Discuss: gas analyzer before second Shearwater?

[Jim Lapenta]

I bought one of these two years ago when I got my advanced gas blender cert. In the class we compared it with several other much more expensive units. It was within 1% of those. You don't see as many of them on ebay now but I would buy another in a heart beat. Even if I needed to send it to Nuvair for a new He sensor. NEW NUVAIR He Air Helium Analyzer 9608 In Hard Case | eBay

 

[ChuckP]

I personally put the need for a He analyzer way down my list but a great o2 analyzer long before a second computer.

Test at the shop to know He/o2 content, test o2 in the field - the He content just isn’t that critical at these amounts - if I was doing 300’ dives, maybe a different story.

Top off at a shop that doesn’t have an analyzer? You can do the math to get very close - check the o2. If you topped off at a shop with no analyzer, you certainly weren’t worried about He content correct??

I do whip top offs all the time, there’s no way I’d do it without an o2 analyzer. I took blending one and two cause needed the card but the math isn’t that terrible, whip top offs for an entry level tech diver can come in handy.

 

[broncobowsher]

I have gas hanging about in my garage for a long time. For example I always have a 12 (100ft3) of O2 in case I need to top up a rebreather cylinder. My various bailouts don’t get used very often. My twinset might have had 32 in it, been used for training at some shallow site and then topped off, or not, maybe I can’t remember... maybe a student had a 15 of 32, then helpfully had it refilled with air. Who knows.

So I like to test gas before using it.

But you have lost scope of the question. We have a person who is JUST STARTING in the tech world. Not someone who has more gear than some dive shops. We are dealing with someone taking AN/DP and will be on there first set of doubles. Not someone who looses track of how many sets of couples they have. For you, yes I would expect you to have your own analyzer. But for someone who is getting there first set of doubles? And back to the other thing I keep harping on, what analyzer? A basic O2 meter doesn't compare in cost to a trimix analyzer. The question was an analyzer or a Shearwater. Being that a trimix analyzer and a Shearwater are comparable in price that is where I am setting the question at.

SO without getting into what everyone owns, go back and answer the question for the entry level tech diver who is just starting this. Basic entry level here. Not filling there own tanks at home, not pulling out a whip and transfilling on a boat (yet). Good chance the class will be just air and a rich Nitrox stage. And hopefully there will be several dives in this configuration just getting settled in. We all know the eventual answer will be both, and a lot more gear. But properly scale this to what someone taking the class can use right now.

Ask the instructor is still the best answer. Local conditions vary, maybe an analyzer really is needed as there isn't one around that can be trusted or is reasonably accessible. Maybe the instructor like to see a pair of matching computers as a better redundancy.

Remember back a few years to my AM/DP class, and thinking of my local options, I would have picked a second Shearwater. But that was my situation.

 

[broncobowsher]

I personally put the need for a He analyzer way down my list but a great o2 analyzer long before a second computer.

You type faster than I do, but that is a very good condensed version of what I am thinking.

 

[Marie13]

But you have lost scope of the question. We have a person who is JUST STARTING in the tech world. Not someone who has more gear than some dive shops. We are dealing with someone taking AN/DP and will be on there first set of doubles. Not someone who looses track of how many sets of couples they have. For you, yes I would expect you to have your own analyzer. But for someone who is getting there first set of doubles? And back to the other thing I keep harping on, what analyzer? A basic O2 meter doesn't compare in cost to a trimix analyzer. The question was an analyzer or a Shearwater. Being that a trimix analyzer and a Shearwater are comparable in price that is where I am setting the question at.

SO without getting into what everyone owns, go back and answer the question for the entry level tech diver who is just starting this. Basic entry level here. Not filling there own tanks at home, not pulling out a whip and transfilling on a boat (yet). Good chance the class will be just air and a rich Nitrox stage. And hopefully there will be several dives in this configuration just getting settled in. We all know the eventual answer will be both, and a lot more gear. But properly scale this to what someone taking the class can use right now.

Ask the instructor is still the best answer. Local conditions vary, maybe an analyzer really is needed as there isn't one around that can be trusted or is reasonably accessible. Maybe the instructor like to see a pair of matching computers as a better redundancy.

Remember back a few years to my AM/DP class, and thinking of my local options, I would have picked a second Shearwater. But that was my situation.

