I definitely have some words on my manta experience but im holding off for now… lets just say ive had possession of it for over a month and still havent used it.
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Yes that is correct we are a dealer in Australia
Just wanted to share our experience and not everyone who has a takeoff is having a issue
Just keeping it real
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Hi everyone,
Jumping into this thread here late.
Similar to the OP, Emerythrill, I was an original backer of the Indigogo campaign.
The product was about 6 months late and it never worked for me even until now. My unit was one of the ones with the “shudder” issue upon lift out of the water and re entry. This is an assist system, not efoil, so that is an obvious necessity.
So I have never used it again after the first trial run.
After many months Manta claims to have solved this issue by releasing a new prop. Now, they are requiring customers to pay for the new prop. As an early backer I Have now been waiting for a working system for a year, and am now being asked to pay for a solution to a clear design/ engineering fault.
I don’t think that’s ok…
As that main fault basically rendered the whole unit useless to me, I have not kept up with the many required changes to all the other issues others were having.
I shudder at the thought of many hours of work, following random instructions.
Has anyone here who has the same issue of being unable to engage the system properly upon water re entry, been able to fix it? Does the new prop indeed fix the issue?
Would love to know that before embarking on the fixing journey…
Thanks!
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I do not have the manta setup but have used one multiple times. If the shudder is due to one of the blades being stuck then the new propeller will fix this issue. On the one I used I would spool up the propeller before it entered the water and it would work without the shuddering issue.
Even the FD units have this issue on occasion and it can be quite annoying. Especially if the blades are over tightened.
If it is not running properly and the motor is cogging that’s an entirely different issue.
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I totally agreed with your review 100%.
Just bought a flow air model 2 weeks ago..and the all experience with assembly was a very unfriendly use method…firts the batteries untits screww no aligned with the hole…than the pod motor clamp not fitting properly my armstrong performance mast…the rotor clamp crooked not aligned and flush properly…than on the first day of riding the sticker logo from the propeller capcame out and got stuck in the propeller.
But for 5 days i was have a very nice time..riding every morning (i set it up in Efoil position to learn the all experience) i was easily riding and turning both way on my 2sd day.
But on 5th day, my rotor cap did came out, it was totally stuck on the shaft…it was a very eazy process prior this..and easy to clean…
But impossible to removed it…eventually it came out…nut the 2 bearing came out as well in pièces…the ceraic one was broken..and the metal one was stuck on the shaft…i hade to go to a meca ingénieur shop to have it removed with an extractor.
Now i am waiting for bearing replacement parts from the manta foil Co. In Dubai.
Their customers support is slow and they basically want you to fixe the problems i am having with their products myself!!.
This is a 1 week old product.
Overall very disappointed..unacceptable .
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How do you explain these issue on first day:.
#1Battery O.ring broken.
#2Logo sticker from Rotor got stuck on propeller.
#3 mount clamp Rotor not in ligne problems has a 4 millimeters gap.
#4 Battery unit has a 4 millimeters gap on each side and is moving sideway.
#5 on of the battery has a separation in the molding.
This is a 100 new until i just bought.
What is your thought 
on this:wink:
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Thank you for being honest. Here is my story with Manta in Hawaii. The Manta Takeoff flow or Air does not provide enough power as advertised to e-foil. The advertisement showed people efoiling at high speeds with the Takeoff Air on there web site. I think they took that down now. It will not give you enough power to efoil if you are over 175lbs. Until they make a motor that can really handle people that weigh over 170lbs, these motors are gutless and only good for very light riders and works as an assist at best. I bought the Takeoff from Manta during the go fund me stage and it took a year to get it which was fine but it cant get me into the air, the motor is to weak. When I asked for a refund or a replacement system since it could get me out of the water they wouldnt do it and blamed me and my gear. I have been prone foiling, wing foiling and e-foiling for over 5 years. I am an avid foiler. That was a slap in the face from a company I invested in when they were a go fund me company. I waited over a year to get the gear that doesnt work as advertised. 3 of the 4 batteries died on me and they did replace those. Mutliple parts didnt fit and some broke and they relaced most of that also. Bottom line as I have owned the product for almost 2 years now and it still doesnt push me on any size board to get to the air and ride. It only works as an assist and barely that. So I now own this Manta Takeoff Air and I cant even use it. I recommend going with Lift or Flight if you want to efoil at all. Those systems have the power to actually efoil. I would avoid this company until they can get good customer service and dealers to help there clients in the areas the sell them in. You will be left holding a product that cant get service. Check to see who will fix your board in your area before you buy. Its a long way and very expensive to ship product to Dubai or China when it comes time for repairs. I hope they would offer to let me trade them back the Takeoff air I have for the new more powerfull motor they now on the market, then I would be a happy customer and could get back on the foil. With what they sent me I cant ride. Supper disappointed about that.
