Just might get a scooter....

rogeringebo · 14th January 2009, 09:18

During our last dive trip to the Red Sea I got a bit tired of swimming at depth to find and navigate the wreck. A shame to burn expensive bottom time swimming over the sand. Never thought I would buy a scooter but now that evil seed is planted in the back of my mind.
Just started to look at scooters and read the Tahoe Benchmark Home Page document.
Right now I am leaning towards a X-scooter.
As I do not do long cave dives and travel a lot I would like something small like the Sierra or similar.
What is your experiences with different scooters and what pointers would you
give as a experienced scooter driver and owner?

Cheers
Roger

cameron · 14th January 2009, 11:21

I would rather have a scooter then a rebreather.

I feel that scooter diving has impacted my diving more and allowed me greater exploration potential then a rebreather has.

I had an X and ran out of burn time pretty quickly. If you are only using it for boat diving and traveling then its a great unit. Well made and equally as fast as any other scooter out there, other then the cuda.

I now have 2 UV-37. I will be moving to the UV-42s just for the comfort of a larger scooter but I obviously don't travel far with them. Other then the truck bed to the waters edge. Burn time and comfort are the paramount concerns for me.

You will find that there is alot more diving available to you now that you have propulsion, so anticipate requiring more burn and and easier riding position because you WILL want to go as long as your rebreather will let you.

YMMV

Cam

rogeringebo · 14th January 2009, 12:28

Thanks Cam!
It sure appeals to me the more I think about it...

/Roger

Ben Field · 14th January 2009, 12:46

In addition, (although its not very important or grown-up) I have never had
so much fun underwater as I have had when scootering.

My most recent scooter dive was a shallow wall dive, very colourful and abit of current but the best part was "dogfighting" in and out of the rocks with the Seals who live there, they seemed to like nothing better than chasing me, swimming along side in formation or being followed through the rock canyons of the site. It was delightful experience made possible by the speed and distance covering capability of the scoooter (I have an Apollo.)

I would also agree that for the average diver a Scooter/DPV has a more direct impact than a rebreather on the dives you can do, particularly as in itself it extends OC gas supplies by reducing your swimming to nil! Although perhaps I shouldn't be encouraging this on a Rebreather site? :D

Rob Dobson · 14th January 2009, 13:02

Quote: (Originally Posted by cameron)

I had an X and ran out of burn time pretty quickly.
Cam

I own a bunch of X's of various types and sizes. A standard Sierra with the 13ah battery should be good for around an hour of burntime. The new 16ah option gives 20% more burntime than the 13ah but isn't quite so friendly to fly with as it weighs an extra 500g over the 13ah. It's a nice pack, makes the Sierra a little faster and reduces the amount of ballast required, literally the only downside is air travel.

If you want more burntime than that then buy a longer body and drop an extra battery in, this is a cheap upgrade path compared to buying a new scooter and you keep the option of using the standard body when you want to go on holiday with it. A long body with 16ah packs is a very nice scooter in every respect.

For the ultimate in speed and duration then the Cuda is where it is at. With ranges of between 5 and 9 miles depending on the model (and the price) and speeds bordering on insanity it really is a serious bit of kit. Not really something you want to fly with though as they start at 23Kgs instead of the Sierra's 16Kgs.

I currently have a couple of Cuda 550's but I'm hoping to get a 650 ordered real soon as well as getting an M1200 over in the UK for an MOD trial.

rogeringebo · 14th January 2009, 13:15

Quote: (Originally Posted by Rob Dobson)

I own a bunch of X's of various types and sizes. A standard Sierra with the 13ah battery should be good for around an hour of burntime. The new 16ah option gives 20% more burntime than the 13ah but isn't quite so friendly to fly with as it weighs an extra 500g over the 13ah. It's a nice pack, makes the Sierra a little faster and reduces the amount of ballast required, literally the only downside is air travel.

If you want more burntime than that then buy a longer body and drop an extra battery in, this is a cheap upgrade path compared to buying a new scooter and you keep the option of using the standard body when you want to go on holiday with it. A long body with 16ah packs is a very nice scooter in every respect.

For the ultimate in speed and duration then the Cuda is where it is at. With ranges of between 5 and 9 miles depending on the model (and the price) and speeds bordering on insanity it really is a serious bit of kit. Not really something you want to fly with though as they start at 23Kgs instead of the Sierra's 16Kgs.

I currently have a couple of Cuda 550's but I'm hoping to get a 650 ordered real soon as well as getting an M1200 over in the UK for an MOD trial.

PM sent...

Cheers
Rodge

Johnny Bekkestad · 14th January 2009, 13:22

Last i heard Aki was thinking to sell his N-37 and the price is great comparing...

