Cuda Alternatives???
Cuda Alternatives???
Not ready to shell out $$$$$$$ for a cuda right now but what are some other alternatives?
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do."
-Confucius
-Confucius
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
DiveX is up in Mukilteo, and its hard to beat their customer service.. So you could look into getting a DiveX Sierra? I know tons of people who dive them and they are great!
That said, some alternatives to DiveX are:
Gavin
Halcyon
Hollis
Suexo
Silent Submersion
Out of all these, your least expensive, most reliable and DIY serviceable option for the cost, would probably be a Gavin. They are big heavy scoots that run on lead acid batteries, but cant beat their return vs. cost
For used smaller scooters like Sierra, Gavin short-body, Halcyon T14 and SS N19, a pretty good price would be around $1,500 to $1,800
but dont look at pure cost initially, think about servicing, parts, etc.. long term ownership cost.
Also, ask around, there are TONS of scooters around and people are usually more than happy to let others try/dive them to find the one that works for you.
If you want to try my Cuda, I'd be happy to.. I would also be able to hook you up with divers that own a Sierra, Gavin shortbody and maybe a T14 as well if you want to look at them.
Koos
That said, some alternatives to DiveX are:
Gavin
Halcyon
Hollis
Suexo
Silent Submersion
Out of all these, your least expensive, most reliable and DIY serviceable option for the cost, would probably be a Gavin. They are big heavy scoots that run on lead acid batteries, but cant beat their return vs. cost
For used smaller scooters like Sierra, Gavin short-body, Halcyon T14 and SS N19, a pretty good price would be around $1,500 to $1,800
but dont look at pure cost initially, think about servicing, parts, etc.. long term ownership cost.
Also, ask around, there are TONS of scooters around and people are usually more than happy to let others try/dive them to find the one that works for you.
If you want to try my Cuda, I'd be happy to.. I would also be able to hook you up with divers that own a Sierra, Gavin shortbody and maybe a T14 as well if you want to look at them.
Koos
"I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade... And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party" - Ron White
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
Thanks I will start reading up on them, not looking to buy till summer (unless a killer deal shows up, Im such a impulse buyer) but was just looking for some leads. Gonna have to mosdef try some out before I drop half if not a whole house payment on one lol...
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do."
-Confucius
-Confucius
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
As Low As: $171.99
•Dive propulsion vehicle designed for scuba divers, snorkelers, and water enthusiasts
•Propels user at speeds of up to 2.5 miles per hour; rated for depths of 100 feet
•Waterproof circuitry protects internal electronics from accidental flooding
•Run time of 2 hours per charge with normal use; adjustable buoyancy control
•Measures 23.5 x 14.6 x 12.2 inches (W x H x D); weighs 18 pounds
http://www.nobetterdeal.com/shop/Produc ... QgodbR2Pig
•Dive propulsion vehicle designed for scuba divers, snorkelers, and water enthusiasts
•Propels user at speeds of up to 2.5 miles per hour; rated for depths of 100 feet
•Waterproof circuitry protects internal electronics from accidental flooding
•Run time of 2 hours per charge with normal use; adjustable buoyancy control
•Measures 23.5 x 14.6 x 12.2 inches (W x H x D); weighs 18 pounds
http://www.nobetterdeal.com/shop/Produc ... QgodbR2Pig
Hi, my name is Keith, and I'm a Dive Addict!
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
There's a factory rebuilt Sierra at Dive Xtras for 2650$
=============================================
- I got a good squirt in my mouth
- I would imagine that there would be a large amount of involuntary gagging
- I don't know about you but I'm not into swallowing it
CCR discussion on Caustic Cocktails.
- I got a good squirt in my mouth
- I would imagine that there would be a large amount of involuntary gagging
- I don't know about you but I'm not into swallowing it
CCR discussion on Caustic Cocktails.
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
just found a gavin on CL,, email sent to the guy.
=============================================
- I got a good squirt in my mouth
- I would imagine that there would be a large amount of involuntary gagging
- I don't know about you but I'm not into swallowing it
CCR discussion on Caustic Cocktails.
