Nitrox analyzers ?

[divematt]

I've looked around a bit on this board and in a couple of dive shops. May I have some opinions of inexpensive Nitrox analyzers. Which one do I buy, what do they cost, where to buy, and what's another replacement sensor going to run?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[AtomicWalrus]

I've looked around a bit on this board and in a couple of dive shops. May I have some opinions of inexpensive Nitrox analyzers. Which one do I buy, what do they cost, where to buy, and what's another replacement sensor going to run?

Thanks,
Matt

I bought an OMS analyzer earlier this year, and it cost me about $300 Canadian through my LDS. I chose the OMS because it's got a fast response time and has a nice flowmeter included that produces more accurate calibrations and analysis. Replacement sensors are about $70-100 Canadian, and need to be replaced every 12-18 months, depending on the type of usage (analyzing hot deco mixes burns out the sensor a lot faster than recreational nitrox fills.)

 

[JimC]

$12 digital multi meter
$2 variable reistor
$1 cables
$70 sensor

Find the resistor that is for the 200 milivolt scale and replace it with the variable resitor of the right scale. Hook it all up, and set the variable resistor untill air mesures 20.9. Analize and get wet.

You can buy a kit for a tinny bit more from Oxycheck that is basicaly exactly that.

The variable resistor can be replaced with a calculator:
(mV on gas / mV on air) * 20.9 = ppO2


If you buy or make a sensor saver you can make them last upwards of 3 years. You can also get this from Oxycheck.

 

[Padipro]

Lots of pictures of the one I built are located here and the plans and parts list can be found all over the internet. It's simple and cheap to build your own and is every bit as reliable as any name brand.

DIY Group

 

[fdog]

We use the Analox O2EII. Very durable, and very easy to use, especially while on board a boat.

I think this is about $280 at LP.

All the best, James

 

[Mark Vlahos]

I've looked around a bit on this board and in a couple of dive shops. May I have some opinions of inexpensive Nitrox analyzers. Which one do I buy, what do they cost, where to buy, and what's another replacement sensor going to run?

Thanks,
Matt

I built mine from a kit available at RC DiveTechnology. They also make a couple of different analyzers if you don't want to make one yourself. Or you can take the plans from their site and purchase the components yourself and save a few bucks.

There is a great set of plans over at the DecoStop, these look like the best set of plans I have seen anywhere, if I was building another one I would use these plans. Heck, I might modify the one I made to conform to the 10 turn pot mentioned in DMDaltons plans.

As far as the sensor is concerned the RC DiveTechnology site has sensors for most if not all brands of analyzers. They have information about the expected lifespan of the sensor, as well as indications of the relative response time of the sensors they sell.

Mark Vlahos