Argon
The Concept
The Argon is a very light 2WD side-by-side vehicle built to transport hunters to their 'watch' and is even able to serve as a passive observation post. It is powered by a 5 kW DC electric motor that runs on 48 volts. It also features unobstructed front and lateral views with camouflage meshing that hides its occupant from view.
The Background
A few years back, I was walking toward my hunting cache one morning and I started thinking about what kind of vehicle would work best for this particular activity. It would need to be silent and blend in with the surroundings. It would also need to have a clear, unobstructed view plus be comfortable enough to sit in for a few hours and hop out quickly. Finally, it would need to be very affordable because it would serve only a few purposes including transporting and hiding hunters. Of course, it is not designed to bring back a deer or a moose from hunting, but small game wouldn't be a problem.
How it works
With its peak torque of 38 Nm, the Argon's electric motor would help you move quickly and silently into the forest and to your favourite hunting spot. Obviously, the vehicle would not be designed to cover great distances on its four 12-volt batteries for weight & cost reasons, but it would have enough capacity to bring you to your watch and it would be possible to add an extra four batteries to increase its range if needed.
The Argon would feature one single seat in the middle with room for your hunting gear, including racks for your guns, bow or crossbow. It would feature an electrically insulated heated seat & led light. The camouflage on the overhead roof could be brought down to hide the hunter and the whole vehicle. You could even pass through a small opening in the roof if you prefer to stand inside the vehicle. I opted for a really simple design that could be assembled by hunter and shipped in a small wooden box. The tires would be made of plastic and would be able to run without any air. The batteries would not be included to reduce the MRSP and shipping costs.
What it's used for
The Argon would not be very powerful, but it would definitely fulfill a specific niche market. The current image shows a vehicle built for one, but it could be designed to carry two people for exploring a national park, bird watching and, of course, hunting. Storage compartments could be sold separately and integrated in the vehicle's rear. As mentioned, it should be sold at a very affordable price point due to its low complexity.
The Design
The renderings of the Argon concept were created by Patrick Hoyer, who works from his private design studio in Mechanicsville, Maryland USA. Patrick graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
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