- I got a good squirt in my mouth
- I would imagine that there would be a large amount of involuntary gagging
- I don't know about you but I'm not into swallowing it
CCR discussion on Caustic Cocktails.
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
Ray might say otherwise, but you don't need a Cuda. What are your buddies using? Maybe borrow one of their's first.
Sounder wrote:Under normal circumstances, I would never tell another man how to shave his balls... but this device should not be kept secret.
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
I'd offer the guy $1400 and settle for like $1,500 max..Jeff Pack wrote:just found a gavin on CL,, email sent to the guy.
Thats a 26ah short body and if you can get someone to make you a NiMh or Lithium battery pack (like cofford), you have a pretty cool scooter that will run for long hours.
You could also ping Mark over at 5thD.. There probably not a Gavin in town that he has not either seen personally or know the history of..
"I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade... And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party" - Ron White
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
Used Cuda ?scubnewb wrote:Not ready to shell out $$$$$$$ for a cuda right now but what are some other alternatives?
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
~30mins continuous max. Although you can upgrade the brushes. Stuff starts to melt back there without a cool down period although most people don't scooter continuously anyway. Once Rodney really got on the NiMH bandwagon with SS's the old SLAs tanked in value big time. So yeah $1500 if it looks very good in the motor compartment. I couldn't imagine wrestling a 68lb scooter into my boat now...kdupreez wrote: Thats a 26ah short body and if you can get someone to make you a NiMh or Lithium battery pack (like cofford), you have a pretty cool scooter that will run for long hours.
Sounder wrote:Under normal circumstances, I would never tell another man how to shave his balls... but this device should not be kept secret.
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
Fixed that for yaBASSMAN wrote:As Low As: $171.99
•Dive propulsion vehicle designed for scuba divers, snorkelers, and water enthusiasts playing in the pool..
•Propels user at speeds of up to 2.5 miles hour day; rated for depths of 100 feet
•Waterproof circuitry protects internal electronics from accidental flooding
•Run time of 2 hours 25 minutes per charge with normal use; adjustable buoyancy control
•Measures 23.5 x 14.6 x 12.2 inches (W x H x D); weighs 18 pounds
And there is NO ways in hell this thing will pull a diver at 220 feet per minute for 120 minutes!
At the Tahoe benchmark this year, this specific scooter was tested for shits and giggles and it did a whopping 97 ft feet per minute (1 mile per hour).. for an astounding 30 minutes before it gave up..
"I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade... And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party" - Ron White
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
I have scooted one of these before and it lasted well over 30 minutes. Would love to see the stats on this test you are talking about about.
Mind you not something I would invest in, but if someone wants a little underwater fun for a small fraction of what a big boy scooter costs, I didnt think it was too bad.
Link?
Mind you not something I would invest in, but if someone wants a little underwater fun for a small fraction of what a big boy scooter costs, I didnt think it was too bad.
Link?
Last edited by Norris on Tue Apr 17, 2012 9:34 am, edited 2 times in total.
**Pinch it, don't stick your finger through. You're just pinching a bigger hole.
CAPTNJACK - 2012**
CAPTNJACK - 2012**
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
BTW - speaking of Tahoe..
This is a GREAT resource for scooters and scooter performance..
http://www.tahoebenchmark.com/2011.htm
EDIT: (Norris, these were the benchmark tests)
K
This is a GREAT resource for scooters and scooter performance..
http://www.tahoebenchmark.com/2011.htm
EDIT: (Norris, these were the benchmark tests)
K
"I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade... And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party" - Ron White
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
+1. This is the only public data I know of that attempts to run repeatable, somewhat scientific studies against all the major scooters out there so you can compare apples to apples.kdupreez wrote:BTW - speaking of Tahoe..
This is a GREAT resource for scooters and scooter performance..
http://www.tahoebenchmark.com/2011.htm
EDIT: (Norris, these were the benchmark tests)
K
If you're really going to buy a scooter, you should also read the previous results from the 2008 and 2009 tests. Some manufacturers haven't changed models, so they didn't re-run some of the scooters in 2011.
You're going to laugh at the pool-toy results, too. There's no way in hell the Sea Doo or any of their ilk could ever meet the perf specs they claim...even downstream in a heavy current...
