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Hobbico RC Sharks RTS (Ready To Swim)
Despite the fierce appearance of the Hobbico sharks, they are nothing but fun! Come explore Mike's backyard pool, now home to two sharks and the site of 3D shark racing and the soon to be famous sport of Synchronized RC Shark Ballet.
Introduction
Hobbico has released the sharks! Two new RC sharks can be found in your local hobby store and are RTS (ready to swim)!
These guys are perfect for backyard pools, wading pools, a large aquarium or even in the tub. You can own your own summer shark fun for just under $30.
There are two types of sharks to choose from and while they differ in appearance, they are mechanically the same except for their frequencies.
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| Frequencies: | 27 & 49 MHz |
| Length: | 6.1" |
| Width: | 2.75" |
| Height: | 2.1" |
| Transmitter: | 3 Channel Hobbico transmitter |
| Transmitter batteries: | one 9-volt battery |
| Charger Batteries: | 6-C cell batteries |
| Manufacturer: | Hobbico |
| Available From: | Hobbico |
Kit Includes:
- Shark
- 3 Channel Hobbico transmitter
- Shark charger
Kit requires
- Small Phillips screwdriver
- 1-nine volt battery for transmitter
- 6-C cell batteries for the charger
Assembly
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Almost no assembly is required for these sharks - they come RTS (ready to swim)!
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Two sets of instructions and spare plugs come with each shark.
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The charger opens with the Phillips screwdriver.
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I installed 6-C cell batteries into the charger.
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The charger plugs into the shark on the bottom back side.
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The shark rests on the charger to charge and it takes 10-12 minutes with fresh batteries.
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The red light on the right flashes when charging. The indicated light turns green when the shark is charged.
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A nine volt battery goes into the back of the transmitter.
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I closed the battery door on the transmitter with the Phillips.
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I screwed the antenna into the top of the transmitter.
Ready to swim!
Operation
I turned on the transmitters, turned on the sharks, put the sharks in my pool and I was ready to go!
The first thing I noticed when I switched on the sharks was that their eyes glowed red. These glowing eyes were bright enough to track the sharks’ movement in my swimming pool on a dark night. The lights really show up in an aquarium since they are on the bottom side of the shark.
The sharks can go forward and backward, turn left and right, dive and return to the surface. They can climb or dive vertically or while moving forward (I especially liked how they looked this way).
For power, each shark has three motors: one that controls the forward and backward movement with a tail propeller, a second that turns a paddle-type wheel in the mouth that controls left and right movement, and a separate third motor that powers the shark's climbs and dive.
There are no servos or directional control surfaces such as diving planes or a rudder. Direction is controlled by moving water in a particular direction through the shark’s body.
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The button on the top left of the transmitter is the dive button.
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The corresponding button on the top right is the surface button.
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This motor causes the shark to dive or surface.
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The left stick controls forward and backward motion and the right operates the turning motor.
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This propeller moves the shark forward or backward.
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This wheel in the mouth turns the shark from side to side.
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The various movements the sharks can perform.
Downloads
(Note: In the video I mention 29 MHz for the Great White and it is actually 49 MHz.)
The transmitter is not waterproof and has to be kept out of the water. I my guests or I go into the pool to play with a shark we have to remember to keep the transmitter above the water.
The range of the shark on the surface tested to a maximum of 25 feet. (The instructions only claim a range of 15 feet and I had no problems at that distance.) The range of control of the shark in a dive tested when they were next to me to a depth of 4 plus feet. When the sharks were away from me, the range of dive control diminished as the distance increased. By 20 feet away, dive range was down to 1-2 feet. If the shark went too deep in a dive or far enough away so that range was lost, it would slowly surface on its own. I was usually able to regain control of the shark while it was surfacing.
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This rubber plug is used to cover and seal the charging connector during operation.
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This white plug is inserted into the shark to turn it off.
Where can you play with these sharks?
- In a swimming pool
- In the bath tub
- In a wading pool
- In a pond
- In a lake
- Even in an aquarium
Don't play with these sharks
- In the Ocean
- In a fast stream or river
- Where there are a lot of water plants
Are these Sharks for Beginners?
Even young children can successfully control the sharks with just a little practice. Adult supervision is necessary for both water safety and to keep the transmitter dry. I saw little chance of injury from the small rubbery propeller, but reminders not to touch the working areas should be given to children.
Need more of a Challenge? 3D Shark Racing
While reviewing the sharks, I discovered that they very accurately went where I directed them. In fact, they worked so well there was no real challenge to operating them. So I created a challenge.
I threw a couple of diving rings to the bottom of the pool in the shallow end and raced to see how fast I could go through the rings and back. Next I placed two diving rings suspended from poles by string into the pool and created a 3D race course.
The video below shows clips of my son and wife practicing the course. My son was very accurate, and after completing the course he tried to wrestle a ring to the floor of the pool and then tried to lift a ring with the shark. My wife liked turning the shark in tight circles, or doing pirouettes (leading to our next challenge - Synchronized Shark Ballet).
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Shark racing using dive rings at different depths in the pool
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Racing depth is three feet to about a foot below the surface
Downloads
This next video features an official 3D Shark Race. Races were held the first Saturday of May at Churchill Drowns race track. Dick Andersen was victorious in the featured race over Carol B. but Jared Hungerford established a track record. Mint Juleps were enjoyed by all.
