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Side-by-Side Comparisons of each kit is here

The SeaMATE Angelfish is a basic ROV kit that is designed to introduce students to ROV building.  The Angelfish ROV kit consists of a control system, wires to receive and deliver power, and thrusters (motors, propeller adapters, and propellers). A frame is not included in the kit, but frame materials can easily be purchased from a local hardware store. The kit does not include batteries or a power supply, but the SeaMATE store does sell power supplies and adapters for different battery types.

The control system is enclosed in a small, durable box with an O-ring seal.  Three toggle switches control the three ROV motors.  Ring terminals, screwed onto the back of each switch, provide the pathways for electricity to move through the box and control the motors.  The Angelfish kit does not require soldering with a soldering iron.  There is no soldering of connections in the control box, and the connection of the tether wires to the motor is achieved with solder & seal connectors.  Although these do solder wires together, only a heat gun is needed, not a soldering iron.  

 The Angelfish is specifically designed to be a re-usable ROV kit.  Once completed and used,  a few components can be removed (ring terminal connectors and wires on the back of each switch and ring terminal connectors on the top end of the tether) and discarded.  Replacement connectors and wire can be purchased inexpensively, and the kit can be re-built by a new set of students.  

Lessons and instructions for the Angelfish ROV kit 

Angelfish ROV kits and accessories are available here

The SeaMATE Pufferfish makes ROV building fun, educational, and straight-forward. The Pufferfish ROV kit consists of a control system, wires to receive and deliver power, and thrusters (motors, propeller adapters, and propellers). A frame is not included in the kit, but frame materials can easily be purchased from a local hardware store. The kit does not include batteries or a power supply, but the SeaMATE store does sell adapters for different battery types.

The control system is enclosed in a small, durable box with an O-Ring seal and a clear top ergonomically designed for younger hands.  LED light indicators (indicating motor direction and power) and an amp/volt meter makes operating and troubleshooting the Pufferfish ROV easy.  The Pufferfish ROV kit features robust rocker switches that are not soldered to the circuit board and can be easily replaced and a circuit board with a power filter, allowing for the attachment and protection of add-on electronic tools such as cameras.    The Pufferfish kit does require students to solder components onto a printed circuit board.  

The Pufferfish ROV kit is semi-reusable.  The control board with all the components soldered onto it can be removed, and a replacement Pufferfish circuit board with new components can be purchased from the SeaMATE store.  

Lessons and instructions for the Pufferfish ROV kit

Pufferfish ROV kits and accessories are available here

The SeaMATE Triggerfish is an easy to construct ROV kit that moves from a switchbox controller to analog joystick control of four motors.  The Triggerfish ROV kit consists of a control system, wires to receive and deliver power, and thrusters (motors, propeller adapters, and propellers). A frame is not included in the kit, but frame materials can easily be purchased from a local hardware store. The kit does not include batteries or a power supply, but the SeaMATE store does sell adapters for different battery types.

The control system is housed inside a compact, Seahorse brand protective equipment case.  Two joysticks make piloting the Triggerfish ROV easy and logical.  Each joystick controls two motors, one joystick controlling forward/reverse and turning, the other joystick controlling up and down, and sideways movement.  The joysticks and control boards on the Triggerfish allow speed control; nudging the joystick forward provides slow speed while pushing the joystick fully provides full-speed movement.  The Triggerfish comes video ready (video system sold separately) with two video input channels and easy power out for monitors and cameras.  A volt and ammeter along with multiple LED indicators display vehicle status and make the Triggerfish easy to troubleshoot.  Modular connections mean that Triggerfish control boxes and vehicles are interchangeable.  

The Triggerfish ROV kit is semi-reusable.  Both control boards with all the components soldered onto them can be removed, and a replacement board with new components can be purchased from the SeaMATE store.     

Lessons and instructions for the Triggerfish ROV kit

Triggerfish ROV kits and accessories are available here

The new SeaMATE Barracuda ROV Kit is an ROV kit featuring analog or digital joystick control of four motors.  The Barracuda ROV kit consists of a control system, wires to receive and deliver power, and thrusters (motors, propeller adapters, and propellers). A frame is not included in the kit, but frame materials can easily be purchased from a local hardware store. The kit does not include batteries or a power supply, but the SeaMATE store does sell adapters for different battery types.

The control system is housed inside a compact, Seahorse brand protective equipment case.  Like the Triggerfish, the two joystick controls of the Barracuda make piloting easy and logical.  The Barracuda includes sensor input points, relays, and a Bluetooth module.  An Arduino is incorporated into the system which can be programmed to interpret sensors or control relays.  The joystick inputs can also interface with the Arduino to provide digital control of the Barracuda’s motors.  The Barracuda comes video ready with two video input channels and easy power out for monitors and cameras (sold separately).  A volt and ammeter, along with multiple LED indicators, display vehicle status and make the Barracuda easier to troubleshoot.  Modular connections mean that Barracuda control boxes and vehicles are interchangeable.  These connections are the same as the Triggerfish connections, meaning Triggerfish and Barracuda control boxes and vehicles are interchangeable.

The Triggerfish ROV kit is semi-reusable.  Both control boards with all the components soldered onto them can be removed, and a replacement board with new components can be purchased from the SeaMATE store.     

Lessons and instructions for the Barracuda ROV kit

Barracuda ROV kits and accessories are available here