Prism 2 information, a reply to Caveseeker7/Stefan

Hollis · 7th November 2007, 16:47

Stefan, your answers are below

Mostly they'll center around similarities and differences to the well known PRISM Topaz.
Those of you who're intrested but don't know the Topaz, I wrote a little article about the unit that explains it quite well I believe.

Let's start with the loop, the direction of the gas flow has been reversed. Good idea, I believe, as it places the lean gas (diluent) on the left and the rich gas (O2) on the right, which has been for most part accepted as a standard.

Yes, we wanted to support the existing taining base. The Prism 2 loop is a mirror of the Prism topaz

Judging from the pictures posted at Rebreather World, the DSV has changed, the beautiful trademark brass connectors are gone.

We may make the connectors out of brass if we need weight and use that mouthpiece.

Is the entire DSV new, or just the connectors?

We had an early version of a mouthpiece that has unique low resistive effort directional vlaves, We should have this component set completed when we start shipping the Prism 2. We may ship the Prism 2 with the Prism Topaz mouthpiece, we have a significant engineering review of the Prism underway.

If new, what material is being used?

The plastic parts are ABS and the rubber parts are Silicone or EPDM. We will investigate using glass filled nylon, Xenoy, stainless steel or brass. We will make the decision as to what material use in an engineering review.

Will a BOV be available (OC integrated DSV for bailout - you do build 2nd stages ).

We are working on this and if there is significant demand we will offer this as an option.

Major safety improvement when implemented correctly IMHO.

Correctly is the operative word.

The counterlungs look the same as before, just mounted opposite to match the gas flow. Aside from also reversing the O2 manual add valve so it stays out of the way on the inside of the exhalation lung, is that correct?

Yes, the Prism 2 is a mirror of the Prism Topaz

Weight pouches and purge valves on both counterlungs stay as before?

Yes, we may add some additional optional weight pouches in the top of the backpack.

I do hope so, both work well, and the latter are a must for overhead environments. IMHO.

Thanks for YHO!

I take it the intake plenum has been changed to match the opposite direction of the gas flow while still routing the gas down the center tube of the radial scrubber to flow outward through the absobant?

Yes, as before the Prism 2 is a mirror of the Prism Topaz

Several baskets I've seen have broken frames from being filled too tightly, or otherwise damaged. Will there be a change of material to the scrubber basket?

We are working on an engineering review of the Prism. We are looking closely at materials, manufacturing processes, keeping durability and safety in mind, any changes we make will be well thought out and tested. Thanks for the input.

What about the O-rings, the propriatary ones between head and bucket in particular.
Will they stay the off D-shape, or be changed to standard O-rings?

We are working on an engineering review of the Prism. We are looking closely at materials, manufacturing processes, keeping durability and safety in mind, any changes we make will be well thought out and tested.

Inside the head, on the loop side, any changes other than the intake plenum mentioned before? And on the subject of the head, again the question regarding material for future production.

We are working on an engineering review of the Prism. We are looking closely at materials, manufacturing processes, keeping durability and safety in mind, any changes we make will be well thought out and tested.

Will the material change to one that is stronger?

IF any changes are made we will be sure through testing that we only improve safety, durability and performance.

The material on the PRISM Topaz frequently could not take the abuse of air travel, small boat transfer to dive sites etc I'm afraid.

Inhalation lung, will the combo ADV/MAV for the diluent stay?

The addition of a Mass Addition Valve is something we are looking at, if there is significant market demand and there is no impact to safety, we surely could do that, maybe as an option

I like the reliability of a plunger style valve over a diaphram design,

The plunger type of valve has many fewer moving and sealing parts than a diaphragm/second-stage

though I gather some people have had problems with plunger hitting the plate inside the bag due twisted/loose bags.

We are looking at that, this is feedback we got at the show and it looks to have a simple fix.

The cowling. Personally I really believe it is not an option, but a must have item to protect the unit, no matter what material is used for production. Even if it's just cosmetic protection.
Will the cowling be stock?

Yes

And will it be available in another color than blue metallic? Yes, TBD
That's just sooo ... John Travolta ... 80s

The cowling is fiberglass and, and personalized by painting and adding decals, etc.

