CCR - Which one would you buy?

[DiveNav]

......... In addition to a visit to RBW a great investment you should think about is Mel Clark's book "Rebreathers Simplified". She goes through nuts and bolts of rebreather diving then about 100 pages of pictures of guts for most rebreathers. No name calling on any of them just how they work (if you get to know her she'll let you know which ones she doesn't like). ......

I agree on Mel 's book and I would like to add also "Understanding Rebreathers" from Jeff Bozanic.

We have been using both books during the development of our simulator for rebreathers.

Regards,

Alberto

 

[snowflake4727]

If I had the cash I would go for a shearwatered kiss.

 

[BlueFrog]

I'd like to add that you should really contact instructors for the units you like and try them out with an "experience" dive. Most of the CCR instructors I know have access to different units and recommend that try before you buy.

 

[Gill Envy]

I enjoyed the couple of hundred hours we put on our Evo's and if it weren't for electronics issues that cropped up we'd still own them. the temp stick was my favorite.

If you really want/need all the fancy bells and whistles, I'd highly recommend adding a 3 cell adapter to the vision. the degree of integration between controllers leaves some vulnerabilities (if one controller craps out, the other will take over for the rest of the dive, but once top side, you may end up locked out of both) ... with such a complex system, you are unlikely to be able to service it in the field if there is a melt down (factory service is all to often half a world away with a 5 week turn around), and being left high and dry for an entire trip is pretty unforgettable... it happened to us twice! What I would have given for that 3 cell adapter then!

Also, if you get tired of flying an eCCR manually, just remember it's much easier on an mCCR because of the MFO.

g

I too would recommend Mel Clark's book "Rebreathers Simplified", if your going to potentially spend $10,000 on a unit then spending $100 researching the models is peanuts in comparison. Though several ccrs are not in the book it covers the major units fairly well.

Another good idea is visit a dive show. I visited "Dive Into the Past" a couple months ago and was able to test out a Kiss, Meg, and Evo and also for trial was something called the Frog but it didn't interest me. On display or for examination were several others including an Inspo and Evo, Revo, Sentinal, and Ouroborus rebreathers. At bigger shows I'm sure you would see others like the hammerhead and dive rite units among others.

I have spent a great deal of time researching online and in person about the various units and settled on a Evo+/Inspo (basically the same, only different size tanks) but ... I am never happy with anything off the shelf so I plan to modify nearly every function and component to meet my needs.

So why the Ambient Pressure products? This can be a complex thing to answer but I have several reasons:

-most of my local "dive buddies" who dive CCR already own a evo.
-availability and customer service
-availability and selection of aftermarket accessories
-customizable
-vision electronics including "temp stick"
-recognized globally and parts availability
-works with shearwater and has adaptability to 4th cell or independent 3 cell monitoring.
-etc

I cant say I would be happy with any of the stock units right out of the box so it was a toss up between the AP units and the Revo units. Right now the AP ones have been out longer and offer the higher degree of customization ability.

I can run the Inspo mCCR I can or I can make it eCCR, if I want backmount counterlungs I can get them, if I want to make a dual rebreather out of the system I can, if I want to remove that stupid harness and use an ordinary plate and hog harness I can. If I don't like the yellow box I can switch it for a wide variety of aluminum or stainless or even titanium travel friendly frames. If I want to monitor all 3 cells with a 3rd part computer I can. If I wanted to make it into a sidemount rebreather I probably could.

I'm not saying other units cant do those things, they probably can. It all comes down to personal choice and for me its the AP rebreathers.

 

[battles2a5]

I cant say I would be happy with any of the stock units right out of the box so it was a toss up between the AP units and the Revo units.

That's an interesting set of units to have a toss-up over. To me, the rEvo and Inspo/Evo are absolute polar opposites. mCCR vs eCCR, BMCL vs OTSCL, modular vs. non-modular (stock anyways), and most importantly is the aspect of control. The biggest factor that turned me away from the AP units is that the buzzers, bells, warnings, the behavior of the handsets, etc, etc. While you definitely have input, the machine controls the dive. Whereas the rEvo (and Kiss, Copis, Pelagian) move all the control systems in between your ears. It would cost me thousands of dollars to dumb the thing down to the point where I would want to use it (and it costs more to begin with). But that's just me.

That being said, my buddy and I were going down the same path (mCCR) and he ended up choosing an inspo and I chose a rEvo. We're doing MOD1 in the same timeframe so we will both be taking notes, comparing pain points, and I am planning to do a write-up to showcase the differences from a new CCR diver's perspective.

 

[Rick Inman]

I bought my first CCR a month ago. I bought an Inspiration Classic with HammerHead electronics.

I settled on this unit for 3 reasons.

1. It was in my budget. You might hear people say, if you have to worry about cost you shouldn't dive a rebreather. I think that is hogwash. No doubt it is expensive, but cost is relative, and some units cost more than others, and there is no reason one should not stay within their budget. You do have to be sure you will be able to afford to dive and maintain the thing after you get it. With the help of some CCR friends, I got a good deal on mine.

2. Training. My tech instructor who I have known for years, trust and have taken many classes with, is certified to train on the Inspo. Because he is also a great friend, he will travel across 2 states to come to me for the class.

3. Service. In my area there is NO ONE to service my unit, so it will be DIY for me. I know people who can help me with the Inspo, and the parts are readily available. Because there are so many of these units around, there is a wealth of servicing data around on the internet.

I was also happy to get the HammerHead electronics, because that is what my instructor and both my local buddies have. When we start doing the deeper stuff it will be nice to have the same deco profiles.

From what I have read, the best unit to get is in the eyes of the beholder, and one diver's criteria will very from another's, so there is really no "best" unit.

The "best" rebreather to get is the one you enjoy diving safely, I guess.