Which Rebreather?

ScubaAl · 2nd May 2007, 22:26

Hello CCR divers,

About a month ago I did a pool session/intro to rebreathers with Ron Benson. Got to try a KISS classic and Inspiration. With the price of a rebreather being what they are, I'm thinking along the lines of something used.
So how did people go about making the decision as to which rebreather to buy? I can see the advatanges to the simplicity of the KISS then the next minute I'm thinking ECCR is the way to go. Any check list around that a person could us in helping make the choice? I will be using it mostly diving Lake Superior with depths to 300ft. (will the KISS do this). Along with some warm water trips in winter.
Any help would be much appreciated, I'm guessing this has been asked more then once.
Al

**UWSojourner** · 2nd May 2007, 22:46

Welcome to Rebreather World. The library has reviews of many (most?) RBs on the market. You could get a good list of questions by reading up on each unit.

Then, the Rebreather-specific forums have a lot of users diving those specific units. That's a great place to post your detailed questions. (Also, the search feature will reveal a lot of info already posted).

Don't know what your budget is like. The Megalodon, Ouroborus, and Inspiration are units that will take you to 300fsw. You could start there. If you're looking at mCCR take a look at a newcomer - the rEvo. There's a lot of stuff on others also.

Good luck!

Mark Chase · 2nd May 2007, 23:08

Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaAl)

Hello CCR divers,

About a month ago I did a pool session/intro to rebreathers with Ron Benson. Got to try a KISS classic and Inspiration. With the price of a rebreather being what they are, I'm thinking along the lines of something used.
So how did people go about making the decision as to which rebreather to buy? I can see the advatanges to the simplicity of the KISS then the next minute I'm thinking ECCR is the way to go. Any check list around that a person could us in helping make the choice? I will be using it mostly diving Lake Superior with depths to 300ft. (will the KISS do this). Along with some warm water trips in winter.
Any help would be much appreciated, I'm guessing this has been asked more then once.
Al

ECCR's have more to fail / break. This can be very frustrating and cost dives

Back box type units are generaly more dificult to travel with because of dedicated tanks and their shear size and weight.

KISS MCCR is a very good way to learn about CCR. The simplicity of the unit and the low cost of spares for everything make it very reliable and easy to run. The KISS has a down side in slightly higher work of breathing and limited capabuility for deeling with flooding. It also has no deco software built in.

ECCR's when they work, are easier to dive. That ease can breed complacancy but it can also cover your arse when your distracted doing something else.

MCCRs can do 300ft but its near the max for the KISS without modifications.

ATB

Mark Chase

**Monkey** · 3rd May 2007, 01:01

Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaAl)

Hello CCR divers,

About a month ago I did a pool session/intro to rebreathers with Ron Benson. Got to try a KISS classic and Inspiration. With the price of a rebreather being what they are, I'm thinking along the lines of something used.
So how did people go about making the decision as to which rebreather to buy? I can see the advatanges to the simplicity of the KISS then the next minute I'm thinking ECCR is the way to go. Any check list around that a person could us in helping make the choice? I will be using it mostly diving Lake Superior with depths to 300ft. (will the KISS do this). Along with some warm water trips in winter.
Any help would be much appreciated, I'm guessing this has been asked more then once.
Al

Silent Diving Systems LLC...is the US distributor of the Inspiration and the Evolution......

They have factory reconditioned units for sale... and they are around 50% the cost of a new unit....

However... I sugest you look at a COPIS MEG..... you can get new for arround 6K... and it gives you one hell of a base platform to upgrade to full ECCR....

tobinalt · 3rd May 2007, 02:27

If your goal is to dive to 300' the eccr are much easier to work with at these depths and I like how they breath relative to a scr.

The Meg, Inpsiration/Evolution and Oroborus are all well within their depth range at 300'. I currently own both a Meg and an Inspiration and have lots of dives in this depth range with both of them.

There are more instructors available for the Inspiration and it is also probably a little easier to find a used or refurbished one due to the numbers in circulation. Where most Meg owners have already purchased another rebreather and are less likely to part with it. Personally I love them both, but both have been retrofitted with the HammerHead electronics.

quickean · 3rd May 2007, 02:45

I faced the same decision and went the route of the mCCR COPIS Meg (doing my training in a week and a half), which you can later updrade to the eCCR version (Apecs head) later down the road without having to buy a completely new rebreather. Pretty economical for being able to learn how to operate both mCCR and eCCRs.

Deepdiver · 3rd May 2007, 08:05

Al,

You will need to look at what sort of diving that you are doing now and where do you want to take it in the future.

If cost is a big issue then stay with CC diving.

But if you have the money for a Rebreather then check them all out, which it seams you have done!!

