VideoRay ROV

[Yotsie]

My team is looking at possibly purchasing a "Pro 3XE GTO". I was anting to know if anyone out there has any experience with any VideoRay products. We needed to stay with a "micro" ROV due to the fact that we are inland and our max. depth is 40 FFW in any of our waterways.

Any feedback good, bad or otherwise is greatly appreciated.

 

[Gilldiver]

You might want to take a look at the LBV by seabotix: ROV - SeaBotix Inc. LBV - ROV

It is a bit bigger then the Searay but it is a lot more capable and you can put a claw onto it to pick up small objects. I can put you in touch with the ROV pilot at the Northeast office of the National Underwater Research Center (NURC) if you want, he has run just about everything out there up to work class ROV's. Just PM me.

Pete Johnson

 

[Thalassamania]

I've had a lot of experience with several small ROVs, my favorites were all made by Deep Ocean Engineering: Link

 

[Yotsie]

Thanks for the replies... I am researching the two alternatives you have suggested.

 

[davedivescilly]

Hi,
Dave McBride from the UK here.
They are both good micro rov's, I looked a each of the rovs you mention, asked around, talked to a robotics engineers who worked with both and then bought a videoray pro 111.
The maintenance side is very simple and if need be quick to strip down, vedeoray is very quick and simple, their back up pretty swift on a good day.
I am not that keen on the optics or hi def really for TV as I need 3 chip, but they all seem the same. I think the first one to up the game on image quality will make a killing.
The GTO makes a great addition and boy do they travel, adeal for pulling the umbillical at depth, not that you are worried about depth,especially with the high performance tether(not sure if this is standard issue).
Very easy to launch with the tether deployment system, sadly they had not invented this when I bought mine.
Very portable and quick to set up.
you can't go wrong with the videoray, I am still after a set of GTO's if you hear from any other videoray pilots.
Good Luck Dave

 

[Yotsie]

Thank you for your input Dave.. I just found out we have been funded for our grant and will be buying this unit as soon as all the rest of the red tape is cut through.

 

[BladesRobinson]

I am curious to know which unit you decided on.

I know teams have had problems with both and Seabotix had a worse reputation. To the benefit of both manufacturers I know that the problems involved earlier generation units.

My suggestion is to speak to customers, NOT manufacturers. Your investment in time will be spent well.

Charlotte (NC) Fire Department, Oconee (SC) EMA Dive Team, Florida Keys Community College, Brevard County (FL) Sheriffs Office, Washoe County (NV) Sheriff's HASTY Team ... all have Seabotix units. I heard the first four teams mentioned have had issues with their units or the the company.

I had a brand new VideoRay quit working several years back and was instructed by an individual at the company to "hit it sharply with the palm of your hand." Prior to that time we had been recommending the units to dive teams but that was "the last straw." To their benefit, I believe they have also improved over their earlier models though I have not placed my "seal of approval" on them either.

I only caution consumers to do their homework and wish you and your team the best of luck.

Blades

 

[giarC]

Yotsie,

I've operated both the VideoRay and Seabotix vehicles. Without a doubt I'd go with the VideoRay. Two weeks ago I recovered a shotgun with a VideoRay. It's very easy to deploy, learn how to use and in my experience it's a much more reliable system.
What I would do if I were you, would be to have each company your considering come out and show you how their system operates in your enviorment.

Giarc

 

[Yotsie]

After taking everyone's advice, we've decided to go with Video Ray for the following reasons:


1. Customer support While both companies offered customer support, Video Ray was willing to come out any time to assist us, has provided me an "after hours" phone number for technical support and has offered other incentives that other manufactors won't or can't meet.

2. Small ROV For us, size matters, so does picture quality. After evaluating units from different manufactors, Video Ray had the best picture quality for the size of the sub. This, for us, is important since we are an inland ag area. This may or may not be a matter of importance for most teams.

3. Mutual Aid Several teams in our area have subs other than Video Ray. This made "hands on" evaluation and real world feedback easy for me. If we need something that was beyond the capability of Video Ray, we can call them, and if they need a smaller sub, they can call us.


Those are but a few reasons. Our evaluation sub went back and our sub should be here early next week.


Thank you to all who provided input and suggestions. That what makes this board great.

 

[BladesRobinson]

Yotsie,

Thanks for the follow-up. At the 2009 IADRS Conference we will have hands on training and several ROV manufacturers are participating in the in-water training sessions. Seval SONAR manufacturers have also expressed interest so the in-water demos should be very informative.

For those who are interested in more information, please visit:

International Association of Dive Rescue Specialists - IADRS

Marine Sonic is offering a 16 hour pre-conference program with limited enrollement. Because of a desire to have tight student to instructor ratios, only 10 students will be allowed to attend this program.

Location: Charlotte, NC

Pre-conference: Sept 20 - 22, 2009
Conference: Sept 22 - 25, 2009
Post conference: Sept 26 (tentatively at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte)​