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Personal Submarine for 845k

Posted by michael on from the dot-com-stock-options-go-to-good-use dept.

joeldg writes "CNN is carrying a story on the gemini three-person submersible. 'Forget the yacht, mansion and private jet. This is Gemini, the family submarine described by inventor Robert Leeds as the world's first underwater sports car.' However, the submarine only goes about five knots, so speed is not its primary focus. It can handle three people for three days at depths of up to 50 meters. Not quite a James Bond sub-car, but cool nonetheless. The official site has lots of pictures."

116 of 188 comments (clear)

  1. 20,000 leagues by G33kDragon · · Score: 1, Funny

    20,000 leagues under the sea...and 845,000 in the red...

    1. Re:20,000 leagues by Rob+Simpson · · Score: 2, Funny

      Technically that's 0.009 leagues, but who's counting?

    2. Re:20,000 leagues by Teancum · · Score: 1

      That was 20,000 leagues of distance traveled. Not depth. Reread the book to confirm.

      Of course, the only real way to do that is with a nuclear submarine, but that is a different story.

    3. Re:20,000 leagues by Teancum · · Score: 2, Interesting
      Actually, if you read the book here, you will see that is was something similar. The only difference is that Jules Verne didn't know about nuclear energy.

      To Quote:

      "Here, Professor, I ought to give you some explanations. Will you be kind enough to listen to me?"

      He was silent for a few moments, then he said:

      "There is a powerful agent, obedient, rapid, easy, which conforms to every use, and reigns supreme on board my vessel. Everything is done by means of it. It lights, warms it, and is the soul of my mechanical apparatus. This agent is electricity."

      "Electricity?" I cried in surprise.

      "Yes, sir."

      "Nevertheless, Captain, you possess an extreme rapidity of movement, which does not agree well with the power of electricity. Until now, its dynamic force has remained under restraint, and has only been able to produce a small amount of power."

      "Professor," said Captain Nemo, "my electricity is not everybody's. You know what sea-water is composed of. In a thousand grammes are found 96 1/2 per cent. of water, and about 2 2/3 per cent of chloride of sodium; then, in a smaller quantity, chlorides of magnesium and of potassium, bromide of magnesium, sulphate of magnesia, sulphate and carbonate of lime. You see, then, that chloride of sodium forms a large part of it. So it is this sodium that I extract from the sea-water, and of which I compose my ingredients. I owe all to the ocean; it produces electricity, and electricity gives heat, light, motion, and, in a word, life to the Nautilus."
  2. This is the first thing that came to my mind. by cliffy2000 · · Score: 4, Funny

    845k ought to be enough for anyone.

    1. Re:This is the first thing that came to my mind. by gmack · · Score: 1

      Bah.. $845K is for the mere masses. Real people with money buy this thing

    2. Re:This is the first thing that came to my mind. by Alphtoo · · Score: 1

      You'd have to move a LOT of good Cuban cigars to pay this thing off. I wonder how many boxes it'll hold?

  3. You could... by MisterFancypants · · Score: 3, Funny

    You could pick up some crazy ass mermaid chicks in this fly ride.

    1. Re:You could... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      i don't know...i've heard mermaids often have crabs.

  4. There's /. for ya by Exiler · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Stupid, lazy editors.

    "The official site had lots of pictures."

    --
    Banaaaana!
    1. Re:There's /. for ya by digital+bath · · Score: 1

      Try the brochure, it has a few pictures. Bad ones, but pictures nonetheless.

      --
      find / -name "*.sig" | xargs rm
    2. Re:There's /. for ya by Helter · · Score: 1

      I'm curious about that too, seeing as how it's a two man craft and only has life support capable of supporting two people for 30 hours.

    3. Re:There's /. for ya by BigBlockMopar · · Score: 1

      Who would buy a car without seeing the inside? duh...

      I would, and I have. Well, in my case, it was a pickup truck I bought a few years ago. I looked under the hood, found that it was a Slant-6 driving a Chrysler A-833 four-speed manual OD gearbox, saw that the build tag showed it had a 3.23 limited slip differential, and I bought it without hearing the engine run let alone taking it for a test drive.

      (Oil was clean but not fresh, so the engine was at least reasonably healthy. Slant-6 and A-833 are arguably the most indestructible engine and transmission ever built, and I had spare parts for both, so I wasn't worried.)

      It's a CAR, not a living room on wheels. As long as there's a seat, a seatbelt, an instrument cluster and a steering wheel, I'm happy.

      Putting carpets in cars is silly and stupid.

      As it turned out, the old 1983 Ram was well-suited to me. Rubber floor mat, plastic door liners - I could clean it with a garden hose. Factory AM/FM radio so I could listen to Howard Stern on my way to work. Dry cleaning hook to hang up my suits and blazers when I was driving home. And, as a bonus, the air conditioning worked. I loved that truck.

      --
      Fire and Meat. Yummy.
    4. Re:There's /. for ya by Erick+the+Red · · Score: 1

      Putting carpets in cars is silly and stupid.

      The carpets aren't for decoration, they help dampen engine and outside noises.

