Help in choosing a rebreather

spacemanspiff1974 · 24th April 2008, 16:40

Hello everyone. I haven't posted here in a while - since my half baked idea of making my own rebreather made me realize that I am not a mechanical or electrical engineer...

Anyway, I am looking for the right rebreather for me. Right now I am certified "tech lite" with IANTD - diving normoxic trimix to around 170 feet with less than 30 minutes of deco. My eventual goals are deeper wrecks (around the 100 meter mark) with 3 or 4 hour run times - which in my opinion would necessitate the use of a rebreather or quadruple steel 120's...and surgury to fix my back afterward.

I've personally examined the Optima, Ouroboros, Inspiration, Megalodon and Sentinel. I've also spoken with Kevin Juergensen and Kevin Gurr about the Hammerhead rebreather and the Sentinel rebreather respectively. Basically I am leaning between these two units.

From what I can tell, the plusses on the Sentinel include the back mounted counterlung, the scrubber duration sensor, the "safety features" regarding startup of the unit and the fact that the owner of my LDS is in the process of training to be a Sentinel instructor (he also teaches the Optima, Evolution and Inspiration).

The Hammerhead on the other hand has a aluminum case, which I find attractive as I can just imagine a set of unsecured doubles crashing into my rebreather. Additionally, I am familure with the hammerheadd electronics as I have had buddies with the Optima. I am told that back mounted counterlungs are in the works. I also like the fact that this could be a very long duration rebreather due to scrubber size, whereas the sentinel seems a bit more limitited due to design. The drawbacks that I see are the lack of scrubber duration sensor and the fact that nobody in my area is an instructor for the Hammerhead.

For those familure with both units, does anyone have suggestions?

paulraymaekers · 24th April 2008, 16:47

Quote: (Originally Posted by spacemanspiff1974)

For those familure with both units, does anyone have suggestions?

yep! do a testdive before you decide anything :-)

regards
paul

Mark Chase · 24th April 2008, 17:31

Seeing as you in America id go for the Hammer head. If you were in the UK id go for the Sentinel.

Both are brand new units and you will be beta testing them. Neither unit can claim a trouble free past and neither unit is ideal on several levels.

If i had to chose Id go for the Hammer Head because of the convenient lack of an annoying outer shell, the BOV, the option to run a forth cell, the radial scrubber design, the accommodation for a KISS manual addition system.

These points make it stand out against the Sentinel.

I used to think front mounted lungs were a major issue but now i realize its the loop that destroys your field of vision not the lungs. Front lungs offer much better flood recovery and easy access to diluent and 02 addition.

I dived a Classic inspo a Inspo with HH electronics and now a KISS I have had a play on a few others but not the Sentinel or the full HH ccr and so i only base my opinion on research and not practical testing. That said the HH electronics are not far from what i dived for a couple hundred hours.

ATB

Mark

Nailer99 · 24th April 2008, 18:07

Quote: (Originally Posted by spacemanspiff1974)

The Hammerhead on the other hand has a aluminum case, which I find attractive as I can just imagine a set of unsecured doubles crashing into my rebreather.

I seriously doubt that any rebreather could walk away from a direct hit from a set of doubles- we all want tough, durable CCRs, but without a steel body, there will be some damage, methinks. (Especially to the owner of the unsecured doubles!)

spacemanspiff1974 · 24th April 2008, 20:33

thanks for the comments so far. I do want to try both units, but it may be harder to try the Hammerhead since I live in Texas and there aren't any here.

Mixaddict · 24th April 2008, 21:45

Quote: (Originally Posted by spacemanspiff1974)

thanks for the comments so far. I do want to try both units, but it may be harder to try the Hammerhead since I live in Texas and there aren't any here.

You're welcome to come to Utah to try one out!

aknelson · 25th April 2008, 02:13

yep! do a testdive before you decide anything :-

I can only second the suggestion just Test dive the units and pay attention to the breathing resistance at dept. WOB and Safety was the major point for myself followed by the units customer service quality.

Andreas

***jradomski*** · 25th April 2008, 06:50

Quote: (Originally Posted by spacemanspiff1974)

Hello everyone. I haven't posted here in a while - since my half baked idea of making my own rebreather made me realize that I am not a mechanical or electrical engineer...

