db8us once bubbled...
If i am shallow or near the surface, i do not need a breather.
I only use it if it´s advantages outweighs the disadvantages.
How deep do you go before switching to your RB? Or do you start the dive semi-closed and just end it open, blow what's left once you know you won't need it?
db8us once bubbled...
Here in a local lake (20m depth) i often see divers doing 40Minutes with an YBOD or Draeger...
The Dräger is sort of made for those kinds of dives. The ones you're doing on your RB80 and lots of CCR divers do shouldn't or couldn't be done with a Ray or Dolphin. As for the duration at that depth, could be mix (on SCR), boredom or stamina. Not everyone is in, and into, top shape.
However, to stay proficient at diving, especially CCR diving, you have to practice. I've seen people do the same with double 12s and stage in quarries. Invites ridicule, but you gotta keep practicing somewhere.
db8us once bubbled...
During exploration dives i think one is not able to constantly check "displays" and i can not hear the Oxygauge-Alarm ;-(
On an RMV-SCR you shouldn't have to do it constantly. However I'm sure you could master the task of checking if you felt the need to do so. As for the Oxygauge, as well as the previously mentioned odd values, it's only one sensor. A tripple display with as many sensors it the way to go ... .
madmole once bubbled...
Youre the 4th or 5th RB-80 user I've talked to who finds that their unit is not suitable for shallow water use, is this a design fault or a user problem?
We talked about that before. The RB80 was developed for deep cave penetration, DIR style. For that it works, obviously, rather well. That doesn't in any way mean the rig can do anything that coudn't be done with a CCR. The butt-level bellows works well when horizontal, which is where they spend most of their time. If it works for them, it works for them. Doesn't mean it works for you and me. As JJ said in a thread (bouyancy section)
Jarrod once bubbled...
GUE was never about training for all divers any more than Halcyon strives to be about equipment for everyone.
The RB80 is Halcyon gear.
madmole once bubbled...
Just consider yourself a Mac user when the rest of the world are using PC's
That's not nice, Mole. I AM a Mac user, and I rather dive CCRs than SCRs.
KentCe once bubbled...
As per DIR, diving the same equipment is goodness.
They were talking about the same equipment and configurations for similar kind of dives and among team members. Do you really think that every DIR-caver hauls twins, stages, scooters, reels, lights and if, they use one, an RB80 or two on every dive they do?
Add-ited: Also, DIR means not to take anything you don't need, which I'm sure has a highter priority than taking everything you need on your most challenging dive everytime you go for equipment-sameness sake.
Besides, when using any RB other than the 80 you're already doing it all wrong. Might as well enjoy the shallow dives with your CCR.
(End of Edit)
The RB80 seems to do what is was designed for rather well, judging by the dives done in FL and Europe. But it has limits and negative points just as any other piece of equipment. May that be price, availability, breathing comfort, size, lack of decompression advantage. If any or all are important, use something else. Whatever else it is, I'm sure it comes with plenty of disadvantages, too.