APD BOV - Is it on the way?

IN468

sure news, my inspi- instructor told me

Claudio

No BOV APD at BOOT 2007. This is the answer to my demand to the APD.

"Dear Claudio

Thank you for your e-mail.

We won't be presenting an APD BOV at the Boot show I am afraid. This is
still in development at the moment, but I don't have a launch date at
present.
I am sorry that I could not help you further.

Best Regards
Zoe Caines
Ambient Pressure Diving
Water-ma-Trout Industrial Estate
Helston
Cornwall
TR13 0LW """""

PhilSiswick

Given that there is no sign of the APD BOV - the latest rumour I have read here on Rebreather World was Q4 2007 - I'm left with choosing from one of the other BOVs.

Given Mark Chase's experiences with the V4Tec, I've narrowed the choice down to:

- KISS (with the Mares reg): 699 USD/353 GBP not including any adaptors
- Divematics: 750 USD/380 GBP assuming I use one of my Poseidons
- Golem: 960 USD/486 GBP

Although I value my life, given the comparisons I've seen between the Golem and Divematics, the 100 GBP price difference and the fact that I can use a reg I know I like is quite compelling. Is there anything else to take into account?

I know people who use the KISS, so could get Jetsam to send one as 'spare parts', which would help me to avoid UK import duties. Does that make the KISS DSV more attractive - I'd guess not, plus I think I'd need adaptors to fit it to my Inspiration. Anyway, I can get stuff shipped to the US office and brought back here by a helpful 'mule', so duty isn't really an issue.

Please help me make this difficult decision - my birthday is in April and I'd like my wife to buy me a DSV ;-)

Cheers,

__________________
Phil

No comment on open circuit... it's an evolutionary dead end not really worth discussing here. Dave Sutton, 2007

I have always felt that the dive I am on is not nearly important as the dives I plan to be on the rest of my life. Tom Rose, 2007

www.hugsac.org.uk

decoweenie

This is just my personal opinion of having used all 3 of these BOVs over the years...

KISS is the smallest of the 3, but you will need to buy adapters if you want to be able to use the APD hose connectors. The adapters were about US$150 the last time I bought them. Personally, I don't like the new Mares configuration on them - sticking out too far - but I understand about the improved performance and ease of spare parts from Mares...

Divematics is of good quality, but delivery time could be long depending how busy Tracy is at the moment...

Golem could be bought with the right connectors for the APD hose from the start. Quality is first-class, and the ball valve switch is effortless to turn. OC parts are Apeks so same ease of parts and great performance...

__________________
"...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..."

- Rebreather World PM

PhilSiswick

Phi,

Thanks - that puts the KISS out of the running at 850 USD. So, its down to the Divematics and the Golem. Sounds like you are pro the Golem, but I'm not sure whether it is worth the extra 200 USD, particularly as I really like my Jetstreams and am not a big fan of the Apeks range.

Cheers,

__________________
Phil

No comment on open circuit... it's an evolutionary dead end not really worth discussing here. Dave Sutton, 2007

I have always felt that the dive I am on is not nearly important as the dives I plan to be on the rest of my life. Tom Rose, 2007

www.hugsac.org.uk

rdmmdr

i love my divematics but if tracy says three weeks plan on six. actually i think it was five. i have not dived the golem so i have no reference point with it.
rick