/Jonny

cameron · 14th January 2009, 13:27

Quote: (Originally Posted by Rob Dobson)

If you want more burntime than that then buy a longer body and drop an extra battery in, this is a cheap upgrade path compared to buying a new scooter and you keep the option of using the standard body when you want to go on holiday with it. A long body with 16ah packs is a very nice scooter in every respect.

I just found the x to be a VERY fatiguing scooter to ride. I certainly would not want to ride one for 3 hours. I guess its just the diving i do, point in one direction and go, but I really value the battery offset in the bigger scooters.

The x is definetly a more versatile scooter with all the combination of bodies and batteries, but I need the scooter for one specific reason and my opinion is based on that. Like I said before, the X would be a great choice for the diving the OP had discussed.

Cam

mountain diver · 14th January 2009, 13:46

Quote: (Originally Posted by rogeringebo)

During our last dive trip to the Red Sea I got a bit tired of swimming at depth to find and navigate the wreck. A shame to burn expensive bottom time swimming over the sand. Never thought I would buy a scooter but now that evil seed is planted in the back of my mind.
Just started to look at scooters and read the Tahoe Benchmark Home Page document.
Right now I am leaning towards a X-scooter.
As I do not do long cave dives and travel a lot I would like something small like the Sierra or similar.
What is your experiences with different scooters and what pointers would you
give as a experienced scooter driver and owner?

Cheers
Roger

check out this thread.

http://www.rebreatherworld.com/rebre...w-scooter.html

Rob Dobson · 14th January 2009, 13:57

Quote: (Originally Posted by mountain diver)

check out this thread.

http://www.rebreatherworld.com/rebre...w-scooter.html

No good if he wants to fly with it due to the lithium-manganese batteries used.

