Sub-Gravity Reference RS Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV)

Sub-Gravity DPVs, engineered by Bonex, are all about high performance & reliability in a compact package. These innovative scooters have been developed & 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 & more enjoyable. State-of-the-art technologies such as lithium-manganese (LiMn) cells & 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. Sub-Gravity started with the well proven compact Reference, and combined all of its best features with a dash of that RS performance German motorists know & love, to produce the Reference RS. The highlight of the RS lies in its powerful servo motor and specially designed battery pack. The Reference RS batteries rely on tried and proven lithium manganese technology. The scooter's specially designed propeller finds the sweet spot between fantastic coordination and maximum efficiency for converting power into propulsion. When driven moderately, the RS can achieve drive times of around 4.33 hours! Its incredible battery life, coupled with its 74.2 lbs. (33.7 kg) of thrust make this an ideal scooter for high flow waters and extensive gear hauls. Add to that its compact size and maneuverability, and you've got yourself the perfect scooter for high flow cave exploration. With a speed topping out at 280 ft. / min. (85.3 meter /min.), the Reference RS is undoubtedly a world leader, the Reference RS is undoubtedly a world leader. The Reference RS comes standard with a LiMn battery pack. The Reference 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 41.9 lbs. (19 kg), including trim and batteries the Reference 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 1.75 hours in full power and 4.33 hours in cruise speed and can provide a range of up to 6.2 miles (10 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.) 27.13" x 11.75" (69 cm x 30 cm) and has a depth rating of 650' (200 meters). The Reference RS DPV comes complete with a battery charger, saltwater lead (freshwater lead is installed from factory), owner's manual, DPV tow cord and clip.