TecDiver1990
Contributor
Another vote for the rEvo. I like the freedom up front do to the back mounted counter-lungs, easiest scrubber packing on the market (using kitty litter), Cells have no moisture on them after a dive (less failure rate), Shearwater computers (name says it all), easy access to all components (no tools), easy to clean, easy to travel, NEW RMS System rocks! I don't care for the BC harness so I just replaced it with 2 inch webbing.
I personally think you need more than 30hrs before you start doing the type of dives that you want to do! When switching to rebreather you can't just do a class, get certified and get back to the Tec dives that you were doing on OC. Rushing is one of the biggest mistakes a rebreather diver makes. One of the next biggest problems that I see in the field is the rebreather diver not caring enough bailout.
Be Patient Grasshopper!
After talking with Jim Wyatt and a few other people, I've pretty much decided on the rEvo III standard with dual radial scrubbers, Titan Manual Addition Block, 5-cell: rEvodream (Primary), Shearwater Predator w/ Fischer Cable (Secondary), Cooper Hose Upgrade, Heavy 3L Tanks w/ valves, and HUD. I'll be mounting mine on my Hollis SMS 100 that I use for SM OC right now, so I can sling my bailout trim like SM tanks.
As to getting into the types of dives that I want to eventually do, that wont be until I've gotten CCR, CCR Cave, and CCR Trimix; and have ~50 total logged hours before I do CCR Cave, ~200 total logged hours before I do CCR Trimix, and ~500 total logged hours before I do any deep cave dives over 200fsw like Eagle's Nest, Alachua, Blue, Buford, Cathedral, Diepolder, or places like that.
I know it's going to take time. I'm along for the ride, in it for the long haul, and just glad that I'm going to be able to make the journey.