I am in the same boat - need to get into DPVs, mostly for cave diving. I don't see my dive plans exceeding 5000ft penetration in the next year or so. Hence the question: How easy is it to upgrade BT if you're mechanically inclined?
Looking at various sites, I can get a new motor, upgraded battery packs, and some accessories. What would it take to create Genesis-like battery packs where I can replace individual cells? Will aftermarket upgrades and regular maintenance reduce common failure probability? Can I get a new, non plastic cone?
Also, what's the story with Piranha P1? Is it a DIY-friendly platform? Based on what I know, later P1 versions seem to be better than BT in terms of quality/performance and will also be sufficient for my dives. However, the platform longevity is my concern. Where would one get a new engine, non-PTB battery packs?
@lostsheep - do you have a list of modifications you've done to you Piranha? I am interested in the updated cone and the battery. What would you do if the motor fails? Is it something that one could repair or send out for repairs?