I’m looking at this one.
Does anyone own one of these, or at least ever used one? Any model with the “mirage” drive.
I like the idea because I do like to fish for the occasional bluegill or crappie, etc. But I think it would be great for photographing wildlife in some our beautiful lakes and lagoons around here.
Go ahead and give your opinions based on conjecture if you like, but I’m really interested in what those who have actually “piloted” one have to say.
I don’t care what folks think about the price ($2,200). I’m too old to worry about that. All you youngsters are gonna be taking care of me soon anyway. 
Peace,
mangeorge
I googled and found quite a few reviews by owners and in kayaking magazines.
Most rate it pretty highly, and some actually gush.
Makes sense using lower body muscles if the design is good.
And, “bump”. 
Some folks in our club have them. They seem to like them well enough. I get the impression you need to be careful in shallow water or barely submerged objects or you can damage the drive.
It makes sense at from the perspective that your legs are much stronger and have much more endurance than your arms.
If the point is to get around and fish, you might want to consider getting a slightly larger single person sit on top kayak and using a deep cycle lead acid battery and an electric trolling motor.
I recall one guy on the internet using such a setup to great effect. A low end trolling motor will only run you a hundred bucks and another hundred for the battery. If that works remotely well you can then get a more efficient motor and more battery capacity easily.
ohh, if you want a forum where you might get a more informed answer.
do a search for “green wave forum”. The third or so non sponsored link is the one you want. It is a forum for paddlers in Florida.
Exercise, for me, is part of the deal. I could carry a battery and motor on this if I need to use it, but the idea of the penguin-like drive appeals to me. Maybe I’ll take it up north (or is that down south) and make some friends. 
I gotta find a carrier for my pickup too, if I get the kayak.
I plan to fish and photograph birds and such.
Anyway, thanks.
Fair enough.
The guy I mentioned did just that. He paddled with kayak paddles to assist the motor. Or he used the motor when his hands were busy fishing or he hit a big headwind or tide or he just wanted to go farther than he could just by arm.
think about it. your legs get plenty of exercise unless you are literally a couch potato. Your arms and upper body are the parts needing a workout.
Again, if you want some real input, visit the forum I suggested.
I bookmarked it. Thanks.
And the exercise burns calories. The motor doesn’t. That’s what I meant. I can paddle too, if I want, but ofetn I like having my hands free.
Never used one, but it does seem like it would be good for photography. I do nature photography from a kayak quite a bit and the paddling often scares away critters. A couple of issues, though:
a. In any sort of rough water, you use the paddles for stability as much as propulsion. So I wouldn’t take one of those things out without a paddle in any sort of open water or high winds.
b. Doesn’t seem to be any “reverse” on the mirage drive. That’s going to be very frustrating if you’re trying to do any photography in a current.
I’ve had this for a couple of years now. I absolutely love it. I use it for fishing all the time. I’ve never seen the mirage drive in action, though for the shallow water I can see it as a hindrance.
Also if you have to get out and drag it for a ways in a river - I see that they retract, but I’d be worried about scraping them up, and you never want to flip it over and lose all your stuff 
If it isnt clipped in and doesnt float you WILL loose it sooner or later, most likely sooner.
If it floats but isnt clipped in you will loose it eventually.
If you dont want to loose something, make sure it both floats and is clipped into something on the boat.