Evo config: Auto Air and VR3

wearypanda · 23rd November 2006, 11:58

I will soon need to firm up the configuration for the Evo I have on order. Your advice on a couple of points would be appreciated.

Firstly, the Buddy Auto Air which comes as standard. I have never used one of these but have heard dreadful things about these. Leaks, cumbersome to use to mention just a few. Also, I doubt that it would be easy to use this as an octopus if your OC buddy needed it. My inclination is to order a standard inflator hose and a normal reg for bailout/octopus instead. Am I missing something?

Should I plan to have a backup CCR capable computer (VR3 would be my preference)? I may occasionally be diving both closed and open circuit (not on the same dive!), so having a computer I could use for both would be good. On the other hand I can see that, initially anyway, having two computers to keep an eye on may not be a good idea. If I was to go with a VR3, should I also plan to have a 4th cell to feed it PO2? Any thoughts and advice would be helpful.

Andrew

**nigelh** · 23rd November 2006, 12:09

Quote: (Originally Posted by wearypanda)

Firstly, the Buddy Auto Air which comes as standard. I have never used one of these but have heard dreadful things about these. Leaks, cumbersome to use to mention just a few. Also, I doubt that it would be easy to use this as an octopus if your OC buddy needed it. My inclination is to order a standard inflator hose and a normal reg for bailout/octopus instead. Am I missing something?

If you order an Evo it comes with an Auto Air.
People whinge about them but they're not that bad. It might need tightening up a bit as the 'low work of breathing' setting is a bit prone to freeflow but if you spin off the front it's obvious what to do. For an occasional use it's not a problem.

Quote:

Should I plan to have a backup CCR capable computer (VR3 would be my preference)? I may occasionally be diving both closed and open circuit (not on the same dive!), so having a computer I could use for both would be good. On the other hand I can see that, initially anyway, having two computers to keep an eye on may not be a good idea.

It's no problem. Really it isn't.

Quote:

If I was to go with a VR3, should I also plan to have a 4th cell to feed it PO2?

I always think this idea sucks. You don't trust one cell to control the ppO2 because they are a bit flakey so why does the one on the VR3 suddenly become more reliable than the other three such that you can entrust it alone with your deco planning? However lots of people I respect use them so maybe it's just me being picky. I have a VR3 and set it to my target ppO2. I'd quite like and extra gauge as a confidence device but I don't want it involved in the maths.

jptaylor9 · 23rd November 2006, 12:09

I'd hold off until you've done your course & had a chance to discuss these points with your instructor.

As you'll initially be on air dilient, you can use an existing Nitrox computer as a backup (set to %O2 at max. depth, will be very conservative), or use dive timer/tables.

[EDIT] Two years in, I still have the AutoAir, de-tuned as Nigel posted. I also use a VR3 running fixed set point rather than a 4th cell as a backup to the Vision. I can also use it for any OC dives I might do, but having sold all my OC kit....

**Gill Envy** · 23rd November 2006, 17:35

Quote: (Originally Posted by wearypanda)

I will soon need to firm up the configuration for the Evo I have on order. Your advice on a couple of points would be appreciated.

Firstly, the Buddy Auto Air which comes as standard. I have never used one of these but have heard dreadful things about these. Leaks, cumbersome to use to mention just a few. Also, I doubt that it would be easy to use this as an octopus if your OC buddy needed it. My inclination is to order a standard inflator hose and a normal reg for bailout/octopus instead. Am I missing something?

Should I plan to have a backup CCR capable computer (VR3 would be my preference)? I may occasionally be diving both closed and open circuit (not on the same dive!), so having a computer I could use for both would be good. On the other hand I can see that, initially anyway, having two computers to keep an eye on may not be a good idea. If I was to go with a VR3, should I also plan to have a 4th cell to feed it PO2? Any thoughts and advice would be helpful.

Andrew

since the vision only has one screen, i would highly recommend a back up computer....seems like a VR3 is the way to go. Since the vision has had some timer related issues (CNS and Deco), i think a back up is in order with the vision in particular thought i think in general it's just a good idea anyway. We don't dive with back ups at this point but we really don't get into deco and stick with relatively shallow max depths. Our plan has been to simply bail out and abort the dive if the computers don't match between us. I think a VR3 is in our near future.

As far as the auto air, i also simply cranked it down a bit, breathes like a hog but there really ain't much air in our 13 CF tanks anyway...It's really all about the 40's we carry with atomic regs.

wearypanda · 23rd November 2006, 20:55

Thanks for your replies all. Sounds like a VR3 and I will see how I get on with the auto air thingy.

