Review Diving the Avelo System

[clownfishsydney]

It is a phenomenal price for such a small benefit, especially using complex over-engineered technology.

Compared with 'standard' dive kit...

Pro:

• relatively constant buoyancy

Cons:

• slow battery operated pump
• small variation in buoyancy
• proprietary carbon fibre cylinder and valves
• complex technology
• 300 bar gas required -- 50% greater than most recreational dive shops provide (for ali80s)
• slow fills to limit heat on carbon wrapped cylinder and bladder
• buoyancy training required to ensure correct weighting for user
• reliance on correct weighting on every dive: overweighting is a serious danger
• additional operator training
• limited pressure testing facilities to handle carbon fibre cylinders and proprietary equipment
• no additional surface buoyancy
• capital cost
• support availability
• flying rules (removal of cylinder valve)
• travel weight -- bring own cylinder and battery
• one dive only unless you bring two cylinders

Have I missed anything?

Yes, the possible failure points. A normal scuba outfit has few, perhaps only two compared to Avelo. This would be the BCD getting a hole and the inflator/deflator failing. In any case, the second one is more likely to be the inflator and you can still inflate by mouth.

The failure points as I see them for Avelo are; battery, pump, switch, bladder. So four real failure points compared to one relatively easy to overcome failure point.

Having seen people using this system in Sydney, I cannot see any advantage, since the size of the cylinder is 20% smaller than most people use so limits their bottom time proportionally. Certainly the price does not make it seem of any benefit at all.

 

[Still Kicking]

Have I missed anything?

Relatively fragile carbon fiber tank.
Chip the resin during a rocky entry/exit exposing the fibers and it's pretty much done.

 

[Wibble]

Relatively fragile carbon fiber tank.
Chip the resin during a rocky entry/exit exposing the fibers and it's pretty much done.

Oops, missed that.

Also carbon fibre tanks have a short working life which is why they're rarely seen. Need specialist testing shops too.

 

[jadairiii]

Odd logic with this product. Diver spends $4K for the jet pack, travels to the few locations he/she can use it (because they have the tanks), realizes they enjoy diving and want to venture into deeper/longer/and/or cave dives, and their total investment of $4k is obsolete.

Not to mention, they have to now relearn buoyancy and trim.

Worse, the market that would really be prime for it, super yachts, are excluded, seemingly, for lack of the ability to buy the tanks. Not to mention, I doubt the yacht capt could justify to the owner why they just spent 4 times, or more, the price for scuba gear.

The reasons the Dacor Nautilus failed, complexity and lack of expandability......but at least the diver still had a tank they could use.

I wonder what the tank costs?

 

[We are Osea]

And you get more bottom time, less weight, more moist air and many fewer bubbles with the rebreather.

Even so, isn't it pretty much a commercial flop?

Rebreathers are not so accessible to the general holiday diver.

 

[We are Osea]

Early adopters of new technology play a big role in driving innovation and setting trends. In the 1980s, early adopters of personal computers (PCs) were typically tech enthusiasts, hobbyists, and businesses looking for a competitive edge. These users were drawn to the novelty and potential of PCs despite their high costs, limited capabilities, and the technical knowledge required to operate them. Early PCs were seen as tools for productivity, programming, and basic gaming, with a niche market largely due to their complexity and price.

Today, the landscape has dramatically changed. Modern early adopters are a diverse group, ranging from tech enthusiasts to average consumers eager to experience the latest innovations. Unlike the 1980s, current technology is far more accessible and user-friendly, with advancements in user interfaces, affordability, and powerful capabilities. The internet, social media, and a globalized market allow new technologies to reach a wider audience quickly. Early adopters often influence mainstream adoption through reviews, social media, and online communities, accelerating the integration of new tech into everyday life.

The Avelo dive system, released just yesterday in the US at a very high price is a good example. This cutting-edge technology offers divers a revolutionary underwater experience with advanced features that promise to enhance safety, comfort, and performance. Despite its high cost, the Avelo dive system has quickly gained attention from diving enthusiasts and professionals who are eager to explore its potential. Like the early PC adopters of the 1980s, these modern pioneers are willing to invest in groundbreaking technology, driving its development and paving the way for wider acceptance and eventual price reductions as the technology matures.

 

[Wibble]

Early adopters of new technology play a big role in driving innovation and setting trends. In the 1980s, early adopters of personal computers (PCs) were typically tech enthusiasts, hobbyists, and businesses looking for a competitive edge. These users were drawn to the novelty and potential of PCs despite their high costs, limited capabilities, and the technical knowledge required to operate them. Early PCs were seen as tools for productivity, programming, and basic gaming, with a niche market largely due to their complexity and price.

