Help with DPV decision Hollis 160 vs Minnus 1.5

[Bhtmec2]

I have been researching and need help on the Pro's and Cons to help make a decision on my first real DPV.

1st I live in PR and will have to go to FL to get the DPV. Not a big deal as I will do it when I have a work trip.

2nd I have a budget $4,000.00 set aside......

3rd I will not be doing caves I will be using it for boat dives to do wreck dives, lengthen my air on some of the wall dives that have heavy current and beach dives to get out to reefs and Blue holes and back at are 600-700 meters from shore.

I have doing a lot of research and comparrisons using the Tahoe Benchmark report from 2011 and more. I have decided on the Hollis 160 or Minnus 1.5. Yes the Minnus is more that my budget so I am looking for a good reason to wait and save up more.......

Looking for recomendations with justifications (Pro's/Cons) and if there is a better one within the price range point me to the better one for the bang for the buck.

Hope for some good input.......

 

[cool_hardware52]

I have been researching and need help on the Pro's and Cons to help make a decision on my first real DPV.

1st I live in PR and will have to go to FL to get the DPV. Not a big deal as I will do it when I have a work trip.

2nd I have a budget $4,000.00 set aside......

3rd I will not be doing caves I will be using it for boat dives to do wreck dives, lengthen my air on some of the wall dives that have heavy current and beach dives to get out to reefs and Blue holes and back at are 600-700 meters from shore.

I have doing a lot of research and comparrisons using the Tahoe Benchmark report from 2011 and more. I have decided on the Hollis 160 or Minnus 1.5. Yes the Minnus is more that my budget so I am looking for a good reason to wait and save up more.......

Looking for recomendations with justifications (Pro's/Cons) and if there is a better one within the price range point me to the better one for the bang for the buck.

Hope for some good input.......

Pretty hard to beat a used or factory refurbished Dive X Sierra. $2K ~ $3K buys a very capable machine.

Tobin

 

[tstormdiver]

I have an H-160. Overall impressed by it. The only issue I've had is a leak in the headlight that causes it to short out & not turn off. Water has never gotten into the main compartment. The light is nice & bright & my buddies I scooter like it, as they can easily keep track of where I am. Hollis has been great about quickly replacing the light at no charge. The H-160 is extremely well balanced & easy to handle. Not at all torquey & the easy start is nice, as it doesn't try to jerk your arm out of socket, like a Mako. Do be aware that the DPV is very negatively buoyant, until it is in motion, then it is neutral. Another thing some divers don't like about the H-160 is when you get off the trigger, it does not immediately shut down. It will continue to run for about 1- 2 sec. then shut down. I have learned to plan 1-2 sec. ahead & have had no problems. I will (hopefully) soon be taking into caves & think it will do fine for what I plan to do. I've written a couple of reviews on it on The Deco Stop & even here (I think). Overall a decent smaller scooter. I really can't complain about anything about it.

 

[Bhtmec2]

Pretty hard to beat a used or factory refurbished Dive X Sierra. $2K ~ $3K buys a very capable machine.

Tobin

Thanks Tobin

I respect your opinion and experience.... I just think I will need a little more legs than the Sierra has. I think I need a better Run Time/Cruse Time for most of the sites I want to go to. The beach sites are the major issue here and I need the legs to get out and back. The currents are rough and a DPV that has more thrust is what I think I need. The sierra looks good I just need more thrust for longer.......
Thanks

 

[JahJahwarrior]

I found the thrust and burn time of the Sierra to be a little anemic, but goodness did they make scootering fun!

The Minnus brings the extreme light weightness of the Sierra with the benefit of lithium...

Not a huge fan of the Hollis. I think they include lithium now but if it's nimh, then go with the Minnus just because of the battery chemistry.

The light is a failure point and already we have one example of it failing. I've seen a ton of SS and Sierra's and none of them have leaked.

I also don't like the lag between releasing the trigger and motor shutting off.


If it were a choice between Hollis and SS, I'd go with the SS for those reasons. I don't think you can go wrong with an SS. But, I also think you should look at the Dive Xtras line, especially their lithium line. I felt the built quality of the Sierra was top notch and it hurt to give it up. I would be just as happy with a DPV by SS or DX if burn time and thrust/speed met some minimum level. Even consider the Sierra with Tobin's batteries, it's also a good mix. Plenty of power for single tank diving.

 

[ft.lauderdale diver]

My Vote... having seen the DPV in action is the Minnus 1.5.. Have a buddy who has one (I have the magnus) and he absolutely loves it. It's a fantastic machine--light and has more battery life than you willl need..well worth it! SS makes some Kick A#%& products.. I like that the exterior paint will not chip off unlike Dive xtras..

With that said you can't go wrong with either one..... certainly would get minnus over the sierra with a lithium battery.. speed and power being 2 advantages over the suped up sierra.

 

[Bhtmec2]

Thanks I am leaning toward the Minnus 1.5 but the guy in Hawaii that was rescued was using the Hollis 160 with nose light that he used to signal the USCG Helo. 2 points for Hollis.....but it still does not have the legs that the 1.5 has.

Still looking......

 

[elan]

Can you get a lithium based DPV for 4k???

 

[japan-diver]

I would do a Cuda over a Hollis 160 any day if you are looking for long run times. I have three of the Cudas and they give us great range from shore and are much faster and have much better run times than the Hollis- we have a dive buddy that after being towed back in a couple time on his Hollis just started using one of my extras when he wants to dive with us now. Tobin is correct on the Sierra best bang for the buck now if you are looking at more run time go the Cuda 400 and upgrade later to lithium batteries.
The Minimus would be my second choice and then maybe one of the new Genesis scooters.

 

[Bhtmec2]

Anyone have feedback on the Genesis scooters?