Cuda Alternatives???

[loanwolf]

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.

Hey Rick the one you have used is the Explorer. That one in the listing is pretty much a pool/lake toy. the explorer as you found out will keep up with a Sierra in 3rd gear, and has a 90min+ burn time in 3rd gear. the new Lithium RS at $1300.00 is faster with the same burn time but they lowered the recommended depth rating from 160' to 130'. For $750 new the ExplorerX is one of the best scooter out their for recreational divers. You do not need a $3K or more scooter unless you are really doing tech dives or have really deep pockets and money does not matter.

Don't get me wrong a X, SS, or one of the others is a lot more machine and much better in the water. But it is also a crap load more money. Does the average recreational diver who wants a scooter need that much tool?

[Jeff Pack]

Interesting, but no real reviews of the RS1 I could find out there.

[loanwolf]

It has not been out that long.

[Jeff Pack]

Looking at the vids on it, I dont see a tow strap, you have to hang on. But for the cost, if it performs, could be good alternative for the scooter challenged, that dont wanna shell out 2600$++.

[loanwolf]

Looking at the vids on it, I dont see a tow strap, you have to hang on. But for the cost, if it performs, could be good alternative for the scooter challenged, that dont wanna shell out 2600$++.

just run a Daisy Chain or cord though the handles on the top and hook it off on you. works fine. if you role it up on its side then you can fly it with one hand. Works fine and you do not need to spend a lot of money.

I have thought about putting 2 eyes on the shroud to hook a regular tow cord their but the handles has always worked for me and anyone I have loaned it to.

[CaptnJack]

Looking at the vids on it, I dont see a tow strap, you have to hang on. But for the cost, if it performs, could be good alternative for the scooter challenged, that dont wanna shell out 2600$++.

Hanging on sucks. You want a tow cord even if you have to jury rig it.

[Jeff Pack]

Looking at the vids on it, I dont see a tow strap, you have to hang on. But for the cost, if it performs, could be good alternative for the scooter challenged, that dont wanna shell out 2600$++.

just run a Daisy Chain or cord though the handles on the top and hook it off on you. works fine. if you role it up on its side then you can fly it with one hand. Works fine and you do not need to spend a lot of money.

I have thought about putting 2 eyes on the shroud to hook a regular tow cord their but the handles has always worked for me and anyone I have loaned it to.

Do you have an RS? I was looking at the RS1 I believe.

[kdupreez]

.. just run a Daisy Chain or cord though the handles on the top and hook it off on you...

What's a Daisy Chain?

And do you have an RS1? If so, I'd love to check it out!

[Jeff Pack]

me2

[CaptnJack]

What's a Daisy Chain?

Typically something like this with multiple loops to adjust the length used in climbing


I don't know how loanwolf is using his, I always thought he had a cuda anyway... Rob used to just tie a cord onto the handles of his Apollo. I don't know why you couldn't just use a slip knot.

That said, I don't know anyone who's been happy long term diving in current and scootering with buddies etc using a seadoo.

[loanwolf]

Looking at the vids on it, I dont see a tow strap, you have to hang on. But for the cost, if it performs, could be good alternative for the scooter challenged, that dont wanna shell out 2600$++.

just run a Daisy Chain or cord though the handles on the top and hook it off on you. works fine. if you role it up on its side then you can fly it with one hand. Works fine and you do not need to spend a lot of money.

I have thought about putting 2 eyes on the shroud to hook a regular tow cord their but the handles has always worked for me and anyone I have loaned it to.

Do you have an RS? I was looking at the RS1 I believe.

I have a gen1 explorer.

[loanwolf]

What's a Daisy Chain?

Typically something like this with multiple loops to adjust the length used in climbing


I don't know how loanwolf is using his, I always thought he had a cuda anyway... Rob used to just tie a cord onto the handles of his Apollo. I don't know why you couldn't just use a slip knot.

That said, I don't know anyone who's been happy long term diving in current and scootering with buddies etc using a seadoo.

That is a anchor chain not a daisy chain.

A daisy chain is one piece of webbing with lots of loops sewn into it allowing for adjustment of length. and if you have a screamer of a fall the loops will blow the bar tack stitches in a chain each absorbing 300-600lbs of force.

daisy chain.jpg (16.84 KiB) Viewed 2682 times

You just take the large loop and feed it through itself around both of the top of the handles. the main power switch is also right their but the loop will stay clear of it, You have to move it a little to turn it on or off. Then take a double ender bolt-snap and clip the end of the Daisy Chain to your waist and the other end to one of the loops to get the right position. What is nice about this if you are not using the scooter you unclip the loop allowing the scooter to float up and out of your way to the end of the Daisy Chain's length.

[CaptnJack]

Daisy chains are not meant to take or break falls. Slip knots are easier and cheaper anyway.

So whatever happened to the nuclear powered cuda???

