Sub-Gravity Discovery RS Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV)

At Sub-Gravity, they are constantly working to create the best gear possible. If their equipment isn't better, they feel they might as well not make it. When they first looked at launching their own line of Diver Propulsion Vehicle's (DPVs), they had one rule: Don't make just another scooter". Sub-Gravity looked at what was already available to consumers in the U.S., then expanded their search globally. During these months of intense research, it became very clear that there was already a scooter manufacturer with a design that was clearly above the rest- Bonex. Sub-Gravity was so impressed by the German craftsmanship and engineering, they knew they had to bring them to the North and South American market.

Sub-Gravity DPVs, engineered by Bonex, are all about high performance and reliability in a compact package. These innovative scooters have been developed and tested extensively with these features in mind. Exploration dives are only possible when the equipment meets the demands of the project, is light and is 100% reliable. Simple operation as well as the easy handling makes diving in advanced environments safer and more enjoyable. State-of-the-art technologies such as lithium-manganese (LiMn) cells and modern servo technology are used in Sub-Gravity's DPVs. These features (along with many others) offer the safety and runtime that exploration divers expect from their high end equipment.

RS in German stands for Rennsport, translating to Racing Sport" in English. The reference RS lives up to that name and tradition. With a run time of up to 520 minutes, and a speed topping out at 280 ft. / min. (85.3 meter /min.), the Discovery RS is undoubtedly a world leader. The Discovery RS comes standard with 2 redundant LiMn battery packs. Each battery pack can be independently selected manually via the main switch, offering maximum security. The Discovery RS also comes equipped with Sub-Gravity's unique emergency drive". The emergency drive is part of a separate circuit that the driving mode maintains in the event of and electronic failure. Cave divers can especially appreciate this security. With a total weight only 55 lbs. (25 kg), including trim and batteries the Discovery RS is easily transportable in all terrain conditions.

With 74.2 lbs. (33.7 kg) of thrust, even the most extensive and bulky gear setups can be handled. Reach previously unexplored regions with ease, while knowing you're riding a scooter with the highest performance and safety standards out there. The scooter has a run time of 3.5 hours in full power and 8.66 hours in cruise speed and can provide a range of up to 12.4 miles (20 km). The DPV nose is made of Delrin (or POM) for good impact strength. This takes hard knocks without lasting deformation even at low temperatures. This material grade is highly regarded for its impact strength. It also features the needed flexibility to, for example, absorb impacts even in a low temperature environment. At the same time it is strong enough, to avoid deformation. POM is used for the nose and various attachment parts. Comes out of the box perfectly weighted for fresh water. Inside the nose are easy adjust weights and trim from fresh water to salt water. Weight plates are easily removed or added for on the fly weight changes (adding a camera and lighting system to the scooter for example). The body tube" and shroud are made of high performance carbon fiber. This not only offers an even, corrosion-resistant surface but is also extremely strong, while maintaining a low weight. For additional durability and strength, 2 internal layers of Kevlar are used in conjunction with the carbon fiber. Tail is anodized aluminum.

Brushless motors require that a controller be installed as well. Until now, the general practice has been to externally wire a controller to the motor. While this does work and has for years, it introduces additional failure points and adds unnecessary clutter and complication to the overall design. The solution to this was obvious, integrate the controller into the motor itself! Bonex has designed and produced a custom, brushless servo motor. What is so special about that? The industry standard for motor efficiency is 92%. By designing a motor specifically made to fit diver's underwater needs, Sub-Gravity was able to bring their motors' efficiency up to between 95 and 96%. Higher efficiency means longer run times, faster speeds, and a lower weight. The motor comes fully sealed, reducing the risk of immediate failure and permanent damage if a flood were to occur. Utilizing CAN Bus technology, the motor parameters and the battery are monitored to ensure sustained functioning of the Scooter. The temperature of the motor is also controlled to maintain peak performance.

The highlight of the Sub-Gravity DPVs, engineered by Bonex, are the powerful servomotor and specially designed battery pack. The DPVs rely on tried and proven lithium manganese technology. Conventional DPVs normally use lead gel batteries, whereby two 12V blocks are assembled in series in a 24V unit. Although these packs are very robust, they are also very heavy and only have a short life. Sub-Gravity's scooters operate with lithium manganese cells. These offer a high power density and also ensure long, trouble-free operation. After 500 charging cycles, the battery pack will still retain 80% capacity. Most divers will only reach this value after many years of use. The lithium cells have no memory effect and a very good self-discharge rate (less than 2%/month). They are safe in the case of any cell defects and insensitive to long periods of non-use.

An effective direct main switch is provided on all SubGravity scooters. This can be used to immediately switch off the drive in all diving situations. A soft start increases the operating safety by preventing abrupt movement. The power supply is increased temporarily when starting so that more thrust is available. This boost function can also be activated on the move and serves for maneuvering narrow openings with an increased current or starting up with heavy loads. The motor switches off immediately if an object gets caught in the propeller. The obstruction can be removed without danger and the dive continued. This cut-off protects both the operator and the entangled objects as well as the drive assembly of the Scooter. Instead of a mechanical clutch, Bonex has developed an electronic cutoff for the safety of their divers. We're anything to impede the prop, it will automatically shut down. The diver can then safely remove the item (equipment, line etc.), reset the DPV and continue on their way. The DPV measures (L x Dia.) 33.5" x 11.75" (85 cm x 30 cm) and has a depth rating of 650' (200 meters). The Discovery RS DPV comes complete with a battery charger, saltwater lead (freshwater lead is installed from factory), owner's manual, DPV tow cord and clip.