Sentinel VS Inspiration

Barrie Law

Hi Bertrand,

Just curious in what way did you find the CCRB guy's 'quiet strange'


Nb; Good luck with your Inspo.

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Barrie Law
Rebreather World Store
Supplying the Rebreather World

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silent running

Hello Bertrand, I'm curious in what way were CCR "strange"? I'm not doubting you as people are not all the same and can certainly seem strange, but in what way were they "strange"?

Also, while I'm sure that there will be bugs in any new software, CCR have previously developed the VR3 and the Ouroborris, and obviously have a significant amount of experience with electronics. So it's not exactly a new bunch busting out of the garage with the Sentinal.

And finally, Inspo electronics have had plenty of bugs and continue to have
plenty in the Vision. Every AP diver I've dived with has had issues that caused them to miss a dive. I know from reading here on Rebreather World that many AP divers have not had problems, so I guess that the word "proven" can have a different meaning to those who have had problems and those who have not... -Andy

mik

You are probably a smart guy, you would have to be to have earned enough money to throw around so much on a hobby. Do some dives, some research and choose the one that does the best job for you. I do not think you will be disappointed with either rebreather despite how much people seem to 'love' one or the other.

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It just fell apart in my hands, Chief!

Darkwater

I have been diving with an insp for nearly 10 years. For the last few I have been diving with the hammer head controller.
I went to the uk dive show last october and planned to order a new inspo with vision. Had a look at the Sentinel and had a chat with Kevin (who I know from old) and placed an order there and then.
For what its worth I'll share with you my thoughts and why I have gone this way.
I have to start by saying I think the Inspo is a very good Rebreather. I have done a lot of diving with it and quite a few deep dives and it has never let me down. The worst I have ever had is having to go semi closed. In the 10 years its gone to the factory twice for repairs which have been turned around very quickly - the after sale service is 2nd. to none and is backed by a large capable company.
Before the vision, (or Meg) came out I got the hammerhead controller as I was very keen to have a HUD as I shoot a lot of video. Also I had the old handsets with my inspo which were not back lighted and shooting video in dark wrecks was a challenge.
I really liked the idea of the hammerhead and I really wanted it to work for me, but to be honest it has not. There are some clever ideas in the controllers, but in my experience they just don't quite deliver. Over the years my hammerhead has either spent its time in the air going back to USA or on the shelf waiting for repair. I even upgraded to the latest and greatest handsets which have been back twice since late last year and need to go back again for another repair. So I would not consider a hammerhead Rebreather. All the major RB issues I have had have been while diving the hammerhead - both HS shutting down, auto calibrating underwater, not firing solenoid, locking up, reading wrong depth etc. etc.
This very poor performance led me to the decision to by an new insp with vision to get a reliable HUD with a quick repair turn around.
I have a policy that being a life support equipment it should be proven, I therefore only consider equipment which has gone through CE - I stepped away from this with the Hammerhead as it was the only choice at the time so decided to go back to what I had confidence in. I have also been running a VR3 for many years and other than early battery issues (which they fixed asap) I have found it very robust and I personally have a lot of time for Kevin, he really knows his stuff.
The Sentinel has gone though the 'Kevin test cycle' and CE approval so that is good enough for me. The only unknown is reliability, but again CCR are a big company that have a good rep for quick turn around so I am sure if there are issues Kevin will resolve them quickly. From a technical standpoint I went for the Sentinel for:[list][*]Back mounted counter lung (A big bonus for shooting video in wrecks / caves)[*]Detailed HUD which provides all info including deco ( making shooting vid easier)[*]Small handset with colour screen[*]VR3 know-how, reliability and software[*]Very good WOB[*]Extremely good scrubber duration (Kevin had indepentent testing done on all Rebreather's and the Sentinel came out very well)[*]CO2 monitor - temp stick and 02 production - one step further than the vison[*]Looks the B****CKS[*]Simple to put together[list][*]Built in BOV[*]Great price[*]Loads of Options for chaging the configuration for travle etc, (also been an issue with the inspo)[*]Custom designed wing to provide ideal postion in the water - something I have played with for years with the inspo and never really got it to how I would like it (we'll see if the wings works this time next week

Humuhumu

Hi,

the hammerhead story is a nightmare ! I will certainly not make any transformations on an Inspiration / Vision and your story gives me a good confirmation of this approach.

Currently I have decided to postpone my purchase: the market is under stress and I don't like that... In a couple of monthes I will see more clearly what will happen... I will pass the training for Inspiration and build my opinion on all that.

The relationship with CCR has been clarified and I think it's more a dealer issue than a CCR issue ($ make the world strange, but maybe I'm wrong and it was not the problem, this doesn't matter anymore).

Cheers

Bertrand

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Humuhumu Nukunuku Apua'a