-c
There are no stupid questions, but there sure are a lot of inquisitive idiots...
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
Let me add that I also feel that their claims are a little far fetched, and I also dont think they would compare in any way shape or form to the big boy scooters. I was just saying that I have scooted one of these to 85 90 fsw for about 50 minutes with no loss of power and it was pretty fun. So for 180.00 as opposed to the price tag on the major scooters, I can attest that it was fun and maybe not quite as lame as K is claiming.
There ARE options if you just want to play around with some propulsion devices and you dont have to spend a butt load of money. 180.00 even for something you use occasionally for fun, is a pretty minimal investment. Just a thought.
There ARE options if you just want to play around with some propulsion devices and you dont have to spend a butt load of money. 180.00 even for something you use occasionally for fun, is a pretty minimal investment. Just a thought.
**Pinch it, don't stick your finger through. You're just pinching a bigger hole.
CAPTNJACK - 2012**
CAPTNJACK - 2012**
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
The pool toys are fine if you're alone (and going for a short shallow dive). If you show up with that for a dive with me, I might as well swim. If you show up with that and a buddy has a Cuda or a Magnus, expect them to prefer to tow you than wait around.
There are still old Makos (and Teknas) around. Batteries are cheap and rewound they were as fast or faster than a Gavin. But the plastic shell left alot to be desired. Ditto the Apollos, those were actually pretty damn fast for only a 12V battery, but didn't last more than 35mins or so.
There are still old Makos (and Teknas) around. Batteries are cheap and rewound they were as fast or faster than a Gavin. But the plastic shell left alot to be desired. Ditto the Apollos, those were actually pretty damn fast for only a 12V battery, but didn't last more than 35mins or so.
Sounder wrote:Under normal circumstances, I would never tell another man how to shave his balls... but this device should not be kept secret.
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
I'll probably look at the Sierra, as I didnt realize the Gavin was SLA, that weight would make my herinated disk scream.
Plus, by the time I upgraded to LiPo, I'd be almost at the Sierra by then.
Plus, by the time I upgraded to LiPo, I'd be almost at the Sierra by then.
=============================================
- I got a good squirt in my mouth
- I would imagine that there would be a large amount of involuntary gagging
- I don't know about you but I'm not into swallowing it
CCR discussion on Caustic Cocktails.
- I got a good squirt in my mouth
- I would imagine that there would be a large amount of involuntary gagging
- I don't know about you but I'm not into swallowing it
CCR discussion on Caustic Cocktails.
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
I'm sure you can have a LOT of fun with those toys and SeaDoo sells a lot of them.. but im also fairly sure its NOT the kind of scooter the OP had in mind here. (unless I misinterpreted his question about Cuda alternatives)Norris wrote: There ARE options if you just want to play around with some propulsion devices and you dont have to spend a butt load of money. 180.00 even for something you use occasionally for fun, is a pretty minimal investment. Just a thought.
the SeaDoo is a toy that you can have some serious fun with and mostly aimed at a tropical setting where there is less drag and more hospitable environments..
A real DPV on the other hand is designed and built as a diving tool to get you places and let you do dives that you otherwise wont be able to do... To get you from point A to a good distance away at point B and back.. And do so reliably and safely with enough power and endurance to even get 2 divers there and back. that and you have arm-ripping speed for some serious fun!!
Case in point, I bet you had a lot of fun on the seadoo, but I also bet you that you wont be able to go out to The Alki fishing reef and back with it.. I also wont bet on the seadoo to help me fight against currents on certain dives.. (one of the reasons we require a scooter on certain dives)
a toy versus a tool..
"I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade... And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party" - Ron White
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
There's no need to upgrade a short Gavin to LiPo. With new SLAs a short gavin is a ~70min scooter.Jeff Pack wrote:I'll probably look at the Sierra, as I didnt realize the Gavin was SLA, that weight would make my herinated disk scream.
Plus, by the time I upgraded to LiPo, I'd be almost at the Sierra by then.
The Sierra is the lightest "real" scooter at about 38lbs. The SS N-19 is slightly heavier with slightly more burntime.
