As divers, we’ve all dreamed of gliding through the water effortlessly, seeing an entire wreck in a single dive, or no longer fearing the current on the way back. But let’s be honest: the scooter (DPV) market is a jungle of often misleading figures.
To help you make the right choice on Diveavenue, forget the complicated technical sheets. Here is what really matters, based on field experience.
This is error #1. Don't choose a scooter just because it claims "8 km/h." In water, resistance increases by the square of your speed. To go twice as fast, you need four times the energy. What you need to look at is: Thrust (in Newtons). This is the raw force that pulls you through the current.
The reality: a small leisure scooter (like Lefeet) will quickly plateau if you are heavily loaded (tank, weights, drysuit). A "Serious" model (Suex, BlackTip) has the torque required to tow a fully equipped diver without weakening.
Diver's tip: prioritize classic propellers (large diameter, slow rotation) for efficiency. Turbines (jets) are safe but consume more battery for the same result.
If we had to summarize the essentials to advise you properly, it's that autonomy is not a fixed data point; it is a resource to be managed.
Water resistance increases considerably with speed, so naturally, the motor works harder and consumes more energy.
A striking example (BlackTip): at cruising speed (45 m/min), it lasts 123 minutes. At full speed (Boost, 72 m/min), the battery drains in just 7 minutes.
Here is how the flagship models behave once in the water:
Runtime: > 220 minutes at cruise speed.
Why? Its magnetic motor is submerged (no seals rubbing) and its propeller has a stator that straightens the water flow. This is the ultimate energy efficiency.
Runtime: 150 minutes at cruise, and importantly, 100 minutes at full power.
Why? Unlike the BlackTip which drops off at high speed, the Suex is designed to maintain power for a long time thanks to a large dedicated lithium battery and excellent thermal management.
Runtime: ~123 minutes (with 12Ah batteries). But be careful, autonomy drops drastically if you play too much with the trigger in "Boost" mode.
Runtime: depends on the modules (200Wh or 400Wh), approximately 1h to 2h announced.
The limit: its "jet" (turbine) propulsion consumes more energy than a classic propeller to push a heavily equipped diver (with twin tanks and pockets full of gear), reducing its real-world autonomy compared to pool figures.
Cold. In cold water (quarries, lakes, winter), a Lithium-Ion battery loses capacity. Plan for a safety margin of 20 to 30% less compared to summer use.
There is no "best" scooter, only the right tool for your practice.
Do you fly to dive? Is that the decisive criterion? Lithium batteries are the enemy of airports. Beyond 100 Wh, a battery is prohibited on planes (hold and cabin). The solution? Modular scooters.
Do you dive from the shore, a local boat, or want to explore an entire wreck? You are looking for the best autonomy/price ratio.
The smart choice is the Dive Xtras BlackTip. It is the current "best-seller." Why? It costs half as much as pro models because it doesn't include a battery. You buy power tool batteries (like Dewalt 20V/18V) yourself at the local hardware store.
Advantage: If a battery fails on vacation, you can find one anywhere in the world.
*Dewalt chargers (or equivalents) can recharge a pack in less than 60 minutes. With two sets of batteries, a diver can perform continuous rotations all day, whereas a scooter with an integrated battery would require a 4 to 8-hour break.
To learn more about this scooter range, find our blog article on the subject here
Generic batteries offer high global availability: if a battery fails in the Maldives or Egypt, it is often possible to replace it in a local hardware store.
Their cost is also much lower: a pair of generic 12Ah batteries is around €200-300, compared to over €1000 for a proprietary pack.
An underwater scooter requires strict maintenance. A scooter like the BlackTip requires opening the watertight compartment to charge the batteries. A single hair on the O-ring, and it's flooded. If you are the "quick rinse" type, choose a Suex or a Seacraft with external charging (you never open it). O-ring maintenance (greasing, inspection) must be religious.
Furthermore, to know how to maintain your scooter during the off-season, please find our blog on how to Winterize your underwater scooter.
Traction or Push? Avoid models you have to hold at arm's length for "real" diving; it will quickly tire you out and you will consume more air. A good scooter clips onto a crotch strap (crotch D-ring) and tows you. You steer it with one hand, effortlessly.
Does noise bother you? If you do video or wildlife approach, know that classic motors produce a buzz. The Seacraft is the only one to be almost silent thanks to its magnetic propulsion.
Any doubt about choosing a scooter or need a quote for shipping? Diveavenue is at your service all year round to advise and guide you. Wait no longer and discover our underwater scooter section!