Then all you need to ask yourself, is "Do I want a Rebreather to do it all for me, or do I like to be in control of it?" (You should be in control of it no matter what)

There are many Rebreather's out there that will fit your needs.

I have gone with a Classic Inspo with HH electronics.

But it's all down to you....

**PhilSiswick** · 3rd May 2007, 08:55

Hi,

Good luck in your choice, but enjoy the process too. Once you've chosen, you're sort of stuck with what you've got (although some brave/rich folks seem happy to change often)!

Quite apart from the pros and cons of a particular unit or control method (eCCR/mCCR), you should also think about support. That's particularly true for eCCR, where you have that pesky head to think about, cosset and curse. Sending parts back for repair or service, or getting parts to you, can be a real hassle and also result in lost dives. If you have to send things over national boundaries, you can end up with unexpected costs from customs, as well as delays.

On that front, you've got a good choice, based on where you are. For me, it came down to a choice between the Meg and the Vision. At least 50% of the reason I have a Vision is because they are built, and therefore supported, here in the UK. Another decider was that there are a lot of Vision divers in the UK, so there are plenty of people to dive with and learn from.

Have fun!

Eoin · 3rd May 2007, 13:15

I decided to go with the Classic Inspiration (second hand) and did the MOD1 about a week ago with Gary Fox in Cornwall. Great Instructor! We even got a tour of the factory.

I'm not going to make any mods until I have a good few hours up though.

**almity1** · 3rd May 2007, 20:47

I was much in the same position as you 6 months ago.

Here is the story.

http://www.rebreatherworld.com/intro...r-journey.html

Now I have ordered the Meg (eCCR) with training in mid-June.

Good Luck with it and remember to have fun.

Enjoy

2nd May 2007, 22:26	#1 (permalink)
ScubaAl New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bloomington, Minnesota Posts: 37	Which Rebreather? Hello CCR divers, About a month ago I did a pool session/intro to rebreathers with Ron Benson. Got to try a KISS classic and Inspiration. With the price of a rebreather being what they are, I'm thinking along the lines of something used. So how did people go about making the decision as to which rebreather to buy? I can see the advatanges to the simplicity of the KISS then the next minute I'm thinking ECCR is the way to go. Any check list around that a person could us in helping make the choice? I will be using it mostly diving Lake Superior with depths to 300ft. (will the KISS do this). Along with some warm water trips in winter. Any help would be much appreciated, I'm guessing this has been asked more then once. Al
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2nd May 2007, 22:46	#2 (permalink)
UWSojourner Pacific Northwest Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 556	Re: Which Rebreather? Welcome to Rebreather World. The library has reviews of many (most?) RBs on the market. You could get a good list of questions by reading up on each unit. Then, the Rebreather-specific forums have a lot of users diving those specific units. That's a great place to post your detailed questions. (Also, the search feature will reveal a lot of info already posted). Don't know what your budget is like. The Megalodon, Ouroborus, and Inspiration are units that will take you to 300fsw. You could start there. If you're looking at mCCR take a look at a newcomer - the rEvo. There's a lot of stuff on others also. Good luck!
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2nd May 2007, 23:08	#3 (permalink)
Mark Chase I go down for ages Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 2,470	Re: Which Rebreather? Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaAl) Hello CCR divers, About a month ago I did a pool session/intro to rebreathers with Ron Benson. Got to try a KISS classic and Inspiration. With the price of a rebreather being what they are, I'm thinking along the lines of something used. So how did people go about making the decision as to which rebreather to buy? I can see the advatanges to the simplicity of the KISS then the next minute I'm thinking ECCR is the way to go. Any check list around that a person could us in helping make the choice? I will be using it mostly diving Lake Superior with depths to 300ft. (will the KISS do this). Along with some warm water trips in winter. Any help would be much appreciated, I'm guessing this has been asked more then once. Al ECCR's have more to fail / break. This can be very frustrating and cost dives Back box type units are generaly more dificult to travel with because of dedicated tanks and their shear size and weight. KISS MCCR is a very good way to learn about CCR. The simplicity of the unit and the low cost of spares for everything make it very reliable and easy to run. The KISS has a down side in slightly higher work of breathing and limited capabuility for deeling with flooding. It also has no deco software built in. ECCR's when they work, are easier to dive. That ease can breed complacancy but it can also cover your arse when your distracted doing something else. MCCRs can do 300ft but its near the max for the KISS without modifications. ATB Mark Chase __________________ Is it supposed to make that noise ? I took my unit to the dive shop and demanded they bolt on every thing that would fit. Join my elite diving teem and get a Tshirt "Doing It Chasey"Hammerhead Eccr Advanced Diving System
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3rd May 2007, 01:01	#4 (permalink)
Monkey Supporting Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lauderdale By The Sea Florida Posts: 343	Re: Which Rebreather? Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaAl) Hello CCR divers, About a month ago I did a pool session/intro to rebreathers with Ron Benson. Got to try a KISS classic and Inspiration. With the price of a rebreather being what they are, I'm thinking along the lines of something used. So how did people go about making the decision as to which rebreather to buy? I can see the advatanges to the simplicity of the KISS then the next minute I'm thinking ECCR is the way to go. Any check list around that a person could us in helping make the choice? I will be using it mostly diving Lake Superior with depths to 300ft. (will the KISS do this). Along with some warm water trips in winter. Any help would be much appreciated, I'm guessing this has been asked more then once. Al Silent Diving Systems LLC...is the US distributor of the Inspiration and the Evolution...... They have factory reconditioned units for sale... and they are around 50% the cost of a new unit.... However... I sugest you look at a COPIS MEG..... you can get new for arround 6K... and it gives you one hell of a base platform to upgrade to full ECCR....
(Offline)

