Shearwater vs. HS Explorer Mod O

tomhanaway · 25th July 2006, 14:30

I'm down to these two. Shearwater has good support and GF.
HS Explorer O has been around, is local for me and Gene has answered the phone and responded to all questions both times.

My Sept rig to be is a Prism. No ability to change setpoint underwater so I will initially be using computer as a standalone. Future ability to connect to a cell is impt. and available on both models.

So...... any thoughts or comments would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom Hanaway

dive2dive2000 · 25th July 2006, 14:46

Quote: (Originally Posted by tomhanaway)

I'm down to these two. Shearwater has good support and GF.
HS Explorer O has been around, is local for me and Gene has answered the phone and responded to all questions both times.

My Sept rig to be is a Prism. No ability to change setpoint underwater so I will initially be using computer as a standalone. Future ability to connect to a cell is impt. and available on both models.

So...... any thoughts or comments would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom Hanaway

I really like my Explorer and Gene is top notch, besides reading your post I think you answered your own question. The way the PRISM head is built I do not believe you will be tapping in a 4th cell. The main reason I like my explorer is because of the RGBM. It is what I dive so my computer matches my tables. Good luck with your class, btw who is your instructor?

decoweenie · 25th July 2006, 14:50

Quote: (Originally Posted by tomhanaway)

any thoughts or comments

Some random thoughts from having owned 2 HS Explorer (2001 and 2005 version) and 2 Shearwater (original and recent versions) units:

Shearwater is larger and heavier than Explorer, but definitely a lot more robust. I wouldn't think twice about driving the car over the Shearwater...
Buttons on the Explorer are PITA. Buttons on Shearwater is much, much better.
RGBM on Explorer. GF on Shearwater. Profiles could be set very similar. I have tested the Shearwater GF against Decoweenie tables, and they match to the minute on square profiles. No idea on Explorer since I am just starting to use GAP-RGBM recently.
More information on Explorer screen, but a lot of the displayed are not really needed to be on the main screen IMHO.
Backlight on both are at about the same level.
Menu system on Shearwater is a lot more intuitive and user-friendly.
Screen character display on Shearwater is programmable so could be updated in future. Screen character display on Explorer is fixed, except for on/off.
Not tried the download interface on the Shearwater since I haven't bought the software from Ross H, but I believe it should be better than the download system on the Explorer (both hardware and software).
Explorer is a little less expensive.
Explorer available in different colors. Shearwater only in black.
Both Gene and Bruce give excellent support.

But YMMV ! Good luck with your selection...

silentscuba · 25th July 2006, 17:39

I love the Shearwater- I now have two, one integrated and one stand alone. I have sold my HSE and my VR3 is now for sale.

I have used all the computers out there and find that the Shearwater is the best of all worlds for me.

Bruce is great to work with and very responsive to any needs that you might have.

**rdriver** · 25th July 2006, 18:17

Quote: (Originally Posted by silentscuba)

I love the Shearwater,

I have used all the computers out there and find that the Shearwater is the best of all worlds for me.

Bruce is great to work with and very responsive to any needs that you might have.

I'll second that , Plus the fact he is on our side of the world......
Rob

silent running · 25th July 2006, 19:24

Quote: (Originally Posted by tomhanaway)

I'm down to these two. Shearwater has good support and GF.
HS Explorer O has been around, is local for me and Gene has answered the phone and responded to all questions both times.

My Sept rig to be is a Prism. No ability to change setpoint underwater so I will initially be using computer as a standalone. Future ability to connect to a cell is impt. and available on both models.

So...... any thoughts or comments would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom Hanaway

Hi Tom, I've got a Prism and an HE and I like them a lot. I don't know that much about the SW, except that GF makes more sense to me than the VR3 algs, and since the M factor can be adjusted to follow RGBM closely, it's probably a good choice also. RGBM alg makes the most sense to me, so that's a big part of why I went with the HE. The buttons on the HE are not easy on the fingers, but I've seen people put pcs of neoprene on them to fix this.

