Is anyone diving the Hollis prism?

[tomfcrist]

I’ve got an optima but have dove the P2. Those that I know diving the P2 haven’t had any issues with it.

I chose the Optima based on the simplicity of it...and the option of EAC or sorb. I dive the packable scrubber, but like the convenience of dropping in the EAC.

Are there things I don’t like on the optima? Yes. Are they showstoppers? No.

I think you find the same as above on any unit on the market today.

 

[Gareth J]

I think a fair point is that most are happy with the unit they are using. There are often many competing reasons people pick a particular CCR initially.

I do however listen carefully to those who either use and teach on a number of unit's, or who have had a number of different types of CCR. In the case of those that have had several, the unit they have now is often the one they wax lyrical about .

 

[jstrang]

So I dive a JJ and am biased. I am happy to report most people who see it are impressed with how clean and straightforward it is. Having said that I have dove with mates on the Prism and they love it. I have friends on the meg, inspo, optima, revo and sf2 - all love their units.

The one concern i have is going CCR is an investment (and I dont really mean $ wise) - you really need to dive a lot to keep it safe. If you are just doing a few dives here and there and a trip once a year for technical dives on the GL, I would stay OC - sure He is expensive but less can go wrong on the OC side and unless you are diving 100+ hours a year it isnt worth it.

I did my training in FL with Jon Bernot on the JJ. He was awesome. Staying in North FL is not expensive.

The service from Jan at JJ.com and Wayne at rebreathersusa.com has been excellent. So parts and servicing has not been an issue for me in Canada.

The JJ group though dont really seem to be interested in marketing or promoting the unit.

Have fun

 

[Cyborg Pirate]

So I dive a JJ and am biased. I am happy to report most people who see it are impressed with how clean and straightforward it is. Having said that I have dove with mates on the Prism and they love it. I have friends on the meg, inspo, optima, revo and sf2 - all love their units.

The one concern i have is going CCR is an investment (and I dont really mean $ wise) - you really need to dive a lot to keep it safe. If you are just doing a few dives here and there and a trip once a year for technical dives on the GL, I would stay OC - sure He is expensive but less can go wrong on the OC side and unless you are diving 100+ hours a year it isnt worth it.

I did my training in FL with Jon Bernot on the JJ. He was awesome. Staying in North FL is not expensive.

The service from Jan at JJ.com and Wayne at rebreathersusa.com has been excellent. So parts and servicing has not been an issue for me in Canada.

The JJ group though dont really seem to be interested in marketing or promoting the unit.

Have fun

I agree you have to dive a lot to stay safe and make it worth it. Just for the record.... I dive almost daily. Many times I am in the water at 3am just to get a dive in before baby wakes up and work. I am on avg doing at least 1 tech dive a week. So staying proficient (once I get proficient). Will not be an issue.

 

[KevinNM]

I did my training in FL with Jon Bernot on the JJ. He was awesome. Staying in North FL is not expensive.

I think it’s like $60/day at the old motel 300 feet from his shop. IIRC Jon didn’t use the JJ for his 5 mile+ cave penetration dives, but he knows what he’s doing.

 

[JW]

I’ve been diving my Prism 2 for just shy of 3 years now. It’s a solid unit and there are a lot of aspects I like about it, including being easy to maintain and service. I’ve never had a major issue and have travelled with it. Even after the long trip out to Truk it didn’t miss a beat during the 2-week trip, and neither did the other 2 P2s that were there. There are a couple of parts on the unit that leave a little to be desired in terms of quality, but one of my biggest complaints, the O2 add valve, has since been updated and replaced with a much more robust component. Overall I find the build quality very good.

I too had issues with Hollis in terms of getting parts and lack of support, but this was during the time when they were being bought out and streamlined. It was frustrating at the time and I had to source parts from friends and shops that still had them in stock. I was concerned about an upcoming trip to Truk and replacing some parts, but Hollis came back online right before I left and I got what I needed. The interactions I have had since then have been good with quick responses and support.

There are many good units out there, all have pros and cons. A couple friends just got the XCCR, which looks like an extremely well built and well thought out rig. REVOs and SF2s are popular up here too. Try a few, see what you like and what you don’t. It is nice having friends diving the same unit, but not necessary. Sometimes I’m the only P2 depending on which group I’m diving with. Good luck with your search!

 

[rjack321]

I'm still confused about what you eliminated and why?

I get the eCCR vs mCCR issue - sort of. But as a Meg and a KISS diver I am not seeing the orifice as a big deal at all. Personally I am replacing mine with a needle valve but I could have just as easily downsized the orifice and the kiss would get me far deeper than I want to actually go.

For me, the big negatives on the kiss and revos is flood tolerance - there isnt any.
The JJ is a solid unit, I dont like the lid to tube connection for cave diving but otherwise it has no major flaws for me.
The meg15 is pricey and has lots of battery issues. The meg 2.7 (which I have) is solid. The counterlungs are some of the best along with modularity.
The optima is popular in FL but otherwise I dont know enough to comment, doesnt seem to be very adaptable however
The prism and hollis have not had a great track record in the ccr business.
The Xccr is solid and has lots of options should your diving change or grow.
The SF2 is solid and seems to be working great for people, but I personally dont like the CL on my butt

Your math is wacky on this 11k more for training business.

 

[rjack321]

It’s the multiple flights back and forth for the additional classes, cost of additional classes, and the hotel stays, car rental. Etc.

I failed to mention I am getting the entire prism, with BOV, bottles and first 3 class modules for the same 9k.

Your instructor either doesnt value his time or is trying to move a prism or both. He (she?) is offering you Mod3 in 2 or 3 years for free?
What is you current OC level of training?

 

[doctormike]

The JJ is a solid unit, I dont like the lid to tube connection for cave diving but otherwise it has no major flaws for me.

I don't cave dive, but that's why I got one of these, for wreck penetration:

 

[Cyborg Pirate]

Your instructor either doesnt value his time or is trying to move a prism or both. He (she?) is offering you Mod3 in 2 or 3 years for free?
What is you current OC level of training?

You missed the part where I stated I work for the shop..... also I completed extended range trimix cert in July. I have decided I am not taking advanced trimix until I am on CCR. I am already going to have to recert on the tech classes I currently have on ccr.