3rd May 2007, 02:27	#5 (permalink)
tobinalt New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Posts: 10	Re: Which Rebreather? If your goal is to dive to 300' the eccr are much easier to work with at these depths and I like how they breath relative to a scr. The Meg, Inpsiration/Evolution and Oroborus are all well within their depth range at 300'. I currently own both a Meg and an Inspiration and have lots of dives in this depth range with both of them. There are more instructors available for the Inspiration and it is also probably a little easier to find a used or refurbished one due to the numbers in circulation. Where most Meg owners have already purchased another rebreather and are less likely to part with it. Personally I love them both, but both have been retrofitted with the HammerHead electronics.
(Offline)

3rd May 2007, 02:45	#6 (permalink)
quickean Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 124	Re: Which Rebreather? I faced the same decision and went the route of the mCCR COPIS Meg (doing my training in a week and a half), which you can later updrade to the eCCR version (Apecs head) later down the road without having to buy a completely new rebreather. Pretty economical for being able to learn how to operate both mCCR and eCCRs. Last edited by quickean : 3rd May 2007 at 03:05.
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3rd May 2007, 08:05	#7 (permalink)
Deepdiver New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Adelaide SA Posts: 97	Re: Which Rebreather? Al, You will need to look at what sort of diving that you are doing now and where do you want to take it in the future. If cost is a big issue then stay with CC diving. But if you have the money for a Rebreather then check them all out, which it seams you have done!! Then all you need to ask yourself, is "Do I want a Rebreather to do it all for me, or do I like to be in control of it?" (You should be in control of it no matter what) There are many Rebreather's out there that will fit your needs. I have gone with a Classic Inspo with HH electronics. But it's all down to you.... __________________ WWW.SEAWAYSCUBA.COM.AU WHAT WE DO IN LIFE ECHO’S IN ETERNITY Learn to dive today, learn to teach tomorrow - then live your life forever!
(Online)

3rd May 2007, 08:55	#8 (permalink)
PhilSiswick WSKD 0001 Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 884	Re: Which Rebreather? Hi, Good luck in your choice, but enjoy the process too. Once you've chosen, you're sort of stuck with what you've got (although some brave/rich folks seem happy to change often)! Quite apart from the pros and cons of a particular unit or control method (eCCR/mCCR), you should also think about support. That's particularly true for eCCR, where you have that pesky head to think about, cosset and curse. Sending parts back for repair or service, or getting parts to you, can be a real hassle and also result in lost dives. If you have to send things over national boundaries, you can end up with unexpected costs from customs, as well as delays. On that front, you've got a good choice, based on where you are. For me, it came down to a choice between the Meg and the Vision. At least 50% of the reason I have a Vision is because they are built, and therefore supported, here in the UK. Another decider was that there are a lot of Vision divers in the UK, so there are plenty of people to dive with and learn from. Have fun! __________________ 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
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3rd May 2007, 13:15	#9 (permalink)
Eoin New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ireland Posts: 53	Re: Which Rebreather? I decided to go with the Classic Inspiration (second hand) and did the MOD1 about a week ago with Gary Fox in Cornwall. Great Instructor! We even got a tour of the factory. I'm not going to make any mods until I have a good few hours up though. __________________ Ta, Eoin ~~~~~~~~~ www.scuba.ie
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3rd May 2007, 20:47	#10 (permalink)
almity1 No Viz is BAD Viz Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Prism Topaz Sport Kiss Optima Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 176	Re: Which Rebreather? I was much in the same position as you 6 months ago. Here is the story. http://www.rebreatherworld.com/intro...r-journey.html Now I have ordered the Meg (eCCR) with training in mid-June. Good Luck with it and remember to have fun. Enjoy __________________ Cheers almity1 - http://www.almity1.com
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