What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
The OpenROV Trident was a compact, tethered underwater drone designed to move quickly along a straight survey route and then slow down for close inspection. “Swims like a dolphin” described its speed and handling—not an animal-like propulsion system. Introduced in 2015, the Trident is no longer produced, and Sofar says support ended on December 31, 2020.
Why the Trident was compared to a dolphin
Earlier remotely operated vehicles often used boxier shapes. OpenROV presented the Trident as a slimmer, wedge-shaped alternative intended to travel efficiently over long underwater transects, then maneuver carefully near a point of interest. Its hydrodynamically offset thruster arrangement was part of that design approach; the comparison did not mean it swam by flapping like a dolphin.
TechCrunch described the vehicle as able to travel in a straight line, hover, stop precisely, and change depth or direction without pitching at either low or high speeds. Those handling claims help explain the headline: the design aimed to combine transit speed with control for inspection work. They are descriptions from contemporary coverage, not results from an independent performance test. TechCrunch’s 2015 report
How the tethered ROV worked
The Trident was remotely operated from the surface and connected by a tether. The cable enabled communication with the vehicle underwater, where ordinary radio waves do not travel well. It was therefore not an autonomous robot roaming independently like an animal.
#1 Best Overall
- 4K 60FPS High Frame-rate Camera: Create epic footage and wonderful underwater moments with V-EVO's upgraded camera system, achieving professional-class shots with ease and enhanced smoothness.
- Removal SD Card: The new version is a removable SD card, providing you with more convenient gameplay and storage functions. The FIFISH V-EVO's hydrodynamic, fluid, and rugged water droplet design ensures minimal resistance against ocean currents, allowing for longer dives. An attachment port accommodates a variety of tools, enabling integration and versatility for various tasks and scenarios
- 360° Omnidirectional Mobility: Reach beyond the limits of traditional methods, and achieve full 360° freedom in underwater mobility, hovering and posture holds. Turn your creative imagination into cinematic 4K imaging reality.
- 5000 Ultra-bright Lumen LEDs: FIFISH V-EVO comes equipped with a pair of combined 5000 lumens · 5500K white LED lights. Optimize your vision across the deep sea and restore the colors of the world below, especially through dark and turbid environment.
- 166° Ultra Wide Lens: See the bigger picture and discover an extraordinary world below. Go beyond a conventional underwater lens to achieve a greater impact with your visuals.
Make: reported that the launch package included a 25 m tether, with a 100 m tether option; it also cited a protocol that allowed communication up to 300 m. These are distinct figures: the reported protocol capacity should not be mistaken for the included cable length. Make:’s September 2015 coverage
What the launch-era specifications said
Contemporary reports published the following figures for the Trident. They are historical reported specifications, not independently verified test results or current product guarantees.
Rank #2
- 1.Airplane Carry-on allowable,Easy Packing, Redpot award design, Compatible for Gopro,Camera,LED Light.
- 2.Powerful Dual Motor,deep in 164ft/50Meters diving experience , weight is only 3.5kg,removable 140wh battery working time is 45min,with two speed 1m/s and 1.8m/s
- 3.Children clock to avoid the dangerous handling,Protecting web cover the propeller,Whole body is waterproof.
- 4. For Sea Diving, Swimming pool,Water Parks, Shallow Dives, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling
| Specification | Reported figure | Source and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum depth | 100 m | Reported by TechCrunch in 2015 and TED Blog in 2019. |
| Top speed | 2 m/s (about 4.5 mph) | TED Blog, 2019; WIRED reported a rounded 4.6 mph in 2017. |
| Dive time | Up to three hours | TED Blog, 2019; the report did not establish a standardized test condition. |
| Video | 1080p recording | Reported by WIRED in 2017 and TED Blog in 2019. |
| Weight | Less than 3 kg | Make:, September 2015. |
| Tether | 25 m supplied; 100 m option | Make:, September 2015. The same report cited protocol communication up to 300 m. |
| Launch reward price | $1,199 | Kickstarter backer reward reported by Make: in 2015; not a current retail price. |
The speed figures are consistent when rounded: 2 m/s is approximately 4.5 mph, while WIRED’s 4.6 mph was a contemporary rounded report. Depth, speed, endurance, video, weight, and tether details should be read in their source-date context, rather than as specifications for a product currently supported by its maker. TED Blog’s 2019 overview · WIRED’s 2017 feature
What OpenROV said about the design
OpenROV co-founder David Lang told Make: in 2015: “Promoting innovation is what we care about, and for that reason we are making all broadly useful aspects of the Trident design open as well.” That statement described an intention to open broadly useful aspects of the design; it did not promise that every business or manufacturing detail would be open. Make:’s September 2015 article
Rank #3
- 【4K UHD + EIS Camera】The gladius MINI S underwater drone provides 4K and 1080P videos and 12 megapixel photos to easily capture underwater details and take you to explore the mysterious underwater world. Meanwhile, the drone is equipped with 1/2.3 SONY CMOS and EIS function, F2.8 large aperture and 2 x 1200 lumen LED light, providing you with smooth and stable underwater photography.
