Mark Andrews - UK Deep Technical Diver.

I thought you might like to see a picture of the VR3 in use during my warm up dives for the coming record bid. This picture was taken during the deco after a 185m dive in the Red Sea last month. I now have logged 28 dives beyond 150m with the deepest at 206m I am now training in the 200-240m range with 10 dives planned between these depths during February and March 2003.

Christina Campbell and Chris Hutchinson - Starfish Enterprise

We used the VR3 to 120 metres on the Niagara, the first dive was 25 mins, total time around 5 hours, and we dived on the following day (not my usual practice but we had a good weather window), for a slighly shorter dive. The time given was similar to our Meg Rebreather computers in total, except of course the VR3 stops were deeper at the begining, we are both very pleased with the VR3.

John Bennet - World Open Circuit depth record 2002

I thought you would like some feed back on a dive I have just completed using the VR3. Ron and I completed a dive on a a previously undived wreck the Princess of the Orient which lays about 60 miles south of Manila in 130m. I lent Ron one of the VR3's and we completed a dive of 25 minutes in depths between 122m and 112m. The great majority of the time around the 115m mark. Our run time was 180 minutes. The conditions where not ideal with seas running at around 1.5 to 2m swells with fairly strong winds. The current was strong and deco was hindered by winds blowing opposite to the current which made the deco interesting shall we say. All in all though it was a great dive on a great wreck. Profile wise despite the conditions we both felt great after the dive, in short the VR3 is the dogs bollocks. I will get some photos to you as soon as we get them sorted out.

James Laver - Technical Diver and Inspiration owner, UK.

"When I started diving with the Buddy Inspiration in October '98 there were no multilevel computers available that had any closed-circuit capability let alone the ability to switch between CC/OC and back again. The VR3 together with Proplanner are the mainstay of my pre-dive planning, in-water deco and bail-out management. The VR3 has a very simple and intuitive interface which is complemented by advanced download/upload features utilising Infra red PC linking. This is a world class British product designed by someone that is a leading proponent of technical diving and is committed not only to keeping pace with developments but setting the standards for others to follow. I have to confess that when not in-water,the VR3 sometimes sits on the mantelpiece as a high-tech curio!"

Reg Creighton - Special projects manager for Sunset Divers, Cayman islands.

I have been diving with the VR3 since it was first produced. On a personal level after diving the VR3 for one year it saved my life in a CCR decompression accident. Without going into to much detail the VR3's ability to switch from CCR to OC and back again without any hesitation is amazing. I switched from a CCR at 1.3 PO2 to OC 21% to another rebreather at 1.2 PO2, back to OC 99% and finished with a CCR at 1.4 PO2. The VR3 followed every step of the dive and every gas switch. It walked me through an emergency situation that otherwise would have been life threatening and impossible to plan/implement on standard dive tables. In our work environment here at Sunset House, Grand Cayman we try and talk every Technical OC and CCR student have into diving the VR3 as their primary dive computer, and use Proplanner software to cut their backup tables. The combination not only makes every dive safer it allows a freedom in Technical diving that did not previously exist. We also dedicate an entire lecture in our Mix courses to using Proplanner software and the use of the VR3 for safer management in Technical Diving. The students listen well in class, but when they see the VR3 perform in open water and how it performs through emergency bailout procedures, they are sold every time. I don't just recommend the VR3 I think it is a vital piece of technical equipment. Intelligent technical divers will choose safety first every time. Intelligent technical divers will pick the VR3!

Steve Copeland - TDI Instructor Trainer, UK.