Today, the landscape has dramatically changed. Modern early adopters are a diverse group, ranging from tech enthusiasts to average consumers eager to experience the latest innovations. Unlike the 1980s, current technology is far more accessible and user-friendly, with advancements in user interfaces, affordability, and powerful capabilities. The internet, social media, and a globalized market allow new technologies to reach a wider audience quickly. Moreover, contemporary early adopters often influence mainstream adoption through reviews, social media, and online communities, accelerating the integration of new tech into everyday life.

The Avelo dive system, released just yesterday in the US at a very high price is a good example. This cutting-edge technology offers divers a revolutionary underwater experience with advanced features that promise to enhance safety, comfort, and performance. Despite its high cost, the Avelo dive system has quickly garnered attention from diving enthusiasts and professionals who are eager to explore its potential. Like the early PC adopters of the 1980s, these modern pioneers are willing to invest in groundbreaking technology, driving its development and paving the way for wider acceptance and eventual price reductions as the technology matures.

Technology evolves; personal computers didn't exist prior to the early 80's.

The recreational diving technology already exists. It is mature, safe and quite cheap.

Avelo is an incremental improvement to one aspect of diving, buoyancy changes with depth. All divers work with variable buoyancy and learn this within a few dives. The Avelo improvement comes with huge technical costs -- financial, equipment and limitations. It also needs a "speciality" course and support personnel trained to dive the Avelo system.

Avelo is entering into the "stable" recreational diving market with a proposition which most people didn't realise is a thing. Recreational divers over the past 40+ years just got on with adjusting buoyancy to changing depth using their compressed air powered BCD.

It is into this market that Avelo needs to convince everyone that spending thousands on a course, kit and rentals expenditure is a worthy price for the benefits and the limitations the system will bring.

What would you say to someone asking this:
"I have a BCD and rent commonly available ali80 cylinders in all holiday destinations. What benefits does Avelo offer that is worth the large amount of money the switch to using the Avelo system would cost?"

 

[Joneill]

Early adopters of new technology play a big role in driving innovation and setting trends. In the 1980s, early adopters of personal computers (PCs) were typically tech enthusiasts, hobbyists, and businesses looking for a competitive edge. These users were drawn to the novelty and potential of PCs despite their high costs, limited capabilities, and the technical knowledge required to operate them. Early PCs were seen as tools for productivity, programming, and basic gaming, with a niche market largely due to their complexity and price.

Today, the landscape has dramatically changed. Modern early adopters are a diverse group, ranging from tech enthusiasts to average consumers eager to experience the latest innovations. Unlike the 1980s, current technology is far more accessible and user-friendly, with advancements in user interfaces, affordability, and powerful capabilities. The internet, social media, and a globalized market allow new technologies to reach a wider audience quickly. Early adopters often influence mainstream adoption through reviews, social media, and online communities, accelerating the integration of new tech into everyday life.

The Avelo dive system, released just yesterday in the US at a very high price is a good example. This cutting-edge technology offers divers a revolutionary underwater experience with advanced features that promise to enhance safety, comfort, and performance. Despite its high cost, the Avelo dive system has quickly gained attention from diving enthusiasts and professionals who are eager to explore its potential. Like the early PC adopters of the 1980s, these modern pioneers are willing to invest in groundbreaking technology, driving its development and paving the way for wider acceptance and eventual price reductions as the technology matures.

Written as if you work for Avelo… lol.

To me this seems like a very expensive solution looking for a problem that most divers won’t really have with proper training and practice.

I also do not consider this as “revolutionary” or having impact anywhere remotely comparable to the original PC. This is a niche product and, while cool tech, I don’t see this gaining wide adoption.

 

[lexvil]

So for this system to “work” (setting aside the operational parts) one must have dialed in their weighting to “perfection” at which point in a conventional world they only need to account for their onboard gas swing boyancy wise, if only someone could invent some sort of “air bag” thing that could do that, maybe even use the gas that they have with them, that would be amazing!

 

[We are Osea]

I work in the resort industry, and we have a marine park here on the island. One of the biggest problems I see every day is people diving without proper training or understanding of buoyancy control. Often, in their attempts to take pictures, they end up damaging the ocean floor or coral that has taken years to grow. From what I've learned so far about the new Avelo dive system, it addresses and eliminates these issues. This technology is not just about enhancing the diving experience for individuals; it's also about preserving and protecting the ocean. Too many divers think they can dive properly, but without the right skills and tools, they can cause significant harm to marine ecosystems.