Did you catch that I’m actually doing AN/DP/Helitrox? Likely 21/20 for class, going off someone who took same class with same instructor earlier this year. I could be doing some topping off myself off the singles filled with air I’ve got at home. Or getting top offs with air at a much closer shop than DRIS that only does air, not even nitrox. Transfill whip is on my list anyway since I got my VIP cert a few months ago.

I’ve got two sets of doubles and have a decent number of dives on them.

Given my situation, instructor said Trimix analyzer would be a good idea. Talked to him yesterday.

I get narced bad at 130ft and with the conditions I dive in, Helitrox was recommended by a number of people.

 

[CuzzA]

Did you catch that I’m actually doing AN/DP/Helitrox? Likely 21/20 for class, going off someone who took same class with same instructor earlier this year. I could be doing some topping off myself off the singles filled with air I’ve got at home. Or getting top offs with air at a much closer shop than DRIS that only does air, not even nitrox. Transfill whip is on my list anyway since I got my VIP cert a few months ago.

I’ve got two sets of doubles and have a decent number of dives on them.

Given my situation, instructor said Trimix analyzer would be a good idea. Talked to him yesterday.

I get narced bad at 130ft and with the conditions I dive in, Helitrox was recommended by a number of people.

That is new information. If you are whipping tanks, you are now doing your own fills and should get an analyzer. Since you are doing trimix it makes sense to buy a trimix analyzer. Buy once, cry once. Buying an o2 analyzer now for a couple hundred bucks doesn't make sense when you'll need a mix analyzer. Dive Gear Express is selling the DiveSoft one for $800 in their Bargain Annex section. Divesoft HE/O2 Analyzer Max Blender Kit | Dive Gear Express®

Personally I like the Analytical Industries one because it calculates your MOD in real time and is displayed on screen, plus it's super easy to calibrate. Also $800. TruMix 4001 Trimix Analyzer Unit | Dive Gear Express®

 

[jgttrey]

I personally put the need for a He analyzer way down my list but a great o2 analyzer long before a second computer.

Test at the shop to know He/o2 content, test o2 in the field - the He content just isn’t that critical at these amounts - if I was doing 300’ dives, maybe a different story.

Top off at a shop that doesn’t have an analyzer? You can do the math to get very close - check the o2. If you topped off at a shop with no analyzer, you certainly weren’t worried about He content correct??

I do whip top offs all the time, there’s no way I’d do it without an o2 analyzer. I took blending one and two cause needed the card but the math isn’t that terrible, whip top offs for an entry level tech diver can come in handy.

Spot on. O2 analyzer is non negotiable. TMX analyzer can come later. FO2 is a safety issue in a way that FHe is not. Plus, as pointed out, the math is easy if you're topping off. People mixed TMX long before there were easily acquired helium analyzers.

I got by with a Palm O2 for years, using the shop's TMX analyzer if I was diving mix, or using a buddy's unit. Now I have a Divesoft too, but still use the Palm on recreational trips because it's small and handy.

If I had to choose between PDC and TMX analyzer, I'd get a cheap O2 analyzer and second PDC now, and save the TMX analyzer for later.

 

[Marie13]

That is new information. If you are whipping tanks, you are now doing your own fills and should get an analyzer. Since you are doing trimix it makes sense to buy a trimix analyzer. Buy once, cry once. Buying an o2 analyzer now for a couple hundred bucks doesn't make sense when you'll need a mix analyzer. Dive Gear Express is selling the DiveSoft one for $800 in their Bargain Annex section. Divesoft HE/O2 Analyzer Max Blender Kit | Dive Gear Express®

Personally I like the Analytical Industries one because it calculates your MOD in real time and is displayed on screen, plus it's super easy to calibrate. Also $800. TruMix 4001 Trimix Analyzer Unit | Dive Gear Express®

I’ve been eyeing the new DiveSoft Solo Trimix analyzer that’s about $650. But I don’t need to buy before June/July.

 

[jgttrey]

I have the previous version and love it. The Solo looks even better.

 

[rddvet]

I’ve been eyeing the new DiveSoft Solo Trimix analyzer that’s about $650. But I don’t need to buy before June/July.

You're lucky DRIS is your shop. One of the easiest online shops I've ever had to deal with and where I got my analyzer.
I'm a big fan of the blender package one. It comes in a box, but the biggest pro is the DIN flow limiter. It's exceptionally high quality. I'm still trying to figure out what's different about the solo other than the plastic vs aluminum body.
BTW, Divesoft is 10 mins from my house and are exceptionally nice with exceptional service. Very similar to DRIS in that regard. Just their customer service alone should put them at anyone's top choice for analyzer