Why you chose a Classic KISS over a Sports KISS and vice-versa

Decodiver

I know this has been covered on various threads in parts, however, I would like some answers from you, the public, in why you chose one unit over another and were you right?

It is to focus the answers in one thread for students.

Thanks and fire away KISSers!

Cheers,

Dave Cooper.

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Sutty

1. Had seen the Classic "in the flesh" and impressed by build quality - had heard the Sports less impressive.

2. Potential difficulty in trimix training on the Sports due to rated depth limit, especially as not o/c trimix trained.

3. Had been around longer so more chance for problems to have appeared.

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6Gill

Having worked with both, they are fine units. I dive the classic as the design/build is a bit more rugged. Depth rating is deeper which may be a bit more of a factor on a charter boat. There are also better possiblities for modification for those inclined. That said the sport is more compact for travel.

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decoweenie

Have owned and dived both, there is no physical restriction of why one should be able to dive deeper than the other. If there is, I would like to know.

The Classic-KISS is made from machined parts. The Sport-KISS is made from molded parts.

Therefore, leaving the parts exposed and unprotected, the Classic would be more durable. However, when damaged (like the Classic head), you are screwed whereas the Sport just need a simple phone call to replace any of the modular parts.

Having said that, I have busted my Sport a lot more than the Classic since it has a much flatter profile so I tend to get into tighter spots that I can't with the Classic. But of course, I made a simple minor modification to protect the 2 red pods.

Traveling with either unit is a no-contest. I have posted pictures of taking a complete Sport unit + wing + accs inside a backpack that I took as carry-on.

Getting Trimix certified is a real issue since I have tried unsuccessfully many times to get Jetsam to increase the max depth on the Sport just so the diver could get Trimix cert. But at the end of the day, I had no problem diving it almost twice the max depth with dive operators, but if the operator is strict and go by the book...

There has been no separate issue concerning the parts of the Sport since all of the mechanical and electrical parts are identical between the 2 units.

As far as electronic upgrade, both units would have no problem since the sensor plate/lid are easily removeable. Again, the Sport is smaller/lighter in that department.

So it boils down to what the student wants to do: more travel, more overhead, more tight wreck diving, more beat-up rides on RIBs ? Etc...

But I highly recommend that the student take the course from an instructor who actually dive either of the units (no offence Dave but I don't think you dive one, do you ?) since there are a lot of minor, but important, techniques to pass on that could only developed thru experience with the particular device.

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Decodiver

No offence taken Phi, I was fortunate to have a loan Classic unit for 3 months of this year and will be sourcing a unit for the centre in early 2007, I am just awaiting the decision as to what electronics they will go with.

I will also be getting a Sports KISS for a similar reason.

Cheers,

Dave Cooper.

__________________
CCR/OC Trimix Instructor Trainer
CCR Training to Mixed Gas in Switzerland, France, UK & Germany on
Megalodon/COPIS-Megalodon/KISS/Sport KISS/Ouroboros/rEvo/Inspiration/Evolution/Sentinel

www.zerogravitydiving.com

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6Gill

I hear Jetsam is going to change their electronics, I've been really happy with the Shearwater on my CK.

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schford

Kim covers this on the video which will go up soon :-)

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Jeff_B

I have both units, I dive the Classic for diving on home turf (uk) and the Sport for travelling abroad.

If I had to sell a unit then the Sport would go, as I fell the classic is a far better overall rebreather than the sport (build, ruggedness, scrubber), but then it does cost more!
But apart from the 'getting to know you' issues I had with sport (I had a minor co2 hit because of a flooded scrubber, which turned out to be my fault) I do find it a very easy and nice unit to dive, even in that strange rebreather unfriendly place used for try dives the '3m pool'! (rebreathers are normally bags of sh*t in this enviroment).
But I do feel the sport's weakness is the scrubber (durability & packing), as Dave T has/will probably point out, it is not as good as the classic. But in fairness to it apart from my early dives on it, it has not let me down since (touch wood!).

So to sum up*, if you are not after going too deep (ie 50m) in warm water, and you have a lowish RMV then concider the Sport, but if you can afford it get the classic.

Also just in case there are any Sport divers out there who wants a aluminium case for the unit, I've made some up and a few are going spare.

Jeff
*in my very humble opinion

vidodivr

I would like to add that in the event of water entering the loop, that it hits the scrubber in the SK and sits in the lung, but the Classic Kiss has a water trap at the bottom of the canister. Keep in mind that this comment is based purly on my research, not physical, correct me if I'm wrong.

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CK #087, Narked@90 stand, URM

6Gill

The Classic does have a trap in the bottom but it's quite small, it doesn't tolerate mistakes well.

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