First rebreather backmount or chest mount

[dnh]

Going to be getting my first CCR and debating between a CM or BM unit. Have narrowed it down to a JJ or a Choptima. Not going to be traveling much with it, so that advantage of a Choptima isn't such a big deal. My buddy has decided that he's going to get a JJ. Based in SFL. Most of my dives are wreck diving with advanced penetration. Usually in warm water but some months of dry suit diving. Do deco dives up to 150' now but will definitely be going the MOD2 route after 50-100 hours on the unit to dive some deeper wrecks. Not sure if MOD3 is in the future yet, that's quite a ways off. Was thinking that because I'm going to be doing MOD2 will have to sling a bottle regardless of if I use my back mount doubles as dilout with either 50 or 100% so with a Chop I would have backmount doubles, Chop plus that AL80 vs the JJ would have 2 bailouts.
How big of a deal is the chest clutter with the Choptima and loss of the chest D rings? Access to dry suit inflator? Any other pros or cons of one unit over another? Or anything else that I'm not thinking of?
Thanks for the help

 

[JMBL]

Can"t tell about the Choptima, but I've been diving a Triton (so chesmount) for some years (getting trimix diluent course next week).

So my experience, once your chestmount and harness are correctly fitted (meaning the D-rings at the right height, too low or too high, your rig will be a pain to breath on/from) :

- access to the dry suit inflator is not a problem (just check your computer on whichever wrist you use is just a bit backward on your arm),
- no problem to hook stuff on my shoulder D-rings, even easier on the ones on the belt,

To be precise, I dive my Triton with back mounted tanks. Hope it helps.

 

[Dsix36]

For what dive you will be doing, I would say the JJ rather than a Choptima. I sold my Choptima and went back to my rEvo for multiple reason (most of which you already stated). If I were going for another chestmount it would be a smaller unit that is manual like the GBM.

 

[Wibble]

JJ. Especially as your friend will be diving one. They’re well renowned and are common around the world. The JJ is CE approved with spares commonly available.

You need to dedicate a lot of time for skill building on a CCR. Don’t do MOD2 until you’re well practiced with buoyancy and ascents.