I currently have a DiveXtras mini-cuda with a DeepSeaSupply lithium ion battery.
(My first scooter was a DiveXtras Sierra, which I put about 400 dives on before upgrading.)
I've had the pleasure of putting 210 dives on the mini-Cuda in the two years I've owned it.
Most SoCal, but also Monterey, Seattle and God's Pocket Resort in Canada.
I take it on almost every dive when I have a buddy who also has a scooter.
I'll often take it if my buddy doesn't have a scooter because I can easily tow another diver.
I love my scooter because it:
- extends our range,
- saves our dive when the current rips,
- lowers our gas consumption (which allows longer dives),
- is more fun than 10 barrels of caffienated monkeys,
- and makes all our usual dive sites a little smaller.
Well, the mini cuda with the DSS battery makes them A LOT smaller.
It's 44 pounds, and I can carry it on my shoulder to the water's edge when shore diving.
It is welcomed on all the commercial dive boats I go on as the weight is modest and its size is compact.
Maintenance:
Annually, I replace all the o-rings and prop shaft seal, as recommended by the manufacturer. I do this myself, easily.
DiveXtras has fantastic instructional videos on line so anyone can learn this.
I disassemble and clean the propeller assembly every 3 or 4 months as I use it so frequently in salt water.
After each dive, I run the scooter in a basin of fresh water, towel it dry and store it disassembled.
Problems:
Seating the battery takes getting used to, and it's a pain when it comes loose while diving.
I use rubber bands on the "cir-clip" to help it stay in place.
I sand and silicone lubricate the sides of the battery to ease insertion and lock-down.
If sand gets in the trigger rod assembly it can stick. It's easy to blast clean with a hose.
As someone mentioned earlier, use caution before trying a real scooter (one that tows your body by a tow cord and requires only one hand to control and steer it.)
The first taste may be free, but the addiction is a bit pricey.
It's worth every penny.
~~~~
Claudette
(Check out the
Tahoe Benchmark research project for information about the actual performance of many models of DPVs)