Hey scubaboard,
Ive started saving for my first CCR, and have been doing the necessary research to figure out what unit I want. I'm mainly interested in backmount manual CCRs with backmounted counterlungs, that are fairly modular and can accept a wide variety of cylinders in case I want to dive with a backmounted DIL config.
I've started to narrow it down between the Fathom and the KISS, leaning more towards the Fathom as it comes ready to accept off board DIL put of the box, and it seems the KISS does not. Does anyone have experience with both units?
I will be doing primarily deep ocean technical dives in cold water and dabbling in caves a few times a year.
I do not know Fathom, but you will not go wrong with a classic Kiss. It is technically possible to place large tanks backmounted on a Kiss, but it is much easier and practical to have dil/bo sidemounted.
I dive a CK since 14 years ago and very happy about it. In fact I am looking for a second unit for a friend. First, it is so simple and intuitive that it is very safe, and being a mCCR you have be really in top of your ppO2.
it is relatively lightweight (26 kg with ss BP and 2 x 2 L steel tanks),however you do not need a lot of lead to sink it, it breathes very well, its scrubber time is 4+hours, if you know how to maintain a dive reg then you probably would be able to do maintenance in a CK.
That said, I have done the following mods in my unit:
Narked at 90 stand
BOV replaced by Golem Gear
Installed a HUD
Installed a hardwired Petrel
Replaced standard hoses by short ones
Increased IP oxy side/smaller orifice for going deeped than 75 meters
Kiss was bought by an US guy (Mike Young) some years ago. Since then, they have launched several interesting models (i.e sidewinder) and nowadays when you purchase a new unit you can also choose the options for BOV, electronics etc etc.
Kiss is a workhorse and a serious rebreather. Several cave diving records have been done using Kiss rebreathers:
https://metro.co.uk/2010/09/14/briti...system-512397/
https://divingalmanac.com/longest-ca...tion-dive-dpv/
Pozo Azul - Cave Diving Beyond the Limits