As for a 4th cell, to me it's not worth it. The unit holds SP very well and a 4th cell will add another set of seals, another cell to calibrate/replace and another cable. The O2 sensor port also creates another way for water to get into the computer. The more I dive my unit, the less I change SP. It seems unnecessary on all but the most extreme dives, to limit O2 exposures. So unless you plan on changing SP a lot by shutting it off and manually injecting, I don't see any benefit from adding a 4th sensor. Even then, as long as you are good at manually maintaining SP, what's the big benefit? -Andy

silent running · 25th July 2006, 19:48

Does anybody know if the SW works with Heliox? It doesn't look like it from the new website. I know the HE does. -Andy

bgpartri · 25th July 2006, 20:36

Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running)

Does anybody know if the SW works with Heliox? It doesn't look like it from the new website. I know the HE does. -Andy

Yes, it works fine with heliox. You enter your oxygen and helium percentages, and the balance is nitrogen. So if you enter 15/85, the nitrogen is 0.

Where on the website does it give the impression that it doesn't work with heliox?

silent running · 25th July 2006, 20:49

Quote: (Originally Posted by bgpartri)

Yes, it works fine with heliox. You enter your oxygen and helium percentages, and the balance is nitrogen. So if you enter 15/85, the nitrogen is 0.

Where on the website does it give the impression that it doesn't work with heliox?

Hello Bruce, thanks forthe clarification. I was not sure, that's why I asked. The features listed for the computer say "air, nitrox, trimix", that's why I thought it might not support Heliox... -Andy

bgpartri · 25th July 2006, 20:58

Ok. I'll add that in so it's clear.

25th July 2006, 14:30	#1 (permalink)
tomhanaway New Member Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: May 2005 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 52	Shearwater vs. HS Explorer Mod O I'm down to these two. Shearwater has good support and GF. HS Explorer O has been around, is local for me and Gene has answered the phone and responded to all questions both times. My Sept rig to be is a Prism. No ability to change setpoint underwater so I will initially be using computer as a standalone. Future ability to connect to a cell is impt. and available on both models. So...... any thoughts or comments would be much appreciated. Thanks, Tom Hanaway
(Offline)

25th July 2006, 14:46	#2 (permalink)
dive2dive2000 PRISM DIVER & LUVIN IT! Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 788	Re: Shearwater vs. HS Explorer Mod O Quote: (Originally Posted by tomhanaway) I'm down to these two. Shearwater has good support and GF. HS Explorer O has been around, is local for me and Gene has answered the phone and responded to all questions both times. My Sept rig to be is a Prism. No ability to change setpoint underwater so I will initially be using computer as a standalone. Future ability to connect to a cell is impt. and available on both models. So...... any thoughts or comments would be much appreciated. Thanks, Tom Hanaway I really like my Explorer and Gene is top notch, besides reading your post I think you answered your own question. The way the PRISM head is built I do not believe you will be tapping in a 4th cell. The main reason I like my explorer is because of the RGBM. It is what I dive so my computer matches my tables. Good luck with your class, btw who is your instructor? __________________ Safe Diving, Martin "but what's the fun of getting what you need, instead of what you want?"
(Offline)

25th July 2006, 14:50	#3 (permalink)
decoweenie Crash Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cairo Posts: 5,510	Re: Shearwater vs. HS Explorer Mod O Quote: (Originally Posted by tomhanaway) any thoughts or comments Some random thoughts from having owned 2 HS Explorer (2001 and 2005 version) and 2 Shearwater (original and recent versions) units: Shearwater is larger and heavier than Explorer, but definitely a lot more robust. I wouldn't think twice about driving the car over the Shearwater... Buttons on the Explorer are PITA. Buttons on Shearwater is much, much better. RGBM on Explorer. GF on Shearwater. Profiles could be set very similar. I have tested the Shearwater GF against Decoweenie tables, and they match to the minute on square profiles. No idea on Explorer since I am just starting to use GAP-RGBM recently. More information on Explorer screen, but a lot of the displayed are not really needed to be on the main screen IMHO. Backlight on both are at about the same level. Menu system on Shearwater is a lot more intuitive and user-friendly. Screen character display on Shearwater is programmable so could be updated in future. Screen character display on Explorer is fixed, except for on/off. Not tried the download interface on the Shearwater since I haven't bought the software from Ross H, but I believe it should be better than the download system on the Explorer (both hardware and software). Explorer is a little less expensive. Explorer available in different colors. Shearwater only in black. Both Gene and Bruce give excellent support. But YMMV ! Good luck with your selection... __________________ "...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..." - Rebreather World PM
(Offline)

