Divesoft Liberty



eCCR //
20 January

READ THIS FIRST!

Read this first!

Rebreather tests

People ask me many times which rebreather is the best one in the market. I usually reply that it depends on the application of the rebreather and the diving experience by the user. Does he/she travel a lot? Does he/she wants to make only recreational dives? Is he/she a cave diver? Or deep diver?

Rebreathers differ a lot. Very important are the “roots” of the manufacturer/inventor. Is he (yes: we have only male manufacturers…) a metalworker, a programmer, a marine, an engineer, …? It can have a big impact on the design of the rebreather.

There is also a difference in build quality, safety features and additional features. And of course: the price.

I have quite a lot of experience (in the field) with rebreathers. Some rebreathers are better than others (depending on the type of dive I make with them). So I tried, based on my personal experience, to rate the rebreathers. Five stars is the highest rate. One star is the lowest. The overall rating is the average of the ratings of the subcategories, which are:

1.  Ease of use (set-up, maintenance)
2.   Buoyancy/trim
3.  Work of breathing (WOB)/automatic Diluent Valve (ADV)/lungs 
4.  Travel (modularity) 
5.  Safety 
6.  Price 
7.  Service/after sales/availability of parts 
8.  Build quality 
9.  Cave diving 
10.   Deep and X-treme diving (deeper than 100 mtr)

All subcategories have the same weight for the total “verdict”.

Regarding safety: this is a difficult category. Does adding safety-items to a rebreather (such as CO2 monitors, auto-breathe-detection, etc.) really increase the safety? Those items can brake and might make rebreather-divers technology-dependent… It’s like cars: safety equipment (like ABS, airbags, brake assist, etc.) makes cars also accessible for bad drivers… Is a rebreather without electronics safer than a rebreather fully loaded with electronics? Check out the tests… I didn’t perform tests on the rebreathers in a lab. E.g. when I talk about the WOB, it is my personal experience and NOT the result of a lab test. I understand that some manufacturers will not be happy with my conclusions and that they want react on the rating. They can do so by sending an e-mail or replying on the forum on my website. Again: the verdict is based on my personal experience and I have personal preferences as well. Those preferences will have an effect on the way I view rebreathers. Another individual might have a completely different view on the rating. Furthermore I want to make absolutely clear that any rebreather manufacturer does not influence me in any way. I’m only interested in their product: rebreathers!

CCR Computer tests 

I have quite a lot of experience (in the field) with rebreathers and CCR computers. Some rebreathers and computers are better than others (depending on the type of dive I make with them). So I tried, based on my personal experience, to rate the CCR computers. Five stars is the highest rate. One star is the lowest. The overall rating is the average of the ratings of the subcategories, which are:

  1. Ease of use (set-up, maintenance)
  2. Functionality
  3. Operating depth
  4. Reliability and build quality
  5. Price
  6. Service/after sales/availability of parts

All subcategories have the same weight for the total “verdict”. 

I didn’t perform tests on the computers in a lab. E.g. when I talk about the batteries, it is my personal experience and NOT the result of a lab test. I understand that some manufacturers will not be happy with my conclusions and that they want react on the rating. They can do so by sending an e-mail or replying on the forum on my website. Again: the verdict is based on my personal experience and I have personal preferences as well. Those preferences will have an effect on the way I view computers. Another individual might have a completely different view on the rating. Furthermore I want to make absolutely clear that any computer manufacturer does not influence me in any way. I’m only interested in their product: ccr computers!

Pim van der Horst

Director Pim’s Tekdiving PTD


Name:

Divesoft Liberty eCCR

Manufacturer:

Divesoft cz

Website:

http://http://ccrliberty.com

Since:

2015

Type:

eCCR

CE:

Yes, since 2015

Lungs:

Over the shoulder

Weight:

30 kg (ready to dive)

Scrubber duration:

3 - 5 hours

Weight Scrubber:

2.5 kg

ADV (Automatic Diluent Valve):

Yes

HUD (Head Up Display):

Yes

BOV (Bail Out Valve):

Optional

(Deco-) computer:

Yes

Tanks:

3 ltr

My deepest dive with the unit:

130 mtr

Price:

7500 EUR ex VAT

General:

5 stars: completely redundant CCR of very high build quality. Perfect after sales. I upgraded the Liberty from 4 to 5 stars because it is now on the market for a longer period and it is there to stay! The startup problems have been overcome.

The Liberty is one of the best CCR's I dived sofar. Now it is my preferred CCR. For many purposes and different dives. It got 4 stars, for several reasons: robustness, easy of use, redundancy, perfect after sales, very good build quality. I used the Liberty not in caves yet. Maintenance is easy an setting up the unit is quickly done. I’m quite “tough” on my equipment and the Libery sofar resisted my “bad” handling. For travelling the Liberty could use a lighter backplate. Since this one is custom build and quite heavy One cannot put a different backplate because the stand of the canister is integrated with the backplate. That is also the reason why it is not possible to put bigger tanks.

The Liberty is also available as a Sidemount Rebreather. This version doesn't have CE (yet).

The unit is unique in the sense that is completely redundant: 4 oxygen cells, 2 independent dive computers/controllers, HUD and buddydisplay, 2 helium cells, 2 pressure sensors, two (rechargeable batteries). The head of the unit can be used as a gas analyser (nitrox, trimix, air). Parts to do so and also a head calibration kit are delivered with the unit. Also a "deluxe" spares kit is delivered with the unit.

1. Ease of use (set-up, maintenance)

4 stars

It’s quite easy to calibrate the unit and to prepare it for diving. Also taking it apart can be done in several minutes. It has an extended integrated checklist, which services as a "reminder". One can skip the list or even shut it off. The predive test however needs to be done. During the predivetests it performs the positive and negative tests with the help of the integrated pressure sensors.

2. Buoyancy/trim

5 stars

Trim is very good. The Liberty comes with weight pouches which make it easy to adjust the trim of the unit.

3. WOB

4 stars

The position of the lungs makes it a unit, which is easy to breathe. The WOB of the Liberty is good in every position. Back mounted lungs are available as an option. The diluent and oxygen injectors are mounted on the BOV.

4. Travel (modularity)

3 stars

The frame is heavy and cannot be replaced. The handsets and HUD can be easily removed from the head. Divesoft is now working on a travel kit.

5. Safety

5 stars

Although its lack of very advanced technology, its robustness is legendary and an example for the CCR market. The Meg is practically indestructible. It has all the necessary safety features like a HUD, back up unit and ADV. A BOV (non-CE) is optional.

6. Price

5 stars

Very competitive price for such a unit.

7. Service/after sales/availability parts

5 star

Perfect after sales. Direct response to email and spares are shipped immediately. The factory is very large and clean: an example to may manufacturers.

8. Build quality

5 stars

Very well engineered and build

9. Cave diving

?? stars

Still have to test it in caves

10. Deep and X-treme diving

4 stars

The unit is CE rated until 100 mtr. The handsets to 350 mtr. I dived the unit during two DIRrebreather expeditions to the Britannic (in 2016 and 2017).


Liberty eCCR Training