14th January 2009, 09:18	#1 (permalink)
rogeringebo Life starts at 100 Pelagian DCCCR Classic KISS, Megalodon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockholm Sweden Posts: 861	Just might get a scooter.... During our last dive trip to the Red Sea I got a bit tired of swimming at depth to find and navigate the wreck. A shame to burn expensive bottom time swimming over the sand. Never thought I would buy a scooter but now that evil seed is planted in the back of my mind. Just started to look at scooters and read the Tahoe Benchmark Home Page document. Right now I am leaning towards a X-scooter. As I do not do long cave dives and travel a lot I would like something small like the Sierra or similar. What is your experiences with different scooters and what pointers would you give as a experienced scooter driver and owner? Cheers Roger Last edited by rogeringebo; 14th January 2009 at 09:23..
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14th January 2009, 11:21	#2 (permalink)
cameron RBW Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 499	Re: Just might get a scooter.... I would rather have a scooter then a rebreather. I feel that scooter diving has impacted my diving more and allowed me greater exploration potential then a rebreather has. I had an X and ran out of burn time pretty quickly. If you are only using it for boat diving and traveling then its a great unit. Well made and equally as fast as any other scooter out there, other then the cuda. I now have 2 UV-37. I will be moving to the UV-42s just for the comfort of a larger scooter but I obviously don't travel far with them. Other then the truck bed to the waters edge. Burn time and comfort are the paramount concerns for me. You will find that there is alot more diving available to you now that you have propulsion, so anticipate requiring more burn and and easier riding position because you WILL want to go as long as your rebreather will let you. YMMV Cam Last edited by cameron; 14th January 2009 at 11:24..
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14th January 2009, 12:28	#3 (permalink)
rogeringebo Life starts at 100 Pelagian DCCCR Classic KISS, Megalodon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockholm Sweden Posts: 861	Re: Just might get a scooter.... Thanks Cam! It sure appeals to me the more I think about it... /Roger
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14th January 2009, 12:46	#4 (permalink)
Ben Field CK+Shearwater Classic KISS Sport KISS Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Weymouth, England Posts: 2,704	Re: Just might get a scooter.... In addition, (although its not very important or grown-up) I have never had so much fun underwater as I have had when scootering. My most recent scooter dive was a shallow wall dive, very colourful and abit of current but the best part was "dogfighting" in and out of the rocks with the Seals who live there, they seemed to like nothing better than chasing me, swimming along side in formation or being followed through the rock canyons of the site. It was delightful experience made possible by the speed and distance covering capability of the scoooter (I have an Apollo.) I would also agree that for the average diver a Scooter/DPV has a more direct impact than a rebreather on the dives you can do, particularly as in itself it extends OC gas supplies by reducing your swimming to nil! Although perhaps I shouldn't be encouraging this on a Rebreather site? :D
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14th January 2009, 13:02	#5 (permalink)
Rob Dobson RBW Member JJ-CCR MEG (COPIS II) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oxford Posts: 247	Re: Just might get a scooter.... Quote: (Originally Posted by cameron) I had an X and ran out of burn time pretty quickly. Cam I own a bunch of X's of various types and sizes. A standard Sierra with the 13ah battery should be good for around an hour of burntime. The new 16ah option gives 20% more burntime than the 13ah but isn't quite so friendly to fly with as it weighs an extra 500g over the 13ah. It's a nice pack, makes the Sierra a little faster and reduces the amount of ballast required, literally the only downside is air travel. If you want more burntime than that then buy a longer body and drop an extra battery in, this is a cheap upgrade path compared to buying a new scooter and you keep the option of using the standard body when you want to go on holiday with it. A long body with 16ah packs is a very nice scooter in every respect. For the ultimate in speed and duration then the Cuda is where it is at. With ranges of between 5 and 9 miles depending on the model (and the price) and speeds bordering on insanity it really is a serious bit of kit. Not really something you want to fly with though as they start at 23Kgs instead of the Sierra's 16Kgs. I currently have a couple of Cuda 550's but I'm hoping to get a 650 ordered real soon as well as getting an M1200 over in the UK for an MOD trial.
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14th January 2009, 13:15	#6 (permalink)
rogeringebo Life starts at 100 Pelagian DCCCR Classic KISS, Megalodon Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockholm Sweden Posts: 861	Re: Just might get a scooter.... Quote: (Originally Posted by Rob Dobson) I own a bunch of X's of various types and sizes. A standard Sierra with the 13ah battery should be good for around an hour of burntime. The new 16ah option gives 20% more burntime than the 13ah but isn't quite so friendly to fly with as it weighs an extra 500g over the 13ah. It's a nice pack, makes the Sierra a little faster and reduces the amount of ballast required, literally the only downside is air travel. If you want more burntime than that then buy a longer body and drop an extra battery in, this is a cheap upgrade path compared to buying a new scooter and you keep the option of using the standard body when you want to go on holiday with it. A long body with 16ah packs is a very nice scooter in every respect. For the ultimate in speed and duration then the Cuda is where it is at. With ranges of between 5 and 9 miles depending on the model (and the price) and speeds bordering on insanity it really is a serious bit of kit. Not really something you want to fly with though as they start at 23Kgs instead of the Sierra's 16Kgs. I currently have a couple of Cuda 550's but I'm hoping to get a 650 ordered real soon as well as getting an M1200 over in the UK for an MOD trial. PM sent... Cheers Rodge
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14th January 2009, 13:22	#7 (permalink)
Johnny Bekkestad Johnny The Hatch CCR2000, Megalodon, Homebuilt Norge, FGT, mk15, KISS, Inspo Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Fort Pierce, FL/USA Posts: 1,207	Re: Just might get a scooter.... Last i heard Aki was thinking to sell his N-37 and the price is great comparing... /Jonny
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14th January 2009, 13:27	#8 (permalink)
cameron RBW Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 499	Re: Just might get a scooter.... Quote: (Originally Posted by Rob Dobson) If you want more burntime than that then buy a longer body and drop an extra battery in, this is a cheap upgrade path compared to buying a new scooter and you keep the option of using the standard body when you want to go on holiday with it. A long body with 16ah packs is a very nice scooter in every respect. I just found the x to be a VERY fatiguing scooter to ride. I certainly would not want to ride one for 3 hours. I guess its just the diving i do, point in one direction and go, but I really value the battery offset in the bigger scooters. The x is definetly a more versatile scooter with all the combination of bodies and batteries, but I need the scooter for one specific reason and my opinion is based on that. Like I said before, the X would be a great choice for the diving the OP had discussed. Cam
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14th January 2009, 13:46	#9 (permalink)
mountain diver Silent Lucidity Megalodon Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 544	Re: Just might get a scooter.... Quote: (Originally Posted by rogeringebo) During our last dive trip to the Red Sea I got a bit tired of swimming at depth to find and navigate the wreck. A shame to burn expensive bottom time swimming over the sand. Never thought I would buy a scooter but now that evil seed is planted in the back of my mind. Just started to look at scooters and read the Tahoe Benchmark Home Page document. Right now I am leaning towards a X-scooter. As I do not do long cave dives and travel a lot I would like something small like the Sierra or similar. What is your experiences with different scooters and what pointers would you give as a experienced scooter driver and owner? Cheers Roger check out this thread. http://www.rebreatherworld.com/rebre...w-scooter.html
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14th January 2009, 13:57	#10 (permalink)
Rob Dobson RBW Member JJ-CCR MEG (COPIS II) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oxford Posts: 247	Re: Just might get a scooter.... Quote: (Originally Posted by mountain diver) check out this thread. http://www.rebreatherworld.com/rebre...w-scooter.html No good if he wants to fly with it due to the lithium-manganese batteries used.
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