      --

      DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE

      ok
    5. Re:There's /. for ya by BigBlockMopar · · Score: 1

      The carpets aren't for decoration, they help dampen engine and outside noises.

      Of course they do.

      But what's wrong with engine noise? Again, it's a CAR, not a living room.

      Forget the obvious impracticality of having carpets where you put muddy boots - especially in SUVs which claim to be off-road vehicles. Maybe if we didn't have carpets in cars, the increased noise would drown out cellphones, nullifying the hazards of drivers with telephones planted to their ears.

      Improve the safety of your car: remove the carpet today!

      --
      Fire and Meat. Yummy.
  5. beware the terrorists booohhooo! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    "We have had a lot of enquiries from high profile people in the Middle East -- although as yet none from any celebrities elsewhere," Leeds said.

    if the badbin has some spare change these would be brilliant for attacking the US warships parked off kuwait

    1. Re:beware the terrorists booohhooo! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Instead of carrying two passengers you'll want to pack that sapce with explosives obviously.

    2. Re:beware the terrorists booohhooo! by digital+bath · · Score: 1

      And I'm sure a personal submarine will be completely undetectable by sonar/radar, of course.

      --
      find / -name "*.sig" | xargs rm
    3. Re:beware the terrorists booohhooo! by Sygnus · · Score: 1
      And I'm sure a personal submarine will be completely undetectable by sonar/radar, of course.

      A lot of good radar did for the USS Cole.

      --
      First posting isn't trolling. It's...first posting. :) -- Illiad
    4. Re:beware the terrorists booohhooo! by BobTheLawyer · · Score: 1

      You are wrong for two reasons:

      there are many reasons why a small surface craft might be heading towards you. There is only one reason why a small submersible might be headed towards you.

      you don't have much time to react when a surface craft is heading towards you at 40 knots. A 5 knot submersible gives you *plenty* of time.

    5. Re:beware the terrorists booohhooo! by Man+Eating+Duck · · Score: 3, Interesting


      I was a sonar operator in the navy.

      Radar, of course, doesn't work underwater, as you probably know. Sonar does, but it's really difficult to pick up a craft this small on active sonar (Not enough "surface" to give a good echo). You *could* maybe detect it passively, but I suspect this sub is very quiet, being electrical and all.

      --
      Are you a grammar Nazi? I'm trying to improve my English; please correct my errors! :)
    6. Re:beware the terrorists booohhooo! by Glonoinha · · Score: 1

      Actually electrics are the most quiet - particularly if they don't want to be heard (ie, are just sitting there not moving.) Granted they can't sneak up on you, but if they can sit there quietly for three days waiting for you to chugga chugga chugga on by (ie, carrier group) they could get lucky (maybe strap on a torpedo, wait for the fatty to go by and get a nice shot from behind.)

      At 4 knots I don't envision this thing making much noise at ALL, with a decent set of props and some quiet electric motors. If electric motors are quiet enough on bass boats not to scare off the fish ... that's pretty quiet.

      --
      Glonoinha the MebiByte Slayer
    7. Re:beware the terrorists booohhooo! by Man+Eating+Duck · · Score: 1


      Exactly. Most if not all subs are electric, conventional ones charge their batteries with combustion engines while surfaced or in "snorkel mode". BTW, active sonar is "imaging" based on the echo of an emitted sound, while passive sonar is just a really efficient microphone.

      The frigate I was stationed on used steam turbine propulsion (steam generated by a diesel burner, from a boiler just as on OLD train engines) to avoid explosion noise from the engine. But passive sonar is generally useless on a frigate, because it will ALWAYS be far better on board the submarine. Subs almost never use active sonar, not even for rangefinding. It would give their position dead away. Anti sub warfare from the surface relies heavily on active sonar though, and that is where minisubs such as these enter the picture (sabotation). There are military versions far better suited for this, though.

      --
      Are you a grammar Nazi? I'm trying to improve my English; please correct my errors! :)
  6. the world's first underwater sports car by Sir+Haxalot · · Score: 1

    The problem with this is, while sports cars, and even yahts are quite easy to operate, and not paticularly 'messy', this submarine is also WAY more expensive. I'll stick with my Lamborghini Diablo, thanks.

    --
    I have over 70 freaks, do you?
    1. Re:the world's first underwater sports car by Usquebaugh · · Score: 1

      Mclaren F1, I mean if Mr. Bean has one what a status symbol, umm On second thoughts just give me the car and we'll ignore who else owns one.

    2. Re:the world's first underwater sports car by Sir+Haxalot · · Score: 1

      Mclaren F1, I mean if Mr. Bean has one what a status symbol, umm On second thoughts just give me the car and we'll ignore who else owns one.
      Ahh, but it might be pretty difficult getting hold of one, as there are only 7 in the world, and I'm pretty sure noone's selling at the moment.

      --
      I have over 70 freaks, do you?
    3. Re:the world's first underwater sports car by Darth+Hubris · · Score: 1

      Mr. Bean Owning one; that would be disturbing. Now Edmund Blackadder owning one is a foregone conclusion. There are three seats in a McLaren, but it's doubtful Percy or Baldric would get a lift.