The world of the diving equipment manufacture never stands still and Delta P Technology is no exception to this, recently unleashing on the world the latest incarnation of its VR3 computer. The original VR3 brought in water mixed decompression calculations to reality, but to many people had a few shortcomings. Delta P have addressed these very aggressively and released a second generation unit that to put it simply is truly outstanding. This is not just a cosmetic update of an old unit it is a redesign from the ground up incorporating all of the best features of the old unit and fixing its many niggles. It features a new smaller and lighter case and mobile phone style LCD panel with one of the best backlights I have ever seen on a dive computer. The orientation of the display can be changed by a couple of simple button presses, which may seem a simple thing but to a right handed computer user is an absolute boon, allowing me to run the PO2 cable up my right arm. On the side of the case is a port for connection of an external O2 sensor that can be used to provide real time PO2 information to the VR3's decompression algorithm. The sensor can be connected to virtually any rebreather, with appropriate fittings, which currently exist for the Inspiration available from Delta P, and the Drager series of SCR and the KISS CCR. The unit comes in several flavours ranging from a basic Nitrox Open Circuit version through to a Closed Circuit Rebreather enabled Trimix version. All units are upgradeable without return to the factory via a simple PIN system. Planned for mid 2002 will be the facility to upgrade the unit's firmware via an internet enabled (cradle). Operation of the unit is achieved by pressing the two plunger style black buttons on the top of the unit and is the method used for initial setup and making gas or set-point switches during the dive. It is important to keep these switches clean and rinsed and the manual suggests that you put a little light machine oil on them occasionally to ensure smooth operation. Setting up the unit is fairly simple process apart from the eternity it takes to enter the activation PIN. I spent nearly an hour scrolling through what seemed like every alphabet on earth to enter the correct PIN code, thankfully a task that only needs to be endured once. The unit is capable of handling 10 gas mixes, which can also be changed on the fly in water as well as providing multiple set-points for CCR diving. The unit is delivered pre-programmed with a full range of the most popular choices of gas ranging from air, and Nitrox mixed through to Trimix and O2. Creating custom mixes is simple and quick and can be of any combination of Helium, Oxygen and Nitrogen. Auto gas switching is achieved easily through the setting of Maximum Operating Depths for each gas. The VR3 then flashes a warning and asks you to confirm the gas switch failing to do so the unit will continue it's calculations with the current gas. Confirmation of a gas switch is done simply by pressing the button. For the rebreather diver the unit can have two (default set-points for CCR diving which can also be varied in water quickly and easily. The unit also features a full open circuit bailout mode. We took the unit for a week Trimix diving in Florida and pitted it against it's only other competitor the Abyss Explorer Mixed Gas Computer. A series of Closed Circuit Mixed Gas dives on some of Florida's finest wrecks gave us ample opportunity to see the VR3 in action. One of my long time complaints about the old VR3 was the overly conservative algorithm employed for its decompression calculations. In line with everything else new about this unit the algorithm is also new and I was pleasantly surprised to see that the not only does the unit continue to offer (sensible deep stops but also gave sensible run times, on square profiles comparable to my routine tables. Multi level profiles were appropriately accelerated. Diving simultaneously in warm blue water with both the VR3 and the Abyss Explorer on my dives gave me a chance to reflect and make some interesting comparisons. As far as decompression is concerned the Abyss and the VR3 are within a few minutes of each other with the VR3 giving initial stops deeper than the Abyss to aid in the elimination of micro-bubbles. One feature that gave me endless hours of fun on long decompression stops is the innovative game. Whilst on decompression you can while away the hours playing Octopush, with more downloadable games promised later this year. The Abyss is a 10 algorithm computer which is effectively the method it uses for conservatism, if you want to be more conservative you move up an algorithm. The VR3 has one algorithm with a user defined conservatism option. The Abyss has 10 gas selections which are pre-set at the surface and cant be modified whilst under water. The VR3 also has 10 different gas mixes which can also be modified on the fly under water. The Abyss achieves set-point switching by performing a gas switch and again can only run set-points pre-programmed as gases at the surface. The VR3 is capable of connecting to an external O2 sensor to provide real-time decompression information; the Abyss has it as a planned future option. Another feature of very worthy note is the vastly improved battery management on the new VR3 with its amazing ability to take any standard (AA cell battery ranging from 1.2v to 3.6V. It is worth pointing out that I am running my VR3 on a 3.6V Lithium battery that I ran my Abyss Explorer on for 40 hours before the voltage was too low to power it, this same battery has seen me through 40 hours of diving and 2 months of standby time and still gives a voltage of 3.2V!! Delta P claim that on a 1.5V (AA the unit will run for 100 hours of dive time or 1 year on stand-by, with a 3.6V battery these numbers could well be tripled, bringing the VR3 in line with the other major computer manufacturers for battery life. In closing, as much as I tried to find fault with this amazing unit I was unable to! The manual still needs a little work to cater to the manually challenged like myself, but I did get an early version! The VR3 is an extremely well engineered and manufactured dive computer giving that will grow with the diver, whether they are just starting out or an advanced diver, living up to the claims on the box that it is the only dive computer you will ever need. As far as I am concerned it is the only dive computer I will ever need.

Dr Simon Mitchell - MB ChB, DipDHM, PhD Diving and Hyperbaric Physician.

