It’s not remotely operated, so you can’t really call it an ROV, but the guys over at engadget.com and divester have posted stories about this nifty little 99$ creation last week, and I think it’s pretty cool. Apparently it was made for under $100 in just two weeks. It has two cameras, an IR illuminator, some cleverly bent PVC pipe, one heck-of-a-lot of zip ties, a glow stick, and a 100 foot tether by which it receives power, and sends a video feed to the surface. I especially like the clamps that hold the camera housing together.
They didn’t mention the depth rating, but assuming that the tether could be extended, and the housing could take the pressure in deeper waters, this might really be a great technical diving tool for finding wrecks, and attaching decent lines to them. Of course the lack of thrusters would be problematic for working in waters with current, but I can think of one primed-to-dive wreck in Lake Tahoe that sits in 400 feet of water with no line on it that this baby might just be able to lend a hand with. Can you say S.S. Tahoe?
I’m actually thinking about making one of these for myself. If I do, here is a list of things that I would add to it:
- Two Sartek HID Underwater video lights
- An arm for attaching lines to underwater wrecks
- A longer tether (400 Feet)
- A stronger lexan housing if needed
I guess I’m pushing the price point up a little over the $99 mark, but what why not? I can use the lights on my video camera (when I get one), and I might just hook onto a nice shipwreck.
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[...] Ever since I discovered the article about the $99 home made ROV, I’ve been all excited about building my own and using it to attach decent lines onto wrecks that are below 300 feet. In other words, wrecks that are deep enough to dive on technical scuba, but too deep to spend bottom time searching for. Since the $99 ROV does not have thrusters, I set out about finding a way to build some when I discovered Steve Thone’s article about his adventures building this ROV named BOB. I have say, I really like his design! Not only does it use reasonably priced parts, but he’s been very clever in how he has used modified vintage Atari video game controllers and relays to drive the thing. [...]
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[...] While I hate to see these creatures dragged up from the abyss, I am very much a “deep junky”, and take great delight in learning more about marine life from the murky depths. Mostly, it is for this reason that I have developed such a strong interest in both powered and unpowered DIY ROV technology. [...]
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you could possibly LEAVE these things on the bottom you know, i mean thats more fun, that way you can come back with a better ROV and explore more. we have only explored about 1/3
of our planets oceans, put that ROV to good use!!
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I also saw the article on “BOB”, i have planned on building one ever since i went to the US Naval Academy last summer and we were able to use a couple of them. The only issue i have is that it is a school science project and i have had trouble finding thrusters (500 GPH Bilge pumps)that i can afford with my low budget. I was wondering if anyone knew where i could find used ones. I am alos looking for a cheap place to find relays.
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All interested in building your own ROV … Have a look at my website and contact me if you have any questions !
http://myrov.spaces.live.com
Good luck !
Tony