How to set up your BlackTip
Tips on getting your BlackTip ready to dive for the first time
If you’re about to set up your BlackTip, you’ve come to the right place. Looking for the CudaX instead? Here is the CudaX quick start guide and its user manual.
Use others’ expertise
If you’re near Tidal Zone, get our help. Otherwise, if you have a friend with a BlackTip or other Dive Xtras scooter, get their help.
Take your time!
Setting up your scooter for the first time is not something to rush. Set aside an hour or so.
Ideally do this somewhere dry, but also near water so you can test and adjust buoyancy and trim.
Unboxing and setup
This video makes it look very easy, but it can be fiddly if you haven’t done it before. The video is about the BlackTip Travel (hence the comment about not being able to make it both neutrally buoyant and trim); otherwise the setup is the same for other BlackTips.
If you have any trouble with this, see the user manual.
Batteries
Hopefully you’ve already got your batteries. If not, see this page about batteries and how to look after them. In fact, even if you’ve got batteries, if you haven’t read it already, do so now.
How to change speeds
Here’s how to operate your BlackTip. The scooter in the video has had its “Safe Start” disabled for demo purposes – full speed won’t be available on your unit when it’s out of the water.
BlackTip User Manual
Read the manual! It’s brief and includes their other videos on important things like using a towing cord, post-dive procedures, maintenance, troubleshooting etc.
Ask for help!
Help is at hand if you need it.
