Most compact/travel-friendly CCR - Sidewinder, Optima CH or ??

[vkalia]

Folks, what is the most compact or travel-friendly CCR in the market?

I am looking to get one primarily for photography and since this involves travel to a lot of destinations which arent necessarily set up with full tec shops, I need something that is light and travel friendly. Was looking at the Sidewinder or the Optima - the Optima CH seems interesting as it is (a) light and (b) will integrate well with a regular harness. Anything else i should look at?

TIA!

PS: FWIW - am trimix certified from the late 90s, and have tried out a couple of CCRs in the past (WAY in the past) and was supposed to get certified on the Lungfish last year, so am aware of the general caveats, etc.

 

[Mobulai]

well with a regular harness

A sidemount harness? Or any harness?

Even tho you technically can use the sidewinder on a BM harnesses— it wouldn’t be a sidewinder anymore just a spirit

In a general purpose kinda way, a chest mount might be the better fit as they are more compact; CHoptima, xccr/subgravity
The sidewinder is much more targeted for the sidemount streamlining and cave setting; but it does pack relatively light still


Maybe a bit more on your dive conditions/setting is what would inform such a decision

 

[vkalia]

Noted, thank you. I would prefer a regular harness. Simply b/c i can combine days where i am doing some photography with other days when i have divers who have joined me for a group trip without needing to carry 2 sets of kit. So it seems the Choptima is indeed the way to go - i will check out the xCCR/Subgravity as well.

Anything i need to think about in terms of the difference between various units - ergonomics, peculiarities, etc?

 

[Mobulai]

Anything i need to think about in terms of the difference between various units - ergonomics, peculiarities, etc?

I really can’t say; I have only trained and dove a sidewinder
I had planned to do a crossover to a chest mount unit (was considering the xccr or the Triton) but haven’t gotten to it yet

Of course among the biggest differences among these units is mCCR vs eCCR; Tritons are mechanical; xCCR is electronic like the choptima
But all chestmouts have positive lung loading as their Counterlungs are below you in the diving position vs back mounted CLs (like the sidewinder) are -ve: the impact is an offset in the work of breathing either towards inhalation or exhalation; but only marginally (20cm water pressure)
(Push harder to exhale on CM, assisted inhale — the opposite on BMCL)

 

[Jonah Kowall]

I am in the same boat as you are as far as my CCR needs, however I will not travel with mine, thankfully I can get a lot of time on mine in Florida.

Lots of folks are liking the divetalk go. I have seen some on our boats in Florida. As a choptima diver I prefer some of the safety and design features it has which the go does not have. The go is lighter and simpler for sure. For travel the choptima seems doable, but the go would be smaller and lighter.

Sidewinder is heavier for sure.

 

[Mobulai]

I am in the same boat as you are as far as my CCR needs, however I will not travel with mine, thankfully I can get a lot of time on mine in Florida.

Lots of folks are liking the divetalk go. I have seen some on our boats in Florida. As a choptima diver I prefer some of the safety and design features it has which the go does not have. The go is lighter and simpler for sure. For travel the choptima seems doable, but the go would be smaller and lighter.

Sidewinder is heavier for sure.

If I was US based I’d have considered the choptima in a heartbeat (as a CM) — their capability to use the dry sorb cans (ExtndAir?) is a huge plus
My bias towards the other 2 is they are EU originated (and getting these cans in here is tough and costly) — and very importantly lack of instructors around EU/Egypt where 99% of my diving happens

 

[grantmac]

Important question for a photographer is whether a CM unit will get in the way of the kind of shots you're doing.

 

[vkalia]

Important question for a photographer is whether a CM unit will get in the way of the kind of shots you're doing.

It shouldn’t - i use a 45 degree VF, so i dont need to get super low and contort my neck to shoot upwards. Besides, this is mainly for shooting pelagics (hammerheads and i have unfinished business!).

Although now that you bring it up, it depends on how thick the unit is - if it is a 8-9” or less, it shouldn’t be an issue. And i dont believe it extends out that far. Or am i mistaken?

 

[grantmac]

I don't believe any are thicker than 8" or so.

The other thing to consider is whether you need to orient head up or down for your shooting and how each unit responds to that.

I am not a CCR diver but my reasons for investigating one are the same as yours and I've made no decisions but have similar requirements.

 

[Jonah Kowall]

If I was US based I’d have considered the choptima in a heartbeat (as a CM) — their capability to use the dry sorb cans (ExtndAir?) is a huge plus
My bias towards the other 2 is they are EU originated (and getting these cans in here is tough and costly) — and very importantly lack of instructors around EU/Egypt where 99% of my diving happens

Yes I am using exclusively the carts. Easy supply and good benefits for not much added cost.

Makes sense on your reservations.

Did you consider the new halcyon unit? Due to the number of instructors they are onboarding and affiliations thought GUE to deep dive Dubai you might have better access there. A couple friends have tried it who are far more serious than me and said it was a good unit but still prefer the chop due to electronics and cost.

Service would be a challenge.