[sfldiver]

In addition to it's many fine attributes, the Florida S.C.R.U.B.'s can now also claim to have the first official non-instructor certified HH CCR diver within it's group!

We really are an awesome group!!


Congratulations on the new toy Marc! I'm looking forward to checking it out, and more importantly, seeing it in action - Hopefully soon!

[MarcLaukien]

Here are two pictures from the training class

Sorry, no underwater pictures this time. Bringing my huge camera and the rebreather would have been too much.

[heyydude]

Hey Marc,

I popped the photo's up on our site - we're starting a page where customers can send us their photo's (using the Hammerhead) and we'll publish them.

HERE

Congrats on being "Hammerhead CCR Student #1"

Kevin.

[MarcLaukien]

Quote: (Originally Posted by heyydude)

Hey Marc,

I popped the photo's up on our site - we're starting a page where customers can send us their photo's (using the Hammerhead) and we'll publish them.

HERE

Congrats on being "Hammerhead CCR Student #1"

Kevin.

Cool!

[heyydude]

Who is the guy in the middle? (The one that needs to Upgrade his rEvo to a "HammerEvo").



Kevin.

[jradomski]

Quote: (Originally Posted by heyydude)

Who is the guy in the middle? (The one that needs to Upgrade his rEvo to a "HammerEvo").



Kevin.

Derry Huff

[heyydude]

Thanks, Joe.

I added Derry's name to the caption.

Kevin.

[jiseson]

curious as to how it "feels" compared to an Optima? wob etc........

[MarcLaukien]

Let me start by saying that I think that both the Hammerhead CCR and the Optima are excellent products. For example, they both have great electronics Seriously, just because I'm diving a Hammerhead CCR now, doesn't mean that I suddenly flip-flop and start to write negative things about the Optima.

Having said this, and with the disclaimer that I'm still a new and inexperienced rebreather diver, here is my comparison:

Electronics

Both the HH CCR and the Optima have the same electronics, so obviously they are equivalent in this respect.

Build Quality

With respect to overall build quality, the HH CCR is clearly better than the Optima. The HH CCR is built like a tank. There is no thin backplate that can crack, the breathing hoses are much more sturdy, all the parts are built stronger, etc. It's hard to summarize all the little details, but the difference in build quality becomes very apparent if you have an Optima and a HH CCR right next to each other in front of you.

Scrubber

Extendair vs. granular scrubber has been discussed extensively already. I don't think I can add anything new to such previous discussions, other than that packing the radial scrubber is not as much work as I thought it would be.

Trim

It took me a very long time to get my trim right with the Optima. IMO, tank selection is very important for the Optima. I only got a good trim once I switched to AL-13 tanks. The HH CCR came with Steel LP-19 tanks, and the trim was excellent from day one.

Buoyancy Control

Buoyancy control is easier on the Optima, since it has a smaller canister. Therefore the buoyancy doesn't change as much when you change depth, since there is less air in the breathing loop that can expand or compress.

Counterlungs

The HH CLs are curved and longer. I'm a tall diver, so they fit me better than the rather short, box-shaped Optima CLs. Also, the HH CLs have trim weight pockets built in. However, no such pockets are really necessary for the Optima, since you can use the covers's trim pocket located at the canister.

Watertrap

The HH CCR has a much larger watertrap than the Optima. On the other hand, the Optima's watertrap has the advantage that it works in any dive position, while for the HH CCR, you have to stay in a slightly heads up position, or put something into the watertrap (bottom of the canister) that absorbs water.

Work of Breathing

I can't really feel any difference. They both breathe the same for me. However, it took me longer to get the CLs of the Optima adjusted properly to get a low WoB. For the HH CCR, I had a low WoB after only a few initial adjustments. I can't really tell you whether this is because I'm now more experienced compared to when I started diving with the Optima, or whether this is due to inherent design differences.

Tank Mounts

The tank mounts that the HH CCR uses are more sturdy than the Optima's. They have a much stronger locking mechanism. Having said this, given the design of the Optima, it does not really require such strong tank mounts.

Manifolds and LP Hoses

The HH CCR has a cleaner hose routing than the Optima. There is only a single LP hose from each regulator to a manifold. All other LP hoses are then connected from the manifolds. The Optima routes all O2 LP hoses directly from the regulator, and some of the diluent hoses from the regulator and some from a 3-port manifold. The HH CCR manifolds are mounted to the frame, while the Optima manifold is simply tucked under the cover.

SPGs

The Optima's SPG hoses are too long, so that they have to be tucked under the cover, while the HH CCR SPG hoses have just the right size for me.

ADV

At this point, I neither like the HH CCR ADV nor the Optima ADV. The problem with the Optima ADV is that it is rather sensitive, and requires adjustments here and then. In essence, it is a second stage regulator. The HH CCR has a plunger valve, and, to my knowledge, cannot be adjusted. It has a very sturdy design, but it is much too sensitive for me. At this point, I'm trying to avoid using the ADV on both the Optima and the HH CCR, i.e., I keep it shut off unless I do a real fast descent.

OPV

The Optima OPV opens only with very high pressure, even in the fully open position. The HH CCR OPV doesn't have this problem. I found that fast diluent flushes were easier on the HH CCR, because the HH CCR OPV is more sensitive.

Manual Addition Valves

I found the HH CCR manual addition valves for oxygen and diluent easier to operate and faster. They also seem to be built more sturdy (difficult to describe--you would have to see them for yourself). On the other hand, the Optima uses two different manual addition valves, with a different button locations. This makes it harder to confuse O2 with diluent.

BOV/DSV

The HH CCR comes with a Golemgear BOV, the Optima does not. Obviously, if you are of the opinion that a BOV is important, then this is a big plus for the HH CCR.

Weight and Carry Handle

The HH CCR displaces more water, and therefore the rig weighs more than the Optima. Personally, I don't mind the extra weight, but for divers with back problems, this might be a disadvantage. One thing bothers me though: the HH CCR doesn't have a handle to carry it, like the Optima does. This seems minor, but a carry handle makes it much more convenient to carry the rig to a dive boat or to pick it up standing on the floor.

* * *

So much for the comparison. Overall, while I still like the Optima as well, my favorite is now the HH CCR.

-- Marc

[jiseson]

thank u-the HH looks like a very well built unit. enjoy!