New Halcyon Rebreather?

[kammel78]

Cutting the Wires on Halcyon’s new Chestmount Rebreather

Halcyon Manufacturing is close to rolling out its innovative new chest mount closed circuit rebreather (CCR), which will be on display at the annual DEMA diving trade show this month. Tech and cave instructor John Kendall, who has been working with the new unit, and helped steer it to launch...

indepthmag.com

My dealer checked and no pricing yet. I'm assuming they'll release it this week at DEMA.

 

[jale]

I found this interesting:
"All major training agencies will offer Symbios training"

 

[kammel78]

I found this interesting:
"All major training agencies will offer Symbios training"

I don't know about "all" but why wouldn't they?

 

[-JD-]

From a (someday when time and money allow) wannabe rebreather diver ... there seems to be a lot to like in the design. Certainly from convenience (compactness, unit-integrated BOV) and flexibility (electronic, hybrid, manual) points of view. I fear the cost may be prohibitive, though.

I did find the tank-pod integrated trim-sensor concept to be a bit (searching for just the right words here) ... over the top, OCD, maniacal ... If the transmitter MCU chip has the sensor as part of the deal, well I guess, why not, but if it was an add-on, it just seems a bit much.

 

[ChrisMBC]

From a (someday when time and money allow) wannabe rebreather diver ... there seems to be a lot to like in the design. Certainly from convenience (compactness, unit-integrated BOV) and flexibility (electronic, hybrid, manual) points of view. I fear the cost may be prohibitive, though.

I did find the tank-pod integrated trim-sensor concept to be a bit (searching for just the right words here) ... over the top, OCD, maniacal ... If the transmitter MCU chip has the sensor as part of the deal, well I guess, why not, but if it was an add-on, it just seems a bit much.

Adding an IMU is likely an immaterial electronics cost (like, $5). Adding position monitoring data was an area of benefit identified in RB4 (p227):

"The forum identifies the use of accelerometers or inclinometers in rebreather heads as an opportunity for capturing body trim and movement data that could be used for training, performance, and forensic evaluation"

 

[jborg]

I note also that their fancy new Vector fins have an "onboard accessory pocket" that they're sort of vaguely implying will have a future use:

In addition to ballast control, four onboard compartments can be repurposed to store small items from spares, to rescue dye and more.

Future technology integrations will leverage the onboard accessory pockets and further extend an already remarkable suite of benefits.

Perhaps more wireless IMUs are coming, to analyse frog kick efficiency and help fine tune and optimize our back kicks?

 

[kammel78]

I note also that their fancy new Vector fins have an "onboard accessory pocket" that they're sort of vaguely implying will have a future use:


Perhaps more wireless IMUs are coming, to analyse frog kick efficiency and help fine tune and optimize our back kicks?

Mount points for mini props. Go zoom zoom.

 

[Heat Miser]

Any more news about the Halcyon Symbios rebreather?

When? How's the CE approval going? Etc.

I spoke to a local GUE IT and the were saying, no pricing yet, however some early discussion internally about cross over training for GUE JJ instructors to be able to teach Symbios. (all yet to be confirmed) ... this is different to other stories I have heard that GUE won't be teaching it because the setup can't be standardised.

I also spoke to someone who spoke to someone (I know) where they were saying pricing is not going to be cheap. I.E. pricing would be similar to a new JJ. I guess that is because of the wireless technology and solid state cells. But clearly a premium to say the Chop or the FX CCR,

 

[Wibble]

There’s a lot of novel technology on the Halcyon Symbios chestmount rebreather which will need time to build a reputation. It is very different from GUE’s core systems, unless they go for large backmount bailout.

The largest change is the unproven wireless computing systems; will they integrate with other technologies such as wireless pressure transmitters, how are the algorithms…? We all trust Shearwater as it is proven technology over many years and vast numbers of dives.

Would you jump into a highly dangerous environment such as caves with new and novel technologies?

Also the Symbios is a very travel oriented rebreather, a market that is not one GUE operates in. Ultimately their marketing and training will not be the traditional GUE team diving people.

Given it is Halcyon, I’d wager the price will be well over $15k, maybe $20k.

 

[jale]

... this is different to other stories I have heard that GUE won't be teaching it because the setup can't be standardised.

Why not?!
You just add it to your double set-up with an extra hose for the dil.
Easier and better than BM RB. You don't even need to go out of the loop to donate the long hose
I have been diving this kind of set-up for ages and I really don't see any problem with standardization.
But of course I am no more part of this GUE stuff so what do I know?