DIR CCR?! say it isn't so!

[rjack]

So this rig is their answer to all those KISS / rEVO converts. Build a "DIR/UTD compliant" rebreather that allows them to continue diving ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME WAY AS ALWAYS, but gives them some more bottom time. That's really all they get, as far as I can see. Given the "the whole team dives as one" philosophy, the rebreather cannot be allowed to alter gas choices (from standard DIR gasses) or deco calculations. Everyone, OC or RB, must dive the same deco plan when diving "team DIR/UTD". Hence the long hose, bungee'd backup and manifold. Gotta all be he same. It's mandated by the philosophy.

Yeah we've never been big on "you do your deco I'll do mine, see ya on the surface after my nap"

I have never seen so much hoopla about a mCCR (or eCCR for that matter). Big whop, its got a crapload on onboard "backgas" bailout and a proverbial switch block to plug in additional gases (including the required O2). Yes you can donate a long hose off of it like off the old fridge pSCR and RB80s instead of doing bottles switches under duress. Yes its a mCCR to avoid putting all of your loop ppO2 eggs into a electronic basket. Are any of these things earth scattering? Nope they all already exist in one form of another on existing SCR or mCCR units.

[JS1scuba]

I get that Joel--and I agree, that is the right approach here. Gather information, make informed decision. It is just tough to get that information when Andrew isn't on this board.

Andrew's answers to my query are his answers that will be spun in much the manner I would spin them if I was selling the program. I want to hear from the folks who have bought into this deal and why.

This discussion is on this board. If what you are telling me is that no one who is involved in this "modified diving system" is on this board then so be it and I will close it off my DMX following. BUT if they are i sure would like to hear from them

Cheers
JDS

[Nailer99]

My guess is that the actual market of potential divers for this thing is pretty small- UTD Trimix 2 level is a pretty small group; most folks don't progress that far in their training. The ones that do, rarely surf the net, from what I can tell.

[rjack]

I want to hear from the folks who have bought into this deal and why.

So far, Andrew and a couple of his instructors are the ones working with Leon. I don't think any other units exist. This question will probably have more to it (or maybe not) in a year.

[rjack]

My guess is that the actual market of potential divers for this thing is pretty small- UTD Trimix 2 level is a pretty small group; most folks don't progress that far in their training. The ones that do, rarely surf the net, from what I can tell.

There are people in Poland, Russia, Egypt, Italy, Brazil etc. who I'd guess might be interested. For all the hoopla its hard to see it extending much beyond a few Trimix2 people doing OC now, or those already diving the rb80.

[Nailer99]

There are people in Poland, Russia, Egypt, Italy, Brazil etc. who I'd guess might be interested. For all the hoopla its hard to see it extending much beyond a few Trimix2 people doing OC now, or those already diving the rb80.

Exactly- at first, I thought there'd be a bunch of these units hitting the streets- but then, I realized that the market was probably comparable to the RB80 crowd, and there just aren't many of those around. (As far as I can tell, at any rate.) I am very curious to see how many people get trained on these in the next year- and I'd love to talk with someone who has some experience on one. I'd like it even more if I could find someone who had significant experience on a stock config first, and hear what they thought of the contrast.

I don't like the design, personally, but I'm also very curious to see what kinds of dives these units end up doing.

[rjack]

I've hear in a few places that the WOB on the rb80 is awful in non-prone positions, so folks who have been diving that awhile and gotten annoyed with it might upgrade. They get to keep alot of what they already have.

If there are 2 dozen units in service a year from now I'd be a bit surprised. I'd be even more surprised if someone like yourself left their modern existing unit and converted to the mc90/160. (i.e. moving up from a Drager doesn't count!)

[rjack]

I realized that the market was probably comparable to the RB80 crowd, and there just aren't many of those around. (As far as I can tell, at any rate.)

Halcyon has kinda blocked out the North American market. There are more clones now that are available in Europe. But its a bit of a stretch to order a unit sight unseen with limited trainers outside of GUE to dive a niche market (generally deep caves with a ton of support). Ocean divers are not buying rb80s by and large if anything it adds complexity and you still need just as much crap as with OC (well you essentially do with CCRs too, you just get to reuse a bunch for another dive)

[AzTek Diver]

I've hear in a few places that the WOB on the rb80 is awful in non-prone positions,

Not true, it's awful in every position, just a little less in a slightly head high prone position. The advantage is in it allowing me to do long dives (6+ hours) with only the initial safety setup. I can do these dives in my shallow caves (55-60') day after day using only a single stage as a drive, and in a 2 week period I can do many dives ilo 2.

[rjack]

Not true, it's awful in every position, just a little less in a slightly head high prone position.

Lol ok that's the less generous version. Are any of the clones better? (or worse) or are they all the same WOB?

[jeff_s]

Hi,

Andrew just added a long post on the UTD site that addresses many of the points in this thread:

http://www.unifiedteamdiving.com/gro...mc-series-over

Jeff

[AzTek Diver]

Lol ok that's the less generous version. Are any of the clones better? (or worse) or are they all the same WOB?

By using either the Gloem or TecMe BOV it helps some, but the lungs are high off the back and low on the body, not the best combo for good wob. I haven't tried any of the clones, but I doubt there's much difference.

[jeff_s]

UTD's monthly Live Chat with UTD Instructors is tonight, 7:30pm pacific time. Andrew and the guys will be talking rebreathers with special guest Leon Scamahorn of Innerspace Systems, maker of the MC90 DIR Rebreater. www.unifiedteamdiving.com, click to join, it's on the home page.