Rebreatherlabs BOV

[scribley]

Well, I received my Rebreatherlabs BOV yesterday (was going to replace the Golem Gear one I have) and so far, unimpressed..
The BOV was practically locked in place and took a lot of effort to turn it - it loosened up slightly after a few turns but is still incredibly stiff. I checked that the barrel was greased but just seems that the barrel is too tight.
The delrin & plastic appeared fairly poorly finished with several sharp edges on the grill section, the edge where the rb hoses slide on etc. I even managed to cut my finger on it when opening the BOV the first time.
Also looks like there is a small section on the corner of the grill that has chipped off, near where the screw holds it in place.
So I emailed Rebreatherlabs to complain - was offered a replacement grill to replace the sharp one foc, great.

In response to the stiffness of the BOV, I got a message along the lines of: How hard a valve is to operate is very relative. Another diver just commented that is was really easy to turn. Still the only thing important to you is if you can operate it or not. If not its no good!

I've been offered a full refund - great. However, I was totally p*ssed off by this response as it is totally patronising. I know how hard a BOV should be to turn, I have a Golem gear bov that I think is a little stiff but far far easier to turn than this one. The BOV is faulty as it doesn't do the basic job it is supposed to do, but now I have to pay about £50 to post the thing back to Thailand.

Am I over-reacting?? Is this a good response to receive??
Anyway, it's going back as soon as I find out how to get my VAT refunded and I don't think I'll be buying anything from them again soon...

[Kent Tooling]

That is why it is always best to try and buy BRITISH PRODUCTS, BUT there are NOT many of these around now a days, because every manufacture or SHOP is going to the FAR EAST etc to get the items made or purchased as it is cheaper then put a ridiculas mark up on the item,

LOOK at the STAINLESS STEEL PRICES going up & up because China is buying it all.

Jo i hope you get your BOV sorted out soon, buy the way your project will be ready when i come back from Scapa in 2 weeks time.

[scribley]

Originally Posted by Kent Tooling

That is why it is always best to try and buy BRITISH PRODUCTS, BUT there are NOT many of these around now a days, because every manufacture or SHOP is going to the FAR EAST etc to get the items made or purchased as it is cheaper then put a ridiculas mark up on the item,

LOOK at the STAINLESS STEEL PRICES going up & up because China is buying it all.

I usually do buy British , but sometimes you don't have a choice. Anyway, it's being sent back at a cost of about £43 to me (sigh).

Originally Posted by Kent Tooling

Jo i hope you get your BOV sorted out soon, buy the way your project will be ready when i come back from Scapa in 2 weeks time.

Happy now though
Enjoy Scapa!

[Dr T]

do you have any weblinks for the bov ??

and why change the golem gear one ? I was thinking of getting a BOV and Golem gear seemed to be the only real choice ..???

ash

[colinicky]

Ash
The 2 main choices at present IMHO are Golum & Divematice although V4tec have changed the design of theirs so it will now hold a neg test as well see here :-
V4tec Bov - modification - Rebreather World Forums

There will apparently be a new BOV launched at Dema which will be available aftermarket .

AP BOV looks nice - Page 11 - Rebreather World Forums

post no.104

& of course AP's will be good if it ever comes !!!

[scribley]

Originally Posted by Dr T

do you have any weblinks for the bov ??

and why change the golem gear one ? I was thinking of getting a BOV and Golem gear seemed to be the only real choice ..???

ash

Because I have a small jaw I've found the Golem gear a bit heavy, so thought I'd try the Rebreatherlabs one as it is supposed to be lighter. It was also due to the fact that I have been considering getting a FFM - as I have the standard GG not the Vario, this would be difficult.

There are no weblinks for the Rebreatherlabs BOV, the information/pics were posted on RBW

[Okeanos]

Originally Posted by colinicky

& of course AP's will be good if it ever comes !!!

IF! I've seen it and it looks bloody good, they haven't integrated the ADV yet but the prototype is sexy black. It will be white in production though

[colinicky]

Originally Posted by Okeanos

IF! I've seen it and it looks bloody good, they haven't integrated the ADV yet but the prototype is sexy black. It will be white in production though

Making a one or 2 off prototype is easy it is getting the production moulds set up to produce them identical ! Look at the problem,s with the Vision scrubber cans

[onthetrain]

Originally Posted by colinicky

& of course AP's will be good if it ever comes !!!

Ha ha, I wonder if it will be as good as their handsets?

[colinicky]

Originally Posted by onthetrain

Ha ha, I wonder if it will be as good as their handsets?

Dont even go there ! I'm on my 4th in 18 months !

But in fairness at least they paid the carriage for me to return it

Out of interest Jo how much smaller / lighter is the reabrether labs bov in comparrison to the Golem ?