Howdy,

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sherman, and I am starting to become curious about RBs. I live in Hawaii, and the main reason I am starting to think about RBs is due to cost, at $1+/cf of Helium it is becoming cost prohibitive to do the kind of diving I want to do regularly. I am a NAUI tech instructor through Trimix II, but have no Rebreather experience beyond the Basic understanding of how a RB works. My background is team oriented, gue-like diving so my style of diving can be somewhat at odds with RBs...hence I have layed out a few pre-requisites/requirements in order for me to consider getting into RBs.

1) I don't plan on diving RBs solo, ever...but would like to dive a Rebreather in a team that has similar configuration (same RB).

2) I am not on a fast track here, but I see the writing on the wall..and at this rate IMHO the majority of tech divers will be on some type of ccr within the next 10 years (mostly due to helium costs). Hence, I plan on taking my sweet time, learning the basics and putting tons of hours on a Rebreather (should I purchase one) in the recreational depths before I will even consider doing the deeper stuff.

So there is my background. Now, here are a few questions. I have boiled my choices down to a few RBs, with the front runner being a Meg...however I AM on a BUDGET, and I am not really looking to spend more then $8500 (total). Would it make sense to start out with a COPIS, or should I be looking for a used Apecs...how often do used quality Apecs Megs come around?

Ok just rambling at this point...anyways I just wanted to say Hello I am sure I will post mor ein this thread as my thoughts start to fuse into some sort of cohesive statement.

Sherman