- 【Dive to 330ft, Adjustable Attitude】The Chasing drone diving depth can reach 330ft, and the maximum horizontal shooting radius can reach 660ft, which can fully meet your shooting needs. Taking you to enjoy the breathtaking underwater scenery.
- 【Support Multiple Mounts】The gladius MINI S Underwater drone supports the attachment of mechanical arms and motion cameras. You can easily pick up objects in the water or shoot videos with higher pixel requirements. Aluminum alloy compact body (weight less than 6.6 pounds), The MINI S suit is equipped with mechanical arm, and our waterproof backpack, you can easily carry and use it more conveniently.
- 【Excellent Performance, Stable Connection】Chasing gladius MINI S underwater drone UAV CHASING anti-stuck patented motor technology, which can operate safely in complex underwater environments. Through the professional remote control, it supports WiFi and data cable to connect to the mobile phone / tablet computer. The wired transmission signal is more stable, does not occupy the mobile phone network, and is no longer disconnected.
- 【ATTENTION! Powerful Advantage Upgrade!】The gladius MINI S has Built in two 4800 mAh lithium batteries, the battery life is increased from the traditional 2 hours to 4 hours! The host is equipped with a 64GB SD card, unlike the traditional embedded memory card, the MINI S SD card is removable, It’s more convenient to extract pictures and videos, and also support up to 512GB SD card.
Can you buy or get support for a Trident now?
Sofar Ocean Technologies says it no longer produces the Trident and that support ended on December 31, 2020. OpenROV and Spoondrift Technologies merged to form Sofar Ocean Technologies in 2019, linking the original maker to the company now publishing the status notice. Sofar’s Trident status page · Sofar’s 2019 company announcement
The $1,199 figure was a Kickstarter backer reward in 2015, not an available current offer. The cited sources do not establish whether used units or compatible parts remain available, so neither current stock nor repair-part compatibility can be confirmed from them.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The FIFISH V6 EXPERT comes standard with the FIFISH V6 EXPERT ROV, tether reel, remote controller, and chargers. Essential differences between the packages include: M100 Package: EPP Box Packaging, with 330ft Tether Reel; M200 Package: Industrial Case Packaging, with 660ft Tether Reel; M100A Package: Industrial Case Packaging, Robotic Arm, with 330ft Tether Reel; M200A Package: Industrial Case Packaging, Robotic Arm, with 660ft Tether Reel.
- Extend & Enhance Your Dives: FIFISH V6 EXPERT underwater drone equipped with 14400mAh battery, working time up to 6 hours. And deliver quick charging capabilities to reach 90% of charging capacity in just 1 hour. Integrate with the Onshore Power Supply System to achieve uninterrupted diving sessions.
- Upgraded Build & Performance: In addition to its patented omnidirectional movement and 360° manuverability, FIFISH V6 EXPERT underwater drone delivers an upgraded motor system, with full protection of its core components against corrosion, and enhanced stability for a seamless operating experience.
- Upgraded Build & Performance: In addition to its patented omnidirectional movement and 360° manuverability, FIFISH V6 EXPERT underwater drone delivers an upgraded motor system, with full protection of its core components against corrosion, and enhanced stability for a seamless operating experience.
- Seamless Video & Image Transfers: With a built-in quick plug compartment, a Micro SD card can be inserted and removed to easily transport data and images out of the V6 EXPERT. The ROV comes equipped with a 128GB card for ample space and storage of high-definition films and images.
Rank #4
- 1.Airplane Carry-on allowable,Easy Packing, Redpot award design, Compatible for Gopro,Camera,LED Light.
- 2.Powerful Dual Motor,deep in 164ft/50Meters diving experience , weight is only 3.5kg,removable 140wh battery working time is 45min,with two speed 1m/s and 1.8m/s
- 3.Children clock to avoid the dangerous handling,Protecting web cover the propeller,Whole body is waterproof.
- 4. For Sea Diving, Swimming pool,Water Parks, Shallow Dives, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