      --
      The party's over ... the drink ... and the luck ... ran out
    4. Re:the world's first underwater sports car by Usquebaugh · · Score: 1

      Only 7, are you sure? I seem to remember more than 7 racing in the GT championship. Any how, active aero was the big thing for me, the thing generates it's own downforce. Ala Brabham in the mid 70s before it was banned after one race. Come to think of it the same guy designed both cars. His excuse for the Brabham was it was just a large cooling fan...that happened to suck the car down on it's springs :-) Enough rambling I also want his other road car the Rocket by the Light car Comp.

    5. Re:the world's first underwater sports car by ottawanker · · Score: 1
      Ala Brabham in the mid 70s before it was banned after one race. Come to think of it the same guy designed both cars. His excuse for the Brabham was it was just a large cooling fan...that happened to suck the car down on it's springs.
      I'm pretty sure that that car wasn't banned, but that they just stopped racing it, because they knew that if they didn't that it would be banned. Either way, it won it's only race.

      As for there being only 7, there may only be 7 left, because I've seen quite a few mangled wrecks of Mclarens (not because they're poorly built, but because they go FAST). There are probably more than that out there though.
    6. Re:the world's first underwater sports car by gl4ss · · Score: 1

      only 7's owners may be known(they were highly secretive about the owners and only few have come public and answered questions for press&etc, of course, there weren't that many of them built ever to begin with but much more than 7 that's for sure, though iirc there were only 5 of the 'lm' model).

      'mr bean' atkinson was one(iirc/afaik he crashed it, don't know if it totaled, probably) known owner.

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
  7. 3 people for 3 days? by ottawanker · · Score: 1
    The submarine, which in commercial production will take three people in cramped bucket seats to depths of 50 yards for up to three days at a time, is designed mainly as a plaything for the rich.
    So, the seats are cramped, but you can stay in them for 3 days.. Do they recline at all, or do I have to spend all 3 days sitting upright with my head sticking out into the ocean? And what does it smell like in there after 3 people have been down for 3 days? Is there a bathroom? Seems pretty impractical to me, but hey, I don't have the $845K (or whatever currency it is, unless its lira or soemthing) lying around.
    1. Re:3 people for 3 days? by Glonoinha · · Score: 1

      If it costs $845k and can spend three days completely isolated from the rest of the world, you can pretty much bet that there is enough room in it to have sex. I'm not entirely sure why there is room for three people, but if I had to guess I would say it probably involves two women and whoever owns the sub.

      There are no toys on the planet that cost more than half a million dollars that do not in some way, shape, form or fashion involve getting the buyer laid - it may take imagination, but people with that much money also have that much imagination.

      --
      Glonoinha the MebiByte Slayer
  8. And for the important Specs by TheDarkRogue · · Score: 5, Funny

    How much drugs can it hold? And can it be outfitted with Torpedos?

    --
    (Score:0, Interesting)
    1. Re:And for the important Specs by flacco · · Score: 1
      How much drugs can it hold? And can it be outfitted with Torpedos?

      or: how much explosives can it hold? and is it cool with allah?

      --
      pr0n - keeping monitor glass spotless since 1981.
    2. Re:And for the important Specs by benzapp · · Score: 1

      A single kilogram of heroin will get you at least $50K. Remember, a typical dose is only 5-10 milligrams.

      You get 20 kilos, thats a cool million right there...

      --
      I don't read or respond to AC posts
  9. Beautiful lakes in Iran? by Exiler · · Score: 1

    "We have had a lot of enquiries from high profile people in the Middle East"

    Iunno about you, but if I lived in the desert I'd want a flirkin' SAIL BARGE!

    --
    Banaaaana!
  10. Usefulness by alpha713 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    While I usually try and be positive in my replies, the only thing I can see about this toy for the rich, is that it is a waste of money. Besides the obvious risks in diving to deep and the like it serves no purpose save parting the rich and stupid from their not so hard earned money.

    Okay enough negativity. Perhaps this is just the first step in really exploiting the bottom of the ocean to its full potential, since the earth's surface is 70% water (I think) steps that allow development under the water will eventually help to reduce the overcrowding.That unfortunately is a long way off but once the rich and famous have their toys its only a matter of time until the rest of us get a crack at them. A good example of this is when cars first came out. Now I can get one for AU$500 (although it might be a hunk of junk).

    My point I guess is that even though I may see it as a waste of money now, hopefully in the future it will have real benefits.

    1. Re:Usefulness by Nogami_Saeko · · Score: 1

      Doesn't go deep enough. Want something that can go up to around 500m for any kind of real exploring fun.

      N.

      --
      "Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence." - Charles de Gaulle
    2. Re:Usefulness by ScrewMaster · · Score: 1

      No problem ... just replace that measley 135 AH lead-acid battery with something a little more energy-dense. Too bad it didn't come equipped with pedals for emergencies.

