BLADEFISH Sea Jets - A Completely Different Approach

[Mr.X]

You two guys can be early adopters of this "new technology" and let us know how this thing works.
Having used and tried scooters from early Farallons to new X scooters - a tool should provide a use. Not make you work harder, or serve as a dangling accessory.

Hey Scubadada - you're from Phillie? Let us know how this thing works on a NE wreck. I could see this thing being laughed off the boat. Good diving.

X

 

[Rhone Man]

a tool should provide a use. Not ... serve as a dangling accessory.

I think the words "dangling accessory" show your take on it. If you are deep wreck diver from the North Atlantic, then I suspect it isn't much use to you (which is why it probably isn't being marketed to your demographic). If you are a young kid or an old man looking to have either a little bit of fun or a little bit of help on warm and shallow Caribbean dives, it looks like it has a use.

I take your point about new technology though. I am a great believer in waiting for version 2.0.

 

[Mr.X]

I think the words "dangling accessory" show your take on it. If you are deep wreck diver from the North Atlantic, then I suspect it isn't much use to you (which is why it probably isn't being marketed to your demographic). If you are a young kid or an old man looking to have either a little bit of fun or a little bit of help on warm and shallow Caribbean dives, it looks like it has a use.

I take your point about new technology though. I am a great believer in waiting for version 2.0.

Hey Rhone - at 799.00 and up this is one expensive tool for a kid, or old man. BTW - Old man conjures thoughts of some wizened old guy (like Merlin) with a white beard whizzing past coral on a CUDA scooter. Would be funny. Funnier yet would be Santa on a underwater scooter.

I have experience with several varieties of recreational scooters and over time they collect dust. Users will like new tools for the novelty, but after a while folks just let them sit because they are not worth the bother. One summer I taught a tech class where we had a range of scooters as a part of the course. I had students use my tech scooters and the recreational scooters side-by-side. After a few days all the students ditched the recreational scooters. They all clamored for the tech scooters. Being able to out kick a scooter is not an endorsement for continued use. Here's a video link to this product on youtube. Doesn't seem especially useful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gna4rEXjif0

X

 

[PhilEllis]

Phil,
Can you tell us a little bit about all the o-rings used on the unit? For example, as you previously mentioned, the mfr has control over all the sealing surfaces, BUT, there are o-rings sealing even the main part of the body.

Also - How do they seal where the motor penetrates the "arm" that drives the belt that runs prop? On the units I've observed, this was a weak point. Any water ingress into the arm that runs the prop will result in water leaking into the motor.

I think the manufacturer control over the sealing surfaces makes a lot of sense. Remember, these units will be used by recreational divers who have little inclination or desire to do much maintenance. Simply rinse it with fresh water and plug the charger. They will be used at typical recreational depths and I wouldn't expect to see the heavy service given to other DPV's.

I have a design break-down diagram coming from the distributor, but to be honest, I don't expect to have that until early January. So, I can't honestly answer those questions. I do know that the manufacturer made some sealing, o-ring, and other changes after testing, some even at the recommendation of a friend of yours. They seem quite confident in the design. These has been fairly deep testing and duration testing by several people. As you might know, some of that was done at Bluewater.

I think we will need another couple of months yet to know about user experiences. As a previous large retailer of the SeaDoo units, I can say that the approach taken by the BladeFish designers and manufacturer seems to overcome the design flaws that caused the most trouble with the units. Remember, this is purely a recreational scooter. It makes no premise of being comparable to the larger scooters used by technical divers.

As I get more information about these, I will post it here on ScubaBoard. With the limited number of units we have received, all I can currently provide is "dry" observations.

Phil Ellis
www.divesports.com

 

[Law5Guy]

So... I got to play with the Bladefish5000 today in the pool at my LDS.

Some random-ish thoughts and first impressions...

1. Very cool black carbon fiber look.
2. It is very small about as big around as a car steering wheel.
3. Has a build in stand good for flat surface, but I think it would tip over on a boat in ‘rougher-ish’ seas.
4. Need to drive it with ‘both hands on the wheel’ keeping both thumbs on the thumb switches.
5. It starts off in ‘medium’ speed. Then quickly lift and re-press the thumb switch ‘gear shifter’ to make it go faster/slower.
6. If you take one thumb of either switch for a second, it stops.
7. It is slightly negative buoyant.
8. Maneuvers quite well. Up/down/left/right. Will make tight turns quite easily.
9. You can really feel the water ‘exhaust’ coming out if you hold in line with your face. I felt more comfortable holding it just below me.
10. No lanyard attachment. I think you can rig one up, looping thru the handle. I would hate to stop for a photo and then have the thing start sinking down into the abyss.
11. I dont think you can re-charge it on the boat, unless there is a 'normal' electrical outlet. Knowing how well water and electricity mix, I think if it is out of juice, best to just wait until back on dry land. lol

I would like to try it out in the ocean once, say on a wreck before I decide whether to get one or not.

 

[Matt S.]

Thanks for the info.

I can't wait to hear how it does pulling a fully kitted out diver.

 

[deeper thoughts]

Yes I too am waiting before we buy 2 of them.

 

[Law5Guy]

Thanks for the info.

I can't wait to hear how it does pulling a fully kitted out diver.

Oh.. I should have added....I was in SCUBA. Granted I didn't have my usual dangling bits. Just basic gear. It pulled me around just fine. And...it goes a bit faster if you kick. It wasn't fully charged, as the LDS staff got to ride before I did. Oh well..

 

[scubadada]

I'm still looking forward to real reviews.

Mr X, I may be from Philly but spend most of my diving time flying over beautiful walls in the Caribbean. I'm sure your scooters are fantastic but not the answer for everyone and not particularly travel friendly.

Good diving, Craig

 

[Mr.X]

I'm still looking forward to real reviews.

Mr X, I may be from Philly but spend most of my diving time flying over beautiful walls in the Caribbean. I'm sure your scooters are fantastic but not the answer for everyone and not particularly travel friendly.

Good diving, Craig

I appreciate what you're saying. Since I don't have one of these things I can't objectively comment on it's performance. That being said - the performance of these things on video with a snorkeler (very little drag) is less than awe-inspiring. . The giveaways to this underwhelming performance is how the diver has to physically manipulate the device to make simple rollovers, or turns. Scooters with sufficient thrust can make simple turns with very little required of the diver other than a turn of the wrist. No muscle-through for turns/maneuvers.

Again, my opinion is that users will eventually opt to leave behind a scooter product which can't provide decent speed on scuba, or comfortable control. Constant two-handed operation being a very distractive element when a diver simply wants to bimble about.

For traveling techies the best scooter out there is the X scooter in a dedicated case. However, lugging this thing around airports (50 lbs +, or - without battery) becomes tiring and it's always subject to the scrutiny of TSA. In fact, it's overkill for regular divers. One package which is inherently portable would be Jetboots by Ben Mazin.

X

BTW - Take a tech boat out of NJ and try some of the wrecks during late July, or August. One amazing scooter wreck is called the Resor. Gin-clear water, super-sized lobsters and all the room in the world to scooter about on a terrific wreck.