Dive Xtras
Dive Xtras is a manufacturer of diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs) or dive scooters in Mukilteo, Washington, United States.
Contents
History[edit]
Established in 2003 by Ben McGeever and Andrew Georgitsis, Dive Xtras introduced their first DPV in 2005.[1] This DPV was innovative in that it was the first to utilize a brushless motor and electronic speed control. The combination of these features with NiMh battery technology drastically reduced the weight of DPVs at the time.[2][3][4]
Models[edit]
- Sierra Std - The Sierra standard body X-Scooter is the lightest scooter in the Dive Xtras family.
- CUDA 400 - NiMh version of the CUDA Fury 1150 (aka mini CUDA).
- CUDA 550 - The first "CUDA". Slightly shorter than the 650. Used a 550 watt hour battery pack.
- CUDA 650 - The CUDA 650 is the front runner of the CUDA models. At 53 lbs, it is a lightweight compared to more traditional lead acid scooters, yet packs the performance of a heavyweight.
- Cuda 850 - Second production CUDA model. Longer than the 650.
- CUDA Fury 1150 - This X-Scooter sets new standards for performance. Only 5 lbs/2 kg heavier than a Sierra, but with the performance of almost two CUDA 650s.
- Piranha - Next generation of DPVs. Completely modular scooter giving the diver the ability to choose 1, 2, or 3 batteries and easily swap them out at a moment's notice. It has the best power to weight ratio on the DPV market at 25lb-2.5hrs (P1), 34lb-5hrs (P2), & 43lb-7.5hrs (P3).
- BlackTip - Travel, Tech and Exploration models - powered with standard power tool batteries.
Accessories[edit]
![](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20220324015023im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Divextras_tablet_housing.jpg/220px-Divextras_tablet_housing.jpg)
On December 15, 2011 Dive Xtras filed a patent for a "Device for Operating Touch Screen Devices in a Protective Housing." On March 20, 2012 Dive Xtras announced on their website a depth rated underwater housing for a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus. The housing gives the user full operation of the tablet underwater by using a mouse-like device to interact with a touch screen.
Military use[edit]
Dive Xtras DPVs are used by various military forces around the world to aid in various maritime interdiction tasks.[5] In addition to the units sold into Canada, various South East Asian navies currently use a modified version of the Dive Xtras CUDA. Military products are primarily distributed by Divex Asia Pacific in southeast Asia.
In the media[edit]
- Featured in Mission: Impossible III. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is rescued by Luther (Ving Rhames) when he uses a Sierra X-Scooter to tow himself and gear scuba diving under the Vatican.
- In the book Pulse, by Jeremy Robinson, a Dive Xtras DPV (Sierra CSI) is used.[6]
- Photos of Dive Xtras DPVs often appear in diving publications, as they are frequently used during diving activities noteworthy enough to warrant publication.[7][8][9][10]
Claroworks and Google Streetview underwater[edit]
The product development arm of Dive Xtras, Claroworks, designed and built the camera systems used by the Catlin Seaview Survey[11] and Google to map the Galápagos Islands.[12][13] The camera system, Seaview SVII, shoots 360-degree images, and is mounted on a modified Cuda 650 vehicle. The Seaview SVII also uses Dive Xtras tablet housing for controls.
References[edit]
- ^ staff (2006). "X-Scooter by Dive Xtras". Advanced Diver Magazine (22): 65–67. Retrieved 2013-04-08.
- ^ X-Ray Magazine, Global, Issue 26, Girls On Speed
- ^ Diver Magazine DPV review 2005 Archived July 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ TahoeBenchmark2008 Page 21, Design Efficiency Results
- ^ Canadian Forces Lookout Magazine, Feb 1st 2010
- ^ Pulse, A book by Jeremy Robinson ISBN 0-312-54028-0
- ^ DYK Magazine, Scandinavia, Issue 11, Monkey Diving. Original
- ^ X-Ray Magazine, Global, Issue 31, Extreme Exploration Dives, Goto Page 16
- ^ UnderWater magazine, Volume 18
- ^ Deeper Blue News, Formula 3 Freediving
- ^ Technology, Catlin SeaView Survey
- ^ Googles launch Video
- ^ Behind the scenes