DPVs are they all that?

[blueorbdiving]

I am really curious about DPV's. Never seen one, or dove near or with one. But, the look like fun, and a good air saver. Are they quiet or disturbing to sea life? Are they easy to operate and dependable? Are there depth limitations? What would be some reasons for someone new to DPVs NOT to get one?

Thanks for any info...no sales please


BlueOrbDiving
"Be the sea"

 

[Octopusprime]

So you have a couple questions... They are fun and air saver, but easy to accent/decend with out noticing.

as far as depth there are many brands. I see ones 0-12 ft, up to 80-100 ft and deeper. Some are slightly buoyant, some are negative.

Biggest downfall is price and you need two. One for you one for your buddy.

 

[Jon Nellis]

Try this old thread...

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/dive-propulsion-vehicles/468676-dpv-comparison-demystified.html

 

[TONY CHANEY]

Yea they are all that and then some.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

Yes. They are all that.
It adds some levels of complexity to your dives in terms of skill and planning; it is well worth it.

As Octopus Prime (cool name BTW) mentioned above, you need two. Unless you are a solo diver.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

They are without a doubt the most fun you can have diving, not unlike an underwater jet ski that operates in three dimensions, and enable some truly epic exploration dives. They are also expensive, bad for your trim/buoyancy discipline, and can get you lost/leave you stranded miles from your intended exit very quickly.

 

[TSandM]

They are a wonderful way to access dives that would otherwise require a boat -- but you have to be careful, because if you are depending on them to cover distance or battle current, you have to have a fallback in the event of a malfunction. It's great fun to do barrel rolls and loops, but you have to be very cognizant of your place in the water column. It is extremely easy to get buddy team separation when using scooters in any kind of reduced visibility.

They are expensive to acquire and to maintain and repair. They are another heavy piece of gear to schlep to the water's edge, or to manage on a boat. They really do require good situational awareness in the water. But they can let you do things you simply can't do otherwise. There are high-current dives in the Seattle area I just won't do without a scooter.

 

[Mr.X]

If you get a decent scooter - you will never want to dive without one. Again, I emphasize decent ($$ to $$$$) scooter. Not the pool toys made in China.

 

[Spg01]

They are fun, they are expensive (at least to me) and heavy. I don't own one, but every now and then the guys I dive will let me get some trigger time.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

Well, they're not all heavy. My Genesis 600 is 32lbs and has a 5.5 mile range at cruise speed; the new Piranha is even lighter and isn't too far behind on range.