      No problem for the long haul, though ... if this thing takes off, a network of underwater "gas" stations will spring up where you can plug in for a charge and top off your oxygen tanks. And while your sub is being juiced up, you can toss off a couple of sliders at the White Castle pressure dome next door.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
    3. Re:Usefulness by DrVxD · · Score: 1

      the only thing I can see about this toy for the rich,

      Actually, this is a toy for the poor. The rich shop here

      --
      Not everything that can be measured matters; Not everything that matters can be measured.
    4. Re:Usefulness by madpierre · · Score: 1

      Drug smuggling.

      A killer app. for this gizmo.
      The cartels will love it.

      --
      siggy played guitar
    5. Re:Usefulness by wampus · · Score: 1

      One problem with this scenario. Would you want to be in a submarine after eating sliders? I guarantee I wouldn't.

    6. Re:Usefulness by ScrewMaster · · Score: 1

      Hm. I hadn't thought of that.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  11. This Is All Wrong by rsmith-mac · · Score: 4, Informative

    The story's submitter has the whole thing wrong; from their about page:

    * Life support systems consist of oxygen flask and metering valve sufficient to keep 2 persons in the craft for 30 hours
    * The submersible is a two-man craft
    * It has a maximum speed of approximately 4 knots

    1. Re:This Is All Wrong by rsmith-mac · · Score: 1, Informative

      Humm, I'm a moron; the guy was quoting CNN, not listing the facts himself, so CNN screwed up, not him. Sorry.

    2. Re:This Is All Wrong by 33degrees · · Score: 1

      Well the pdf says:

      Life support systems consist of oxygen flasks intern a land external and metering valve sufficient to keep 2 persons in the craft for 72 hours.

      so that detail could be right.

    3. Re:This Is All Wrong by dimgian · · Score: 1

      Actually nobody screwed up.

      CNN is talking about the commercial unit which is not available yet (that will hold 3 people for 3 days and go at 5 knots).

      The site is mostly about the currently created unit (which is not to be sold) which holds 2 people for 30 hours and go at 4 knots.

    4. Re:This Is All Wrong by snipingkills · · Score: 1

      If you would've read a little bit further you would have seen that it says approximately 4-6 knots. So 5 knots would be appropriate.

    5. Re:This Is All Wrong by blair1q · · Score: 1


      * IT HAS NO HEAD!!!

  12. Deep Flight by Usquebaugh · · Score: 1

    Time to fly rings round the old school stink boat Deep Flight

  13. Terrorism this, terrorism that... by D.+Book · · Score: 5, Insightful
    From the article:

    "We did have interest from the Spanish police for underwater terrorism detection searching ships' hulls," said Leeds' colleague Frank Barker. He declined to give further details.

    Why is it that every news story days has to mention a potential terrorist threat? How long is this going to go on? I'm sick to death of hearing about it. I don't remember seeing repeated references to industrial accidents in news stories two years after the Bhopal atrocity.

    Does anyone know of a plugin for Mozilla that will let me filter out any paragraphs containing the "T-word"?

    1. Re:Terrorism this, terrorism that... by paganizer · · Score: 1

      I could make you one, but in order to keep my Karma balanced i'd have to put in a pervasive "George Bush, American Emperor" skin.

      --
      Why, yes, I AM a Pagan Libertarian.
    2. Re:Terrorism this, terrorism that... by elf-fire · · Score: 1

      True.. All in all the chance as a world citizen to die of starvation, cancer, heart-disease, AIDS, traffic, dengue-fever, malaria etc. etc. is much much higher than in a terrorist event... Too bad all those funds are not applied to where they would make the biggest difference. Terrorism would automatically decline...

    3. Re:Terrorism this, terrorism that... by SurgeonGeneral · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I'm not sure if this is a troll or not, but I'll respond anyways with the text-book answer:

      There is a very good reason news outlets (CNN in particular, which has US Intelligence ops working as "interns" with the newsmakers) focus on things like Terrorism and not the Bhopal disaster.

      News agencies, in fact all corporate America, are interested in making money. This means supporting themselves and their affiliated companies (affiliated can mean anything, from a friend of the CEO, to the US Army in the case of CNN). The more there is a terrorist threat, the more you watch the news, the more watch the news, the more you support US government army initiatives, more products are bought by stockpilers, more weapons are bought from Boeing and Lockheed-Martin, etc. The news agencies have a very strong interest in keeping topics like Terrorism in the front of your mind. Especially when they are so closely allied with the U.S. Government as is the case with CNN, the provider of this story.

      Now, in light of this, how interested do you think they are in keeping the Bhopal disaster in the front of you mind? Bhopal conjures images of corporate greed, government corruption, white collar crime, lack of respect for workers and the environment. It paints that stereotypical image of an all powerful faceless corporation stomping across the working world, leaving disaster in its wake. It doesnt encourage spending, it doesnt encourage fear, it doesnt even encourage watching more news because its downright depressing. While we NEED to remember Bhopal and the atrocities that these multinationals commit, you are confusing human NEEDS with what the CEOs of corporate america WANT. Dont think that CNN is doing any kind of a public service. They have priorities and agendas just like all the rest of us.

