Review Diving the Avelo System

[scubadada]

Hi @EdMcNeill09

Have you dived Avelo with the regulator in front of the valve, normal orientation? I have been tempted to try it and now know how to rotate the pump hose. I had noticed in the RAD materials that the hydraulic hose was connected via a positionable elbow.

 

[EdMcNeill09]

Hi @EdMcNeill09

Have you dived Avelo with the regulator in front of the valve, normal orientation? I have been tempted to try it and now know how to rotate the pump hose. I had noticed in the RAD materials that the hydraulic hose was connected via a positionable elbow.

I have never tried it myself. But it's easier to make the change than I expected. I just replaced the bladder in a tank and when I got to the dock realized the cage was oriented wrong so I had to spin it all almost 90 degrees to correct it. It only took me a couple of minutes. I loosened the cage strap, stood on the bottom of the cage and rotated the tank to the position I wanted. A little awkward but manageable.

 

[EdMcNeill09]

I attended the Avelo Zoom meeting yesterday and learned some interesting things about the new Shearwater JetPack. It is a jacket style and will be 1-2 lbs positively buoyant. It has a built in transmitter powered by the large battery on the JetPack allowing it to have a very strong signal without worrying about replacing the battery. The transmitter will connect to the first stage with quick disconnect and hose. This is great as it means no exposed transmitters to get knocked about.

The new jetpack will have a stronger and quieter pump as well as a stronger battery.

No pictures of the new JetPack were shared. Styling is apparently not finalized and testing is happening in the ocean near Vancouver. On track for release at DEMA.

 

[scubadada]

Interesting, seems like they have made a decision regarding the target population, jacket vs BP & harness as it is now.

I think the PPS MH8A/Shearwater Swift transmitter wiil have the same range limitations as ever. I would be glad to be corrected.

 

[EdMcNeill09]

Interesting, seems like they have made a decision regarding the target population, jacket vs BP & harness as it is now.

I think the PPS MH8A/Shearwater Swift transmitter wiil have the same range limitations as ever. I would be glad to be corrected.

I've been mulling on the BPW vs Jacket since I heard this and realize that in standard scuba the BPW is definitely preferable as it shifts the lift point from the shoulders/torso to the hips promoting a natural trim position. BPW also doesn't have the annoying feeling of gas moving around your body as you dive. Avelo doesn't have an air filled wing so these advantages are moot. I'm reserving judgement on the jacket until after I get to dive it. I'm hearing it will be introduced at DEMA and likely released between Christmas and Valentines Day, but who knows. I think DEMA is set. When we get to purchase them is still up in the air.

I'm hoping the transmitter will have a more powerful signal since it is being powered by a very big battery.

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

What exactly does it being jacket style change? I assume you'd still have some form of rigid backing, to keep the hydrotank and pump system secure, so did they just add more cushioning to the whole thing and give it pockets or what? Feels like maybe more of an optical shift than a functional one. The jacket style maybe looks more user friendly? Or maybe it's more comfortable/you want those pockets. Remains to be seen, I guess.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @EdMcNeill09 and @SouthernSharktoothDiver

We'll all see when the Shearwater Jetpack is introduced at DEMA.

I hope it is still pony compatible for those who wish to dive solo. The current backplate and harness work perfectly.

To be honest, I would prefer some kind of weight integration over the weight slots in the boot. For me, I think having the weights more in front would be more stable and less tippy. I do not want to use a weight belt. I forgot to move the weights from one Hydrotank to the next once, probably just out of old habit with traditional gear. It was not much of a problem, I just had to pump more to make up for the forgotten ballast weight. I won't make that mistake again. The new style may have different buoyancy characteristics than the current one and may require some adjustments.

I'm not sure what to think of the integrated transmitter. Its location may affect the transmission path to the computer compared to the current 1st stage installation, with or without a short hose. I don't know enough about the transmitters (PPS MH8A or Swift) to say whether the power and transmission distance is fixed or if it is flexible, again, we'll see.

In the meantime, my wife and I will be back in Bonaire for two weeks end of September-beginning of October. I'll have the opportunity to dive Avelo gear for the fourth time.

 

[EdMcNeill09]

What exactly does it being jacket style change? I assume you'd still have some form of rigid backing, to keep the hydrotank and pump system secure, so did they just add more cushioning to the whole thing and give it pockets or what? Feels like maybe more of an optical shift than a functional one. The jacket style maybe looks more user friendly? Or maybe it's more comfortable/you want those pockets. Remains to be seen, I guess.

Weight pockets possibly? I hear a rumor that there might be an orally inflatable air pocket for emergency buoyancy. That would be a nice add.

 

[EdMcNeill09]

To be honest, I would prefer some kind of weight integration over the weight slots in the boot. For me, I think having the weights more in front would be more stable and less tippy.

Weight pockets would be great. I have found that divers who only need 1-2lbs often prefer the weight on the cage to help with trim.

If you are feeling tipsy it might be that you need to adjust your weight or have large lungs and need to adjust your breathing.

I forgot to move the weights from one Hydrotank to the next once, probably just out of old habit with traditional gear. It was not much of a problem, I just had to pump more to make up for the forgotten ballast weight. I won't make that mistake again.

Been there! Done that!

The new style may have different buoyancy characteristics than the current one and may require some adjustments.

Almost certainly.

I'm not sure what to think of the integrated transmitter. Its location may affect the transmission path to the computer compared to the current 1st stage installation, with or without a short hose. I don't know enough about the transmitters (PPS MH8A or Swift) to say whether the power and transmission distance is fixed or if it is flexible, again, we'll see.

In the meantime, my wife and I will be back in Bonaire for two weeks end of September-beginning of October. I'll have the opportunity to dive Avelo gear for the fourth time.

Dive Friends are now diving the new tanks! Let me know what you think of them and how it changed your weight needs.

 

[lowwall]

What exactly does it being jacket style change? I assume you'd still have some form of rigid backing, to keep the hydrotank and pump system secure, so did they just add more cushioning to the whole thing and give it pockets or what? Feels like maybe more of an optical shift than a functional one. The jacket style maybe looks more user friendly? Or maybe it's more comfortable/you want those pockets. Remains to be seen, I guess.

I wonder if they are including a small bladder in the jacket. 5L/11 pounds would be more than enough for positive surface bouyancy in medium rough water. They could train that it be for surface use only in normal operation.

An inflatable bladder would also allow them to fit the system within the WRSTC requirements for OW certification.