Anyway, I am looking for the right rebreather for me. Right now I am certified "tech lite" with IANTD - diving normoxic trimix to around 170 feet with less than 30 minutes of deco. My eventual goals are deeper wrecks (around the 100 meter mark) with 3 or 4 hour run times - which in my opinion would necessitate the use of a rebreather or quadruple steel 120's...and surgury to fix my back afterward.

I've personally examined the Optima, Ouroboros, Inspiration, Megalodon and Sentinel. I've also spoken with Kevin Juergensen and Kevin Gurr about the Hammerhead rebreather and the Sentinel rebreather respectively. Basically I am leaning between these two units.

From what I can tell, the plusses on the Sentinel include the back mounted counterlung, the scrubber duration sensor, the "safety features" regarding startup of the unit and the fact that the owner of my LDS is in the process of training to be a Sentinel instructor (he also teaches the Optima, Evolution and Inspiration).

The Hammerhead on the other hand has a aluminum case, which I find attractive as I can just imagine a set of unsecured doubles crashing into my rebreather. Additionally, I am familure with the hammerheadd electronics as I have had buddies with the Optima. I am told that back mounted counterlungs are in the works. I also like the fact that this could be a very long duration rebreather due to scrubber size, whereas the sentinel seems a bit more limitited due to design. The drawbacks that I see are the lack of scrubber duration sensor and the fact that nobody in my area is an instructor for the Hammerhead.

For those familure with both units, does anyone have suggestions?

Both rigs are over 10K so I would definately suggest a try dive.. even if you have to spend a few hundred dollars on travel to either Utah, or Even NY (being in houston there are tons of cheap flights into newark).. I think its money well spent..

And for training Randy could easily acomodate you...

andrespp · 25th April 2008, 08:03

For the Sentinel, as well as for other EU units, I suspect the current rate of exchange of the euro may increase significantly the final price of the unit.

24th April 2008, 16:40	#1 (permalink)
spacemanspiff1974 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 13	Help in choosing a rebreather Hello everyone. I haven't posted here in a while - since my half baked idea of making my own rebreather made me realize that I am not a mechanical or electrical engineer... Anyway, I am looking for the right rebreather for me. Right now I am certified "tech lite" with IANTD - diving normoxic trimix to around 170 feet with less than 30 minutes of deco. My eventual goals are deeper wrecks (around the 100 meter mark) with 3 or 4 hour run times - which in my opinion would necessitate the use of a rebreather or quadruple steel 120's...and surgury to fix my back afterward. I've personally examined the Optima, Ouroboros, Inspiration, Megalodon and Sentinel. I've also spoken with Kevin Juergensen and Kevin Gurr about the Hammerhead rebreather and the Sentinel rebreather respectively. Basically I am leaning between these two units. From what I can tell, the plusses on the Sentinel include the back mounted counterlung, the scrubber duration sensor, the "safety features" regarding startup of the unit and the fact that the owner of my LDS is in the process of training to be a Sentinel instructor (he also teaches the Optima, Evolution and Inspiration). The Hammerhead on the other hand has a aluminum case, which I find attractive as I can just imagine a set of unsecured doubles crashing into my rebreather. Additionally, I am familure with the hammerheadd electronics as I have had buddies with the Optima. I am told that back mounted counterlungs are in the works. I also like the fact that this could be a very long duration rebreather due to scrubber size, whereas the sentinel seems a bit more limitited due to design. The drawbacks that I see are the lack of scrubber duration sensor and the fact that nobody in my area is an instructor for the Hammerhead. For those familure with both units, does anyone have suggestions?
(Offline)

24th April 2008, 16:47	#2 (permalink)
paulraymaekers rEvo's daddy Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Home Build Join Date: May 2005 Location: belgium Posts: 1,365	Re: Help in choosing a rebreather Quote: (Originally Posted by spacemanspiff1974) For those familure with both units, does anyone have suggestions? yep! do a testdive before you decide anything :-) regards paul __________________ www.rEvo-rebreathers.com .... the earth is flat, Elvis is alive, and radial scrubbers give longer dwell time than axials...
(Online)

24th April 2008, 17:31	#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: 2,461	Re: Help in choosing a rebreather Seeing as you in America id go for the Hammer head. If you were in the UK id go for the Sentinel. Both are brand new units and you will be beta testing them. Neither unit can claim a trouble free past and neither unit is ideal on several levels. If i had to chose Id go for the Hammer Head because of the convenient lack of an annoying outer shell, the BOV, the option to run a forth cell, the radial scrubber design, the accommodation for a KISS manual addition system. These points make it stand out against the Sentinel. I used to think front mounted lungs were a major issue but now i realize its the loop that destroys your field of vision not the lungs. Front lungs offer much better flood recovery and easy access to diluent and 02 addition. I dived a Classic inspo a Inspo with HH electronics and now a KISS I have had a play on a few others but not the Sentinel or the full HH ccr and so i only base my opinion on research and not practical testing. That said the HH electronics are not far from what i dived for a couple hundred hours. ATB Mark __________________ 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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24th April 2008, 18:07	#4 (permalink)
Nailer99 Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 170	Re: Help in choosing a rebreather Quote: (Originally Posted by spacemanspiff1974) The Hammerhead on the other hand has a aluminum case, which I find attractive as I can just imagine a set of unsecured doubles crashing into my rebreather. I seriously doubt that any rebreather could walk away from a direct hit from a set of doubles- we all want tough, durable CCRs, but without a steel body, there will be some damage, methinks. (Especially to the owner of the unsecured doubles!)
(Offline)

24th April 2008, 20:33	#5 (permalink)
spacemanspiff1974 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 13	Re: Help in choosing a rebreather thanks for the comments so far. I do want to try both units, but it may be harder to try the Hammerhead since I live in Texas and there aren't any here.
(Offline)

24th April 2008, 21:45	#6 (permalink)
Mixaddict Always Learning! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Other CCR Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Dolphin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Draper, Utah USA Posts: 423	Re: Help in choosing a rebreather Quote: (Originally Posted by spacemanspiff1974) thanks for the comments so far. I do want to try both units, but it may be harder to try the Hammerhead since I live in Texas and there aren't any here. You're welcome to come to Utah to try one out! __________________ Randy Thornton (MixAddict) Inspiration, Evolution,Hammerhead & Sentinel CCR Instructor
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25th April 2008, 02:13	#7 (permalink)
aknelson New Member Current Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Dolphin Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 71	Re: Help in choosing a rebreather yep! do a testdive before you decide anything :- I can only second the suggestion just Test dive the units and pay attention to the breathing resistance at dept. WOB and Safety was the major point for myself followed by the units customer service quality. Andreas
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25th April 2008, 06:50	#8 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 2,817	Re: Help in choosing a rebreather Quote: (Originally Posted by spacemanspiff1974) Hello everyone. I haven't posted here in a while - since my half baked idea of making my own rebreather made me realize that I am not a mechanical or electrical engineer... Anyway, I am looking for the right rebreather for me. Right now I am certified "tech lite" with IANTD - diving normoxic trimix to around 170 feet with less than 30 minutes of deco. My eventual goals are deeper wrecks (around the 100 meter mark) with 3 or 4 hour run times - which in my opinion would necessitate the use of a rebreather or quadruple steel 120's...and surgury to fix my back afterward. I've personally examined the Optima, Ouroboros, Inspiration, Megalodon and Sentinel. I've also spoken with Kevin Juergensen and Kevin Gurr about the Hammerhead rebreather and the Sentinel rebreather respectively. Basically I am leaning between these two units. From what I can tell, the plusses on the Sentinel include the back mounted counterlung, the scrubber duration sensor, the "safety features" regarding startup of the unit and the fact that the owner of my LDS is in the process of training to be a Sentinel instructor (he also teaches the Optima, Evolution and Inspiration). The Hammerhead on the other hand has a aluminum case, which I find attractive as I can just imagine a set of unsecured doubles crashing into my rebreather. Additionally, I am familure with the hammerheadd electronics as I have had buddies with the Optima. I am told that back mounted counterlungs are in the works. I also like the fact that this could be a very long duration rebreather due to scrubber size, whereas the sentinel seems a bit more limitited due to design. The drawbacks that I see are the lack of scrubber duration sensor and the fact that nobody in my area is an instructor for the Hammerhead. For those familure with both units, does anyone have suggestions? Both rigs are over 10K so I would definately suggest a try dive.. even if you have to spend a few hundred dollars on travel to either Utah, or Even NY (being in houston there are tons of cheap flights into newark).. I think its money well spent.. And for training Randy could easily acomodate you... __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.
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25th April 2008, 08:03	#9 (permalink)
andrespp New Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2007 Location: Cádiz (Spain) Posts: 50	Re: Help in choosing a rebreather For the Sentinel, as well as for other EU units, I suspect the current rate of exchange of the euro may increase significantly the final price of the unit.
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