DPV - Gavin vs X-Scooters

blackfin · January 21st, 2006, 07:06 PM

I didn't see a particular forum designated for DPV's so I guess I will start here in the General Forum. I would like to get opinions on Gavin verses X-Scooters. The scooter would be used for technical diving (no cave at this time) in some pretty cold and sometime harsh diving conditions. The other core divers in my group have recently purchased Gavins and so following the team concept I wonder if considering a different brand would be foolish. Thanks in advance for your opinions and thoughts.

Little Pete · January 21st, 2006, 09:15 PM

I have no real knowledge of scooters but will relate what I recall Andy Kerslake mentioning when I quizzed him a few weeks ago.

He basically said that the X-scooter had a smaller front area and therefore better maneuverability but the Gavin had better stability for longer and straighter running. Obviuosly there are many more differences than that but that was the main thing he mentioned to me.

Best of luck whichever.

jluttichau · January 21st, 2006, 09:22 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Little Pete)

He basically said that the X-scooter had a smaller front area and therefore better maneuverability but the Gavin had better stability for longer and straighter running.

I've tried both and it's true that the gavin is less maneruverable but I don't think it matters in any practical sense. You can maneuver them both with a minimum of effort but you can do some fun stuff with the X, the longer the X gets the harder it is to do the fun stuff

Cheers
Jonas

**Alastair** · January 22nd, 2006, 01:17 AM

I went for a Gavin as the first person in my team of three to buy a scooter picked that make. I figured it would just be easier in terms of spares etc. In the wider sense most of the UK DIR crowd have Gavin's so the support from people like Bob Cooper, Rich Walker and Andy Kerslake helps which again assisted me in deciding.

So my recommendation is go for what your buddies have got.

Cheers
Al

Bart78660 · January 22nd, 2006, 04:25 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Alastair)

I went for a Gavin as the first person in my team of three to buy a scooter picked that make. I figured it would just be easier in terms of spares etc. In the wider sense most of the UK DIR crowd have Gavin's so the support from people like Bob Cooper, Rich Walker and Andy Kerslake helps which again assisted me in deciding.

So my recommendation is go for what your buddies have got.

Cheers
Al

All of my team members run Gavins and we have one more that will be getting a Gavin shortly. You would probably want to get the same model as the rest of your team as well. If they all have shorts you would probably want a short also.

Red Sea Explorer · January 22nd, 2006, 04:39 PM

You should try both and make your decision

Try them on a standard day of boat diving, not just in a pool. On-land handling and ease of transport are a major factor.

rbrt · January 22nd, 2006, 04:45 PM

It is always easier to handle something lighter than something heavier, especially when you are on a boat and there are some seas it is a real risk of injury lifting heavy objects while trying to keep the balance.

/Robert

BigJohn · January 22nd, 2006, 04:59 PM

I,m ordering an X-scooter, most of the team I dive with has them, in fact most of them sold their Gavins to buy X-scooters. In side by side tests
they have done they're easier to manouver, smaller and lighter to handle
out of the water and are faster, not that speed is an issue. My friends in Mexico use only Gavin long bodies, but they only use them in the caves, not boat diving.

Little Pete · January 22nd, 2006, 06:32 PM

Well since I don't know too much about them and will be in no position to afford one for some years yet, I'm going to go out and say the looks are the key thing

The X-scooter is the one to use when you are booked onto a boat with a bunch of brightly dressed divers, just to edge it over them with wow factor :D

However the Gavin looking like a piece of ordnance means it has the look for when you want to look as tough as possible (preferably couple it with twins and a couple of stages).

Personally I love the big blocky look of the Gavins, just looks a lot cooler to me.....hey I'm a kit tart :p

jluttichau · January 22nd, 2006, 07:01 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Bart78660)

All of my team members run Gavins and we have one more that will be getting a Gavin shortly. You would probably want to get the same model as the rest of your team as well. If they all have shorts you would probably want a short also.

Could someone please explain the reasons for this argument that everyone in a team should have the exact same scooter?
I can understand the argument about spare parts (although prop and clutch is exactly the same), but underwater it's all the same to me, you pull the trigger an go?