23rd November 2006, 11:58	#1 (permalink)
wearypanda New Member Current Rebreather/s: Pelagian Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Pelagian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wiltshire, UK Posts: 94	Evo config: Auto Air and VR3 I will soon need to firm up the configuration for the Evo I have on order. Your advice on a couple of points would be appreciated. Firstly, the Buddy Auto Air which comes as standard. I have never used one of these but have heard dreadful things about these. Leaks, cumbersome to use to mention just a few. Also, I doubt that it would be easy to use this as an octopus if your OC buddy needed it. My inclination is to order a standard inflator hose and a normal reg for bailout/octopus instead. Am I missing something? Should I plan to have a backup CCR capable computer (VR3 would be my preference)? I may occasionally be diving both closed and open circuit (not on the same dive!), so having a computer I could use for both would be good. On the other hand I can see that, initially anyway, having two computers to keep an eye on may not be a good idea. If I was to go with a VR3, should I also plan to have a 4th cell to feed it PO2? Any thoughts and advice would be helpful. Andrew
(Offline)

23rd November 2006, 12:09	#2 (permalink)
nigelh New member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Brighton, Sussex, UK Posts: 873	Re: Evo config: Auto Air and VR3 Quote: (Originally Posted by wearypanda) Firstly, the Buddy Auto Air which comes as standard. I have never used one of these but have heard dreadful things about these. Leaks, cumbersome to use to mention just a few. Also, I doubt that it would be easy to use this as an octopus if your OC buddy needed it. My inclination is to order a standard inflator hose and a normal reg for bailout/octopus instead. Am I missing something? If you order an Evo it comes with an Auto Air. People whinge about them but they're not that bad. It might need tightening up a bit as the 'low work of breathing' setting is a bit prone to freeflow but if you spin off the front it's obvious what to do. For an occasional use it's not a problem. Quote: Should I plan to have a backup CCR capable computer (VR3 would be my preference)? I may occasionally be diving both closed and open circuit (not on the same dive!), so having a computer I could use for both would be good. On the other hand I can see that, initially anyway, having two computers to keep an eye on may not be a good idea. It's no problem. Really it isn't. Quote: If I was to go with a VR3, should I also plan to have a 4th cell to feed it PO2? I always think this idea sucks. You don't trust one cell to control the ppO2 because they are a bit flakey so why does the one on the VR3 suddenly become more reliable than the other three such that you can entrust it alone with your deco planning? However lots of people I respect use them so maybe it's just me being picky. I have a VR3 and set it to my target ppO2. I'd quite like and extra gauge as a confidence device but I don't want it involved in the maths. __________________ nigelh
(Online)

23rd November 2006, 12:09	#3 (permalink)
jptaylor9 Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 315	Re: Evo config: Auto Air and VR3 I'd hold off until you've done your course & had a chance to discuss these points with your instructor. As you'll initially be on air dilient, you can use an existing Nitrox computer as a backup (set to %O2 at max. depth, will be very conservative), or use dive timer/tables. [EDIT] Two years in, I still have the AutoAir, de-tuned as Nigel posted. I also use a VR3 running fixed set point rather than a 4th cell as a backup to the Vision. I can also use it for any OC dives I might do, but having sold all my OC kit.... Last edited by jptaylor9 : 23rd November 2006 at 12:14.
(Offline)

23rd November 2006, 17:35	#4 (permalink)
Gill Envy Shearwater Copis Divers Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: seattle Posts: 1,341	Re: Evo config: Auto Air and VR3 Quote: (Originally Posted by wearypanda) I will soon need to firm up the configuration for the Evo I have on order. Your advice on a couple of points would be appreciated. Firstly, the Buddy Auto Air which comes as standard. I have never used one of these but have heard dreadful things about these. Leaks, cumbersome to use to mention just a few. Also, I doubt that it would be easy to use this as an octopus if your OC buddy needed it. My inclination is to order a standard inflator hose and a normal reg for bailout/octopus instead. Am I missing something? Should I plan to have a backup CCR capable computer (VR3 would be my preference)? I may occasionally be diving both closed and open circuit (not on the same dive!), so having a computer I could use for both would be good. On the other hand I can see that, initially anyway, having two computers to keep an eye on may not be a good idea. If I was to go with a VR3, should I also plan to have a 4th cell to feed it PO2? Any thoughts and advice would be helpful. Andrew since the vision only has one screen, i would highly recommend a back up computer....seems like a VR3 is the way to go. Since the vision has had some timer related issues (CNS and Deco), i think a back up is in order with the vision in particular thought i think in general it's just a good idea anyway. We don't dive with back ups at this point but we really don't get into deco and stick with relatively shallow max depths. Our plan has been to simply bail out and abort the dive if the computers don't match between us. I think a VR3 is in our near future. As far as the auto air, i also simply cranked it down a bit, breathes like a hog but there really ain't much air in our 13 CF tanks anyway...It's really all about the 40's we carry with atomic regs. __________________ Gill Envy ...Because I wasn't born with gills! ><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>
(Offline)

23rd November 2006, 20:55	#5 (permalink)
wearypanda New Member Current Rebreather/s: Pelagian Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Pelagian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wiltshire, UK Posts: 94	Re: Evo config: Auto Air and VR3 Thanks for your replies all. Sounds like a VR3 and I will see how I get on with the auto air thingy.
(Offline)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode