Hollis H-160 DPV?

mempilot

Anyone have any experiences with the Hollis H-160 DPV?

It seems to be a pretty robust option to the Submerge and X-Scooter.

link: Vehicles


I'm currently in the market and would appreciate any feedback anyone has.

Thanks,

Eric

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Eric Stadtmueller, otherwise known as, MEM "Da Pilot"

jdicediver

Hollis doesn't even have any experience with the Hollis H-160. They are not yet available (if ever) and not responding to emails. One sent May 5/08...buy an X-scooter.

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Regards;


"Some people shouldn't dive...others shouldn't even get wet".

mempilot

That's interesting. I just got off the phone with a dealer (who is also a friend), and he has one coming in. I guess they are now shipping. I understand that they had some problems with suppliers, as everyone has this year. This put Hollis behind the curve on getting product market. I guess this is the same problem plaguing DR, ISC, Apeks, and many other manufacturers. I'll eat crow if some unforseen problem rears it's head now, but I'll be demoing the unit shortly (hopefully! ).

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Eric Stadtmueller, otherwise known as, MEM "Da Pilot"

lizardland

I've had my Silent Sub for coming up on a year now and they're about as robust as you'll get short of casting it out of metal. Brilliant scooters and excellent support from Rodney & Suzi, you won't go wrong with a Submerge scooter.

I wish I could say the same for my Gavin which looks like a battered pile of shite despite having had less use. The other one I had had to be completely rebuilt by the new owner. I don't know why anyone would buy one.

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Can you imagine drifting along in the sea with your mouth open and a load of f***ing plankton going in? You'd like it, would you?

www.westons-cider.co.uk

Azerbaijani Association of Technical Divers Publicity Officer and Goat Wrangler

diverklondike

Eric,

With the amount of $$$ that you will be investing in something like this, I would simply suggest something that is truly proven like a SS or an X. The MFG of both companies have proven customer service track records alone with the products.

I looked closely at the Hollis dpv at DEMA and did not see any inovation in what they were delivering. With that I personally would not see a reason to consider it.

But.... If you are going to get to play with a free demo unit...

Go for it and see if it can handle the same abuse that an "X" or "SS" can...

If it passes then it may be worth consideration...

Dive Safe

Mark

Rob Dobson

I looked at them at DEMA last year and wasn't very impressed. They look well built from good materials but poorly designed. The LED lights are a waste of time and not something I can see someone who has ever used a scooter designing.

They are very heavy so I can't people actually using them.

The motor is a standard Mako IIRC so they're not that powerful.

The folk at the Hollis stand knew nothing about them so that didn't exactly inspire confidence either.

Ben Field

There seems to be an awfully large number of different DPV's on the market of Very similar design for what is (I assume) not a huge market?

Recreational and Reef divers are going to buy Sea-doo's or rent an Apollo, surely new models for that market would be more profitable for manufacturers? (I know Hollis is a tech line and they probably figure they Have to have a DPV)

I've got an old Apollo, apart form the limited depth (that that I go past 70mtrs often) and control points its superb- I fail to see why wreck scooters need be £1500-2500?

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cool_hardware52

Based on the published specs what advantages to you see to the H-160 vs the other available choices?

Tobin

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mempilot

No advantage, just as I said, an option? Probably the only advantage is that a local shop is a dealer and would support me quite well. The H-160 comes without the light. The light is an option, and I'm not sure why the only picture available is of a model with the light. I would not even consider the light. It is heavy compared to the X, but I think it is close to a SS AFAIK.

I like both the SS and X very much. Both impress me in different ways. I have a few friends with varyious DPV's. Each has positives and negatives to say about each. I'm just doing my homework before shelling out $3500 to $4000 on a new piece of kit.

There are very good points made in this thread so far. I appreciated everyone's comments.

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Eric Stadtmueller, otherwise known as, MEM "Da Pilot"

cool_hardware52

Here's my unsolicited analysis.


Cavers want SLA scooters, believing simple (no electronics) and well proven, burn testable SLA's are the better choice. Weight is secondary.

The H160 is not SLA, but uses NiMH packs.

Beach / boat divers want something lightweight, and are less concerned about SLA VS NiMH debate.

The H160 is about 12-13 lbs heavier than an X that offers similar performance.

I'm sure Oceanic knows how to build a scooter, but it makes me wonder who the target market really is.

Tobin

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