Mirage Drive 180
 

So I was lucky enough to get my hands on a new Mirage Drive 180 recently. $$$ Not cheap, but an amazing advantage that I'm willing to bet on. My initial impression of the drive is...that it's kinda goofy looking. The fins are shaped differently and not swept back like the regular drive, the fins are perfectly straight so they can pivot forward and backward. All this leading me to think that there might be some change in the thrust or overall feel while peddling...But after having used them, they are very similar if no different than the GT drive, also smooth and slick like the GT.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...psg6ntbykw.jpg

The new Drive feels much heavier than the regular GT drive. So I decided to weigh them to find out how much heavier.

Mirage Drive 180
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...psrfgiz1pl.jpg

GT Drive
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...pseyktnwo3.jpg

So the 180 is approximately 6 oz heavier than the standard GT drive...it sure feels like it's more but it's not.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...pskt0nmqwy.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...psbnegaszg.jpg

The Shifting mechanism:

Now if there's one thing that feels like it could break on this new drive it's going to be the shift levers. I found that when you pedal, sometimes your foot hits it. I guess time will tell how sturdy the plastic parts are. So far they seem to work just fine...but then again I've only used them for a day.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...psmztvamvi.jpg

As far as shifting from forward to reverse with the new drive, you have to give it a good solid pull in order for it to engage. It doesn't seem possible for the drive to accidentally go into reverse while your peddling. I found that switching from forward to reverse is very difficult while moving faster than 2 knots, probably because the fins have to go sideways for a second, and you have to overcome the resistance of the water against the fins.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...psbdky5udb.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...pssx9epnyn.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...pswrgbz64s.jpg


Fishing with the new Drive.

So while looking for a halibut this weekend I snagged some rope and pulled up a still usable ambush hoop net...I got some cleaning to do...:eek: ! Oh and by the way I did catch a halibut as well if you didn't notice. ;)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...psn3fijrzn.jpg

The ability to go into reverse is just awesome. You now have an incredible amount of control with the new drive. I knew from the first announcement of the new drive that it would be great for hooping lobster. So on my first lobster trip with the new drive later on that night, I decided to test out that theory...it did not disappoint! With wind and current blowing me around, it just made every operation faster and more efficient. Instead of having to grab my paddle or having to circle around to retrieve, deploy or set my gear, I could just back up quickly easily and hands free. For me, this reason alone justifies the cost of the new drive.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...psnryb6isn.jpg

So not a bad maiden voyage with the new drive. Nice Halibut and a limit of lobster to go along with it...?! Did I need it to catch what I caught..? No...but it sure made it alot easier and alot more fun. So watch out for the new Mirage Drive 180! Available now at your local OEX...but only with the purchase of a new kayak. Otherwise you have to wait until next year to purchase one. :cheers1:

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Nice review and report Tony! Still killin it!

Mr No BS :D great, thorough review! :luxhello:

always exceptions for special customers. :D

Great review...!!! But how does it compare in Speed & thrust. Fin geometry just my question.


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The 180 is similar in speed and thrust, if not the same.

Nice job.
 

Nice Lobsters!

Nice review and lobsters



Why quote his entire post and pictures?

Nice...thx.
Wasn't even thinking about the 180 cuz I'm offshore fishing or Hooping KH. Never thought about the advantages for Hooping.


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Tony how hard is it to steer backwards, say straight back 50 feet? Are you still in control? Could you go left or right easily in reverse? BTW you putting one day in is like me doing a week in on the water, you really WORK your gear. That's a good thing, in a month that drive will have gone through a years use for the rest of us. Keep on yaking amigo.

Actually Bob it's not hard at all. You are definitely in control, just like going forward you need a bit of speed or momentum before your steering responds. Going left and right while going backwards is no problem at all. Hobie says full power reverse...that's no exaggeration, I was actually able to go 5 + knots backwards just to see if I could, it was not a problem at all.

TONY, you sold me just called Andy, mine will arrive Friday and be in Baja on Monday. Maybe I can pull a grouper out of the rocks before he gets there. Thank you for taking the time post your review, you get credit for atleast one sale. Tight Lines.

Why in the heck would anyone need to peddle in reverse??:eek:
Seriously?

ME thinks Hobie screwed the pooch here...

Marketing gimmick? If yes, brilliant! :p

Is this standard on all new 2017 kayaks or extra?

John I enjoy casting top water plugs at the boulders and cliffs in Gonzaga. I point my bow at the beach and cast as tight to shore as I can. Cabrilla and snappers sometimes explode on the plugs, corvina too. Being in reverse and ready MIGHT help getting these fish out of their holes. The panga drivers peform this move every day, so it might help me get that bigger cabrilla that keeps stealing my top water plugs. Besides I needed a spare drive as a back up. Hopefull win, win.

I'm pretty sure that they are, perfect time to upgrade Pino! :luxhello:

Reverse is not necessary but...it sure is nice!

blame that on the "quote" button in the lower right corner, I edited it.

All 2017 come with the 180, turbo fins are only stock on the camo Outback and the Pro Anglers, everything else comes with the slightly shorter ST fins.

Separate drives (I am only selling drives that came with my preseason order kayaks)and replacement fins and parts are yet to be released, I have been told that if there is an issue with a drive Hobie will send me parts off the production line.

Nice.....
 

Catch...mighty fine dinner...

Great review of the new drive! Having purchased a new camo OB, I have noticed that the new 180 drive is much faster in speed and thrust than the previous drive. A new OB with the 180 will go faster than a Revo with the previous drive at the same RPM. I know some will call bs, but we tested it on opening night! Hobie hit it out of the park on this one!

BS! I need to get me one of these 180s then! I can't imagine the speed you will gain on a revo. 10kts just might be a possibility on a revo 16!