If you aren't willing to spent less than $1 per day on batteries (or to use batteries that last two weeks for about $10), and that is what is most important to you in the selection of a rebreather, then go someplace else where you have options that resolve this issue. If you prefer to "make" batteries for a unit rather than using batteries that are easily available around the world, then buy something other than the Optima.

If you don't like the fact that the Optima comes right from the manufacturer already with two fully functional decompression computers on it (Hammerhead, which was just awarded a major military contract and is one of the main contenders of rebreather computer technology), then buy a stripped down version of something else, tear it up and add whatever other computer you want to it.

If you are located where obtaining the EAC is a problem for you, then don't buy the Optima in its present form. (By the way, due to the rapid growth of the Optima sales, you will find that there are new places around the globe where this won't be a serious issue even compared to six months ago.) If traveling to an area that does not carry the EAC, and you aren't willing to carry or ship the EAC's to those areas where they are not available, then don't get the Optima in its present form.

Dive Rite didn't just throw an EAC onto a backplate in its current design and orientation by luck. The Optima was specifically designed by Dive Rite and Micropore working closely together so that it starts from the EAC and builds the loop around this. (You can't compare this to other rebreathers that have build adapters to make an EAC fit into them.) It holds the canister horizontally and has a very short breathing loop for very significant reasons that revolve around minimizing work of breathing and creating an optimal flow through the EAC.

The EAC is much more efficient at scrubbing CO2 per weight than sorb, does not have issues with channeling, and is consistent to within 5 percent per unit (compared to scrubber than can run 15 or more percent from batch to batch). Most importantly, the EAC virtually eliminates the risks of caustic cocktails. To some of us, these factors are important. If they aren't for you, then go buy a different rebreather and enjoy it.

Can't we all get along? Look, every major production rebreather on the market must be doing something right, or it wouldn't develop a following. So, please don't put down another unit just because you love yours. Optima divers don't just love our units because of the cool cases (even if the cool case is yet another reason to love them). So, let's play nice and try to stick to the facts.