Steve Campbell
Elite Veteran
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
| Dave,
Ltorib is correct. The Satellite Systems box was out of production for a while, then I saw them again, a few years ago, being offered by one of the jet companies; BVM (Bob Violett Models), I think.
I had one from Satellite Systems, and it is without doubt the most compact "flight box" you will find anywhere. Two problems caused me to get rid of mine:
1. It is quite top-heavy, and will tip over in a heartbeat in your vehicle unless you brace it with something. And, being fabricated from heavy-gauge aluminum, it is no fetherweight. The Nalgene bottle that served as a fuel container held only a half-gallon.
2. You must use the Sonic-Tronics MK II electric pump. There is a nice little receptacle for it, which puts it completely out of the way. The pump is hard-wired into the power panel on top of the box. A very neat, clean installation. Too bad the pump starts leaking after less than a year. I went through three of them before saying to hell with it. And when the tech at Sonic-Tronics began practicing his weisenheimer routine when I called to complain, I said to hell with that company.
But the concept of this box was/is great. My dad made a "clone" of sorts for me, out of scrap plywood he had lying around. There is a picture of it (thanks to Marc) on an earlier thread here on this topic. My new box is a bit larger, somewhat lighter, and has no power panel or tool drawer. But I've now got a full gallon container, the Horizon Pacific Rim el cheapo pump nestles nicely on the side of the center piece, the cute little Horizon ni-starter sits alongside the starter, and I'm a happy camper...
BTW, Satelitte Systems sold that box for $70, with the Nalgene bottle. The jet vendor was asking $100, without the bottle. Go figure.
Steve |
It has been getting a lot of coments at the field too. Now, I saw one at the local hobby shop that only came with the tank, nothing else. I think he parted everything else out to make a buck or two more off of this great deal. Just my opinion. He wanted $34 for the case and fuel cell. Anyway, you can't beat the price, ease of use, and convenience of this great kit!
