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Old 10-17-2016, 10:20 AM   #1
ful-rac
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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.



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


GT Drive


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




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.



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.








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... ! Oh and by the way I did catch a halibut as well if you didn't notice.



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.



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.

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Old 10-17-2016, 10:29 AM   #2
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Nice review and report Tony! Still killin it!
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Old 10-17-2016, 12:25 PM   #3
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Mr No BS great, thorough review!

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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.
always exceptions for special customers.
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Old 10-18-2016, 04:25 PM   #4
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good share Tony.

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Mr No BS great, thorough review!



always exceptions for special customers.
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Old 10-17-2016, 12:41 PM   #5
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Great review...!!! But how does it compare in Speed & thrust. Fin geometry just my question.


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Last edited by Iceman; 10-17-2016 at 04:56 PM.
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Old 10-17-2016, 12:46 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by CrazzyGar View Post
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.


Quote:
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.
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Old 10-17-2016, 01:18 PM   #7
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Nice job.

Nice Lobsters!
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Old 10-18-2016, 04:23 PM   #8
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does not justify the price .

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Nice Lobsters!
if you ain't catching. . don't worry Stan, we gonna turn these Sewer boys inside out this weekend. ..
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Old 10-18-2016, 04:28 PM   #9
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DREAM BIG, then go out and make it happen.


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if you ain't catching. . don't worry Stan, we gonna turn these Sewer boys inside out this weekend. ..
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Old 10-17-2016, 02:14 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by ful-rac View Post
The 180 is similar in speed and thrust, if not the same.


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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Old 10-17-2016, 02:37 PM   #11
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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.
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Old 10-17-2016, 02:44 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by makobob View Post
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.
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Old 10-17-2016, 10:37 PM   #13
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The 180 is similar in speed and thrust, if not the same.
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!
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Old 10-18-2016, 01:33 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by SoCalCJ View Post
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!
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Old 10-18-2016, 07:26 AM   #15
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Nice write-up and critters Tony!
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Old 10-18-2016, 07:39 AM   #16
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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!
This was vs a REVO 13....... not the 16.
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Old 10-18-2016, 03:33 PM   #17
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$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

O.K. GUYS HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEFOR THE NEW DRIVE
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Old 10-20-2016, 10:53 PM   #18
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Love the 180, Would like the old MD

The 180 sounds awesome! If you replace your original with the 180 and want to sell your old one, I am super interested. I left my mirage drive on the beach in LJ during March and did't realize it until my next trip in April. My Revo isn't much fun with a paddle and an open slot between my legs!
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Old 10-17-2016, 01:44 PM   #19
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Nice review and lobsters


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Originally Posted by CrazzyGar View Post
Great review...!!! But how does it compare in Speed & thrust. Fin geometry just my question.


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Why quote his entire post and pictures?
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Old 10-17-2016, 04:58 PM   #20
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Nice review and lobsters





Why quote his entire post and pictures?
blame that on the "quote" button in the lower right corner, I edited it.
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