I used my new VR3 for the first time last week. We did 90m for 18 minutes in CCR trimix mode. Fabulous dive on a newly sunken trawler on a flat sandy bottom. Clear water, but with some current that made things a little difficult. I have to say that the new VR3 is very, very cool. To begin with, I could read it! With my early version VR3 on deep dives I had to use a torch to read the display, even with maximum backlight. The new display is like a neon sign. Excellent stuff. The logic of the screen interchanges and control sequences is simpler and clearer than with the old device. The use and choice of icons is excellent, and makes driving the VR3 very intuitive. I found that if I became stuck but followed my "hunch", then I was invariably right. I might add that I actually controlled the dive using my old VR3, just in case I had any problems running the new one. I needent have worried. Indeed, despite my familiarity with the old and unfamiliarity with the new, I encountered no snags and could have run the dive with either. The smaller size is a bonus, and renders the new VR3 easily "wearable" on the arm. The old one really was a bit clunky in that regard. The auto activate on diving is also a great new feature as is the game. Definitely takes your mind off what you might taste like as you hang in mid water. All in all a great package. I offer my congratulations and thanks.

Dr Jerome Meynie - French cave diver.

Diving in remote caves situated in France is never straightforward, more often than not you can find yourself dealing with multilevel or unknown profiles. Recently, an International Expedition (Jean Marc Belin, Dominique Victorin, Stephane Friedli, Thomas Baum, Michael Keimes) provided me with the opportunity to investigate the multilevel cave of "Source de la Marnade". After several days of staging tanks the equipment had been prepared to allow a push to sump 3. Descending into sump 3 I navigated my way through narrow passages whilst simultaneously contending with bad visibility. Subsequently, the cave expanded to a stunning large tunnel on a 55-degree slope from -60m to -121m. The passage suddenly decreased in width after -121m and the visibility became crystal clear. I swam slowly for 25m before I discovered a beautiful shaft dropping to -128m then discovering a new horizontal gallery continuing in the East direction. At this point (390m into S3, over 1km underground) I felt it was time for me to turn back, I felt excited that the opportunity for further exploration was eminent. My return was straightforward and uneventful until reaching the narrow -60m passage. The visibility very quickly reduced to nil and the original line had been disturbed by my decent and was now situated in a much narrower area of the passage, an area too narrow for me and my quad 20s to fit through. I lost 6 minutes searching for a route to ascend; this delay at -60m was an unplanned event in my cut deco tables. In this type of situation the VR3 revealed its strengths. By recalculating instantaneously my deco the VR3 added 30 minutes to my original cut tables, that increase my total dive time to 300 minutes into sump 3. But the VR3 had not yet finished its work; it still had to calculate my deco on my return through the shallow S2 (-6m for 126m) and then S1 (-33m for 362m). Emerging after 8 hours underwater both exhausted and exhilarated, my thoughts were already focussed on planning our return to "la Marnade" for further exploration, the VR3 becoming my best tool!

Forest James - Diver.

Last week I was in the Cayman Islands at a CCR exclusive event sponsored by Reg Creighton and Erika Haley. There were 19 divers and as many VR3 computers. They worked flawlessly with various profiles and multiple dives. It has changed the way I dive. My only issue is what do I do with all the other computers that I no longer use.

Barry Smith - Britannix Expedition 2003. 120m/400ft

I set the VR3 with a bottom gas of 6 - 72 and then on the ascent at 45 meters I switch gases on the VR3 and did a diluent flush with 20 -30 that I then used for the remainder of the dive and only coming of the loop and going onto 20 -30 when the C.N.S. alarm came on that was set at 100%. I did three dives on the wreck using my original VR3 with the link and the VR3 that you supplied. On the first dive the maximum depth was 117 meters with a bottom time of 32 minutes and a total run time of 311 minutes. On the second dive the maximum depth was 104 meters with a bottom time of 35 minutes and a total run time of 312 The third dive the maximum depth was 105 meters with a bottom time of 32 minutes and a total run time of 288 minutes. Through out the dives I followed the VR3 computers that worked superb. I would like to thank you again and to congratulate you on having designed and manufactured a computer that in my opinion is the best one on the market.

Neil Plant - Diver.

Just a quick note to say thank you very much for my lovely VR3, it really made the job of deep support much easier than with just using tables, and it was a fantastic tool to use on the wreck. Doing depths from 95 - 115m on the wreck and with run times of up to 5 1/2 hours the VR3 Managed everything from my deco stops, time to surface and CNS leaving me free to enjoy a truly magnificent dive.

