@Wibble Obviously, you have to make your own decisions on hoses. But, here are a few things to consider.
People have been using Cooper hoses on CCR for years.
SubGravity offers them as a standard option on the Defender CCR and on the X CCR. Home - SubGravity Other CCRs offer them as a standard option as well. I think even rEvo USED to offer them as a standard option.
The manufacturer MAY mark them as "Not For Underwater Use" simply to cover their ass for liability. Or, maybe it's a simple fact. They do NOT actually make them FOR underwater use. But, does that really mean they are not suitable for underwater use? If your 18650 Li-Ion batteries had printed on them "Not For Underwater Use" would you eschew using them in an underwater light?
As I said earlier, I got my Cooper hoses for my rEvo from SubGravity. As they are a standard option for their CCRs, I got the impression they normally stock them. I note that what I got are (if I recall correctly) about 2" shorter than the standard rEvo hoses. I think they are 20" versus 22"(?). But, when ordering them I was told that most rEvo guys had chosen to go that way. They seem a little stiff and restrictive at first, but then they break in and are preferred to longer hoses that break in and get a little floppy.
They are apparently even in stock: Cooper Loop Hoses, each - Subgravity
Yes, they do not last as long as silicone breathing loop hoses, and you do need to replace them periodically. I think every 5 years is what is recommended, but totally not sure on that. The metal coil on the inside will eventually be exposed and can start to corrode. But, it seems pretty easy to tell when they are getting near needing to be replaced. You can look inside them and see if the lining is starting to delaminate. Otherwise, I think they are far more durable than the silicone hoses. More resistant, I THINK, to getting a nick on a sharp edge (or the side of a hose clamp) and then gradually tearing open.
I cannot speak to the assertion that they off-gas something that is problematic. I could be wrong about this, but it was my understanding that these Herbert Cooper hoses were specifically made as breathing gas hoses. They say "not for underwater use", but I have never heard that they were not for breathing gas applications. When I put new ones on my DSV, I didn't notice any funny smell or taste (that I recall - it has been 2 years).
@Dsix36 might chime in here. I think he has much more extensive experience using Cooper hoses on rEvo than I do.
I really wish there was a way to make my Cooper hoses work with my rEvo BOV. If there were, I'd still be using them. But, apparently, there is not. The fittings on the hose ends that attach to the BOV itself don't have wide enough flanges, or they stick up too far or something. I can't remember now. I looked into it, determined they wouldn't work, and moved on.
People have been using Cooper hoses on CCR for years.
SubGravity offers them as a standard option on the Defender CCR and on the X CCR. Home - SubGravity Other CCRs offer them as a standard option as well. I think even rEvo USED to offer them as a standard option.
The manufacturer MAY mark them as "Not For Underwater Use" simply to cover their ass for liability. Or, maybe it's a simple fact. They do NOT actually make them FOR underwater use. But, does that really mean they are not suitable for underwater use? If your 18650 Li-Ion batteries had printed on them "Not For Underwater Use" would you eschew using them in an underwater light?
As I said earlier, I got my Cooper hoses for my rEvo from SubGravity. As they are a standard option for their CCRs, I got the impression they normally stock them. I note that what I got are (if I recall correctly) about 2" shorter than the standard rEvo hoses. I think they are 20" versus 22"(?). But, when ordering them I was told that most rEvo guys had chosen to go that way. They seem a little stiff and restrictive at first, but then they break in and are preferred to longer hoses that break in and get a little floppy.
They are apparently even in stock: Cooper Loop Hoses, each - Subgravity
Yes, they do not last as long as silicone breathing loop hoses, and you do need to replace them periodically. I think every 5 years is what is recommended, but totally not sure on that. The metal coil on the inside will eventually be exposed and can start to corrode. But, it seems pretty easy to tell when they are getting near needing to be replaced. You can look inside them and see if the lining is starting to delaminate. Otherwise, I think they are far more durable than the silicone hoses. More resistant, I THINK, to getting a nick on a sharp edge (or the side of a hose clamp) and then gradually tearing open.
I cannot speak to the assertion that they off-gas something that is problematic. I could be wrong about this, but it was my understanding that these Herbert Cooper hoses were specifically made as breathing gas hoses. They say "not for underwater use", but I have never heard that they were not for breathing gas applications. When I put new ones on my DSV, I didn't notice any funny smell or taste (that I recall - it has been 2 years).
@Dsix36 might chime in here. I think he has much more extensive experience using Cooper hoses on rEvo than I do.
I really wish there was a way to make my Cooper hoses work with my rEvo BOV. If there were, I'd still be using them. But, apparently, there is not. The fittings on the hose ends that attach to the BOV itself don't have wide enough flanges, or they stick up too far or something. I can't remember now. I looked into it, determined they wouldn't work, and moved on.