Sounder wrote:Under normal circumstances, I would never tell another man how to shave his balls... but this device should not be kept secret.
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
With all due respect,kdupreez wrote:I'm sure you can have a LOT of fun with those toys and SeaDoo sells a lot of them.. but im also fairly sure its NOT the kind of scooter the OP had in mind here. (unless I misinterpreted his question about Cuda alternatives)Norris wrote: There ARE options if you just want to play around with some propulsion devices and you dont have to spend a butt load of money. 180.00 even for something you use occasionally for fun, is a pretty minimal investment. Just a thought.
the SeaDoo is a toy that you can have some serious fun with and mostly aimed at a tropical setting where there is less drag and more hospitable environments..
A real DPV on the other hand is designed and built as a diving tool to get you places and let you do dives that you otherwise wont be able to do... To get you from point A to a good distance away at point B and back.. And do so reliably and safely with enough power and endurance to even get 2 divers there and back. that and you have arm-ripping speed for some serious fun!!
Case in point, I bet you had a lot of fun on the seadoo, but I also bet you that you wont be able to go out to The Alki fishing reef and back with it.. I also wont bet on the seadoo to help me fight against currents on certain dives.. (one of the reasons we require a scooter on certain dives)
a toy versus a tool..
I think I clearly stated that the Seadoo toy was fun and nothing else. I also stated that when I used it, I had a 50 minute burn time with power to spare, which opposed your 30 minute claim. So while your statements are all true please dont direct them towards me as though I said otherwise.
Simply put, the Sea Doo toys are fun. Do they compare to the big boy scooters? No. Would I love to see the faces of the other Cuda and X users when you show up to a scooter dive with one, YES.
In closing, I was more responding to your post which laughed at the Sea Doo than I was the Ops original question. I didnt think it was fair considering I had a contrasting experience to your benchmark.
Love,
Rick
**Pinch it, don't stick your finger through. You're just pinching a bigger hole.
CAPTNJACK - 2012**
CAPTNJACK - 2012**
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
NWDC Dont Rule #7
Dont argue scooters. The ball crushing causes "issues"
Dont argue scooters. The ball crushing causes "issues"
=============================================
- I got a good squirt in my mouth
- I would imagine that there would be a large amount of involuntary gagging
- I don't know about you but I'm not into swallowing it
CCR discussion on Caustic Cocktails.
- I got a good squirt in my mouth
- I would imagine that there would be a large amount of involuntary gagging
- I don't know about you but I'm not into swallowing it
CCR discussion on Caustic Cocktails.
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
I'm sure they are. never said they're not..Norris wrote:Simply put, the Sea Doo toys are fun.
Cool, anytime you are up for a dive, I would grab any chance to break out the dive crack and go zoom~Norris wrote:No. Would I love to see the faces of the other Cuda and X users when you show up to a scooter dive with one, YES.
I dont think its fair to compare your pleasure dive experience to a benchmark. Toy vs. a Tool.. The benchmark clearly separates the twoNorris wrote:I didnt think it was fair considering I had a contrasting experience to your benchmark.
"I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade... And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party" - Ron White
Cuda Alternatives???
Fixed that for you.Jeff Pack wrote:Jeff Pack Dont Rule #7
Dont argue scooters. The ball crushing causes "issues"
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
*facepalmkdupreez wrote:I'm sure they are. never said they're not..Norris wrote:Simply put, the Sea Doo toys are fun.
Cool, anytime you are up for a dive, I would grab any chance to break out the dive crack and go zoom~Norris wrote:No. Would I love to see the faces of the other Cuda and X users when you show up to a scooter dive with one, YES.
I dont think its fair to compare your pleasure dive experience to a benchmark. Toy vs. a Tool.. The benchmark clearly separates the twoNorris wrote:I didnt think it was fair considering I had a contrasting experience to your benchmark.
I concede
**Pinch it, don't stick your finger through. You're just pinching a bigger hole.
CAPTNJACK - 2012**
CAPTNJACK - 2012**
Re: Cuda Alternatives???
Quitter.Norris wrote: *facepalm
I concede