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Here is my story with Manta in Hawaii.Thank you for being honest. They have bad customer service because you cant talk to anyone since they are in Dubai. No help in the states and especially Hawaii. The Manta Takeoff flow or Air does not provide enough power as advertised to e-foil. The advertisement showed people e-foiling at high speeds with the Takeoff Air on there web site. I think they took that down now. It will not give you enough power to efoil if you are over 175lbs. Until they make a motor that can really handle people that weigh over 170lbs, these motors are gutless and only good for very light riders and works as an assist at best. I bought the Takeoff from Manta during the go fund me stage and it took a year to get it which was fine but it cant get me into the air, the motor is to weak. When I asked for a refund or a replacement system since it could get me out of the water they wouldnt do it and blamed me and my gear. I have been prone foiling, wing foiling and e-foiling for over 5 years. I am an avid foiler. That was a slap in the face from a company I invested in when they were a go fund me company. I waited over a year to get the gear that doesnt work as advertised. 3 of the 4 batteries died on me and they did replace those. Mutliple parts didnt fit and some broke and they repaced most of that also. Bottom line as I have owned the product for almost 2 years now and it still doesnt push me on any size board to get to the air and ride. It only works as an assist and barely that. So I now own this Manta Takeoff Air and I cant even use it. I recommend going with Lift or Flight if you want to efoil at all. Those systems have the power to actually efoil. I would avoid this company until they can get good customer service and dealers to help there clients in the areas the sell them in. You will be left holding a product that cant get service. Check to see who will fix your board in your area before you buy. Its a long way and very expensive to ship product to Dubai or China when it comes time for repairs. I hope they would offer to let me trade them back the Takeoff air I have for the new more power full motor they now on the market, then I would be a happy customer and could get back on the foil. With what they sent me I cant ride. Supper disappointed about that.
Sounds like Manta had plenty of growing pains.
Anyone had a buying experience with them in the past year?
I’m leaning towards Foil Drive Assist Max. I have a good local rep.
But the Manta system seems to have better motor maintenance and battery architecture?
Unless I missed an update you can’t swap batteries on the Manta. If you want to go for a second run you have to recharge. That would be a key advantage for FD in my opinion.
Don’t buy Manta. FD ist just great and working every day without technical problems! Now the come out with version 2.5 !!
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They updated their system some time ago to EVO. Travel batteries, endurance … lot of options now.
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Do you have any experience with them? Which system do you own?
My understanding is that the lastest Manta, the Takeoff Evo does have removeable batteries for swapping/charging.
I don’t own any assist system yet. But I understand that Foil Drive is moving everything from the 40v (assist max, assist slim) to 43 (fusion, and updated assist. Not sure of name).
So I wasn’t super excited to buy into a sunsetting voltage architecture…
Manta’s Takeoff Evo has swappable batteries, much easier motor maintenance, higher voltage (52v), more elegant air-travel battery setup. I’m just worried that maybe not all the bugs are ironed out, and the service won’t be as good. So I’ll probably just buy the FoilDrive Assist Max.
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One thing to point out. With FD releasing the gen2.5, many gen 2 will likely be for sale and it still a really solid platform. If you aren’t 200# plus, I’d go that route personally.
Ok. From is not the same as cheaper. Fake News. Open up the pricing and do a true comparison. Just an idea.
I just had a bad experience pre-ordering a pump foil kit and now I think the local rep is everything - at least there’s someone to complain to. My FD has been great and there are local reps who can help you with your problems.
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Where are you located? Are you saying that there are no local reps in the USA?