Cheers
Jonas

January 21st, 2006, 07:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
blackfin(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Rochester MN Posts: 16	DPV - Gavin vs X-Scooters I didn't see a particular forum designated for DPV's so I guess I will start here in the General Forum. I would like to get opinions on Gavin verses X-Scooters. The scooter would be used for technical diving (no cave at this time) in some pretty cold and sometime harsh diving conditions. The other core divers in my group have recently purchased Gavins and so following the team concept I wonder if considering a different brand would be foolish. Thanks in advance for your opinions and thoughts.

January 22nd, 2006, 01:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	I went for a Gavin as the first person in my team of three to buy a scooter picked that make. I figured it would just be easier in terms of spares etc. In the wider sense most of the UK DIR crowd have Gavin's so the support from people like Bob Cooper, Rich Walker and Andy Kerslake helps which again assisted me in deciding. So my recommendation is go for what your buddies have got. Cheers Al __________________ Helium is our friend - GI3

January 22nd, 2006, 04:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
Bart78660(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 31	Quote: (Originally Posted by Alastair) I went for a Gavin as the first person in my team of three to buy a scooter picked that make. I figured it would just be easier in terms of spares etc. In the wider sense most of the UK DIR crowd have Gavin's so the support from people like Bob Cooper, Rich Walker and Andy Kerslake helps which again assisted me in deciding. So my recommendation is go for what your buddies have got. Cheers Al All of my team members run Gavins and we have one more that will be getting a Gavin shortly. You would probably want to get the same model as the rest of your team as well. If they all have shorts you would probably want a short also. __________________ Regards, Bart78660 Be Prepared, Something may go Wrong www.globaldrysuitparts.com

January 22nd, 2006, 04:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Red Sea Explorer(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Red Sea Posts: 236	You should try both and make your decision Try them on a standard day of boat diving, not just in a pool. On-land handling and ease of transport are a major factor. __________________ You watch me switch. www.redseaexplorers.com

January 22nd, 2006, 04:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
BigJohn(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 27	gavin vs X-scooter I,m ordering an X-scooter, most of the team I dive with has them, in fact most of them sold their Gavins to buy X-scooters. In side by side tests they have done they're easier to manouver, smaller and lighter to handle out of the water and are faster, not that speed is an issue. My friends in Mexico use only Gavin long bodies, but they only use them in the caves, not boat diving.

January 21st, 2006, 09:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Little Pete(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 509	I have no real knowledge of scooters but will relate what I recall Andy Kerslake mentioning when I quizzed him a few weeks ago. He basically said that the X-scooter had a smaller front area and therefore better maneuverability but the Gavin had better stability for longer and straighter running. Obviuosly there are many more differences than that but that was the main thing he mentioned to me. Best of luck whichever.

January 21st, 2006, 09:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
jluttichau(Offline) Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 437	Quote: (Originally Posted by Little Pete) He basically said that the X-scooter had a smaller front area and therefore better maneuverability but the Gavin had better stability for longer and straighter running. I've tried both and it's true that the gavin is less maneruverable but I don't think it matters in any practical sense. You can maneuver them both with a minimum of effort but you can do some fun stuff with the X, the longer the X gets the harder it is to do the fun stuff Cheers Jonas

January 22nd, 2006, 04:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
rbrt(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Norway Posts: 19	It is always easier to handle something lighter than something heavier, especially when you are on a boat and there are some seas it is a real risk of injury lifting heavy objects while trying to keep the balance. /Robert

January 22nd, 2006, 06:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
Little Pete(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 509	Well since I don't know too much about them and will be in no position to afford one for some years yet, I'm going to go out and say the looks are the key thing The X-scooter is the one to use when you are booked onto a boat with a bunch of brightly dressed divers, just to edge it over them with wow factor :D However the Gavin looking like a piece of ordnance means it has the look for when you want to look as tough as possible (preferably couple it with twins and a couple of stages). Personally I love the big blocky look of the Gavins, just looks a lot cooler to me.....hey I'm a kit tart :p

January 22nd, 2006, 07:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
jluttichau(Offline) Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 437	Quote: (Originally Posted by Bart78660) All of my team members run Gavins and we have one more that will be getting a Gavin shortly. You would probably want to get the same model as the rest of your team as well. If they all have shorts you would probably want a short also. Could someone please explain the reasons for this argument that everyone in a team should have the exact same scooter? I can understand the argument about spare parts (although prop and clutch is exactly the same), but underwater it's all the same to me, you pull the trigger an go? Cheers Jonas