Delta P Rebreather monitor - A thing of beauty

[onthetrain]

Delta P Universal Rebreather Monitor - A thing of beauty

This weekend I struck lucky.

I got to try out the new rebreather monitor and heads up display from Delta P, makers of the VR3 dive computer and Ourobouros closed curcuit rebreather. This is a prototype unit complete with the latest version of the VR3 2007 software.

In recent years it has become more and more the norm for CCR divers to use a head up display allowing constant monitoring of PPo2 without having to be constantly gazing at handsets. Several units already do this, so what is different about this one?

Well for a start it can fit a number of units, secondly and more importantly for me it integrates with the VR3 and integrates some excellent new software on the VR3. The monitor connects the VR3 to the 4th cell via a standard fischer connector, but it also connects to the 1st stage regulators giving a constantly updated readout of the cylinder pressures.. The monitor unit then slots neatly beneath the stack.








On booting up the VR3 you will see a read out of your cylinder pressures as well as a measure of the Po2. Once in dive mode the default screen shows the information you are used to on a closed circuit read out, as well as a read out of cylinder pressures.



The HUD connects to the breathing loop and is mounted by a small clip, this is adjustable and gives you the choice to mount the display in a position that suits you. The monitor I used had a single LED which glowed a reassuring steady green when the unit was on set point. If the setpoint deviates by 0.2 the LED starts to flash fast for above set point, slow for below set point. There is also a red LED which illuminates when you enter compulsory decompression. Whilst I did not get near Deco on todays dive I believe this flashes red when you enter deco and goes solid red when you reach your stop depths, it then starts to flash again once its time to move to your next stop. Obviously the red light goes out when you clear all your stops. This obviously means that it is possible to manage all your stops on the HUD if your hands are full of scollops or brass




I understand that there will be a version with 3 leds for the KISS.
I thought that this was a superb bit of kit. It certainly enhanced my diving on my classic and I will definitely buy one when they come onthe market. Not 100% sure when this will happen. I understand that the manual is close to complete so hopefully it will be available soon.

I cant answer any of the technical questions but if you have any questions about use fire away & I will try to answer them.

Alan

[Paul Brown]

Looks tidy. Did they give you any idea of price?

[Ivon]

Alan, it looks as though the unit is drilled in the top of the head for access to the cell , is that correct? Wouldn't a Beanie cell holder be better?

How many cells can it monitor?

[onthetrain]

Originally Posted by Paul Brown

Looks tidy. Did they give you any idea of price?

Paul,
Exact price has not been set yet. All I know is that it will be considerably cheaper than a vision upgrade. It will obviously depend as well on whether you already own a VR3 with a board that will take the upgrade (3.o3C) The one I used today was a nice colour screen not my own

[onthetrain]

Originally Posted by Ivon

Alan, it looks as though the unit is drilled in the top of the head for access to the cell , is that correct? Wouldn't a Beanie cell holder be better?

How many cells can it monitor?

Ivon,
My head was already modified so not a deal for me.

I suspect the factory would fit whichever connector you wanted.

With regard to cell monitoring, mine only monitored the 4th cell, but as there will be a 3LED version for the kiss & the ourobouros version monitors all the cells I expect this can be done if people want it.

I must emphasise the above is my my supposition only. I have no connection to Delta P except that they used my unit to do a photo shoot and let me try the thing out.

Alan

[Ivon]

Originally Posted by onthetrain

Paul,
Exact price has not been set yet. All I know is that it will be considerably cheaper than a vision upgrade. It will obviously depend as well on whether you already own a VR3 with a board that will take the upgrade (3.o3C) The one I used today was a nice colour screen not my own

Alan will this work with the 3.03aC?

[onthetrain]

Originally Posted by Ivon

Alan will this work with the 3.03aC?

Yes, it will work on that board though the software will need an upgrade to allow the cylinder pressures etc to be displayed

[Phoenix]

At the dive show Kev said the price was £675 IIRC, obviously this was excluding the VR3, seems like good value to me. The build quality looks good and the HUD is a very worthwile addition.

Ian

[Ivon]

Originally Posted by onthetrain

Yes, it will work on that board though the software will need an upgrade to allow the cylinder pressures etc to be displayed

Thanks, I could well be interested in the 3 cell monitoring version, not too bothered about cylinder pressures as I can't really see the advantage, but correct me if you see some thing I don't.

[onthetrain]

Originally Posted by Ivon

Thanks, I could well be interested in the 3 cell monitoring version, not too bothered about cylinder pressures as I can't really see the advantage, but correct me if you see some thing I don't.

There are a couple of advantages in having all the info you need in one place. Obviously in most diving you won't worry too much about the cylinder pressures, but it also incorporates a low gas warning etc so useful rather than essential in my view.

A