      --
      -- "Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains." Jean Jacques Rousseau
    4. Re:Terrorism this, terrorism that... by danila · · Score: 1

      Use Proxomitron with a simple web filter:

      replace:
      <P>*terroris*</P>
      with
      "" (nothing)

      Voila!

      --
      Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
    5. Re:Terrorism this, terrorism that... by snarkasaurus · · Score: 1

      English appears to be your second language.

      Bhopal was an -accident-. A criminaly stupid accident granted, but not a deliberate act. Nobody pulled the lever on purpose and let the gas out, it just broke.

      Killing innocent civilians -on purpose- is an atrocity. Whether it be by a deluded suicidal a-hole with a buttload of C4 under his coat or 5 deluded suicidal a-holes in a jet isn't really important, its the deliberate nature of the act that makes it an atrocity.

      In the case of the USS Cole and 9/11 its also an act of war. War tends to get more press coverage than criminal stupidity. Just the way life is.

      Furthermore Bhopal was a one-time event, particularly given the sh*t kicking Union Carbide took on the stock exchange and in the courts of India and the USA both. I'm sure many multinationals quietly went throught their foreign opperations and fixed a lot of substandard gear after that.

      Terrorist bombings on the other hand are repeated acts. One will surely be followed by another and another and another unless and until the people organizing the mayhem are killed dead, dead, dead.

      So yeah, I'm glad to hear the Spanish cops are thinking ahead about checking boat hulls. I would hope they'd find a cheaper sub that the POS in question, but whatever, they are on the ball.

      If you want to avoid all mention of terrorist threats, just move to Canada. Here our fearless leaders are ignoring the issue just as hard as they possibly can. You'll love it.

      Until some insane Islamofascist cretin pulls an explosive stunt in your town that is. Then I predict you'll be all pissed off to discover you can't buy a gun in this idiot country, and you'll run back to GeorgeBushland and thank Ghod for the 2nd Amendment.

      The loudest hawks are doves who've been mugged.

  14. Drug runners by HillBilly · · Score: 1

    This could be useful for drug runners to transport drugs from latin american to the US.

    It has been reported that some large drug cartels have been trying to build their own submarines.

    --
    "Go into the hall of mirrors and have a bloody hard look at yourself" - HG Nelson
    1. Re:Drug runners by vudufixit · · Score: 1

      What you're saying implies something scary and menacing.
      Hey, they wouldn't be building subs if there didn't exist an incredible demand for illicit narcotics in this country.

    2. Re:Drug runners by cheekyboy · · Score: 2, Informative

      You are a bit late, this IS how they get the drugs across and also in TOXIC WASTE BARGES, how many customs people you know will search a polutted radiated deadly toxic waste barge? NONE, yet there are usually tonnes of COCAINE inside it.

      --
      Liberty freedom are no1, not dicks in suits.
    3. Re:Drug runners by BeaverCleaver · · Score: 2, Funny

      Dear drug runners: I can build a much cooler sub for you for HALF the price. As a bonus, I will paint it a colour that is not quite so glaringly obvious to the DEA.

      --
      sustainable living
    4. Re:Drug runners by SmallFurryCreature · · Score: 1
      mmm, I thought that drug boats survived by being small and extremely fast. Not by going 4 knots an hour. Wich is about walking speed. About since this is water and history is unclear how athletic jesus was.

      Anyway if drug runners wanted a sub they could get a real one. But subs have trouble. Unless you can convince the russians to sell you their latest tech then you are in a noisy vehicle that the US have had decades to learn to track. And track well since the price of not tracking a russian sub well is letting several hundred megatons of nukes get really really close.

      Nah I think for now the drug runners have to keep looking. This is a toy.

      But really the drugs people that could afford this toy are not intrestted in the perfect solution. Drugs are cheap. People willing to risk their lives smuggling it even cheaper.

      --

      MMO Quests are like orgasms:

      You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.

    5. Re:Drug runners by Helter · · Score: 1

      It doesn't matter how fast you go if they can't see you.

      Sonar picks up big things in the water, this would look just like any number of animals or natural detritus to sonar (if it even registered it) and since it's electric probably wouldn't show up with passive sonar either.

      Load up one pilot and fill the rest with contraband, that's a pretty good way to get drugs across the border without worrying about loosing the product.

  15. Wait a minute by moltar77 · · Score: 1

    "The official site has lots of pictures"

    Oh slashdot, haven't we learned anything?

  16. Not the first time.... by TiMac · · Score: 1
    http://www.diveweb.com/rovs/features/janfeb2001.02 .htm

    See above link for a history of personal underwatercraft...my personal favorite was the VASH from 1996--I remember drooling over that Hammacher Schlemmer catalog and dreaming of diving and flying in a machine like that.....

    --

  17. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 1

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  18. You thought the SEGWAY was useless and expensive? by ShallowThroat · · Score: 1

    ha! 1. make cheapass submarine that can hold 3 rich americans. 2. sell to rich dumb americans for 845k 3. PROFIT!!!

