Hollis Explorer as the "ultimate travel RB"?

[tbone1004]

ok, also look at the Kraken double hose regulator if the goal is to get bubbles out of your face. Much cheaper than a CCR, and less hassle to deal with, but still gets the bubbles way back behind your head and diffuses them much better than normal second stage exhausts which makes them a bit less noisy.

 

[Jordan Hardin]

Would hate to see you rule out the Explorer based on bad information. There is a ton of bad info going around here on Scubaboard, with the majority of it coming from folks that have never seen or dived the rig. I have not had any problems with mine. there are only 3 O2 sensors, and one optional CO2 sensor which to me is a huge bonus for the Explorer. That's hardly a ton of sensors. It's a great rig, I'm glad I bought it. Just don't rule it out without doing a tryout dive with an instructor.

I was sold on the unit at first it was actually a dealer that was telling me how much of a hassel it can be! And they pushed me more towards the KISS GEM or going full CCR! So I decided to just do a lot more research and give it a year or so to really evaluate what I need to get out of it!

 

[JohnnyC]

I have seen and dived one. As a gas extender it works quite well, although it does so in quite possibly the most complex way possible. I had significant problems with getting it started and through the checklist (think multiple tries, even the instructor had issues), but once done it was fine. However it's still an SCR, so it still vents, and you are still limited by NDL. Bailout was nice and easy, I think that's probably the highlight of the unit, Hollis did a good job on that. My experience was enough that I decided to pass on buying one, and either work out to dive a large single, a stage bottle, or go full CCR.

Again, for a travel rebreather, you're still looking at the logistics of it all. If there's no sorb available, you've gotta bring it or ship it. Sure you can bring a couple of EAC cans, but either way, it's still a problem of supply. You've still gotta bring your tank or try and work it out beforehand to see if they've got an acceptable size. The number of dive centers that have a decent stock of them is rather small, so don't count on getting much support parts/maintenance wise in most of the travel diving world.

I think the Hollis rebreathers niche is the guy that likes diving a rebreather, does the same dive regularly so he can match the mix to his standard dives, either blends his own fills or has easy access to getting his tank filled with whatever he wants, and has ready access to sorb. Basically, a local diver who maximizes the potential of the unit. As a recreational rebreather, it works as designed, removes the gas limitation on NDL dives, and works great for someone willing to thumb a dive before he gets in the water when it gets pissy. None of those are really conducive to being a travel rebreather.

 

[KenGordon]

Given the choice between a Poseidon and the explorer I would go for the Poseidon. Although a bit dumbed down it is a ccr and comes with those advantages. The explorer is still very complicated but cannot do the same job wrt ppO2. If the explorer had taken off and there was support in every part of the world it might be different, but as it stands I think you are as likely to be able to get a 3 of 100% as 5 of 40%. If you could run it from an off board and sling an 80 then maybe.

Sometimes travel with an RB just restricts where you can go, or you dive OC. I am off to Komodo later in the year and will almost certainly leave mine at home.

 

[wedivebc]

The problem with the explorer as a travel rebreather, other than the limitations already mentioned is the size. It is just too wide at the scubber housing to fit in a legal carry-on bag.