With over 25 years of design and manufacturing experience and a leader in lithium-ion battery safety, iAqua creates high-performance, technologically advanced underwater scooters that can be used with or without scuba diving equipment.
A team of experienced testers including professional scuba divers rated and reviewed the AquaDart Nano and AquaDart Pro series in line with useful metrics to help buyers determine which of eight models is best suited to their requirements. The following report runs through the pros and cons of each luxury scooter before revealing the overall winner.
The AquaDart Nano Series
Ranging between US$5830 and US$7490, the AquaDart Nano series includes the 450 Sport, 520 Explorer and 620 Max. Nanos are weigh in at 22kg — 50 percent lighter than the market average and 30 percent smaller than AquaDart Pro models, all for the ease of transportation. Even a child tester was able to independently lift a Nanos out of the water.
A patented Dual-Jet technology allows the compact Nanos to glide through the water effortlessly, reaching up to 20km/h in an impressive three seconds considering its size.
The Nanos are easy and safe to use, with single-operation control triggers and a bright five-inch display that’s visible under strong sunlight. Front and rear lights provide visibility for safe night-time riding, as well as an intelligent power management system and a run time of up to a 100 minutes. The Nanos are able to function perfectly at depths as low as 45m and have been designed to accommodate scuba divers with weight belts.
While the Nano series may not be able to operate for as long as the AquaDart Pro series, it more than makes up for it with its compact size and convenience of use. It can be used anytime, anywhere and by anyone.
AquaDart Nano 450 Sport
Available in a sleek white colour way is the quick and nimble AquaDart Nano 450 Sport. The 450 Sport sacrifices speed and power for a smaller size and ease of manoeuvrability, making it a great option for family as well as for those with less storage space.
The 450 Sport rated highly with the testers in the fun factor and is voted “Best for Children and Beginners”. The lower top speeds go towards ensuring children’s safety, though speed and depth can be restricted on all iAqua models. The 450 Sport would otherwise not be ideal for scuba divers looking to dive at night or in murky waters due to the lack of an on-board gyroscope.
AquaDart Nano 520 Explorer
Dubbed the practical choice, the AquaDart Nano 520 Explorer runs at up to 17km/h with a thrust of 520N. It may not be the fastest Nano model, but is still an excellent choice for a water scooter that boasts range and endurance. This model is available in white, orange, blue and silver.
The 520 Explorer was well received by testers who found it both easy to use and fun to ride — a great all-rounder. This model is ideal for rental companies and leisurely play at the beach. It is recommended that an AquaDart Fast Charger is purchased alongside the 520 Explorer for quick charges in-between uses.
AquaDart Nano 620 Max
The AquaDart Nano 620 Max was built for speed. With six gears and a thrust of 620N, the 620 Max delivers an excellent performance at a competitively light weight.
This model can be fully charged from empty in just an hour, 10 minutes faster than other Nano models as well as with an extra five minutes of run time. This speedy dive scooter comes with an AquaDart Fast Charger and is also available in white, orange, blue and silver.
The 620 Max was a hit with our testers who could enjoy its power without compromising on manoeuvrability. Awarded “Best for Yachts Less Than 20m”, the AquaDart Nano 620 Max is small enough to for on-board storage while being fast enough to please adrenaline junkies.
The AquaDart Pro Series
The AquaDart Pro series comprises cutting-edge, easy-to-use water scooters specifically created for water sport. Prices range from US$7490 to US$15,490 and include the 680 Light, 680 Explorer, 720 Quest, 720 Max and 770 Xtreme.
The Pro series meets a variety of different needs, reaching powerful speeds of up to 23km/h overwater and 25km/h underwater with thrusts of up to a whopping 770N.
The speed and endurance in this range (up to two hours) means users can go further for longer, especially useful for scuba divers who already have to keep track of how much air they have left in their tank.
Intentional safety features include underwater lights designed for exploring ocean life and easy toggling. Testers joked that the Pro series felt like an “underwater Tesla.
AquaDart Pro 680 Light
Despite being the entry-level option of the Pro series, the 680 Light is still a bang for buck choice. Perfect for those only just beginning to explore water toys and dive scooters, this model offers top speeds of up to 15km/h with a thrust of 680N and a maximum depth of 40m. Available in Artic White and Baltic Gray, it’s suitable for both first-time users and scuba divers.
As the cheapest model in the Pro series, this 680 Light ideal for rental companies seeking to build the foundation of their fleet.
AquaDart Pro 680 Explorer
Also available in Artic White and Baltic Gray is the 680 Explorer. This model packs a bigger punch with its endurance as alluded to in its name, boasting a maximum operating time of 140 minutes.
The 680 Explorer delivered a fun experience for testers both with and without scuba diving equipment. Awarded “Best for Scuba Diving”, it strikes a good balance between a leisure scuba exploration and a thrilling free-dive. It’s recommended that an iAqua buoyancy belt to counteract the toy’s positive buoyancy.
Testers however noted that beginner scuba divers may need some practice at first. Once mastered, it adds a whole new dimension to diving and offers a range of advantages for users, such as being able to go against the current without getting tired and being able to keep up with faster ocean life such as dolphins.
AquaDart Pro 720 Quest
Available in a large selection of stylish colours such as Flame Red and Bahamas Blue, the 720 Quest can reach a top speed of 21km/h and boasts six power levels of up to 4.5kW, an operating time of 130 minutes and a thrust of 720N. This model also comes with the AquaDart Fast Charger.
Although it received mixed reviews about its weight, the testers (including the child tester) still found it to be sturdy and easy to control. With more power than other AquaDart Pro models, it proved to be great fun for zooming around.
AquaDart Pro 720 Max
For those wanting to explore the ocean at greater depths, the AquaDart Pro 720 Max is the one for you. 1700 Lumen Twin LED lights ensure visibility at its maximum depth of 45m. This model comes with the AquaDart Fast Charger and is available in a larger variety of colours, with nine options ranging from Lightening Yellow to Lizard Green.
Rated highly for speed and performance, this heavyweight model was awarded “Best for Yacht Charters” for its ease of manoeuvrability at high speeds.
AquaDart Pro 770 Xtreme
The AquaDart Pro 770 Xtreme was created with thrill seekers in mind. As the world’s fastest and most powerful sea scooter, it can deliver a thrust of up to 770N and and speeds up to 25km/h. The 770 Xtreme is notably constructed from carbon-fibre and also comes with the AquaDart Fast Charger.
Although our testers found it a little overwhelming at first, the strength and sturdiness of the model meant non-athletic users could also enjoy it. Testers found the top speed to be incredibly exhilarating, though water does get into the nose if not covered when going at full throttle. They recommend that the 770 Xtreme should only be used between 10 and 20 percent of its maximum power at greater depths, lest the water pressure forces your mask off.
Overall Winner: AquaDart Nano 620 Max
While the testers loved all models, the AquaDart Nano 620 Max comes out on top. Competitive pricing and performance and ease-of-storage all contribute to why the 620 Max is simply one of the most attractive dive scooters on the market now. For more information on the 620 Max and the other modesl on this list, click here.
This review was first published on Yacht Style.
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