Thinking about joining the CCR club - where to start?

[boriss]

Going through the same journey and landing on a DiveRite Optima CM

Going through the same journey as well and although the CM used to be at the top of my list, I'm now thinking Fathom MK2.5 CCR. Also have rEvo up high on my list, but for completely different reasons. Once I've finalized my shortlist I hope to do try dives or demo days or something...

Curious why you're landing on the Choptima? Thx

 

[LFMarm]

Curious why you're landing on the Choptima? Thx

1. Easy air travel (small volume and low weight)
2. Ability to use the exact same setup for OC and CC (e.g., doing one dive on CC and if something fails keep diving OC with the same gear minus CCR)
3. Ability to sidemount the BO cylinders

 

[GiraffeMarineSalvage]

I don't yet have enough CCR experience for my opinion to carry as much weight as more experienced members, (especially relative work of breathing and other real life experiences on other units) but I did a ton of armchair research before making my decision on the Triton from M3S and I am very happy with my choice. If you're already good with side mount the top two options I would put on my considerations list would be the Triton (mCCR) or Choptima (hCCR).
Pros of Triton that stick out for me off the top of my head (many of which may overlap with Choptima) are notable benefis of travel ability, having everything right in front of you, ability to narrow your profile, "quick" relatively speaking build/teardown process, and as an excellent backup rebreather it seemed like an ideal starting point so if progressed further the unit I would rely on as a bailout CCR if things went wrong would be most instinctive for me.
If you're tall the difference between Triton and Choptima length along your body probably won't matter much (except maybe when sitting on a boat all geared up) but if shorter in height I would probably lean towards Triton.
The Triton obtaining CE certification at 100m really impressed me when doing my research, although knowing more about CE's bureaucracy I wouldn't overweigh that consideration since I feel at times it can hold back dramatic improvements due to economic/liability constraints of worthwhile improvements (M3S's sentimental attachment to their monox PPO2 monitor is probably linked to that, I love the Triton in all ways other than the Monox PPO2 monitor, so I had Narked at 90 make my electronics a Shearwater Petrel2 plus a Nerd2, but with 4pin AK connectors for future upgrade compatibility and would highly recommend that combination from the start for multiple reasons to the point that if M3S still won't let you order it that way budget in Narked at 90 making it that way for you...).
A few other far more experienced CCR divers on scubaboard mentioned a few other things about the Triton in terms of pros and cons if you choose to seriously consider the Triton, but so far I am very happy with it (including considerations like work of breathing, speed manual O2/Dil additions adjust PPO2 readings, etc) so it should be on your short list of CCRs to consider.

 

[Wibble]

3. Ability to sidemount the BO cylinders

Should be able to sidemount bailouts on most rebreathers. Just add bungee loops and tweak the D-rings

…Triton (mCCR) or Choptima (hCCR).

Small point; ChOptima is an electronic CCR, not hybrid as there’s no leaky valve (orifice). Kind of important as that technology makes a manual CCR far more usable.

I love the Triton in all ways other than the Monox PPO2 monitor, so I had Narked at 90 make my electronics a Shearwater Petrel2 plus a Nerd2, but with 4pin AK connectors for future upgrade compatibility and would highly recommend that combination from the start for multiple reasons to the point that if M3S still won't let you order it that way budget in Narked at 90 making it that way for you...).

Interesting info.

 

[GiraffeMarineSalvage]

Small point; ChOptima is an electronic CCR, not hybrid as there’s no leaky valve (orifice).

You are correct, I misspoke. What I should have said is Choptina is an eCCR, which depending on chosen setpoints can be used like a hybrid (but without the notable benefits of the leaky valve...). Meaning the diver keeps PPO2 within a narrow bandwidth manually but the computer/solinoids are there as a safety net (which I feel should be viewed as a slap on the wrist for not paying closer attention to PPO2 and straying outside of slightly wider computer setpoints). I may not be using the term hybrid properly though... Had I bought the Choptima the above description is how I would have chosen to dive it (because I personally fear potential complacency/delayed awareness of a potential problem of eCCR more than increased failure points of increased complexity).

 

[Wibble]

As a Revo hybrid CCR diver, if I leave it to the Petrel controller to maintain the setpoint, the solenoid only fires every couple or few minutes (assume low workload, no depth changes, etc.). Running it manually — my preferred method— needs few interventions either.

Compare this with eCCR units, their solenoid fires far more frequently.

 

[flymolo]

Gemini?

 

[Celt]

I'm thinking about moving from sidemount to CCR and I'm just beginning to do my research. Any tips on where to start? I pretty much live in caves so that would be the primary purpose. I'm guessing dry suit due to amount of time underwater?

You'll be OK just get plenty rest and drink lots of water. It'll pass, it happens to all divers some get better but unfortunately some don't.

 

[happy-diver]

Another best post ever

Yeah, so I did a bit of research and Richard Harris did a great video series. I think I’m sticking with side mount for now. For me it boiled down to these factors (in case it helps anyone else)

• Cost vs benefit - my primary driver was to hit the deeper caves that have yet to be explored. I really enjoy doing that but the cost for proper training, gear, upkeep, etc, I can’t really justify it.
• Task overload - I’m a good diver, I’m not sure I’m a great diver meaning that, I’m not sure I’m ready to tackle the additional responsibilities and management of a system like this. In my research this was called out by a few people.
• Deaths related to diver error / mistakes - the price of failure oddly seems too high for me. I’m very confident I can do it, I’m more concerned about the one time I miss something.
• Personality and style - I’m careful, calm, and logical…. I don’t know if I’m detail oriented enough to own one of these. Call it a personal self assessment and limitation.

All in all I feel good about the decision and a huge thank you to everyone who gave me ideas, data, things to read, etc. I might still do the training just to see what it’s about, but for now I think I’ll be multi tank, tri mix, sidemount.

I did some research before making my decision on the Triton from M3S

I did a ton of armchair research before making my decision on the Triton from M3S and I am very happy with my choice

but it cost too much so as I'd wanted to build one all my life I built one myself in the laundry

and I am very happy with my choice.

 

[GiraffeMarineSalvage]

Triton from M3St... but it cost too much so as I'd wanted to build one all my life I built one myself in the laundry

Oh come on, that's so not fair to tell me given I'm very into building stuff myself (if and only if I know enough to get it right...)
I can't help but be curious how much everything cost you building it yourself and what you chose for connections (Triton's circlips are awesome compared to many other types of connections, so hoping I at least still have that going for my investment..)