    --
    The "Insert Quote Here" line is almost as predictable as inserting an actual quote.
  19. I'm struggling to picture this... by GrodinTierce · · Score: 1
    Military uses could include carrying special operation forces ashore.
    I suppose the enemy might die laughing. For those who haven't read the article (who am I kidding, this is /.) the sub is painted child toy yellow, appropriately.
    --


    Tierce
    Who sponsors your feelings?
  20. Re:I know we all remeber by Rob+Simpson · · Score: 1
    "A SUBMARINE THAT CAN FLY IN THE AIR AND LAND ON LAND!"

    They had those in X-Com 2 (Terror from the Deep), right? That was one weird game...

  21. Let's hope that.... by 33degrees · · Score: 1

    The onboard computer isn't running some variant of Windows... that would give a whole new meaning to Blue Screen Of Death.

    1. Re:Let's hope that.... by n2dasun · · Score: 1

      Man oh man. That sure was a funny one. And original, too.

      I know no one cares, but I'm now making posts from my
      brand new Treo 600. Smokin'!

      --
      I'm determined to reclaim my karma. Now, if I can only find a groundbreaking article and something witty to say....
  22. This is hardly even the best of whats out there by bhairava · · Score: 5, Informative

    There's nothing new under the sun. There are plenty of other companies that make subs for private citizens. My dad was a subscriber to the Robb Report and for years some sort of sub vehicle has been offered by various entities in their pages. They are not merely rich folks toys. I'd be surprised if they sold more than a handful to individuals. Don't you geeks go on vacations? The main market for these craft has and will continue to be resorts around the world. They are already in use in many places. Check out http://www.ussubs.com/Luxury_folder/lux.phoenix.ht ml for the mother of all personal submersibles. "The Phoenix 1000 is a 65-meter (213') personal luxury submarine. " Beyond us mere millionaires, this baby can be had for a cool USD 78M! It is the f-ing bomb! Beyond cool!

    1. Re:This is hardly even the best of whats out there by Sci_Fox · · Score: 1

      I'm glad someone mentioned the Phoenix, it really is a beut, and so handy for those trips to the supermarket.

    2. Re:This is hardly even the best of whats out there by Mahatma+Goatse · · Score: 1

      My dad was a subscriber to the Robb Report and for years

      How is this relevant to anything? Oh, you simply want to remind us that your dad is a boring, vain faggot.

    3. Re:This is hardly even the best of whats out there by Darkman,+Walkin+Dude · · Score: 1

      Oh yah. Thats the very fellow, by god. Anyone that has seen the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen will have a lust-on for this baby like you wouldn't believe.

      --
      What he can't kill, he has sex on. Trent.
  23. I don't care about their submarine by WhaDaYaKnow · · Score: 1

    Give me their webserver instead! That thing's serving up pictures like there's no tomorrow.

    To bad for all the Karma Clowns mirroring the site. ;-)

    1. Re:I don't care about their submarine by ScrewMaster · · Score: 1

      Yeah ... I noticed that. This kind of site usually attracts Slashdotters like moths to an open flame, but there's no apparent Slashdot effect. Very impressive. Somebody has a fat pipe.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  24. Screw that. by jonhuang · · Score: 1

    Screw that, where's my flying car?

    1. Re:Screw that. by grosa · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Moller International have been doing some serious test flights of their M400 skycar since early this year.

      The thing can hover untethered now, although they still require a tether for insurance. you can read here about how their reworking some of the design concepts while they wait for new engines to be built, and see some hover test pictures here

    2. Re:Screw that. by SiliconJesus101 · · Score: 1

      Well, it's right here actually: http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/aircraft/private/aero car/info/info.htm

      --

      "The strong will do what they want, the weak will do what they must."
      -Thucydides

  25. i don't know about this by Potor · · Score: 1
    The brochure tells us that 3/4 of the earth's surface is under water, and invites us to explore the unexplored, but the machine operates at a depth of 50m. Hmmm, someone should get the PR dept. and the engineers on the same page ...

    cheers, potor

  26. Re:Why is it Yellow? by Codifex+Maximus · · Score: 1

    They don't HAVE to be yellow... it's just a dang good idea! Submarines sit so low in the water that they make great ramming targets.

    Anyway, the color goes well with the song ya know?

    --
    Codifex Maximus ~ In search of... a shorter sig.
  27. bah.. that's old news by MoceanWorker · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Aphex Twin (aka Richard D. James and many other pseudonyms), purchased a submarine a while ago..

    The article can be found here

    What's more is that the submarine was much cheaper.. he only got it for 50 grand!

    Quote.. "A Submarine. I don't know any models, but I just heard from the place where I can get ammunition for my machine gun -- they're selling off Russian submarines, and apparently they're really cheap. Someone said they were like 50 grand, but I don't know how accurate that is. I'd love it. I reckon I'll get one. It'll probably be a lot of hassle to do it, and you'll probably have to hire like a crew to work it for you. I don't know if you could properly operate it on your own -- maybe you could, I don't know. I don't know anything about submarines. I just know I'd like to have one. It would be wicked for parties, and stuff like that."

