Blacktip Tech DPV Product Review

[@divextras]

Awesome review! Wish we'd noticed this one sooner, so thanks for plugging it. Keep up the great work!

[@sidemountpros]

No worries, they'll feature in plenty of my videos. I understand we can't get enough of them in NZ at the moment, they are sold before they arrive :)!!

[@ramondoegoodrich8364]

I have recently started using the Seacraft Future. The Air Travel battery is stable and powerful. If you get a chance, please do a review on the Seacraft GO! 21lbs and travel ready

[@brockmorrell]

Great review, you've touched on all the questions that I had. Thanks Steve!

[@nanoswithabackbone232]

Still waiting for someone to show HOW they travel with this DPV. Id like to see a video showing what you use...how to pack it...some things to think about...maybe some other options.

[@sidemountpros]

Dive Xtras have done a video on travel with the Blacktip here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5C3aWp3aaxjodk

[@nanoswithabackbone232]

@@sidemountpros Yeah ive seen that video before Steve. I was wanting to see what youve found and suggest. They show a soft bag in that video. And if youve seem the way airlines handle luggage im definitely not wanting to do that with a $1800 item. Not along 2 of them for me and my girl. There has to be someone thats found a hard case or something like that for travel. I figured maybe you had :)

[@sidemountpros]

@@nanoswithabackbone232 OK no worries. As I haven't travelled due to COVID, I haven't put a lot of thought into this yet. The tube and head are pretty much unbreakable... the prop and guard could be damaged, so I think I'd be looking to wrap it in clothing or undergarments etc if in a soft bag. No doubt you could get a hard case but I have yet to see one for the Blacktip and these are very expensive and heavy. Let me know if you see one though :). S

[@JymBrittain]

Looking forward to getting mine!

[@rostislavdimitrov3135]

Hi, Steve. That is a great review. I didn't hear you talking about buoyancy characteristics. How does the DPV behave underwater? Thanks

[@sidemountpros]

Yes, missed that. The Tech is neutral and generally in trim. There is a fresh/saltwater trim adjustment plate inside the tube that you can use to move a little weight fore or aft. I haven't tried the Travel model but apparently, it is trimmed down at the rear so this could be a consideration re your purchase. Unless you absolutely need lightweight, I'd go for the Tech.

[@rostislavdimitrov3135]

@@sidemountpros Thank you, Steve. I'll definitely look into more details. They look like a very good option! Appreciate your review!

[@saraha3958]

I've got a black tip. It makes diving so much fun. The only difficulty I have is getting the cap of after a dive. It seems to get suctioned on . Any tricks to removal?

[@Pak-Sam]

adding a small water/pressure proof external charge port would clearly make this better for the long term

[@williamsweet2253]

Curious, long term review?

[@sidemountpros]

Not much to add to the review here. I note that Seacraft are now offering travel-friendly batteries which is awesome but the Blacktip is still a great machine and the price advantage is hard to ignore.

[@ELAMINHamid]

Thank you for the information buddy, indeed convinced! Now after 8 months of use .. what are the cons or the things you think it needs improvement?

[@sidemountpros]

To be honest, pretty much everything stands. Still love the machine and for the price and its travel benefits it is hard to beat.

[@ELAMINHamid]

@@sidemountpros thank you for the feedback .. i am convinced

[@steveroyer1628]

do you know if you can use the Exploration with only 2 battery (not all 4)?

[@sidemountpros]

I assume so but not sure why you would fit the Exploration tube kit and then only two batteries? If you need to know then that would be a question for Dive Xtras.

[@steveroyer1628]

Not sure which of Exploration or Tech would be enough for me. Exploration with 2 batteries is only 300$ more. Don't want to buy more batteries and carry the extra weight if I don't need to. Exploration with 2, or 3 , or 4 batteries (depending what I need for my specific dive need) would be nice.

[@livinginbillingsmontana7418]

After 3 years has your opinion remained the same and you have you travelled with the tech?

[@sidemountpros]

I'm afraid this DPV was accidentally lost after a dive :(. My opinion hasn't changed, for the money, it is an excellent product. Having said that I now dive a Seacraft GO. It is more expensive but commensurately better. If you can afford it I would buy a GO but again the Blacktip is very good for the $. Both are travel-friendly the GO arguably better as it has 6 x 94whr batteries in a cool travel pack. There is no question that they qualify as carry-on. The Power tool batteries also qualify but I was using cell splitters to achieve this and I suspect this will raise more questions from Aviation Security.

[@livinginbillingsmontana7418]

@@sidemountpros Thank you for the speedy reply. Much appreciated!

[@CaseyKlaus]

⁠@@sidemountprosLooking to purchase my first DPV. One internal debate I’m having is use in caves. Have you used the BT and/or Go in those conditions? While I would certainly prefer spending less, why do you suggest the Go…what makes it worth the extra cost? Thank you for all of your content.

[@sidemountpros]

@@CaseyKlaus Thanks, Casey. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to use either of these DPVs in caves, just the Seacraft Ghost. The GO is lighter, faster, has more range, and the batteries are set up well for airline travel. I see the Under the Jungle team was using Blacktips in caves in Mexico. I think either will work. If price is an issue, as I said in this review the Blacktip is really a lot of scooter for your $.

[@captainbart6259]

hihi great review but where did you get the dewalt battery shipping document from could you send me a copy please

[@sidemountpros]

Here you go - service.dewalt.co.nz//uploads/May%202017%20-%20XR%20FLEXVOLT%20Battery%20Shipping%20Website%20Copy-%20UK%209%200Ah%20update.pdf

[@captainbart6259]

@@sidemountpros thankyou so much