HS Explorer vs VR3

Eliot Danner · 16th July 2007, 23:54

Okay - decision time, I want to add an integrated deco computer to my KISS, if you had a choice would you get a VR3 (just CC Nitrox) or an HS explorer?

Any thoughts would be great.

babar · 16th July 2007, 23:59

Quote: (Originally Posted by ForTheFight)

Okay - decision time, I want to add an integrated deco computer to my KISS, if you had a choice would you get a VR3 (just CC Nitrox) or an HS explorer?

Any thoughts would be great.

Shearwater!

**Gill Envy** · 17th July 2007, 00:38

Um, we love our shearwaters so far! take a good look at it's configuration, if you haven't already. The HS explorer seemed like a bit of a pain to toggle under water. just my 2 cents.

bobby · 17th July 2007, 00:40

I prefer my VR3's for a couple of reasons. I am comfortable with the algorithm and what I have used for years. The VR3 will never change a gas on me, only I change a gas what I load is what is in it. I like the buttons better on the VR3. I take my units into some severe conditions and they have stood up well. They have a lot of scratches including one good one on the glass but have taken it well with zero issues, I can't say that for a lot of my other gear.

Bobby

silentscuba · 17th July 2007, 00:56

Quote: (Originally Posted by ForTheFight)

Okay - decision time, I want to add an integrated deco computer to my KISS, if you had a choice would you get a VR3 (just CC Nitrox) or an HS explorer?

Any thoughts would be great.

I have a KISS Classic and dive with and Integrated Shearwater and a stand alone Shearwater set to a constant PO2. The Shearwater is a full trimix computer right out of the gate.

I have owned both the VR3 and HSE. By far, the Shearwater has been easier to use, very rugged and reliable. Bruce also provides great customer support.

Get A Shearwater!!!!!

mverick · 17th July 2007, 01:47

I have a older VR3 didn't like how long it kept me in the water.

Have a HS Explorer. Bought it new. Never worked right and still doesn't owned for 5 years I think. Sent back in 3 times.

Have an older shearwater on my meg. Love it. No problems. I'd like to upgrade to the new one but why? It does what I want it to do.

hoppyinca · 17th July 2007, 03:35

I would take tables and/ or a slate over an HSE any day! there's no question that the tables will work, the HSE... might work... but probably won't!

just my 2 cents, I think my HSE might have worked for one whole dive... once... but I might have dreamed that...

hoppyinca

megdiver12 · 17th July 2007, 06:09

i agree shearwater is best. I own the tow. and i love shearwater the best.

**Dave Sutton** · 17th July 2007, 11:32

Between the two? A VR-3, because it'll probably actually work.....

I'd never trust an Explorer to actually function on an given day of the week. I put them into the same category as the "Paragon of Unreliability" Paragon second stage on the KISS BOV..... just not something to trust. I hated mine. Even when it (very rarely) worked, it was a pain in the ass to use. Try pushing those buttons with thick gloves on....

Like to play with a Sherwater, but am happy with the VR-3's that I have (one brick, one "small"). Have had one return in all the time I've had them (the brick is how old?) and that was just one button that I knocked out on the small one. Was my own fault.

Dave

DaveC · 17th July 2007, 12:39

Have two Explorers and they work just fine. Had a VR3 and found the screen too small to view and with the Big Mode option it was a pain not seeing all the info on one screen. Another reason I like the Explorer.

Heard good things about the Shearwater and the new LiquidVision X1 looks very interesting as well.

16th July 2007, 23:54	#1 (permalink)
Eliot Danner RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Dolphin Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 227	HS Explorer vs VR3 Okay - decision time, I want to add an integrated deco computer to my KISS, if you had a choice would you get a VR3 (just CC Nitrox) or an HS explorer? Any thoughts would be great. __________________ Eliot Danner CCR Instructor This post may be up to 80% accurate...the remaining 20% is speculation.
(Online)

16th July 2007, 23:59	#2 (permalink)
babar Curmudgeon Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Sport Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 425	Re: HS Explorer vs VR3 Quote: (Originally Posted by ForTheFight) Okay - decision time, I want to add an integrated deco computer to my KISS, if you had a choice would you get a VR3 (just CC Nitrox) or an HS explorer? Any thoughts would be great. Shearwater! __________________ Babar Evolution Plus Sport kiss
(Offline)

