By arcticpilot on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Any owner reports on the Centaur? Any trouble or problems? Likes, dislikes.

By paul saker on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I know my response to your question is a couple of years too late, but hopefully anyone else considering buying one will read this. My opinion of the centaur is extremely low. Weighing in at around one metric tonne, it wallows and lists dangerously in the water, is extremely noisy, hard to select gear and will not drive forward in the water with only the operator on board (and no cargo in the rear). If you are lucky enough not to sink it, it will just sit and make slow circles like the lame duck it is. First time out in the water, ours listed to the port side, took on water and would have capsized had the wheels not bottomed out. After four hours use, the canvas roof cover had torn through in at least six places! ODG have not done their homework on this lemon! One tonne in a 3 metre hull with a high centre of gravity does not make for a capable amphibious vehicle. Having to steer the opposite direction when reversing is a dangerous trap for young players - a problematic design flaw. I approached ODG regarding the floation problem - their answer was to mount floatation tanks along the Centaur flanks (increasing it's width by around 1 metre!) not unlike a rubber ducky! The only way to get it to float and drive is o fit external bouyancy tanks and an outboard (incidentally, try reaching the outboard when floating in the water with a cabin and a diesel engine in the way!)We have three Centaurs, a number of polaris rangers and an Argo response. Don't buy one if unless you have earmuffs ( I measured over 88 dba at 60% throttle in the cabin area) and are planning to get it wet. The sooner we can get rid of ours, the better. Give me an Argo anyday!

Paul - Project Engineer for amphibious cable laying vehicles, Australia

By shane forsythe (Shanefor1) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

dear paul,
are there any jobs going???
at the moment i'm a pizza delivery driver for 2 companies 1 in the day, 1 at night.
yes i like driving jobs.
shane , sydney, australia.

By Kelly Patrick on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Another opinon on the Centaur. Paul's response is right on as far as the Centaur in water, its performance is terrible could be cosidered dangerous. If you're looking for a true amphibious vehicle the centaur is not very good in my opinion. I use my centaur for overland travel especially over snow(with tracks), and at this it excells. A heated cab(yes it is noisey) and much faster and easier to manuver than 8x8 conquest. When loaded down with gear and traveling over snow I travel twice as fast as I did with my conquest. The centaur also rides much better over rough ground and will carry alot of weight, 1500lbs.The turbo diesel engine is rated to full power at 10,000 feet giving it another advantage in my application. In my opinion ampib NO, Awesome overland transport YES.

By David Keeso (Argomag) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Kelly, does that thing drive like an ARGO or is it totally different (I know its got different controls etc. and hydrostatic) but what is it like trying to go through tight areas and stuff, easy to do like in the ARGO or not?

By Kelly Patrick on Unrecorded Date: Edit

David, It's very different having a steering wheel, a brake, and a gas pedal. I thought it was very easy to get used to, even the steering in reverse. Manuverability is very good, in low gear it will counter-rotate and has tons of power. The centaur is 64" wide and actually a little shorter(body) overall than a conquest. There is very little to no power loss when turing, imagine pulling a lever back to turn your argo and having no change in engine rpm's and true 8 wheel drive. The centaur has more of a truck feel to it and does'nt show quite the finesse of an argo in tight spaces.

By David Keeso (Argomag) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Kelly, Thanks- One other question though. You say steering in reverse- is it different or opposite to the way you turn the wheel? Also, Im not sure if you follow this but in an ARGO, when you pull the lever to turn, you know when the vehicle will start to turn in relation to how far the lever has been pulled. In the centaur, when you start steering, does the vehicle respond as you are turning the wheel (more like in a car) or do you have to really turn it before the vehilce starts to turn? I don't know if this makes any sence (I know in my head what I want to say but its not comming out that way) I'll try to clarify if you don't understand what im getting at.

By Kelly Patrick on Unrecorded Date: Edit

David, While in reverse you steer the opposite direction. The centaur turns as soon as you turn the wheel, there is very little free play like the levers have. The more you turn the wheel the faster it turns, and yes you learn to feel it just like the levers. You do have to have engine rpm(1500min) to turn the vehicle. In a tight spot you apply a little brake, give some throttle and initiate the turn. Going down hill you have to keep some rpm's or you'll loose steering(no free wheeling). It's no big deal just give it a little brake, or put it in low.I think its very easy to drive, but the first time or two you are in reverse you do have to think a little. Did I mention in low it has lots of power? My machine runs 11mph in low, 27mph in high, and maybe 1mph in water.

By David Keeso (Argomag) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

From what I hear they are S#&@ in water- is this right?

By Nanard on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I really enjoyed the discussion on the Centaur; I own one since 2001 and for sure it's not good in water but excellent on the ground/ I made a lot of change; hand accelerator; steering wheel cut, chain tensionner, spacer on wheels... Right now I am looking for a kit to extend to put 16 wheels. Does anybody know where to find one or has a idea on building the part; a long tube that would attach on the wheel!