rEvo for a UK newbie?

MattW

Hi All,
First of all - hi (this is my first on-topic post!).
I've been diving OC for about 15 years, but I'm a complete rebreather newbie. Until a recent club trip to Scapa Flow with three Inspiration users (our club has suddenly developed a 'rash' of CCR users!), I never really thought that I was 'bothered' about getting one, but the chance to see them dive their units and discuss the ins and outs of CCR's has got me thinking....

However, I remember first reading about the KISS years ago and after a good read on Rebreather World, I'm more inclined to go down the manual route and I really like the look of the rEvo. The problem is that being a complete Rebreather newb, I could do with some advice of some of the more experienced people on here. As I say, I'm only at the 'thinking about' stage at the moment and don't want to waste anyone's time but if anyone could answer a few questions for me, I'd really appreciate it.

I guess the biggie first - is a manual CCR really suitable as a first Rebreather (I appreciate that this is a subjective topic and my gut feeling is that there shouldn't be any reason why not, but any views would be appreciated)?

rEvo instructors - I guess that the rEvo will only be sold via an approved instructor (and even if not, I wouldn't consider using my first CCR without instruction) - are there any rEvo instructors in the UK yet?

rEvo after sales / spares etc - given the lack of CE and country of origin (not that this bothers me in the slightest when it comes to initial purchase of the unit) should I be concerned? I appreciate that it's early days for the rEvo, but for example the, Inspiration seems to enjoy a good level of customer service - however most 'return to manufacturer' issues seem to be software / control system problems - not so much of an issue for a manual unit!

VR£ - am I going to have to budget for a cell connected VR3 to manage on the fly deco (even though the VR3 pricing / upgrade policy seems a complete stitch-up, I guess there aren't many other options).

Anything else I haven't thought of?

Many thanks in advance for any input.

cheers

Matt

caveseeker7

Let's hope they're not deploying their CCRs rashly.

Absolutely. Manual CCRs are as simple as RBs can get. The loop is more or less the same on all rebreathers, the manual part is just the gas addition and monitoring. The subject of m vs e has been hotly debated, I for one believe that mCCR divers tend to pay very close attention to their pO2 as there are no electronics to fall back to. On the other hand if you're task loaded it's nice to have the electronics keep the setpoint for you.

Either way a HUD is of great advantage, I consider it a major safety plus.
The rEvo has two of them, the Jetsam(s) offer it only with a rather expensive DeltaP monitor upgrade. Or you'll have to go to the aftermarket, several options there.

Troubleshooting a manual rig tends to be a lot easier as they have less electronics to fail and misfunction.

Anyway, I've been trained on both and enjoy the Kiss very much.

Indeed, you'll need to get trained to dive the rEvo. They're sold through Switzerland due to the lack of CE approval. More info on the website, or Paul (paulraymakers here at Rebreather World) will be able to help you find an instructor.

You find satified and unsatisfied customers from every manufacturer I'm sure. No way to make everyone happy. The rEvo is new to the market, and feedback from owners so far has been excellent. Time will tell, but haveing met Paul I believe customer service will not be an issue.

You can go with pO2 integration (VR2, VR3 and HS Explorer) or without (those three, plus Cochran and AP Diving). Another option could be the Shearwater GF which can monitor and display up to three cells, also offers trimix, uses gradient factors and has the option of HUD that displays the actual setpoint. Am not sure if it works with the rEvo, though.

I believe either a Kiss or rEvo will serve you well.
I wouldn't hesitate to dive a rEvo had I not already a Sport Kiss.

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Stephane

Hi Matt,

My first and only dive on a rebreather was on a Dolphin. Then I bought a rEvo1. This machine is so easy to d(r)ive that it's the perfect one for a beginner. Go for it, you won't regret it.

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Stéphane

Decodiver

Hi Matt,

I am a rEvo Instructor, why don't you give me a PM with your phone number and I will give you a call and we can discuss.

Cheers,

Dave Cooper.

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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

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MattW

Thanks for the replies guys - all sounding good so far - any other views or information still gratefully received.

Many thanks also to Dave Cooper (Decodiver) for taking the time to phone me and talk things through.

cheers

Matt

Ben Field

Very obvious alternative is the Shearwater GF, excellent computer, equal to the VR£ in many respects, superior in some and with the dollar in its current hole rather afordable.

Or you could print some tables... is what I did for the first year or so.

rEvo where at the London dive show, very impressive unit, The European KISS in many ways, I don't see how you can go far wrong....

Only minor stone in your show is if you are part of a BSAC club... you can only dive certain units on "club dives" rEvo ain't one of them yet.
(KISS, Draeger, APD units are all ok IIRC)

BEN

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MattW

Thanks Ben - good point about the Shearwater (there are a rash of VR£'s in our club to go along with the Inspirations! - I hadn't thought of any other possibilities). Are they solely distributed through Shearwater? Caveseeker above also notes a few alternatives - time for some research I think...

However as you say - I've no problem diving tables for a while.

Yes I am a part of a BSAC club - the 'club dive' thing could be an issue, although I'd hope that if the KISS is ratified then the rEvo should follow?....

cheers

Matt

Mark Chase

As above I believe a MCCR like the KISS or the Revo is an excellent unit for beginners or experienced divers for that matter .

Having to be totally in control of the units function must surely make you more aware of how it works and builds an instinctive feel for things.

I dived a YBOD for a couple of years and have just purchased a KISS. I am hoping that the KISS will be ultra reliable (Something that the electronic units don't seem to be).

I think the Revo is a fantastic unit. Very well thought out. I got the KISS because it was available immediately and that was important to me but given the choice i would have got the Revo.

I have the KISS With Shearwater HUD and in line deco. (On order) This brings it up to speed some of the Revo +points. I fitted the Golum BOV to the KISS as i don't like the standard one much.

Only thing i would say about the Revo is it would do better fitted with an OC/Closed C bailout valve or BOV. Apart from that its an excellent bit of kit and possibly tawards the end of the year when i have more time to spare, it will be on my shoping list.

ATB

Mark Chase

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Hanssing

Hi MattW,

As long as you remain on air diluent, and assuming that you have a normal Nitrox-computer, theres nothing wrong with using it, but It'll be more conservative!
I plan on running my two-gas computer to start with. Setup FO2 corresponding to PPO of 1.2bar at depth, and FO2 of 60%/80% as deco , that way I dont loose all of the advantages of CCR. I'll backup with tables, and eventually accuire a TriMix computer when a need arises.

That way you can avoid shelling out too much all at once, and sort keep a constant high spending-rate

In my own oppinion I'll do me some good to be extra conservative to start with anyway - but note I'm as much a newbie as yourself, or rather even more as I dont have your OC-experience.

Regards
Nicolai H.

Dave Sutton

Have the old one spare? I want to add it to my rEvo... . Not kidding, either. If it's spare shoot me a PM.

The BOV is something to consider. In any case, back to the other ideas, the rEvo hs a 4th sensor spot in the sensor bay, and you can order the rig with another cable penetration for a external deco computer cable. That hole can be plugged if a computer is "on the list" but not yet purchased. It can also be retrofitted to units that were built without it. It's just a plug that sticks into a P-Connector, the stock one has two cables (one each for the rEvodreams) and the one for the external computer just adds a third hole. It's plug and play.

mCCR's are the ultimate end to the "chattering monkey" that is on a divers back when he dives an eCCR. Just safe and simple. Mark is right on all points. And the rEvo is the "deluxe" mCCR at present. I'm in love with mine, and I've dived just about evey bit of kit on the market (and many rigs that are not on the market) so have plenty of experience to compare. This is one sweet system.

Dave

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