Hey all,
I was recently at G Caymans and had a chance to try Evoltuion as a "rebreather experience". I dive OC but wanted to finally try/move to CCR. At any rate, things I did NOT like about the Evolution: mouthpiece is the cheapest POS I have ever seen
(cmon for that price tag you can get something a bit bigger ie Optima has a nice piece), swiveling closure of the circuit (I found that to be dangerous as opposed to having a handle), the BC is horrific with a thousand and one ways to tangle yourself - difficult to release. Now I have no rebreather experience but also Work of breathing is high (I hear Optima circuit is shorter for example and a little easier to breathe)... also when does the ADV kick in on the EVO? I had to use the diluent button all the time to fill up the CL .... What I did like is the new Vision Eletronics and the size... the unit is rel. small and well made.... ohh, almost forgot ... NO BOV VALVE
again for the price tag that should be Mandatory on it ....
Besides that the first 5 mins in the water were scary until you get a hand of filling counterlungs, controlling bouyancy, etc... there is certainly a learning curve... I dove with Divetech, which is the only CCR operation on the island.... as far as tech. diving they are great, though I do have to say I was dissappointed with most G. Cayman diving ops them included since they have that "here is the water go dive attitude..." (perhaps that is how it should be but I find that most other islands diving is much cheaper AND most dive boats really take care of you - ie sometimes its nice for someone to offer you the weights, change your tank, etc.... )