Unorthorised modification will invalidate the warranty
On behalf of OSEL, painting or coating or placing stickers on the outside of the case of any colour you like so long as it does not deform the case or block any holes, will not affect warranties with OSEL because it will not affect the performance of the rebreather.
In matt black the Apoc appears to be a military rebreather as it resembles the Incursion and some others on the market, which causes legal issues that grew over time. There are licence requirements from UK BERR & SPIRE for rebreathers and especially military type equipment, and these multiply with other countries claiming jurisdiction through export controls of components in dual use products etc. The Apoc is magnetic (all fittings are stainless steel), there are more shiny parts on the Apoc than on the Incursion, but general appearances are what Customs and some police go by: the matt black option does look very military and the fact that the Apoc's respiratory performance outperforms mil rebreathers does not help (tactical military diving often involves long hard shallow swims, hence the relevance of this). We have experienced Customs officials ask for the user manual and there are at least two ex-clearance divers working in airport security in the Northern Hemisphere - this issue is not imaginary, it has arisen. These factors are at the root of why the matt black option was withdrawn and any EA who requested that option is shipped carbon black, not matt black.
I believe brief declarations were made about this on RBW, but cannot check currently. The configuration without Matt Black listed was in OSEL Newsletter November 2010. I agree it would have been better if it had been an overt newsletter item.
For information, anyone who really wants matt black, need only buff the carbon black shell, and hey presto, it is matt black. This is not how DL or OSEL make matt black (we reverse the plastic when moulding it), but the end result is the same. Note the issues above that this may cause when you travel with it. OSEL do not offer anything to the public that looks like matt green, for the same reasons as matt black.
Consideration for ease of travel and transport has been designed into the Apoc, and not just minimising weight. There is a reusable printed canvas TSA / Asian security notice shipped with every rebreather: it is advised that this be used whenever the rebreather is shipped. South Africa joins USA and Canada as countries that require valves NOT to be fitted to cylinders: if in doubt remove them before shipment and put a tape over the open end to avoid contamination. Air transport statements are on all cylinders: ensure the cylinder labels shipped with the cylinders are readable, in particular that air transport statement. The EAC also has an air transport statement on the packaging. Finally, carry the manual with you on your iPhone/iPad/Computer. We are not perfect and some of this is a reaction to travel or transport issues as they occur: we are looking again at how valves are shipped, as a very recent experience when valves where shipped out of the cylinder created an opportunity for Customs to examine the valves and not repack them properly. However, we try to do our best to avoid problems where we can, and unfortunately, choice of colours was a casualty of that.
Alex
