My Blacktip came from the second production batch, so I've had it over a year, probably about 20-25 dives on it, a combo of beach and boat dives. Some of the early models had a problem with the reed switch alignment, which Dive-X fixed by coming up with a new installation tool. The initial firmware wasn't optimized, but the latest works extremely well. They have a new firmware version in beta to address a motor glitch on some Blacktips, which I suspect is related to some of the motors being slightly out of spec compared to their initial production models. Some dealers here are discounting them 10%, which puts the travel version at $1,350 + batteries and charger. Dewalt 12 AH batteries are going for about $200 apiece now, and will give you a solid 2+ hour run time unless you're really hauling. The Dewalt 9 and 12 AH batteries weigh the same, and are heavier than the less expensive 9 AH Waitleys, and all seem to work well.
I've done a number of underwater cleanups, removing abandoned traps and ghost net, including some diving with doubles, but to recreational depths. For this use case, the Blacktip performs equally well as a Subgravity Ecos and better than some of the older Suex scooters. For beach dives, including getting in and out through moderate size surf, at first I was very apprehensive, but the Blacktip actually made entries and exits easier and feel safer, you just have to adjust your technique a bit. They don't like sand in the trigger mechanism, but I suspect most scooters don't. Plenty of power, and towing 3 divers is easily doable. I've towed a buddy and his Sierra back when his scooter died.
The travel can be neutrally buoyant, but stationary will trim out horizontal instead of vertical. There are three types of Blacktip divers: the ones who whine incessantly about the trim and says it's a piece of crap, the ones who push it horizontal and drive it like any other scooter, and the ones who have never actually used a Blacktip and don't know what they're talking about. If you've never dived with any scooter before, figure 2-3 dives to move from whiner to skilled driver.
As with any DPV, the Blacktip significantly increases the range of dive sites you can visit, as well as opens up exploration options for new sites. Because of its relatively light weight, this is a huge plus for shore dives. We've found more new reefs to explore in the past year than the previous 10. Some of these reefs can be visited without scooters, because we know they are there.
A bunch of my GUE indoctrinated buddies use their Blacktips on tech dives. The tech tube will trim horizontal for deco.
There are lots of "better" scooters that cost more. There isn't anything equal or better that costs less. There are lesser scooters that cost more. Like others posted, the Blacktip is in a unique spot in the market. I don't think it's a niche product, but over time will become much more mainstream, especially when you consider the cost is somewhat comparable to a decent camera setup with lights and all the doodads. Plus it is relatively easy to travel with, especially compared to anything bigger, so that's going to change what is considered mainstream over time as well.
I've done a number of underwater cleanups, removing abandoned traps and ghost net, including some diving with doubles, but to recreational depths. For this use case, the Blacktip performs equally well as a Subgravity Ecos and better than some of the older Suex scooters. For beach dives, including getting in and out through moderate size surf, at first I was very apprehensive, but the Blacktip actually made entries and exits easier and feel safer, you just have to adjust your technique a bit. They don't like sand in the trigger mechanism, but I suspect most scooters don't. Plenty of power, and towing 3 divers is easily doable. I've towed a buddy and his Sierra back when his scooter died.
The travel can be neutrally buoyant, but stationary will trim out horizontal instead of vertical. There are three types of Blacktip divers: the ones who whine incessantly about the trim and says it's a piece of crap, the ones who push it horizontal and drive it like any other scooter, and the ones who have never actually used a Blacktip and don't know what they're talking about. If you've never dived with any scooter before, figure 2-3 dives to move from whiner to skilled driver.
As with any DPV, the Blacktip significantly increases the range of dive sites you can visit, as well as opens up exploration options for new sites. Because of its relatively light weight, this is a huge plus for shore dives. We've found more new reefs to explore in the past year than the previous 10. Some of these reefs can be visited without scooters, because we know they are there.
A bunch of my GUE indoctrinated buddies use their Blacktips on tech dives. The tech tube will trim horizontal for deco.
There are lots of "better" scooters that cost more. There isn't anything equal or better that costs less. There are lesser scooters that cost more. Like others posted, the Blacktip is in a unique spot in the market. I don't think it's a niche product, but over time will become much more mainstream, especially when you consider the cost is somewhat comparable to a decent camera setup with lights and all the doodads. Plus it is relatively easy to travel with, especially compared to anything bigger, so that's going to change what is considered mainstream over time as well.
