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Old 03-08-2019, 11:39 AM   #10
roosta
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 68
MirageDrive

Pelican's drive is what Hobie's drive was 20 years ago. Many other features like roller bearings for reduced friction and square shaped fins for increased performance are still patented. There are many things to learn when getting in to the pedal game that have to do with the amount of force exerted by a MirageDrive pedal system. It's taken Hobie over 20 years to be where they are today. Take that in to consideration when looking at these manufacturers getting in to the pedal game and consider the potential issues that could happen when you are on the water. Other things like boat design, steering and rudder, comfort, cockpit layout, etc... IMO, the quality, customer service, dealer support and years of experience that Hobie carries are worth every penny.

Hobie is local in Oceanside, California. Think about all of the innovation Hobie has brought to the kayak fishing market. Don't the people who have poured their lives in to developing this stuff only to be imitated by other companies in a rat race towards the bottom deserve our respect as kayak anglers?

To address the reverse concern - a few pull cables were snapping when the reverse was first launched because the cables where made out of plastic that was too thin and there was a lack of customer education on how/when to pull the cables. That was addressed and once users understood you need to pull the forward/reverse cable when the pedal cranks are together (both fins pointing straight down) there have been very little issues. I use reverse a lot when I fish.

Hope this helps with your decision.
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