the unit is short, and when I used MY backplate and harness instead of the OW BC, I positioned the unit both high on the shoulders and low on the hips. High on the shoulders trim was ver good. The only thing that would change trim would be the use of Drysuit vs. Wetsuit.
First Impressions of the Explorer
- Thread starter CCR Josh
- Start date
WOB is better than Dolphin in quite a number of positions. They have laid the inhale on top of the exhale counterlung and it seems to increase the range of movement from a WOB perspective. It also has an automatic drain in the counterlung to expel moisture. I find the Dolphin breaths well in a certain position but the Explorer breaths well in a number of positions. In fact I could say it is the best breathing of the back mounter CL units I have ever dived.
Pat413
Member
OK, sounds good. But dry suit is mandatory. When I get the chance to test dive this unit I will do it. But only with back plate & harness, not the OW BC...
So far I found in Europe only Vobster Quay in UK as reseller and intructor. On next dive show in January I will have a closer look on it, and meanwhile a few other reseller should see the light I guess.
There is no need of another unit right now, as I'm very happy with my Boris and homebuild, but I have to admit that a light weight recreational unit could interest me in future, as I'm getting older...
So far I found in Europe only Vobster Quay in UK as reseller and intructor. On next dive show in January I will have a closer look on it, and meanwhile a few other reseller should see the light I guess.
There is no need of another unit right now, as I'm very happy with my Boris and homebuild, but I have to admit that a light weight recreational unit could interest me in future, as I'm getting older...
Pat413
Member
NO, I need a back plate to fit my drysuit inflation, that's all. With this unit no other dives are planed as recreational. For deeper and more I will use the Boris.
So a backplate and wing is what defines technical dive equipment these days?
Like yourself I dislike the badge technical diving like it defines something. I always use a BP/wing regardless what equipment I am hanging off it. The Explorer is a purely recreational rebreather and you are correct that one looking at the purchase should not be looking at modifying it beyond its intended use but I just don't think putting a BP/wing on it crosses any line.
I fully intend to use it that way. I have only used the unit in tropical waters with the stab jacket but for cold water diving the jacket BC won't cut it for my needs.
jp, it seems that perception of BP/W might be very different here than where you are located. BP/W, here, is just another option for any diver. As a matter of fact, here on the west coast of Florida, a large portion of shooters use the BP/W with single tank as it much less cluttered. I use BP/W for everything, soft BP for sidemount, but a SS BP and wing for teaching, doubles, and RB. Fits like a "taylor" 'd suit and so much less bulk. I just worked with the owner of Armor Bags on designing a VERY simple weight pocket that can be place anywhere on the rig to offer weight integration. With this setup, OW style BCs are close to obsolete. It is the 21st century after all-why not go back to the basics and simplicity.
thetrickster
CCRX Supporter
What I want it know is why it isn't being marketed as a 'Oceanic' product?
To me it was also always
Aeris = Cheap Holiday Stuff
Oceanic = Lesiure / Recreational Diving
Hollis = Tec
They are watering down the (newly created) Hollis "Tec" brand to nothing more than an all encompassing brand, which devalues the Oceanic brand.
To me it was also always
Aeris = Cheap Holiday Stuff
Oceanic = Lesiure / Recreational Diving
Hollis = Tec
They are watering down the (newly created) Hollis "Tec" brand to nothing more than an all encompassing brand, which devalues the Oceanic brand.
to both of the previous posters, I'm just stating MY opinion.
What any vendor offers is what they believe the consumer will buy. Trying to label gear as "Tech" does not have much value to me. Tools are just something you use to get the job done. The job/dive might be labeled Tech, that has some value to me.
Trikster- Do you really care what name is plastered on the product? Would you not use a particular piece of kit because it did NOT have a "tech" manufacturers name on it?
There is no watering down, there are different branches of a company for different markets, but offering full lines help the Marketing dept for each line.
jp-Hollis has three BC's, one is a standard wrap around/full inflation type and that one is targeted at pulic safety divers that would dive that style of BC on thier own time. The brand embraces a style of equipment that can be used for many types of diving. But again, I will use what works, I don't care what name is on it. I have Hollis, Dive rite, and Oxycheq hardware that I use on a daily basis. I have a Promate mask that fits better than anything I have ever used before, I have two pairs of SP XL Jets, and Two pairs of F1's-each for specific tasks and fit to what I wear on my feet. What works works and I usually wear the name off of it from daily use, so I don't really care.
What any vendor offers is what they believe the consumer will buy. Trying to label gear as "Tech" does not have much value to me. Tools are just something you use to get the job done. The job/dive might be labeled Tech, that has some value to me.
Trikster- Do you really care what name is plastered on the product? Would you not use a particular piece of kit because it did NOT have a "tech" manufacturers name on it?
There is no watering down, there are different branches of a company for different markets, but offering full lines help the Marketing dept for each line.
jp-Hollis has three BC's, one is a standard wrap around/full inflation type and that one is targeted at pulic safety divers that would dive that style of BC on thier own time. The brand embraces a style of equipment that can be used for many types of diving. But again, I will use what works, I don't care what name is on it. I have Hollis, Dive rite, and Oxycheq hardware that I use on a daily basis. I have a Promate mask that fits better than anything I have ever used before, I have two pairs of SP XL Jets, and Two pairs of F1's-each for specific tasks and fit to what I wear on my feet. What works works and I usually wear the name off of it from daily use, so I don't really care.
thetrickster
CCRX Supporter
Not at all....if it works, I don't really care who makes it or want name it has on it. 'Hello Kitty' maybe a stretch too far mind!
I just don't understand why AUP are devaluing/sidelining their massive Oceanic Brand, for which they are known worldwide for 'recreational diving equipment'.
I just don't think its very good marketing, for the average holiday diver they are trying for, which I would think would of at least heard/seen Oceanic equipment. If I can explain...
"Hey, you heard Oceanic have a rebreather out now?"
"Really? must go and have a look, be great to extend my dives"
"Hey, you heard Hollis have a rebreather out now?"
"Hollis?, whats that?"
"Oh, its Oceanic's sister company, making tech gear and now a rebreather"
"Tec gear?, not me I'm not a technical diver"
Its the perception I feel is the issue.
Last edited:
I am fascinated by the fact that some countries/places consider BP/W setups as as tech only, question how wide is this thought? Another thing the explorer was probably going to be oceanic (as you can tell by how wholely different from the prism 2 it is)but they changed it to Hollis cause of 1: dreager and what happened 2:the price that it now costs and 3:The whole idea of rec rebreather is such a huge black hole with arguments on both sides it was safer to move it to Hollis cause it attracts a different crowd as it were. All this is just my humble opinion for what it is worth.
Michael Thornton
Rebreather Enthusiast
I imagine it also has to do with not limiting their dealers to just Oceanic. For example we are a Hollis dealer and not an oceanic dealer.
Also I have noticed among people who are just getting into Tech. Hollis has a "cool factor". Plus their other rebreather (Prism 2) is a Hollis product.
I would say you gain no benefit from trying to tie in O2 cell for deco, the Explorer has a deco computer built in. You may want to use a standalone as a backup. You should know though that the variable injection timing will make the unit follow fixed PO2 more closely than an active SCR does but not so close that you can use a CCR computer with it. My advice would be to use a nitrox computer, set it to a couple of points below what the fraction of nitrox in your tank and use that as a back-up computer. I would not recommend doing any planned deco on the unit, the buzzing and red flashy thing will drive you nuts :big:
Some standalone computers like the Shearwater Petrel can work in SCR mode yes.
Yes but compared to active SCR it would err on the side conservatism