What are the pros and cons between a Native Watercraft propel drive vs the Hobie mirage drive? Thx

The biggest difference is the Propel Drive allows you to go backwards. Also, the Propel may be slightly quicker on the water, but I'm probably just splitting hairs with that comment.

I prefer the kicking motion of the Mirage Drive, over the bicycle motion of the Propel, it just feels more comfortable. Also, in shallow water you can do a flutter kick with the Mirage to keep going, whereas the Propel would have to be removed.

x2 for what Neumie said.

The Propel is supposedly getting a re-design for 2012 that lowers the pedals down further, allowing your feet to pedal at a lower elevation than the previous system. This should make it more comfortable to pedal.

The biggest difference between the Mirage and the Propel is the type of yaks they're attached to. Hobie offers much more traditional SOT designs alongside the flagship Pro Angler, while Native offers the hybrid Ultimate and the Mariner, which offers a PA style package in a size that's much easier to paddle (if you ever need or desire to).

I'd recommend test driving the two systems, but focus 50% on the drive system and 50% on the yak itself. There's no sense in buying a particular drive system if the yak itself is wrong.

I have the Mirage drive in my kayak HYBRID and one thing I like about it is that you can "feather" the fins and run it up into shallow water and even beach it without removing the drive. So you can be paddling along in shallow water and as soon as the waters is deep enough you can switch to pedals.
In any case though it is not a good idea to leave the rudder down in shallow water. If you get blown sideways or get lifted by a wave the rudder can take some damage.

I thought someone on here had owned both rigs?