And last but not least, the electronics. Important item!
Liked the Topaz layout for most part. Simplicity was great, the ability to physically shut down the power supply and use the analog gauge to monitor pO2 an advantage not to be underestimated. Automatic setpoint switching perfect for most occasions. Cell tracking a good item. HUD easy to read and well implemented (safe for the mount).

Thanks for the Kudos for Peter. We will not make any changes to the Prism, unless the change is for the better (safer) and has been tested, testing may involve a large beta users testing.

How will the setpoint electronics change?

None at this time, we are only looking at adding wireless transmission of the PPO2 value from the sensors.

How will the displays change, analog secondary, digital secondary, both?

Maybe offer a digital secondary, and CE compliant primary as options

HUD as a primary, or will there be a separate primary display, reading all cells?
And give additional info?

A digital secondary would probably display all 3 oxygen sensors, target set point, and battery status

Will onboard deco be available? The long promised, undiluted RGBM?

We have some tricks up our sleeves, stay tunned!

And of course, since Oceanic has been leading the way with the wireless data mask ...
Will it be available for the PRISM 2?

This will be market driven, is there enough demand to support the development costs?

With cell readout, tank pressure readout?

Probably something like the current (simple) primary, the detail information is on the secondary, incorporated with PPO2/FO2 decom info in mask

That's all the unit specific questions I can think about right now.

But there are a few more of course.

When will the PRISM 2 be available?

We plan to start shipment in April 2008

Where will the PRISM 2 be available?

In the USA first

Just within the US, overseas?

Ultimately, worldwide.

Will it be tested to CE standard for certification and sale in Europe?

Yes

Will it be independently tested at all?

It has been Navy tested, we have a nice hyperbaric lab here, for CE we would test here with an European Notified Body observer.

How much will it cost?

It will be very competitive! We will have pricing posted early 2008

And not about the unit itself, but regarding training.

Excellent! Training is THE MOST IMPORTANT component of the Prism!!

Prism Training will be required for anyone purchasing the Prism 2

Who will be training people? Including current and new instructors.

We will work with all training agencies who will embrace the training concepts that are in place for the Prism Topaz

What about current PRISM Topaz instructors and divers, will they have to go through training again?

An update at the least. Similar to the training a pilot goes through when flying a new airplane.

Will training be available in Europe?

When the unit is for sale there, yes, maybe sooner

Nick, know you're be exhausted from the show and quite busy following it up.
I've been there myself. I rather wait a few days for a response, but would appreciate it very much if you take the time to reply.

Thank you for the excellent list of questions!!

Hollis

***caveseeker7*** · 7th November 2007, 17:10

Now that's service!

I see you in the manufacturer's forum at Scubaboard, post a rather lengthy list of questions, and get them delivered right here on Rebreather World.

Thanks for the reply, and welcome to Rebreather World.
As you can see, we already carved you a little niche on our board.

jbpccr · 7th November 2007, 18:03

Thanks to you both for the dialog in this thread.
I'd like to ask, as a current Topaz owner, will parts and service for the Topaz continue to be handled through SMI?

Also will retrofitting of the Topaz of newly developed Hollis components be considered or will the HP2 and Topaz be going seperate ways design wise?

***caveseeker7*** · 15th December 2007, 06:58

JB, had a chance to ask Pete and Shas about this.

SMI will fill their (back)orders for PRISM Topaz up until Hollis starts making the PRISM 2.

Looks like SMI will continue to manufacture some of the components for the PRISM for a while,
until all the parts needed for the unit can be manufactured by Hollis.
Quite a few bits and pieces, some of them machined, setting up injection molding for all of them
will take quite some time and a lot of money.
To review the overall design as well as individual parts and assemblies, make changes to
the process and materials, set up production and have units ready by April 2008 seems a bit
optimistic.

SMI will continue to service and repair the PRISM Topaz for their customers.

As most of the PRISM 2 parts will fit the Topaz they will end up replacing them when needed.

Hope that helps.