Paul Harrington  - Britannic Expedition 2003 120m/440ft

The VR3 really came into its own while diving the Britannic, because it was my first dive that I could truly do a multi level dive without having to cut bespoke dive tables or plan using my deepest depth, and you really need that capability when the wreck is 30 m proud of the sea bed. The computer was such a great tool, it carried my bailout gases, it enabled me to change gases as I switched and let me move my set point up as I went through my deco. Throughout the trip the computer was used for bottom diving, deep support, mid and shallow support and I was very confident of its ability to keep track of my tissue clock which is especially important when your diving every day in variety of different roles in the team. Well done for developing such a superb piece of equipment, I now wish I had bought one sooner.

Thanks a lot you guys and I'll see you at the dive show to thank you personally.

Carl Spencer - Britannic 2003 Project Leader

The entire Britannic 2003 Expedition was conducted by a Closed Circuit Rebreather team using the VR3 as their primary and secondary decompression instrumentation
The inherent safety features the VR3 offers the diver such as Open Circuit bail out, live PPO2 telemetry from the 4th O2 cell in the case of a total Rebreather electronic failure allowed the team to push the limits of their equipment, mental strength and physiology without compromising safety protocols.
The Expedition Dive Plan and Mission objectives required the divers to execute multi level profiles on the 120 metre wreck for bottom times of up to 48 minutes. The VR3 gave the team the means to carryout these objectives safely and efficiently. 
These profiles and bottom times, which allowed the divers so much freedom on the wreck to fulfil their objectives would not have been possible without the VR3. 
The VR3 is a must for any diver that is serious about Exploration or simply moving their diving to 'the next level'. The success of 

Britannic 2003 is in no small part due to the VR3 technology and represents the next big step in Deep Diving and Exploration" 
Thanks again guys for your support. The computers really were the business and we couldn't have done the bottom times etc.... safely without them.

Teresa Telus - Diver.

48 minutes exploring and filming the stern section of the wreck of HMHS Britannic going from depths of 114m to 85m with an in-water time of just under six hours.
You simply could not do that using tables! But my partner Kevin Pickering and I did using the VR3. There is no doubt that the Delta-Ps VR3 dive computer has truly revolutionised deep, closed circuit mixed gas diving.
This year I have really put the VR3 through its paces and have confidently spent more time exploring wrecks than ever before using tables.
In July I led a Starfish Enterprise team to dive HMS Russell, a pre-dreadnought battleship sunk off Malta in 115 metres of water, the first casualty of U73. Then in August I dived the mighty and awesome HMHS Britannic in Greece in 118metres of water, sunk by a mine laid by the same U-boat.
The VR3 made it possible to safely maximise dive time on both of these wrecks and is simply the best piece of dive kit I have had for years.

Joe Odom, International Training Director.

I wanted to say that I was eager to dive the VR3 right away, so after a quick cave dive it was off to the 40 Fathom Grotto for a couple of quick 70 metre dives. Just as you said while we were at Peacock and Cow, the computer is largely intuitive and easy to manipulate. What interested me most of all was the peace of mind that the unit would not "lock out" or roll over and die. The fact remains, things happen on dives and having a computer that runs screaming from the room at the first sign of trouble is hardly a comforting factor! The VR3 hangs tough with the diver and that, if nothing else, is a brilliant treat. Need to modify a gas underwater? Once again, I was amazed at how straight-forward it was to accomplish, even with Hal Watts looking over my shoulder. Some of the other features that can only be the brainchild of a real diver, change any gas on the fly, any AA battery, long battery life, user replaceable, O2 link, all menus accessible via switch interface, well, the list just goes on and on. I will be sure to let you know how the deeper dives go. Thanks a million for a spectacular device!

Michael Jensen - 28 March 2005

Ahhh, splashdown. After getting suited up and clipping on bailout bottles the submersion in the cool North Atlantic waters is a welcome sensation. I work my way down the line through the negligible amount of current to approximately 20 fsw and check all of my displays. Everything is as it should be. On this dive I am using my now standard technical diving equipment configuration: the Inspiration CCR, with decompression tracking by a pair of VR3s.

