TESTCENTRE level , or during setup , one of the three mode settings : Recreational , Expert or Freediving .
The left side of the display provides information on the current gear selection ( zero , 1-9 or reverse ). A pair of thumboperated push buttons are used to switch between modes and gears / speeds when underway .
Having used a variety of DPVs over the years , there were several things that jumped out at me from the outset . Firstly , the low , barely-audible hum of the propulsion system was impressively quiet throughout its operational range .
Secondly , having a reverse gear was a game-changer . It made backing off in tight or narrow situations a revelation . Being able to reverse the prop also aids the removal of foreign objects such as vegetation . For more stubborn obstructions such as monofilament fishing line , the propeller can be removed and replaced , tool-free , even while underwater .
The control triggers can be configured for either double or single-handed use , depending on the chosen mode . Set in ‘ Expert ’ I could use either handle for forward propulsion . Double-clicking on the opposite trigger kicked in top speed with a turbo-like acceleration .
Another double-click returned the scooter back to its previous gear . As a safety feature , after ten seconds of inactivity , the scooter automatically resets to zero with the double-click quickly activating the motor once more .
Both the handle and the front-fitted , removable multipurpose transport bracket offer handy mounting points for GoProstyle action cameras . The scooter is a very finely balanced piece of kit and I discovered even adding a pair of very compact and lightweight video lights required trim adjustment to avoid nose-down orientation .
Comfort and efficiency
To counteract arm and hand fatigue when underway , there ’ s an adjustable scooter harness supplied with the unit . Designed to clip to a BCD ’ s crotch strap it makes a massive difference to sustained use .
The GO !’ s optimal speed of 45m / minute ( 0.75 metres a second ) has a manufacturer ’ s estimated runtime of approximately 220 minutes . At maximum thrust ( 260N ) and top speed ( 1.35m / sec ), that duration decreases to around an hour . Once the battery drops below 33 % capacity , the higher gears are deativated as an alert to help get you home .
If we compare driving a car where steady gear changes and a light foot on the accelerator produce better MPG , the same strategy offers similar advantages while piloting the Go !
Keeping at a comfortable cruising speed over long distances , I upped the speed a little if encountering a strong current . It ’ s difficult to quantify actual speed underwater due to factors such as kit configuration , water movement and drag , but I wasn ’ t at all disappointed whenever putting my foot to the floor .
For the majority of divers , Seacraft ’ s GO ! is probably a luxury piece of kit , beyond whatever percentage of their hard-earned cash they allocate to diving . However , if you ’ ve a little more disposable income and a need to maximise your bottom time exploring deep-water wrecks , then it ’ s the perfect tool . Neil Hope
SCUBA SAYS
Channel your inner James Bond with Seacraft ’ s GO ! Scooter . With cuttingedge technology in a travel-friendly form , this compact DPV is ideal for recreational and technical divers alike .
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