7th November 2007, 16:47	#1 (permalink)
Hollis New Member Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SF Bay Aera Posts: 4	Prism 2 information, a reply to Caveseeker7/Stefan Stefan, your answers are below Mostly they'll center around similarities and differences to the well known PRISM Topaz. Those of you who're intrested but don't know the Topaz, I wrote a little article about the unit that explains it quite well I believe. Let's start with the loop, the direction of the gas flow has been reversed. Good idea, I believe, as it places the lean gas (diluent) on the left and the rich gas (O2) on the right, which has been for most part accepted as a standard. Yes, we wanted to support the existing taining base. The Prism 2 loop is a mirror of the Prism topaz Judging from the pictures posted at Rebreather World, the DSV has changed, the beautiful trademark brass connectors are gone. We may make the connectors out of brass if we need weight and use that mouthpiece. Is the entire DSV new, or just the connectors? We had an early version of a mouthpiece that has unique low resistive effort directional vlaves, We should have this component set completed when we start shipping the Prism 2. We may ship the Prism 2 with the Prism Topaz mouthpiece, we have a significant engineering review of the Prism underway. If new, what material is being used? The plastic parts are ABS and the rubber parts are Silicone or EPDM. We will investigate using glass filled nylon, Xenoy, stainless steel or brass. We will make the decision as to what material use in an engineering review. Will a BOV be available (OC integrated DSV for bailout - you do build 2nd stages ). We are working on this and if there is significant demand we will offer this as an option. Major safety improvement when implemented correctly IMHO. Correctly is the operative word. The counterlungs look the same as before, just mounted opposite to match the gas flow. Aside from also reversing the O2 manual add valve so it stays out of the way on the inside of the exhalation lung, is that correct? Yes, the Prism 2 is a mirror of the Prism Topaz Weight pouches and purge valves on both counterlungs stay as before? Yes, we may add some additional optional weight pouches in the top of the backpack. I do hope so, both work well, and the latter are a must for overhead environments. IMHO. Thanks for YHO! I take it the intake plenum has been changed to match the opposite direction of the gas flow while still routing the gas down the center tube of the radial scrubber to flow outward through the absobant? Yes, as before the Prism 2 is a mirror of the Prism Topaz Several baskets I've seen have broken frames from being filled too tightly, or otherwise damaged. Will there be a change of material to the scrubber basket? We are working on an engineering review of the Prism. We are looking closely at materials, manufacturing processes, keeping durability and safety in mind, any changes we make will be well thought out and tested. Thanks for the input. What about the O-rings, the propriatary ones between head and bucket in particular. Will they stay the off D-shape, or be changed to standard O-rings? We are working on an engineering review of the Prism. We are looking closely at materials, manufacturing processes, keeping durability and safety in mind, any changes we make will be well thought out and tested. Inside the head, on the loop side, any changes other than the intake plenum mentioned before? And on the subject of the head, again the question regarding material for future production. We are working on an engineering review of the Prism. We are looking closely at materials, manufacturing processes, keeping durability and safety in mind, any changes we make will be well thought out and tested. Will the material change to one that is stronger? IF any changes are made we will be sure through testing that we only improve safety, durability and performance. The material on the PRISM Topaz frequently could not take the abuse of air travel, small boat transfer to dive sites etc I'm afraid. Inhalation lung, will the combo ADV/MAV for the diluent stay? The addition of a Mass Addition Valve is something we are looking at, if there is significant market demand and there is no impact to safety, we surely could do that, maybe as an option I like the reliability of a plunger style valve over a diaphram design, The plunger type of valve has many fewer moving and sealing parts than a diaphragm/second-stage though I gather some people have had problems with plunger hitting the plate inside the bag due twisted/loose bags. We are looking at that, this is feedback we got at the show and it looks to have a simple fix. The cowling. Personally I really believe it is not an option, but a must have item to protect the unit, no matter what material is used for production. Even if it's just cosmetic protection. Will the cowling be stock? Yes And will it be available in another color than blue metallic? Yes, TBD That's just sooo ... John Travolta ... 80s The cowling is fiberglass and, and personalized by painting and adding decals, etc. And last but not least, the electronics. Important item! Liked the Topaz layout for most part. Simplicity was great, the ability to physically shut down the power supply and use the analog gauge to monitor pO2 an advantage not to be underestimated. Automatic setpoint switching perfect for most occasions. Cell tracking a good item. HUD easy to read and well implemented (safe for the mount). Thanks for the Kudos for Peter. We will not make any changes to the Prism, unless the change is for the better (safer) and has been tested, testing may involve a large beta users testing. How will the setpoint electronics change? None at this time, we are only looking at adding wireless transmission of the PPO2 value from the sensors. How will the displays change, analog secondary, digital secondary, both? Maybe offer a digital secondary, and CE compliant primary as options HUD as a primary, or will there be a separate primary display, reading all cells? And give additional info? A digital secondary would probably display all 3 oxygen sensors, target set point, and battery status Will onboard deco be available? The long promised, undiluted RGBM? We have some tricks up our sleeves, stay tunned! And of course, since Oceanic has been leading the way with the wireless data mask ... Will it be available for the PRISM 2? This will be market driven, is there enough demand to support the development costs? With cell readout, tank pressure readout? Probably something like the current (simple) primary, the detail information is on the secondary, incorporated with PPO2/FO2 decom info in mask That's all the unit specific questions I can think about right now. But there are a few more of course. When will the PRISM 2 be available? We plan to start shipment in April 2008 Where will the PRISM 2 be available? In the USA first Just within the US, overseas? Ultimately, worldwide. Will it be tested to CE standard for certification and sale in Europe? Yes Will it be independently tested at all? It has been Navy tested, we have a nice hyperbaric lab here, for CE we would test here with an European Notified Body observer. How much will it cost? It will be very competitive! We will have pricing posted early 2008 And not about the unit itself, but regarding training. Excellent! Training is THE MOST IMPORTANT component of the Prism!! Prism Training will be required for anyone purchasing the Prism 2 Who will be training people? Including current and new instructors. We will work with all training agencies who will embrace the training concepts that are in place for the Prism Topaz What about current PRISM Topaz instructors and divers, will they have to go through training again? An update at the least. Similar to the training a pilot goes through when flying a new airplane. Will training be available in Europe? When the unit is for sale there, yes, maybe sooner Nick, know you're be exhausted from the show and quite busy following it up. I've been there myself. I rather wait a few days for a response, but would appreciate it very much if you take the time to reply. Thank you for the excellent list of questions!! Hollis
(Offline)

