Crazyduck

Right now I am in a similar boat as yourself for limited expenditures and wanting to get the most for your money. I am not going to comment on your instructor’s comments because they are important to you and you need to keep them separate from a rogue element such as myself. These are my comments and should be kept by themselves.

Cost of an SCR and Goodies
Currently, I am seeing Dolphins selling for $3500 new. That is the basic model and nothing like sensors add on- just the rebreather. I have seen used Dolphins selling for $1500.00 to $2500.00 used depending on condition and add on such as the Oxy gauge or Uwatec computer addition. By the way the computer addition is something like $700.00 for the unit and the computer is sold separately- ouch. So saying you buy a unit used watch out and make sure you are buying a used Dolphin and not an old Atlantis unit. Then you will probably will want some kind of Backplate/ or BC upgrade. Guess what mo… money.

Converting to an CCR

Then if you want to convert it to a CCR you are going to need a Kiss Valve- $250.00 estimated cost. Plus three sensors $90.00 each, a Drager p-connector and then something to mount all the sensors in. On top of that you have to cut a hole in your counterlung- shudder (I have a hard time with this.) PLus, you need something to read the three sensors. I bet you could drop $750.00 in the blink of an eye.




Computers

Then we get into computers, if you want an integrated computer estimated cost $1500.00. Also keeping in mind the Uwatec unit will not work on a CCR unit. So that leave you with something like a VR2/VR3 or an HS Scientific; if you want to go experimental then call Kevin and get a modified Hammerhead handset and still I be the cost is about $1500.00. Wow, the money we spend.

Used CCR Units-

So were does that get you? Really

For me possibly a used Classic Kiss rebreather or something in the 3k to 5k ballpark. Kiss Classic units new are something like $5500.00 and I have been seeing them sell for about three quarters of there cost new. That’s if you see it for sale longer than 24hours. Poof- they are flying off the shelf right now. This price does not even start to cover special options; those can really rack up. Also you have to watch out for shipping costs if it is outside of the US. Especially if it is shipping from the other side of the world.

Exchange Rate

While on that topic the exchange rate right now is about two to one for the British Sterling Pound against the US Dollar that is not good for British products. At $6500.00 Pounds Sterling you are looking at approximately $12,500.00 Dollars YIKES.

Problems with SCR-

There are some specific issues with the SCR units. If you are just sitting there your system is still adding gas at a specific rate (constant flow) and soon your system will start to burp- not good. If swimming in a heavy current guess what you will use more O2 than what is available in the loop. Not good. Plus, you still need the O2 sensors I can’t imagine diving the unit without them. Also please keep in mind the flow units are specific to certain depths, gasses, and MOD times and that can be very limiting to your ability to camp out at the deeper depths. This can be resolved by using different EAN gasses in the flow jets but you better be sure of your math and what you are doing; I am not trying to be negative but this is not covered in SCR-101 if you know what I am saying.


Good luck with your decision and as someone told me- start saving your pennies. Hey, let us know what you decided; its always interesting.

Best Regards, Andrew