17th July 2007, 00:38	#3 (permalink)
Gill Envy Shearwater Copis Divers Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: seattle Posts: 1,347	Re: HS Explorer vs VR3 Um, we love our shearwaters so far! take a good look at it's configuration, if you haven't already. The HS explorer seemed like a bit of a pain to toggle under water. just my 2 cents. __________________ Gill Envy ...Because I wasn't born with gills! ><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>
(Online)

17th July 2007, 00:40	#4 (permalink)
bobby RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic MK 15.X Dolphin Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC USA Posts: 93	Re: HS Explorer vs VR3 I prefer my VR3's for a couple of reasons. I am comfortable with the algorithm and what I have used for years. The VR3 will never change a gas on me, only I change a gas what I load is what is in it. I like the buttons better on the VR3. I take my units into some severe conditions and they have stood up well. They have a lot of scratches including one good one on the glass but have taken it well with zero issues, I can't say that for a lot of my other gear. Bobby __________________ No matter the amount of experience we can all learn and no matter the experience we can all teach. http://www.rebreatherworld.com/photo...s/bobbysig.jpg
(Online)

17th July 2007, 00:56	#5 (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: 612	Re: HS Explorer vs VR3 Quote: (Originally Posted by ForTheFight) Okay - decision time, I want to add an integrated deco computer to my KISS, if you had a choice would you get a VR3 (just CC Nitrox) or an HS explorer? Any thoughts would be great. I have a KISS Classic and dive with and Integrated Shearwater and a stand alone Shearwater set to a constant PO2. The Shearwater is a full trimix computer right out of the gate. I have owned both the VR3 and HSE. By far, the Shearwater has been easier to use, very rugged and reliable. Bruce also provides great customer support. Get A Shearwater!!!!! __________________ Curt McNamee rEvo CCR Diver KISS CCR Diver www.silentscuba.com Last edited by silentscuba : 17th July 2007 at 01:01.
(Offline)

17th July 2007, 01:47	#6 (permalink)
mverick ScubaPimp Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 555	Re: HS Explorer vs VR3 I have a older VR3 didn't like how long it kept me in the water. Have a HS Explorer. Bought it new. Never worked right and still doesn't owned for 5 years I think. Sent back in 3 times. Have an older shearwater on my meg. Love it. No problems. I'd like to upgrade to the new one but why? It does what I want it to do.
(Offline)

17th July 2007, 03:35	#7 (permalink)
hoppyinca New Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA USA Posts: 253	Re: HS Explorer vs VR3 I would take tables and/ or a slate over an HSE any day! there's no question that the tables will work, the HSE... might work... but probably won't! just my 2 cents, I think my HSE might have worked for one whole dive... once... but I might have dreamed that... hoppyinca
(Offline)

17th July 2007, 06:09	#8 (permalink)
megdiver12 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Classic Kiss Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: minnesota Posts: 71	Re: HS Explorer vs VR3 i agree shearwater is best. I own the tow. and i love shearwater the best.
(Offline)

17th July 2007, 11:32	#9 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,907	Re: HS Explorer vs VR3 Between the two? A VR-3, because it'll probably actually work..... I'd never trust an Explorer to actually function on an given day of the week. I put them into the same category as the "Paragon of Unreliability" Paragon second stage on the KISS BOV..... just not something to trust. I hated mine. Even when it (very rarely) worked, it was a pain in the ass to use. Try pushing those buttons with thick gloves on.... Like to play with a Sherwater, but am happy with the VR-3's that I have (one brick, one "small"). Have had one return in all the time I've had them (the brick is how old?) and that was just one button that I knocked out on the small one. Was my own fault. Dave __________________ "Silent Diving with No Bubbles and No Politics".... www.nobubblediving.com
(Offline)

17th July 2007, 12:39	#10 (permalink)
DaveC New Member Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario. Canada Posts: 192	Re: HS Explorer vs VR3 Have two Explorers and they work just fine. Had a VR3 and found the screen too small to view and with the Big Mode option it was a pain not seeing all the info on one screen. Another reason I like the Explorer. Heard good things about the Shearwater and the new LiquidVision X1 looks very interesting as well. __________________ Dave Any day in the water is better then any day in the office.
(Offline)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode