DPV Anti-torque Methods

[Smache]

I've noticed that most newer DPVs on the market (Suex Goldfinder, Seacraft Go, probably others) use angled vanes on the shroud to counteract torque from the propeller, whereas older models use weights offset to one side of the DPV. Is there any noticable difference in effectiveness between the two methods? I've heard that both methods make for easy one-hand scootering when set up properly, but I don't have enough experiance to know whether that's actually true.

As a follow up: Assuming that both methods work well, why have manufacturers mostly switched from offset weights to angled vanes in the current generation of DPVs?

 

[tbone1004]

the large body dpv's like the Gavin's or UV series used the batteries themselves offset from centerline. That worked well at the time because the motors weren't that powerful, the batteries were quite heavy, and the diameter was large enough to get a reasonable moment arm. The new DPV's have much more powerful motors, much lighter battery packs, and smaller diameters that don't allow you to have a real moment arm so they needed to look to other methods to counteract the rotational torque. The counterweights would not work with the current batch of DPV's, primarily because of the smaller diameter tubes.

 

[missionmtb]

Vanes work better. Weights give a fixed counter-torque for a given scooter orientation so are really only perfect at one speed (which should be your cruise speed, so... fine).

From what I understand and have experienced, vanes are in the propulsion path and provide torque that varies with speed. On my Genesis I can take my hands off the scooter and not have it roll around at a range of speeds and roll orientations.

I'm waiting for contra-rotating props...

 

[rjack321]

As a follow up: Assuming that both methods work well, why have manufacturers mostly switched from offset weights to angled vanes in the current generation of DPVs?

Scooters are 1/2 the weight and vastly smaller diameter now all while the actual motor is far more powerful (and requires more offset lever arm). So nobody is using weight as a torque offset anymore.

 

[Pavao]

The price of the new scooters counters the torque.
My arm has been conditioned by handling the weight of my wallet which can afford a scooter that honestly, I don’t even feel the torque by the time I was able to save enough for it.

 

[grantmac]

Vanes, at least the ones on the Genesis, work extremely well

 

[Hungcyon]

I can attest to the Genesis anti-torque, pretty much will go a straight line if you don't influence it