Rebreather Comparative Matrix

Mark Bruscke

It would be very helpful to newbies if the experienced Rebreather divers could assemble and publish a matrix of comparative features of RB makes & models. The various forums probably already contain most of the information; but, it's not easily accessible. The newbie now needs to read hundreds of postings to encounter all the facts and opinions; but, they would still be disorganized.

What I would like to see is a matrix with a column devoted to each make and model and a row devoted to each feature. Start with the easy and objective stuff: Manufacturer; Model; Mfg Suggested Retail Price; weight; and the like.

Each row should have a description about what is important to understand about that feature. E.g., the "feature" of the Manufacturer row. I imagine that newbies need to know that inevitably they will need service and so it's important to consider the manufacturer's location or whether the manufacturer has a factory-authorized repair facility in the user's home country. For the "Model" row, what - in general - distinguishes among any given manufacturer's models? E.g., larger tanks and scrubbers? Electronics?

Then, in each cell (defined by the intersection of a given model and a feature) what are the salient points? E.g., this model has these features in addition to all those of that model except X. Some cells will speak for themselves; e.g., the weight of each model is pretty self-explanatory. Others may require more explanation; e.g., Mfg Suggested Retail Prices probably aren't usually directly comparable without adding in costs of options and accessories. E.g., the KISS and Inspiration probably aren't comparable until you factor in the cost of a computer as a KISS accessory.

Eventually, the matrix will have to cover relatively subjective features. Here, there will be room for differences of opinion; but that's OK. Ideally, the basis for differences will suffice to qualify opinions. E.g., this design is better for cave diving because X while that is better for wreck diving because Y.

Ultimately, the matrix would have to deal with unresolved disagreements. Ideally, Rebreather World would ask several experienced users - preferably users who own the models in question - to "debate" the points of disagreement; the matrix could point to these debates.

This isn't an over-night undertaking; but it could be built over time with small contributions by numerous contributors and (plenty of) editorial work by ROW's webmasters.

Thanks for your consideration.
Mark

caveseeker7

Ron Micjan has a Rebreather Comparision on his website, also available as an Excel file.

It's hard to get all the data from manufacturers that I would want to see in a matrix.
Also prices are tough as they change, as do exchange rates, some countries include taxes (sales/VAT), others don't, options and different prices of them when ordered with the unit, different configurations etc.

__________________
Cheers
Stefan



"Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority,
and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media,
which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.!"

Padowan

Nice idea. So long as the matrix only dealt with facts and specifications that were representative of all the units then I see no reason why there would be any disagreements with any of the data.

Some possible criteria to compare that came to mind (obviously not an exhaustive list...):
Mfr location
Unit price
Diveable out of the box
Unit weight in std trim
Unit travel weight
Type of unit (SCR/MCCR/ECCR/...)
Counterlung location (BM/OTS)
HUD (Y/N/Opt)
HUD Data Displayed (Absolute PPO2/PPO2 Deviation from SP/Warnings/...)
Primary PPO2 display type (Analogue/Digital)
Secondary PPO2 display type (Analogue/Digital)
Independant PPO2 displays per cell
Number of O2 cells
O2 cell type
Scrubber type (Axial, Co-axial, Radial)
Scrubber rated duration (time and depth)
Integrated Decoware (Y/N/Opt)
Deco Algoririthm used (GF/VPM/...)
Drive cylinder location (Internal/External, Backmounted/Sidemounted)
Drive cylinder size
OC off Dil (Y/N/Opt)
Automatic diluent addition (Y/N/Opt)
Manual diluent addition (Y/N/Opt)
Automatic oxygen addition (Y/N/Opt)
Manual oxygen addition (Y/N/Opt)
Additional gas plumbing capability (Y/N/Opt)
Flooded loop recovery capability (Y/N/Opt)
....

Obviously some criteria are more or less relevant to particular units, but i think the outcome would be a nice matrix.

__________________

caveseeker7

This is what I came up with a whole ago ...

Rebreather Model:
Manufacturer:
Country:
Type:

Height:
Width:
Depth:
Weight (fully charged):
Weight (travel - no tanks)
Note:

Counterlung Position:
Counterlung Style:
Counterlung Volume:
Flood Recoverable CL:
Flood Recoverable Loop:

Setpoint Controller:
Cell Tracking:
O2 Sensors:
Additional Sensors:
Low Setpoint:
High Setpoint:
Setpoint Switch:
Sepoint Adjustable UW:
Note:

Primary Power Supply:
Secondary Power Supply:
Backup Power Supply:
Power Supply Location:
Power Switch:
Note:

Primary Display:
Secondary Display:
Tertiary Display:
Other Display:

Integrated Deco Computer:
Algorithm:
Power Supply:
CC/OC:
Gases:
Number Of Gases:
Gases Adjustable UW:
Lockout:
Note:

Scrubber Type:
Scrubber Capacity:
Scrubber Rating:
Tested Absorbant:
Test Protocol:
(RMV; CO2 addition rate; temperature; ambient pressure/depth)
Note:

Max. Operating Depth:
Gases Used:
Onboard Gas Supply:
Onboard Tanks:
Offboard Gas Manifold:
Automatic O2 Addition:
Manual O2 addition:
Automatic Diluent Valve:
Manual Diluent Addition:
Integrated Bailout:
OverPressure Valve:
Note:

BCD:
Lift Capacity:
Note:

CE Certification:
ISO Certification:

Unit In Production: yes
Retail Price: US$ 7,800
Major Options:

Web Adress:
E-mail:

Training Agencies:

__________________
Cheers
Stefan



"Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority,
and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media,
which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.!"