S1 Pro first impressions
For most divers, the original S1 scooter did a pretty good job. However, for any diver over 150 pounds—or just one with a lot of spare tanks or gear—the S1 did struggle. Now, with the S1 Pro, LEFEET has increased the thrust while shrinking the unit’s size. This scooter has one of the best underwater engines—and it’s one of the most affordable, too.
One of the most appealing aspects of the S1 Pro is its modularity. The scooter can easily be disassembled into three main parts: the main unit, the handrails, and the remote handles. The battery can slide out of the main unit, so you can pack away the engine and only bring the battery in your carry-on when flying.
This modularity also means that when the scooter runs out of juice, you can straight away swap in a fresh battery. You can also swap in a longer handrail and use two scooters simultaneously.
S1 Pro test results
During our battery tests, the S1 Pro lasted for 22 minutes at full speed and then continued for approximately 13 more minutes at a lower, energy-saving speed. Our total of 35 minutes is in line with LEFEET’s estimation, which states that the battery should last from 35 to 70 minutes.
When it comes to speed, there are some discrepancies between the company’s data and ours. We ran a range of speed tests in a 25 yard/m pool, with both a single and double S1 Pro.
We performed the tests with DIVEIN’s co-founder Torben, his 10-year-old son Carl, and finally with Torben outfitted in full scuba gear. Each of those runs was performed three to four times to get an average. Below are our results, all in meters/second.
We attribute the slower times—from what LEFEET advertises—to several factors, including the fact that the scooter needed three or four seconds to get up to speed. We were also testing in a 25 m pool and needed to stop short in order to not hit the wall. However, this is still valuable data to help you better understand the speed you might achieve.
| Adult | Child | Scuba gear | |
| S1 Pro | 0.85 m/s | 1.08 m/s | 0.52 m/s |
| S1 Pro Double Scooter | 1.23 m/s | 1.24 m/s | 0.90 m/s |
A solid mid-market winner
The most comparable model to the LEFEET S1 Pro is its own cousin, the P1, and Waydoo’s Subnado. All three of them are easy to disassemble, upgrade and alter for a range of activities.
The fastest in our tests was the P1, and it’s understandably the most expensive. If you’re looking for something slim, compact, and with a minimal build, then the Subnado is a better choice. However, the S1 Pro is a solid mid-range underwater scooter, in terms of price and performance. Though it is a little bulkier than the Subnado, its battery is the smallest, which is what you need to take onboard when you fly.
Bear in mind that no underwater scooters are “quiet” but, that said, we did notice that the S1 Pro is a touch noisier than some of the others we tested. If you plan to use the S1 Pro predominantly strapped to your scuba tank or under your SUP, then the noise isn’t an issue. However, while using a handrail, with the scooter much closer to our face, we did find it difficult to ignore.
Price/Quality Ratio
When compared to the other scooters we tested, the S1 Pro is pushing the upper limits of the mid-range price. For all the single units, the S1 Pro was the second slowest and the double unit was still slower than one LEFEET P1 or Waydoo Subnado. Thus, we do think the S1 Pro is perhaps a little overpriced for what you get.
Do we recommend the LEFEET S1 Pro?
If you are looking to buy a LEFEET product, then the S1 Pro is more affordable than its P1 brother. We have had ours for many years, and it’s still just as powerful and resilient as the day we got it.
LEFEET produces high-quality, well-built scooters, and S1 Pro is proof of that. Not many scooters are as modular as the S1 Pro, so if you want to bring your scooter on many oversea diving vacations to come, an easy-to-assemble S1 Pro might be just what you need.
Specs & Features
| Weight | 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) |
|---|---|
| Number of speeds/gears | 3 |
| Advertised top speed | 1.8 meters/second |
| Our top speed | 1.08 m/s & 1.24 m/s (double scooter) |
| Torben | 0.85 m/s & 1.23 m/s |
| Carl | 1.08 m/s & 1.24 m/s |
| Scuba | 0.52 m/s & 0.9 m/s |
| Advertised battery time | 35 to 70 minutes |
| Our battery time at full speed | 22 mins |
| Carry-on safe | Yes |
Take a moment to look at this.
I
m a very experienced diver recupperating from major foot surgeries three and two years ago. I havent dove in 6 years and interested in scuba diving again. What would you recommend if Im not able to fin very well because of foot pain as far as using a scooter? Id want to be able to do a standard two tank dive on a vacation and looking for something that would work well for two dives from a boat so wouldn’t be able to charge on a boat in between dives.Hi Jeff,
The Lefeet P1 would be good for this as it’s portable and easy to bring, but for two dives I’d recommend that you have a spare battery for the second dive, or go with the larger EX battery.
Fun story, some weeks ago I was going on a dive and had a lefeet with me, but my buddy forgot to pack his fins. I let him use my fins, and I did a whole dive without fins and just the scooter as propulsion. It worked well, although my balance was a bit off compared to having fins on.
I’m a newbie senior living in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl and will be using the ocean to snorkel. How many charging cycles can we expect this s1-pro battery to endure? – reason I ask: my 2 year old (swollen) Lion drone batteries needed replacing last month, which was an unexpected ($$$) eye opener !
How about the same question for the battery on your new C1 waterscooter ?
Thanks for the consideration !!
Hi Herman. Just to be clear, we don’t make the LeFeet scooters. We just test them. As for the batteries, it all depends on how you discharge them. Run them from 100% to 0% and their lifespan in cycles will depreciate faster. This is, unfortunately, how most of us use these though. So, can’t answer specifically except anecdotally: after 400 cycles with the S1 Pro batteries, you’ll notice a drop in run time, maybe something like only 80-85% of originally capacity. This is all just ball-parking. We’ve not yet tested the C1. It’s on our wish list.
Thanks for your in depth report
I know you said that the Lefeet S1 is great for kids
From what age would say it’s best for.
Also what would be the best scooter for 18 year olds and older? . Again thanks for your information and I’m helping us a educated decision
Michael, we’ve had kids as young as 5 testing the S1 (under supervision). As far as where it goes from there, I’ve personally enjoyed an island vacation snorkelling with this, along with my wife and two kids, aged 17 and 21. My son and I are around 190-200 pounds respectively (we’re in some of the videos). It’s also a heck of a lot of fun scuba diving.
Very informative video. Thanks. Was wondering which scooter makes the most underwater noise: Lefeet S1 Pro or ScubaJet Pro ?
Hi Rudy
We haven’t paid attention to that specifically. Both make enough noise to be noticeable but not so much that it’s too annoying. I don’t remember one of them as being significantly noisier than the other…
On the lowest setting, you won’t hear much from them – visa versa on the highest speed setting it becomes noisy enough for other divers around you to hear them.