CUDA vs HDV T16

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ScubaFeenD

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So I am in the market for a scooter. I have asked around privately regarding the difference between the CUDA 650 and Halcyon T16, but have found that not many people have too much experience with the Halcyon scooter.

So. Does anyone here have experience with both that would also like to share their experience? I am looking for comparisons mostly of the control aspect very specifically maneuverability. Most of the features I am aware of but I would be interested in any comments towards why you would think one is def superior to the other in design.

I am leaning towards the CUDA 650 (the 400LE sold out sadly), but can be swayed.

Thanks
 
I own a Cuda 650 and have had a quick look at an Halcyon DPV at Zero Gravity, two weeks ago.
Although it was a very brief glance what caught my eye was the trigger system that looked complicated
and pretty much exposed on the machine.

Have you seen one up close?
 
Hello,

Just saw this. I recently purchased an HDV-T16 and I've previously ridden both Cuda 550s and 650s as well as owned a Sierra a few years ago.

I've had the T16 in the water less than 10 times (from both boat and shore), but my initial observations is that is it is a REALLY solid machine.

Some basic observations you've likely met before:

Cuda has more burntime in its default configuration.
Cuda is longer/more stable.
Cuda has more adjustible speed options.

With respect to the Halcyon, burntime is far in excess of an hour even with steel doubles and drysuit so, burntime is less of an issue depending on what your buddies are using in addition to what your dive plan is. This is quite different than, say, if you had a Sierra and your buddies had Cudas, in which case, it would be a very short dive indeed, at least for you.

As for stability, my experience so far is that the Halcyon meets a sort of minimum length standard that passes it into the realm of stability needed when on the trigger for long periods of time. Assuming a post-fit Lithium battery purchase for your Halcyon, my assumptions are that I would be just as comfortable on the T16 for a 2 hour ride as I would on the Cuda. Actually, moreso, for the next reason.

While the Cuda gives its speed variation with gears and offers a much wider span of speeds, the Halcyon also offers speed control via a dial you can use on the fly that is just above the shroud. The N-handle on the Halcyon is, in my opinion, far more comfortable for long trigger times than the trigger type T-handle found on the Cuda. In addition, it features a cruise-control lock which I'm already enjoying which frees up even the one or two fingers you have on the trigger. In terms of exposure, both are about as "exposed" from off of the body/shroud, with the Cuda perhaps being a little bit more exposed than the Halcyon. I don't find this much of an issue unless you're in a cave with one trailing off your butt d-ring since, if done properly, it will be out of the slipstream and not exposed to lines or other obstacles.

What propels the Halcyon ahead of the Cuda, in my opinion, are the subtle design/engineering elements. Firstly, battery removal and insertion is FAR more enjoyable with the Suex-built T16. Don't underestimate this, since it was a large source of my frustration when I owned the Sierra. The battery on the T16 is kept in place by lowering onto the central rod that passes through the scooter body until it meets the plate at the bottom, and it is kept from rotating about the rod by a second shorter rod that also fits into the battery which is also at the bottom of the plate. Finally, a retaining cap is merely screwed on top of it to prevent it from sliding in the opposite direction (towards the nose). There are also a trim and weight plate provided that can be inserted below the battery on the same rod if you intend to use it in salt water. Nothing to be measured as in the weight pouches on the Cuda that are required to be filled with shot weights. I don't know if Dive Xtras changed the numbers stated that were supplied with the Sierra, but when filled to their recommendation for salt water, mine was about 2 lbs positive, and I found that the weight pouches were nearly full so I couldn't add much more shot weight to them to trim it down. I eventually added more velcro to the nose and shot weight pouches I made by hand, but then the trim of the scooter was off. Anyway, not to belabor the point, but I had none of these issues with the T16. It is about a half a pound positive in salt water with the plate inserted and nearly perfectly level at depths above 60 ft. Below a 100', it looks to be completely neutral.

Secondly, the T16 features some extra features like the emegency bypass which allows connecting the battery directly to the engine in an emergency to ensure return to entry point even if something in the trigger mechanism or electronics were to fail. I don't plan on using this of course, but it's nice knowing it's there. And, the battery cutoff alarm is nice too.

Thirdly and finally, I like the little touches like the way the delrin and aluminum are used together to form the dpv. The sound of the engine (which you notice over time but is also important to be able to hear your buddies) is a bit more noticeable on the T16 but in a soothing way. It's not the high-pitch whirring noise of the Cuda. The charger is also nicer and performs automatic switching between countries that use 110v and 230v, keeping user error from blowing a fuse. And, of course, the T16 is about 10lbs lighter in weight.

I'll end this for now by saying, that while I love my Halcyon and hope to purchase another to have on hand in the coming months, if I hadn't gone with this (or the similar Suex XJOY14), I would have bought a Cuda 650 (used or otherwise) since that's what most of my buddies have had for the past couple of years.

:)
 
In my opinon I personally prefer the Cuda 650. It's got more burn time, faster speed, and about the same price. The halcyon (Suex) does have some nice features such as the bypass, it also has an option where you can mount a your Can light Head onto which is cool. Another reason I iiked the Cuda is the ability to easily change gears and match the speeds of your dive buddies. I have been going back and fourth with scooters and came to the conclusion the the Cuda650 for me is the best purchase for my money. Now if the Halcyon was better priced or the imported one of the better units which more equaled the Cuda650 in performace and burntime I would go with it but probably wont happen and if it does you can plan on paying a premium. Either way you will have a great scooter good luck

Halcyon Dive Vehicles | Halcyon Dive Systems

Dive Xtras - Dive Xtras
 
Another reason I iiked the Cuda is the ability to easily change gears and match the speeds of your dive buddies.

As I noted, the Halcyon has this too and, arguably, in a less tiring fashion since you "set it and forget it". With the Cuda, say, your buddies are in 4th gear...each time you come off the trigger, you have to readjust to get back into speed.

So far, I've noticed little things like this nag at me over time. (And I'm not saying that this will nag at you, just that I've heard it from others as well as felt it myself when I owned the Sierra).

Conversely, I suppose you could argue that the Cuda allows for more "random" variations depending on the contour of the dive--going really fast at one point and really slow at others, etc.--which would be a hassle with the Halcyon, but generally those sorts of dives are few and far between where I am. And, of course, my buddies can still do that, they just have to come back and match me at the end of their "fits". :)

There are far more features for the money on the Halcyon than the Cuda, that much I know, but yes, you do sacrifice some burn time if you only stick with the one NiMH battery. Then again, you get an Italian made scooter with an extraordinary network of support (in my experience) with a solid track wherever you are in the world.

But again, they are both good scooters and if having to choose between the two of these is the worst of your problems, then you should count yourself lucky. :)
 
I think maybe I should update my avatar, no? lol
 
Another nice feature on the Halcyon is the ability to completely remove the prop in the water by just a thumbscrew in order to clear debris. I've found the Halcyon an easier ride than the Cuda, plus having weight and trim dialed in out-of-the-box (salt or fresh!) is a great feature. Charging the battery is a breeze; it's far easier to just unscrew the nose than to remove the whole body. The battery is solidly mounted in the Halcyon and there's no possibility that the battery and motor could collide, as has happened to a friend of mine's Cuda. Love the screw speed adjust and the cruise control on the Halcyon. The shroud is far more solid and less likely to break on the Halcyon. Plus, mine's got a pretty groovy paint job!
 

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