Question Iq sub fx-ccr. New chest mount unit

[stretchthepenn]

The title of this thread is “Iq sub fx-ccr. New chest mount unit”

Like I said, I'm just playing Captain Obvious. Carry on.

 

[Wibble]

The chestmount optima is relevant although is US centric with no CE certification and the Dive-Rite regs. Also no needle valve/orifice for relaxed manual operation.

I’ve also not found the max manufacturer’s scrubber duration anywhere. (5h with the ExtendAir cartridges)

Not keen on the loop connection going straight on to the counterlungs as this would put strain on the soft inner lungs.

Not a lover of the Molex cell connectors and not sure if the head is removable. (It definitely is)

(Added The external counterlungs may impede unhooking the unit for pushing through restrictionsn. The other units (Triton, FX-CCR) have the lungs fully enclosed in the pouch and should be easier to manipulate.



The iqSub FX-CCR is a different design with:

• radial scrubber rated at 4 hours — same as the X-CCR;
• reinforced loop to lung connectors;
• tool-less assembly including head and cell removal;
• oxygen needle valve/orifice for vastly reduced solenoid operation;
• neater MAV placement (I want those close to my upper chest and accessible by either hand with minimal arm movements)
• CE approved for selling and training in Europe

What I’ve not found for the FX-CCR yet:

• The user manual;
• Overall size and weight for like-for-like comparison with the ChOptima and Triton
• Anyone who’s dived it (have now found an instructor)
• Whether it’s CE approved yet
• Any info on the iqSub website
• Whether it’s available to buy or when it will be available

 

[stretchthepenn]

Since you commented on a few things I know, I'll chime in. Not trying to rah-rah fanboy the Choptima...just sharing info.

I’ve also not found the max manufacturer’s scrubber duration anywhere.

The ExtendAir cartridges, which are all I bother using, have a 5-hour nominal duration. Don't recall what the sorb characteristics are supposed to be.

Not keen on the loop connection going straight on to the counterlungs as this would put strain on the soft inner lungs.

Dunno as I've ever heard anyone report a problem with this issue. I'm not saying it's not a concern, but I can't relate. The loop does swivel on two o-rings, though...does that address the issue you're raising?

Not a lover of the Molex cell connectors and not sure if the head is removable.

The head is definitely removable; the bottom canister is a three-piece unit consisting of water trap, scrubber, and head. It's a hand-twist assembly that all comes apart during every setup/breakdown sequence. And the most recent models use a thumbscrew rather than a Philips-head screw to hold the cell bracket in place, so the entire head is pretty easy to disassemble without tools.

 

[Wibble]

Thank you @stretchthepenn. Very informative.

Have updated my post with that info.

(Added The external counterlungs may impede unhooking the unit for pushing through restrictionsn. The other units (Triton, FX-CCR) have the lungs fully enclosed in the pouch and should be easier to manipulate.

How do you find unhooking the ChOptima and pushing it forwards, e.g. in restrictions? (Appreciate this is an esoteric requirement!)

 

[stretchthepenn]

How do you find unhooking the ChOptima and pushing it forwards, e.g. in restrictions? (Appreciate this is an esoteric requirement!)

I haven't really tried pushing the unit forward because I'm not cave-certified and don't have access to the kinds of wrecks where slithering is required. But we did a bit of manipulation in open water during the Choptima cert class, and IIRC, we did that maneuver with little to no difficulty. The keys were to lube the o-rings well on assembly and to have the lower attachment straps set properly.

 

[stretchthepenn]

The external counterlungs may impede unhooking the unit for pushing through restrictionsn. The other units (Triton, FX-CCR) have the lungs fully enclosed in the pouch and should be easier to manipulate.

I'm not sure what you mean by external counterlungs. The Choptima counterlungs are enclosed in an external pouch.

 

[Wibble]

I'm not sure what you mean by external counterlungs. The Choptima counterlungs are enclosed in an external pouch.
View attachment 867044

They stick up a bit, like an open shirt.

The Triton (and I believe the FX-CCR) have the lungs encased in the bag that the scrubber sits in.


Your (excellent) input here goes to show the decision for which chestmount to shortlist is not a simple one! Thankfully it's not urgent and we all love looking at new stuff

 

[stretchthepenn]

They stick up a bit, like an open shirt.

The Triton (and I believe the FX-CCR) have the lungs encased in the bag that the scrubber sits in.

Ah...I see. The unbuttoned-shirt analogy is apt.

The split does provide easy access to one's drysuit inflator -- kinda like how a St. Christopher medal would rest on a thatch of chest hair -- and provide a nice place to stash a necklaced regulator.

 

[Wibble]

Ah...I see. The unbuttoned-shirt analogy is apt.

The split does provide easy access to one's drysuit inflator -- kinda like how a St. Christopher medal would rest on a thatch of chest hair -- and provide a nice place to stash a necklaced regulator.

Great point! Never thought of drysuit access...

I'd guess that this design is closer to the (human) lungs, thus better for WOB.


Whilst you're here... Is the ChOptima travel weight really as low as they claim: 6kg/14 lbs ?

 

[stretchthepenn]

Whilst you're here... Is the ChOptima travel weight really as low as they claim: 6kg/14 lbs ?

Since you asked, I pulled out my postal scale and weighed everything. Including a few extras (boltsnaps, bungees, batteries, and the like) and excluding the 2L oxygen bottle and the accessories kit, the disassembled unit weighs 14 lbs. 8 oz.