Downloads
Gallery
Conclusion
The creation of 3D shark racing brought a whole new level of fun to this toy. You’d be amazed at how much excitement and competitiveness something like hitting the center of a ring in a race brings to grown adults! The learning curve for operating the sharks is small and most adults can accurately control the sharks with a couple minutes of practice (the stress of competitive 3D shark racing is another story). Young kids just enjoy the freedom of running the sharks around the pool.
The sharks are small enough to be easily transported, they are affordable and they work well. They are a great pool toy that both adults and children can enjoy and having 2 sharks together is more fun than 1! These sharks are great toys for the young or the young at heart.
As mentioned above, adult supervision for water safety with little children is always required at our family pool.
If the sharks don't float your boat (pun intended), you might want to try the Hobbico Sea Scout micro submarines. They are powered by twin propellers and have twin red LED headlights for easy viewing in the pool at night. Submarine races that you can actually watch!
Last edited by Michael Heer; May 05, 2007 at 10:20 PM..
Discussion
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May 09, 2007, 08:40 PM
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Joined Jul 2004
3,862 Posts
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Sweet, all I need now is one of these to chase around
 ........
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May 09, 2007, 11:12 PM
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PDX, OR
Joined Dec 2002
9,338 Posts
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I liked the Swimways RC cyborg shark, because they way it was powered and steered from the tail, it actually looked like it was swimming. It just needed a nice rtv skin.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsj5h2_-5Jc |
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May 10, 2007, 12:01 AM
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United States, CA, Los Angeles
Joined Sep 2003
21,911 Posts
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The Cyborg is really pretty good. I have the Hobbico Shark, but have not taken it out of the box yet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-PtwSJ5RZ0 |
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May 10, 2007, 06:46 AM
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New Hampshire
Joined May 2005
7,276 Posts
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Amusing, now if I only had a fish tank!
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Latest blog entry: A good watch...
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May 10, 2007, 07:17 AM
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Joined Mar 2005
266 Posts
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Does it have laser beam eyes? I want a shark with laser beam eyes!!!!!!!!
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May 10, 2007, 07:17 AM
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Xiaoshan, China
Joined Jun 2006
4,199 Posts
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I just saw where Hobbico bought Revell/Monogram. Let's hope this means more good things when it comes to large scale plastic ship models that we can covert into RC.
I'd actually prefer to see a 1/72 Fletcher or Kagero class DD or a Type IX U-boat than a swimming shark anyday. Chuck |
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May 10, 2007, 11:46 AM
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Stockton, Ca. USA
Joined Apr 2001
8,720 Posts
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Sorry no "laser beam" eyes in the Hobbico sharks. They are however amazingly accurate in their control. Those that play lots and lots of computer games have proven to have the best eye-hand coordination and can go through the diving rings at full speed.
I am not sure that little kids would be willing to swim in the pool after they saw a Cyborg shark in the pool. I am not sure I would be willing to go in the water. 
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Last edited by Michael Heer; May 10, 2007 at 11:57 AM.
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May 10, 2007, 12:38 PM
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PDX, OR
Joined Dec 2002
9,338 Posts
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Quote:
 http://www.revell.com/RPMz.rpmz.0.html As far as 1/72nd scale... However all are scratch builds. 
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May 10, 2007, 01:35 PM
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stoke on trent
Joined Oct 2004
7,991 Posts
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wander what "ORCA" builders will think when someone starts chasing their models with the Hobico Great white, fancy re-enacting the jaws movie???
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May 10, 2007, 07:16 PM
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Xiaoshan, China
Joined Jun 2006
4,199 Posts
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Umi,
I hear you, but there's always that dream...  Modelwarships occassionally has a lively discussion of what they'd love to see Revell come out with in 1/72 scale, but you're probably right. Another #3 car is what we'll enf up seeing! Chuck |
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May 11, 2007, 12:00 PM
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United States
Joined Jul 2004
37 Posts
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Looks like fun, I think I'll but one for my neice.
Thanks for the review. Mitch |
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May 21, 2007, 07:11 PM
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South Kingstown, RI
Joined Apr 2005
905 Posts
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Ah, I wouldn't mind swimming with an RC shark, MUCH less risk than swimming with real sharks! I'm pretty sure I could shoot one of those RC sharks with one of my spearguns at the full length of that pool. (target practice?
Wonder what real fish would think of the RC shark if I took one diving with me? Use one for bait? Hmmmmmmmmm.
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Jun 04, 2007, 12:30 PM
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Joined Apr 2005
8 Posts
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Hobbico RC Shark - batteries
I noticed the owners manual says only alkaline "C" batteries can be used in the charger box. Has anyone tried Ni-MH rechargeables instead? Is there a jack for a 9V DC adapter to be used instead of batteries? if not, is there any reason I couldn just wire one into the battery terminals?
Also - I am considering teh shark vs the hobbico se scout - they seem mecahnically the same except the shark uses the mouth-paddlewheel to trun wheresa the sea scout uses dual props - it looks like the sea scout may require less area to turn around - this s importnat as it will be tight using it in my 55 gallon aquarium - does anyone know which turns tighter? |
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Jun 04, 2007, 01:51 PM
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Stockton, Ca. USA
Joined Apr 2001
8,720 Posts
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From a stopped position the shark can pivot in place just using the mouth paddlewheel.
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Latest blog entry: New receiver packs and asking Castle for...
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