What Rebreather?

jlovold

Hello, I´m a Norwegian OC trimix-diver living in Bergen.

My buddy owns an Inspiration, but is going to get a Megalodon when he gets rid of the Inspiration.

I would prefer a unit capable to dive to 100m+, but have a few preferrable criteria:

-It should preferrably have back-mounted counterlungs to keep my chest uncluttered, and being able to use with a wing/backplate/harness.

-It should preferrably be a CCR to simplify travelling.

-And last, but not least, it would be preferrable to receive formal training on the unit, especially since I have no experience with rebreathers...



Anyone have an idea what I should go for?

I thought about the Classic Kiss, but because it has a depht limitation of 75m, I am not so sure anymore...

Simon A

AFAIK there are 2 units that are available that meet your criteria out of the box, unfortunately neither of them are particularaly travel friendly.
It's either a second hand MK15.x which by reputation are expensive to source and maintain, or a 'Boris which are not the cheapest of rebreathers either.
If you don't mind modifying a unit, a classic KISS can be made to go to depths in excess of 100m.
However if your Buddy is going to be on a Meg, then I'd recomend having a look at his Meg once he gets it, and see if you can live with those OTS counterlungs. That also makes it easier to carry spares between you.
HTH
Simon A

grahamsp

A bit off topic (sorry) but I'd be interested to know why your buddy's moving to a Meg.

Graham

Chris

Cause he is a smart man and knows a better breather when he sees one.

Cheers
Chriso

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grahamsp

Sorry Chris, I refuse to bite! Still interested in the specifics though.

Graham

jlovold

I believe he thinks the Inspiration has some less than desirable attributes, while the Meg has a few better solutions. Also, the Meg is supposedly easier to travel with...

schford

Hi and Welcome,

This is such a hard question that only you can answer it! Let me explain, every unit has it's pros and cons there unfortunatly is no such thing as the perfect Rebreather - they each have trade offs.

The best advice any one could give to you would be to try different units and see how they work for you - ok that is not going to be too practical I know.

Perhaps the single biggest piece of advice I woudl give you is not to be too focussed on over the shoulder counter lungs as you do indeed get used to them and fail to notice them.

Looking at what you want the unit to do and tacking on my personal prejudices(and lack of regard for the back mounted spec) perhaps I could suggest looking at the following

1 - Inspiration Visions with Phi travel frame and maybe even BMCL.

This is going to give you a modern unit which many people use and a proven track record - it has integrated deco and with Phis frame is very very portable. I suggest the Inspiration as you get a larger scrubber for more cover your asse but still a small size thanks to travel frame. Also let s you use back plate and harness.

2 - Megalodon with Shearwater or Hammerhead leccies.

This give's you a very robust well proven unit that is very easy to travel with plus with different leccies gives you integrated deco so coupled with a HSE or VR3 you have some redundancy. Also lets you use a back plate and harness.

3 - Ouroboros - worth a look at although expensive, it has back mounted counter lungs and possibly has the most robust electronic system out there. It does not breath as well as front mounted counter lungs in all oriantations though and had to get an exception on some parts of CE testing for WOB in certain orientations (so I was told). If I was getting another unit it would be one of these well and a sports kiss but thats another story

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decoweenie

Thanks for the plug, Stuart.

However, some clarifications:

• Travel-Frame is available. Details are HERE.
• BMCL is NOT available. Reasons were discussed on that thread.

Also,

• Classic-KISS is not depth-limited to 75m. That's only the "rated" depth limit from Jetsam (i.e. similar to rating Sport-KISS to 50m)
• To dive a KISS-valve unit using an uncompensated Apeks reg only require increasing the IP to max value of ~12bar. The depth limit is then ~110m.

Personally, I don't think I could get a more compact set-up (with equal capability) than what I use.

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schford

Is that an Inspy with your frame Phi?

Stuart

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decoweenie

Yes, a Vision unit ( with short or long scrubber) with a similar frame to the Travel-Frame (not as light, but more sturdy for everyday use), BMCL, backplate and wing.

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