    Though the article says he was "considering" purchasing it.. he has purchased it..

    The article/interview was written sometime in 1999..

    --


    "The ones who dont do anything are always the ones who try to pull you down" -- Henry Rollins
  28. sub hunt by IAR80 · · Score: 1

    Imagine that you buy this thing (asuming that you are rich and stupid) and you go for a ride in the US teritorial waters. I bet the first Los Angeles class you encounter is going to think that you are the latest verion of Akula or maybe a Servodinsk, because you are certainly not in their sonar dtabase, and shove an mk40 up your ass.

    --
    http://ebgp.net/ccc/
    1. Re:sub hunt by IAR80 · · Score: 1

      Sorry typo! the Mk40 is small and airlaunced. I meant mk 48. The propeller is the noise maker, not the engine, and a Los Angeles class wil pick him up alright.

      --
      http://ebgp.net/ccc/
  29. Ten differences between a sub and a Porsche by heironymouscoward · · Score: 4, Funny

    1. The sub parks vertically, which is easy.

    2. The Porsche comes in nicer colors.

    3. Both the Porsche and the sub have convertible options you only want to try in _really_ nice weather.

    4. The sub handles better in those deep dark puddles.

    5. The Porsche gets you dates. The sub gets you exotic fish for dinner.

    6. With the sub you can join the "mile deep" club.

    7. The sub looks much more impressive outside your home. But the Porsche is more practical for shopping trips.

    8. The Porsche is cheaper.

    9. No-one is going to burst into song when they see your Porsche.

    10. The Porsche won't let you start a successful smuggling venture.

    --
    Ceci n'est pas une signature
    1. Re:Ten differences between a sub and a Porsche by heironymouscoward · · Score: 1

      Hey, hey, cool it! "Mile deep" is the amount of shit you get into when your sub cracks a leak at 50.5m. I don't know what the heck you were thinking of...

      --
      Ceci n'est pas une signature
  30. Horseless Carraiges are for the rich by GeorgeTheNorge · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The car was a plaything for the rich to start with. They were custom made, by hand, and practically came with a driver.

    For that matter, the cost of a cross USA trip on a stagecoach in the 1800's would have been equivalent to $4000 in today's money.

    This is how these things always start. The difference is that nobody lives under water today, so it is not just a matter of creating a vehicle, you have to give people a reason to go there.

    --
    If you got a $100 bill, put your hands up...
  31. Re:surviving unprecedented evile's assault? by BoogleBoo · · Score: 1

    Bitch!

  32. This home built sub goes to 3,000 ft. by Margaritaville · · Score: 1

    This guy is running sub tours on Roatan, an island off the north coast of Honduras in the Caribbean. He will take you to 3,000 feet maximum in his new, alien looking sub.

  33. Playthings of the ... by icejai · · Score: 1, Redundant

    ... FRIVILOUSLY RICH are here. $78 million USD for 65 meter sub!

    Makes the sub mentioned in the article look like a rusted-out go cart!

    - Ben

  34. Another fairly ambitious project by sploxx · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Here, from germany:
    http://www.euronaut.com/

    They are marine engineers, as it seems, so they know what they're doing...

  35. Re:Better subs here... by christor · · Score: 1
    A better link is here.

    Here's my favorite:

    "The Phoenix 1000: The ultimate personal transportation device, 65 meters (213 ft.) in length with 470 square meters (5000 sq. ft.) of interior space on 4 levels." This thing is pretty close to the Nautilus... enough range to make transantlic crossings (at least when traveling on the surface in "yacht-mode" at 16 knots (maximum=18 knots). Huge windows, travels underwater, on battery power, for 6 hours at 10 knots, 50 hours at 5 knots, 140 hours at 2.5 knots, etc..

    Diver lock-out "chamber allows a diver to enter or exit the submarine from the area between the shafts at depths of up to 45 meter."

    They haven't built one but estimate the price to be a mere $78 (million).

    Check it out here.

  36. We built... by Jedi+Holocron · · Score: 1

    "a very sophisticated control system consisting of a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and many electrically operated solenoid valves, pneumatic actuators, stepper motors, encoders" to move a paper cactus in grad school.

  37. Re:How Deep? by rossdee · · Score: 1

    'Black' boxes are orange, so they can find them more easily after a crash. Of course they may be just painted orange.

  38. Re:lead acid batteries in a million dollar device? by ScrewMaster · · Score: 1

    No, they just took a lesson from Microsoft and left out some obvious enhancements in order to leave an "upward migration path" so as to extract even more money from the customer's wallet via periodic "upgrades".

    I vote for sodium-sulfur. Then their sub design would be really smokin'.

    --
    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  39. oi by ShadowRage · · Score: 1

    We all live in a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine....

  40. The Deep Flight Aviator Kicks this Sub's Ass by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I assume you're joking. Comparing the Deep Flight Aviator to the Gemini is like comparing a Ferrari to a Volkswagen Beetle -- and I know, because I've worked with Graham Hawkes on the Deep Flight project for over 7 years. The DF Aviator could quite literally run rings around the Gemini.

