New X-Scooter 'Sierra' model released...

[Bardo]

Those of you with even a passing interest in scooters might be interested to see that Dive-Xtras launched a new version of its fantastic little X-Scooter earlier this year. Called the 'Sierra' model, the new X-Scooter offers a number of very cool new benefits that make it an even more attractive proposition! These include...

Trigger Shift™ Speed Control
Trigger Shift Speed Control allows you to simply change speed "On the Fly". There are 5 speeds setting on the Trigger Shift Speed Control (from 80% - 100% of the speed produced by the setting of the varible pitch prop). When you plug the battery in, the Trigger Shift Speed Control will start on the middle speed setting of three (3). To dive you simply pitch the varible pitch prop to what you want and then adjust speed (80%-100%) using the Trigger Shift Speed Control. You can still stop and manual turn down the varible pitch prop to produce no thrust when needed for safety during stowing or towing of the X-Scooter.

There's a very cool video of the new trigger shift here....

Zinc Anode
To further limit the possibility of galvanic corrosion, there is a zinc anode on the front of the Sierra Body. It holds down the Front D-Ring. The Zinc counteracts any Galvanic corrosion that may occur on the scooter between the aluminum body and stainless components.

New Shroud and propeller system

• Increased thickness of key components for strength.
• New clutch tooth design for increased torque capacity.
• New fine pitch adjustment control.
• New streamlined shroud optimized for one-handed use.

Lithium Ion Battery

• 24 Volt 28 Amp Lithium Ion Pack
• Easy slide in pack Specifically designed for X-Scooter
• O-ring sealed to prevent flooding
• One way gas vent
• Secure clip to hold in position
• Handle for easy removal
• Gives 2.2 times more burntime than the NiMh battery

Now I challenge *anyone* to say they don't want one!!!!!!! Now if I can only convince them to do a straight swap for my Gavin then I'd be laughing!

[Phil O]

Originally Posted by Bardo

Now I challenge *anyone* to say they don't want one!!!!!!! Now if I can only convince them to do a straight swap for my Gavin then I'd be laughing!

I might be talked into taking your Gavin off yoru hands Jason .. for an unreasonably low amount of course!!



Phil

[Howard Payne]

I reckon the T piece handle on the x scooter makes a lot of sense bearing in mind how they get used. Nasty stickers all down the side tho'!

[Bardo]

Originally Posted by Phil O

I might be talked into taking your Gavin off yoru hands Jason .. for an unreasonably low amount of course!!

Phil

Hehe. Don't get me wrong, Phil - I *love* my Gavin and have had some really fun dives with it! What I meant by my original comment is that if I had the choice of either a Gavin or an X-Scooter, I would probably have gone for the X as it's a lot more practical for UK diving. As that's not really an option (ie. I can't see Dive-Xtras offering me a 'straight swap' any time soon), I'm more than happy to 'make do' with the Gavin... hell, I've even got used to the bloody awkward handle which I now find surprisingly comfortable after setting the scooter up properly...

Sorry mate - although the offer of a 'go' is still open...

Truely a thing of beauty...

[Bardo]

Originally Posted by Howard Payne

I reckon the T piece handle on the x scooter makes a lot of sense bearing in mind how they get used. Nasty stickers all down the side tho'!

Indeed - that's the main reason why I used to lust after the Silent Submersion scooters - their 'motorbike' style grip is a lot more comfortable than the Gavin's retro-Mako handles. That said, I've grown used to them and actually find them quite comfortable now - something that I never thought I'd say!

So how's the Mini-G doing? Got the weighting sorted on it yet? Post up some pics of it too - I'm sure I'm not the only one who's like to see it! You'll have to give me a shout one day and we'll have a scoot around Vobster - I'd like to try the Mini-G myself so perhaps we can do a 'scooter swap' for a dive!

[gibbon]

Why is this posted in the DIR forum? There are other divers who want black scooters you know

[neilh]

Originally Posted by Bardo

Truely a thing of beauty...

Gah...must....look.....away.....

Damn you Bardo, I'd just about stopped drooling over scooters!

The X is a nice scooter tho, I'd love to see a good independent head-to-head review/test of the X and the Mini-G so I can direct my drool in one direction (so to speak!)

[Bardo]

Originally Posted by neilh

Gah...must....look.....away.....

Damn you Bardo, I'd just about stopped drooling over scooters!

The X is a nice scooter tho, I'd love to see a good independent head-to-head review/test of the X and the Mini-G so I can direct my drool in one direction (so to speak!)

Hehe. Sorry Neil!

I promise I won't upload another image like this...



...well, not today anyway!

This is about as close as you'll get to a head to head between the various makes of scooter...

Diver Tests EXTRA - July 2005 - DIVERNET from Diver Magazine



The Mini-G isn't included in the review as it didn't exist back then! The sad thing is that there does seem to be a certain amount of Gavin 'snobbery' in DIR circles - even George Irvine himself (ie. the man who makes them!) alledgedly describes the Mini-G as a 'toy' but then I'm guessing this has more to do with its similarity to the X-Scooter than any real performance disadvantages. I know Howard had a few weighting 'issues' with his Mini-G due to the shortness of the body section. I believe this had been reported to George Irvine who was 'fixing' the issue by sending out a slightly longer body. To be honest, Howard is the best man to comment on this as he has first hand knowledge of the issues with the Mini-G...

[Howard Payne]

The Mini G is essentially a short bodied Gavin with NiMh batteries which last 75 min rather than the standard 60 min for the short body with SLA's. Same motor, power and "layout" The NiMH pack is smaller than the SLA packs which means the body is quite a bit smaller (about the diameter of a 12l cylinder). It also weighs a fair bit less than a short body which can be a help if you're diving with a load of stages off a boat (which I'm not at the moment) Mine's a pig at the moment coz it's very negative - quite why no-one seems to know. The inability to suitably burn test the NiMh batteries is why it was originally described as a "toy" - not really suitable for Cave - but great as an ocean scooter. That said - I know that they are testing them in Mexico and with the EKPP. Gorgeous George is indeed shipping a longer body for it (when he's finished eating Bardo's hamster) which should sort it out and then I'm most def. up for a "play" Jase. Once the trim and buyancy is sorted out the Mako handle isn't too much of an issue - just can't help feeling I might not be of the same opinion after 10 hours in a cave!: I had it trimmed nicely out in the Red Sea recently and it was a hoot. Scooters are a whole new ball game - controlling your own buoyancy is *ahem* interesting when you've been on the throttle for a while and your depth has altered a bit! If anyone ever wants to try one - I'm sure we could sort something out down at Vobster some time - no problem.

Black cord Jason? You whore

[wilbo]