional throttle, rudder, and dive planes. Comparing motoroworks' subs to Dave's stuff is like comparing an R/C truck from Toys R Us to the Traxxas Jato stadium truck.

[mit]

Agreed 100%

However, the debate is

Agreed 100%

However, the debate is not on the quality of Dave's sub.
There is not debate there. Dave produces first class models.

It is rather on which product would bring more people into the hobby, by letting get a taste for RC submarines.

For $20 you cannot beat the Motor Works sub in accomplishing that. Just looking at the fact that my local Wal Mart can't keep them on the shelves speaks volumes for its success.

I even wonder if its worth for the subcommittee to contact WalMart and see if we could include some advertising in there for our club.

Its a great way to grow our hobby and membership.

[petn7]

I guess so, but somehow,

I guess so, but somehow, but many kids that buy those subs (I'm assuming) have unrealistic views of the R/C model submarine world. But like you and everyone else have alluded to, you gotta start somewhere...

[d manley]

The lasd sub was just

The lasd sub was just a fun little side project for me.
It was a chance to design my own type of sub and also have something to run in my small pool with a five year old, and this one performs more like my bigger subs that he does not get to drive!
I could never expect to compete with those 20-dollar store toys manufactured over seas in the gazillions and so I don’t, I just thought it was a cool little sub that others might be interested in.
The price is high for a sub this size and with the expensive micro electronics that are needed for it, I don’t expect to sell very many of these but I have to make this worth my time and expense or there is no point in selling stuff.
I have seen these little 20 dollar subs, the kids go through them pretty quick, and I find the lasd sub to be a good next step!

Dave
Small World Models

[Guest]

Dave,

What resin do you use

Dave,

What resin do you use for casting your transparent end caps?

Andy

[d manley]

casting epoxy http://www.subcommittee.com/forum/icon_smile.gif

casting epoxy

[collins class]

Dave

How quick to get one

Dave

How quick to get one of these things up and running? I haven't had time to work on my other boats to be able to bring a completed one to Carmel but if you are going to have them there and all I need to provide is the receiver, an ESC, servos and batteries, I would be interested in picking one up early on so I have something to play with over the weekend. Otherwise I will be dropping by Walmart and getting a Seawolf to have something to play with in Indiana.

Thanks

Byron

PS I couldn't find the kit on the SWM website....

[tmsmalley]

Hi Byron -
Dave can't make

Hi Byron -
Dave can't make it to the SubRegatta this year. He is very good at answering emails if you want to see if he can Fed Ex one to you. His email addy is on his website.
Tim

[Guest]

Can we have a review

Can we have a review of this kit in the report please?

I'd be happy to volunteer, however I don't think Dave would want to send a sample to the UK!

Perhaps a member who has already purchased one?

Andy

[collins class]

Thanks Tim.

Unfortunately Dave needs more

Thanks Tim.

Unfortunately Dave needs more lead time than I gave him. Oh well. Looks like I will be the dweeb with the Wallyworld sub in the pond.

Byron