Matt: Hey everyone, I’m Matt Armstrong
Mel: And I’m Mel Clark and this is another installment of E-Shows
Matt: Today we will be talking about the high performance CUDA 650 and 850
Mel: You really get what you pay for here. This is the highest performing scooter in its class in every single category.
Matt: This expedition scooter has both the longest range and fastest top speed in the tow behind scooter industry right now.
Mel: I've used multiple scooters entering high flow cave situations. in most cases i've had to pull myself and use the scooter with the exception of the cuda, where all i had to do is shift up one speed to get in. this scooter has so much power that you need to use caution when turning your head while scootering or you could flood your mask
Matt: You will also be able to travel underwater distances not thought possible with a scooter. At cruise speed, which is 150ft/min, you will be able to go 5.8 miles with the 650 and 7.6 with the 850.
Mel: These results were taken from the 2008 Tahoe Benchmark. The benchmark is where all scooter manufacturers are invited to enter their scooters in a nonbiased third party evaluation of performance.
Matt: In the testing they test distance, speed, and thrust each using a scientific method.
Mel: The CUDAs impressive speed and range are made possible with the ultra efficient brushless motor. At cruise speeds, the motor is 87% efficient.
What that means is that 87% of the energy going to the motor makes it to the propeller blades. Usually a lot more energy is lost due to resistances and is turned into heat.
Matt: It is always a balancing act for weight/buoyancy/performance. The CUDA is based heavily on the trusted design of the Sierra. This motor is substantially bigger than the Sierra motors. As a result we had to lengthen the body to make the scooter buoyant in both fresh and salt water. Because of this the 650 weighs 54 lbs and the 850 weighs 62 lbs.
Mel: The advantages the CUDA delivers underwater definitely warrant packing the little extra weight from your car to the dive site.
Matt: This is the optimum weight for a scooter of this size. Notice the ribbing the scooter has on the body. The body was shaved in the non-welding spots to reduce weight. Because of this effort, the scooter weights 4-5 lbs less than it would with a straight body.
Mel: The bodies are still made out of aluminum because of its strength index. Aluminum is simply stronger than PVC when put lb for lb. For added protection, the CUDAs are given a crinkle powder coat finish to help prevent deep scratches.
Matt: The CUDA still has the zinc D-ring plate to focus the corrosion on the D-ring, not your body, if the aluminum is exposed.
Mel: These scooters also do not lose any of the dependency that the Sierra has become known for. The CUDA is depth rated for 600ft or 180m, has on the fly speed shifting, and electronic and mechanical clutch.
Matt: In fact, the CUDA has 3 more speeds than the Sierra because of the added power. Making the CUDA’s have 8 speeds in total. The CUDAs start in speed 3 which is comparable to the Sierras top speed at 182ft/min.
Mel: To shift, you click the trigger once to go slower and double click to go faster. It is very easy to get used to and being able to shift speeds while under way and is a great asset especially while in tight spaces.
Matt: There are not any differences in the tail section between the 650 and 850. The differences lie in the battery and body.
The 650 contains a 650Wh Nickel metal hydride battery pack, and the 850 contains a 850Wh nickel metal hydride battery pack. The 850 body is about 4 inches longer than the 650 body to ensure that the 850 can be neutral in the water.
Mel: Unlike the Sierra, the CUDA is not modular. You cannot simply put two 650 packs in a CUDA 850 body and have it work. The battery packs are different sizes.
Matt: This was chosen to make the 850 more compact and manageable weightwise.
Mel: Every CUDA also has 3 different graphic options: the shark, the flames, and the flowers. The shark is supposed to resemble the World war 2 P40.The flames are inspired by classic hot rods, and the flowers resemble the tropical hibiscus. You also can get your initials with the same type of graphic so you know which scooter is yours when you have multiple scooters together.
Matt: Every CUDA comes with a serial number on the fat arm right here, this way we can keep track of what features your CUDA has to give better support; and it gives you another way of identifying your scooter.
Mel: Every CUDA comes with a charger and standard spares kit.
Matt: The price of the 650 kit is $4855USD and the 850 kit is $5145USD.
Mel: I hope you learned something new about the CUDA 650 and 850. I’m Mel Clark.
Matt: And I’m Matt Armstrong and thank you for watching the CUDA E-Show.