I came to this pairing not by chance, but through careful consideration and testing. I have relied on the VR3 since the beginning. I have used VR3s for open-circuit trimix and deep air, plumbed into the breathing loop on my Draeger Dolphin, and now for the past 4 years with my Inspiration CCR. I have used the VR3 when testing open-circuit and semi-closed bailout contingencies in deep, open water situations. During this testing we used the VR3 to calculate bailout decompression obligations when bailing out either to open-circuit or when plumbing off-board gas into the loop for a manual semi-closed bailout. These skills are now standard practice in the CCR classes I teach. The ability to calculate bailout obligations and track them real-time with a unit that is completely independent of the rebreather’s electronics is a major safety feature and very good for peace of mind. Even now, when diving the Evolution CCR with it’s own decompression tracking abilities I still maintain redundancy by having my trusty VR3 strapped to my wrist.

After working my way down the line the hulk of the ever-deteriorating Andrea Doria begins to come into relief. After a few more seconds the line of the ship’s hull can be made out disappearing into the debris field below. Today we are tied into the wreck at the lesser-explored stern section. I slow my descent and hover just above the debris field and make a quick assessment of my equipment, all is “GO” with the VR3s now tracking my PPO2 based on the high setpoint of 1.3 using 10/50 trimix. I slowly pan around the scene with my HID light and marvel at the size and serenity of the final resting-place of the “Grand Dame”. On this dive there are no other divers on the wreck yet and by diving the virtually silent CCR it allows me to take in the surrounding landscape in an undisturbed state.

As this dive is to be dedicated to external examination of the wreck I tie off a reel and begin to fin around the hull. The wreck is losing more and more of herself to the ever growing debris field on the muddy bottom below. As I slowly work my way down to the debris field and move slightly away from the ship my light catches the silhouette of an intact and upright lifeboat sitting on the flat bottom of the Atlantic. A telling sight indeed and a reminder that this was an accident at sea and if it had not been for the location and timing there would have been far greater loss of life. The wound inflicted when the Stockholm impacted with the Andrea Doria caused massive compartment flooding which resulted in a dramatic list to starboard preventing the launching of almost all of the lifeboats on the port side. This alone could have resulted in far greater loss of life had circumstances been different.

After a short swim around the debris field I gradually work my way back toward the ship itself. Much of the teak decking has accumulated here and one of the objectives of this dive is to obtain some teak for a picture frame to house an Andrea Doria builder’s drawing. After securing a small amount of decking for the frame I take a look at my run time to keep track of the dive plan. A quick look at both VR3s gives me my Total Time to Surface (58 minutes) and the depth of my first decompression stop (172 fsw). I have selected 20 fsw for my shallowest stop as the CCR has a much easier time maintaining a PPO2 of 1.3 while at this depth. It is also much more comfortable, and therefore safer, to use 20 fsw as your shallowest stop whenever diving in the open ocean where surface conditions are seldom perfect and can deteriorate very quickly.

I slowly swim to the line and after a quick examination of the tie-in I begin my ascent to my first stop at 172 fsw. This is the first of a series of microbubble stops and is only a two minute obligation. While maintaining my depth at the decompression stops keeping watch over both VR3s is very intuitive as I am wearing a unit on each wrist and holding onto the line with both palms loosely wrapped together around the line. The decompression Total Time to Surface and CNS% tracking matches the dive plan I ran on the VR3 before getting suited up for the dive. The dive planning capability of the VR3 is an outstanding feature as it allows the diver to cut contingency tables using the same algorithms as the unit that will be calculating decompression in realtime during the dive. This offers a level of continuity that very few computers are able to achieve. 

The remaining stops pass without incident other than the curious advances of a very large ocean sunfish that seems very interested in this bubble-less intruder. After completing my decompression I clamber aboard, reacquainting myself with gravity as quickly as possible. After doffing my bailout cylinders and sitting down on the dressing table I announce that the current conditions are remarkable and rarely this good at this location. Soon several other divers splash in to begin their dives. After working myself free of my gear I pause to watch the other divers disappear into the seldom seen near perfect visibility. This concludes another safe and enjoyable dive in what I hope will be a long series of dives to the “Grand Dame of the Sea”.

Mark Ellyatt - www.inspired-training.com Deepest Solo Diver, Deepest Wreck Diver, HMS Victoria Co Founder.

Just to let you know how the VR3 has kept up with this years diving schedule. During July and August I completed 22 dives between 100m and 153m in Lebanon on the HMS Victoria project all without DCI incident...fantastic. In September during a Trimix master class we did 20 man dives between 100m and 143m with all divers wearing VR3 computers complimenting very closely my own deco software schedules. All in all, a very impressive outcome.

When I pack my dive bag with common sense I always leave a space for my VR3!