    I got a chance to pilot the Aviator last March in the Bahamas, and ride in it for 2 hours while exploring a wreck for a BBC documentary. The Aviator can hit between 8-12 knots, and is rated to a depth of 1500 feet -- 10 times the depth of the Gemini. It can pace whale sharks or whales easily for hours, and is the perfect platform to search for the giant squid.

    In addition, while heading back to the dock after our recon of the wreck, Graham dived the sub down, then yanked back on the joystick and powered the sub up at a 45-degree angle, full speed -- and we came roaring out of the water like the Seaview at the beginning of "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea." Try doing THAT in the Gemini. :-)

    Want to see some pictures of the Aviator in the Bahamas? Go to www.jaywade.com; he was one of the photographers during the Bahamas excursion, and has some great shots of the sub on his website.

    -- Just call me "Admiral Nelson."

    1. Re:The Deep Flight Aviator Kicks this Sub's Ass by Usquebaugh · · Score: 1

      My bad I meant DF could fly rings around the other. I met the designer in Richomnd CA. He was sending some tanks out to be pressure tested. He never offered me a go :-(

  41. Not to be pedantic, but by VikingBerserker · · Score: 1

    Shouldn't this be called Pisces?

  42. 3 Person Sub? That's nothing... by GolfBoy · · Score: 1

    Buy your own 48 person submarine on eBay!

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? Vi ewItem&item=2438017155&category=26434

    It's important not to shop for submarines impulsively. Shop around, and be sure to get the features you need.

    1. Re:3 Person Sub? That's nothing... by Jedi+Holocron · · Score: 1

      Correct link : 48-Person Sub on eBay

      Also: This other sub on eBay

      Enjoy.

    2. Re:3 Person Sub? That's nothing... by giantsfan89 · · Score: 1

      That suspiciously looks like the old yellow submarine at the ride at Disneyland...

      --
      Don't ping my cheese with your bandwidth!
  43. Fifty million ways to die... choose one. by Chromal · · Score: 1

    It's all fun and games until you are stuck two hundred feet down in your disabled craft, waiting for the oxygen to run out. I think I'd take up a safer hobby, like, flying.

  44. I'm not getting in that thing ... by Skapare · · Score: 1

    ... if the control computer runs Windows.

    --
    now we need to go OSS in diesel cars
  45. Mozilla Plugin by CracktownHts · · Score: 1
    Does anyone know of a plugin for Mozilla that will let me filter out any paragraphs containing the "T-word"?

    Awesome idea. If you create it, I'll download it.

  46. Does it come with ... by Skapare · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... a shark fin attachment?

    --
    now we need to go OSS in diesel cars
  47. For half that price... by Comatose51 · · Score: 1

    For half that price, you could probably get a 100 person nuclear sub outfitted with complemantary torpedoes at a friendly Russia garage sale.

    --
    EvilCON - Made Famous by /.
  48. in the mindset of Bill Gates by iggymanz · · Score: 1

    no one needs more than 50 meters of depth -- iggymanz, 2003

    1. Re:in the mindset of Bill Gates by s-orbital · · Score: 1

      50 metres....
      bah, my $14 Walmart watch is good to 165 metres!

      --
      Patent: from Latin patere, to be open
  49. Not the First. by MrNally · · Score: 1

    Funny... THIS place here in BC has been peddling the
    sports car
    of submersibles for quite some time.

    --

    Experiment!
  50. brochure mirror. by Izanagi · · Score: 1

    Here is the 2MB brochure

    --
    SCO (noun.)- A Slimy Corporate Ogre. Often seeks free money.
  51. Slashdotted? by rofa · · Score: 1

    They must be submerged at the moment.

    --
    No sig. Go away.
  52. Re:Phoenix site by srmalloy · · Score: 1
    Truly a most amazing yacht ... looking at the design, one can't help but think about the cruising and parties under the sea that this would afford.

    Unfortunately, it's not likely that anyone rich enough to be able to afford to buy one is going to have the kind of romance in their soul that would be necessary for them to tell US Subs to do the interior in brass, walnut, and rich fabrics to create a modern-day Nautilus (Captain Nemo's, not the US Navy's, for those of you who were never exposed to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea).
  53. phoenix sub just a proposal... not real? by fantomas · · Score: 1

    Hmm... just some words ("design proposal" no less) and bad drawings... are you sure the Phoenix sub isn't as real as some of the more flaky proposals for the X-Prize? Surely any undergrad engineering student or even graphic designer could come up with this and put up a website....? I saw drawing like this for Disney's 20,000 leagues beneath the sea but I'm pretty sure Nemo didn't exist either...

  54. forget james bond... by mantera · · Score: 1



    The quintessential submarine adventurer has always been TinTin!

  55. Re:How naive can you be? by mr100percent · · Score: 1

    Maybe if we stopped invading Muslim countries while simultaneously giving "Jewish" states 16 times the number of aid in weapons and money to continue their land grab, perhaps we'd see that trend reverse.