7th November 2007, 17:10	#2 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,325	Re: Prism 2 information, a reply to Caveseeker7/Stefan Now that's service! I see you in the manufacturer's forum at Scubaboard, post a rather lengthy list of questions, and get them delivered right here on Rebreather World. Thanks for the reply, and welcome to Rebreather World. As you can see, we already carved you a little niche on our board. __________________ Cheers Stefan "It is still a good day if you are on the green side of the grass! Su amigo Roberto!" Sponsor Lou in Race For Life!
(Offline)

7th November 2007, 18:03	#3 (permalink)
jbpccr New Member Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NJ, USA Posts: 18	Re: Prism 2 information, a reply to Caveseeker7/Stefan Thanks to you both for the dialog in this thread. I'd like to ask, as a current Topaz owner, will parts and service for the Topaz continue to be handled through SMI? Also will retrofitting of the Topaz of newly developed Hollis components be considered or will the HP2 and Topaz be going seperate ways design wise?
(Offline)

15th December 2007, 06:58	#4 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,325	JB, had a chance to ask Pete and Shas about this. SMI will fill their (back)orders for PRISM Topaz up until Hollis starts making the PRISM 2. Looks like SMI will continue to manufacture some of the components for the PRISM for a while, until all the parts needed for the unit can be manufactured by Hollis. Quite a few bits and pieces, some of them machined, setting up injection molding for all of them will take quite some time and a lot of money. To review the overall design as well as individual parts and assemblies, make changes to the process and materials, set up production and have units ready by April 2008 seems a bit optimistic. SMI will continue to service and repair the PRISM Topaz for their customers. As most of the PRISM 2 parts will fit the Topaz they will end up replacing them when needed. Hope that helps. __________________ Cheers Stefan "It is still a good day if you are on the green side of the grass! Su amigo Roberto!" Sponsor Lou in Race For Life!
(Offline)

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