25th July 2006, 17:39	#4 (permalink)
silentscuba rEvo CCR Driver Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic rEvo Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mill Creek, WA USA Posts: 583	Re: Shearwater vs. HS Explorer Mod O I love the Shearwater- I now have two, one integrated and one stand alone. I have sold my HSE and my VR3 is now for sale. I have used all the computers out there and find that the Shearwater is the best of all worlds for me. Bruce is great to work with and very responsive to any needs that you might have. __________________ Curt McNamee rEvo CCR Diver KISS CCR Diver www.silentscuba.com
(Online)

25th July 2006, 18:17	#5 (permalink)
rdriver Supporting Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Join Date: May 2005 Location: Monroe, WI 53566 U.S. Posts: 149	Re: Shearwater vs. HS Explorer Mod O Quote: (Originally Posted by silentscuba) I love the Shearwater, I have used all the computers out there and find that the Shearwater is the best of all worlds for me. Bruce is great to work with and very responsive to any needs that you might have. I'll second that , Plus the fact he is on our side of the world...... Rob
(Offline)

25th July 2006, 19:24	#6 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,814	Re: Shearwater vs. HS Explorer Mod O Quote: (Originally Posted by tomhanaway) I'm down to these two. Shearwater has good support and GF. HS Explorer O has been around, is local for me and Gene has answered the phone and responded to all questions both times. My Sept rig to be is a Prism. No ability to change setpoint underwater so I will initially be using computer as a standalone. Future ability to connect to a cell is impt. and available on both models. So...... any thoughts or comments would be much appreciated. Thanks, Tom Hanaway Hi Tom, I've got a Prism and an HE and I like them a lot. I don't know that much about the SW, except that GF makes more sense to me than the VR3 algs, and since the M factor can be adjusted to follow RGBM closely, it's probably a good choice also. RGBM alg makes the most sense to me, so that's a big part of why I went with the HE. The buttons on the HE are not easy on the fingers, but I've seen people put pcs of neoprene on them to fix this. As for a 4th cell, to me it's not worth it. The unit holds SP very well and a 4th cell will add another set of seals, another cell to calibrate/replace and another cable. The O2 sensor port also creates another way for water to get into the computer. The more I dive my unit, the less I change SP. It seems unnecessary on all but the most extreme dives, to limit O2 exposures. So unless you plan on changing SP a lot by shutting it off and manually injecting, I don't see any benefit from adding a 4th sensor. Even then, as long as you are good at manually maintaining SP, what's the big benefit? -Andy
(Offline)

25th July 2006, 19:48	#7 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,814	Re: Shearwater vs. HS Explorer Mod O Does anybody know if the SW works with Heliox? It doesn't look like it from the new website. I know the HE does. -Andy
(Offline)

25th July 2006, 20:36	#8 (permalink)
bgpartri Rebreather Zealot Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Titan Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 394	Re: Shearwater vs. HS Explorer Mod O Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running) Does anybody know if the SW works with Heliox? It doesn't look like it from the new website. I know the HE does. -Andy Yes, it works fine with heliox. You enter your oxygen and helium percentages, and the balance is nitrogen. So if you enter 15/85, the nitrogen is 0. Where on the website does it give the impression that it doesn't work with heliox? __________________ http://www.rebreather.ca Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement.
(Offline)

25th July 2006, 20:49	#9 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,814	Re: Shearwater vs. HS Explorer Mod O Quote: (Originally Posted by bgpartri) Yes, it works fine with heliox. You enter your oxygen and helium percentages, and the balance is nitrogen. So if you enter 15/85, the nitrogen is 0. Where on the website does it give the impression that it doesn't work with heliox? Hello Bruce, thanks forthe clarification. I was not sure, that's why I asked. The features listed for the computer say "air, nitrox, trimix", that's why I thought it might not support Heliox... -Andy
(Offline)

25th July 2006, 20:58	#10 (permalink)
bgpartri Rebreather Zealot Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Titan Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 394	Re: Shearwater vs. HS Explorer Mod O Ok. I'll add that in so it's clear. __________________ http://www.rebreather.ca Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement.
(Offline)

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