[loanwolf]

I have several scooter but like to use the SeaDoo when teaching new people how to use them. It is much harder to accidentally hurt your self if you happen to pull the trigger by accident when it is pointing toward the surface. I have seen people cork doing that before. It has 3 gears and starts in 1st a nice slow frog kick speed. then 2nd is about as fast as anyone can swim with fins. Then 3rd will keep up with a Sierra in 3rd gear if the diver and scooter are in trim so the prop-wash is just hitting the tips of your fins. It is also not fast enough to run away from me when I am on the X. People can have a tendency to say WOOOHOOOO!!! and just take off once they get comfortable and not even realize what they are doing in our low vis water.

I also love to use it when I am using the vid camera. I like to get almost vertical in the water column and bear-hugging it under my right arm and scooter along, caged prop I cannot do this with the X . I can change speed go left right up or down just buy moving my arm a little. This keeps the vid camera very stable in my left hand. Great for wide angle, wrecks, and wall dives were you are trying to get other divers in the environment.

[loanwolf]

Daisy chains are not meant to take or break falls. Slip knots are easier and cheaper anyway.

So whatever happened to the nuclear powered cuda???

I used to make climbing gear they are designed to tear out the stitches and adsorb the fall. The force is determined buy the number of stitches in the bar tack. It is better to tear out the bar tacks than pull gear.

If you want one you can get one but not in this country. DOE will give you a permit but HLS will not allow a civilian to have a large scale Isotope Decay Battery. That and a 1-2 million dollar price tag will really limit things.

[kdupreez]

...So whatever happened to the nuclear powered cuda???

Wait.. Wutt? Must be some uber secret military development that Ben & Ray is doing that were not [sarcasm]supposed[/sarcasm] do know about??

[loanwolf]

...So whatever happened to the nuclear powered cuda???

Wait.. Wutt? Must be some uber secret military development that Ben & Ray is doing that were not [sarcasm]supposed[/sarcasm] do know about??

No a company in Japan makes large scale IDB's that I work with once in a while. I was trying to see if we could market them but no go here. Okay in most other countries around the world. Would have loved to see that on the web site. Like I told Ben sell one and you will make more money for the year than with everything eles.

[kdupreez]

Screw all 'yall!! I say, go big or go home!

I want one of these.. on nuclear power!!

http://www.rotinor.com/movie.html

[Norris]

Screw all 'yall!! I say, go big or go home!

I want one of these.. on nuclear power!!

http://www.rotinor.com/movie.html

OOh does it come with the gunz!!!!

[Dashrynn]

I love these threads. Sierra fury is probably the most versatile scooter out there. Size, adequate thrust, adequate burntime (Fury). SS makes a nice little scooter now that comes close to the sierra. Not intimate with the minnus but it seems solid.

Things to consider:
1. Faster the scooter goes underwater, more drag thus more wear on motor and battery drain. It's not about speed rather endurance (unless fighting current) on most dives.

2. Carrying the damned thing around. It can be a PAIN pulling it back into a boat or carrying it from the shore.

3. Higher voltage motors seem to be more efficient. Compare wattage needed for cruising of a Sierra and a Cuda, you will see what I'm talking about. Captnjack can explain this better than I.

I've wanted to rebuild a Gavin for some time now, building a battery pack for one would be great. i have a capacitive welder that works great, just need a victim

[Dashrynn]

Screw all 'yall!! I say, go big or go home!

I want one of these.. on nuclear power!!

http://www.rotinor.com/movie.html

On modern warfare (video game) they used these in a underwater scene. Seemed fun.

[Raydar]

Ray might say otherwise, but you don't need a Cuda. What are your buddies using? Maybe borrow one of their's first.

I don't try to tell people what they need or don't need. Nobody listens to me anyway. :(

[Raydar]

This one went up in smoke and took the Nissan and sadly a MK15.5 with it!

http://www.rebreatherpro.com/2008/08/sa ... ather.html

I stand corrected, but- that was a battery heavily modified by crazy-ass Australians.And if you don't believe they're crazy, you haven't looked at the dives they do- no sane man or woman would attempt them.

They were using homemade lithium packs in Sierras.

[Joshua Smith]

This one went up in smoke and took the Nissan and sadly a MK15.5 with it!

http://www.rebreatherpro.com/2008/08/sa ... ather.html

I stand corrected, but- that was a battery heavily modified by crazy-ass Australians.And if you don't believe they're crazy, you haven't looked at the dives they do- no sane man or woman would attempt them.

They were using homemade lithium packs in Sierras.

Nope. They were Australian.

[Dashrynn]

This one went up in smoke and took the Nissan and sadly a MK15.5 with it!

http://www.rebreatherpro.com/2008/08/sa ... ather.html

I stand corrected, but- that was a battery heavily modified by crazy-ass Australians.And if you don't believe they're crazy, you haven't looked at the dives they do- no sane man or woman would attempt them.

They were using homemade lithium packs in Sierras.

Nope. They were Australian.

Were or are?