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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 EsQaJdF9VYj88tXqPpvyAw0bqqujkRDp29aWarPyzRzQaoRoKuoqVrDoqEkLOSBs
 +l5BBS/7QfYHXL6p2PZEMA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-03-020974.txt : 20030918
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-03-020974.hdr.sgml : 20030918
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030918102857
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-03-020974
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030903
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030918

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SEAZHOLTZ JOHN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001191175

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-10605
		FILM NUMBER:		03900516

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1515 S MANCHESTER AVE
		CITY:			ANAHEIM
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92802

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ODETICS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000350868
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RADIO & TV BROADCASTING & COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT [3663]
		IRS NUMBER:				952588496
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0331

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1515 S MANCHESTER AVE
		CITY:			ANAHEIM
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92802
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7147745000
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
  <periodOfReport>2003-09-03</periodOfReport>
  <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000350868</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ODETICS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ODETA</issuerTradingSymbol>
  </issuer>
  <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001191175</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SEAZHOLTZ JOHN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1515 S. MANCHESTER AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ANAHEIM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92802</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
      <isDirector>1</isDirector>
      <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
      <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
      <isOther>0</isOther>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
  <nonDerivativeTable>
    <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
        <value>2003-09-12</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionTimeliness>
        <value></value>
      </transactionTimeliness>
      <transactionAmounts>
        <transactionShares>
          <value>10000</value>
        </transactionShares>
        <transactionPricePerShare>
          <value>1.00</value>
        </transactionPricePerShare>
        <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
          <value>A</value>
        </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
        <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
          <value>43547</value>
        </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeTransaction>
  </nonDerivativeTable>
  <ownerSignature>
    <signatureName>Gary Smith, Power of Attorney</signatureName>
    <signatureDate>2003-09-17</signatureDate>
  </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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