Vision vs. Optima

Spareparts06

I am new to the Rebreather wourld having only recenty thought about buying one. I have debated on which unit I should choose, I think I have narrowed it down to Two the Inspiration Vision and the Optima. I would like others input on each unit, Part of the reasion I have choosen each is because I work at a shop that sells Optimas and there Is a shop down the way that sells Silent diving systems. I like the integrated deco computers.
thx for all the advise

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ahhhhhhh

edasque

I feel your pain brother. I was in the same predicament until 2 weeks ago when I made a decision.

Every day, I was changing my opinion. One day it was the O2ptima and the next day I would go back to the Evolution after reading a post. The next day, another post would bring me back to the O2ptima. And so on and so forth.

I concluded that whichever I bought, I would be happy with. They both have quirks and they both have interesting differentiators (EAC, Temp stick, Dive logging computers, dual deco computers, shell, soft back, tank choices, harness, ...).

I am assuming we'll need to learn a bit more about you and what kind of diving you want to do with your Rebreather before we can advise you).

scubanimal

I was in that same position a year ago, now I own one of each (had to sell my other toys to do that though).

They both have pros and cons, it really depends on how you intend to use them, your diving profiles, and a lot on your personal preferences. Both are a very substantial investments, and I would like to suggest you take the time and expense to travel to one the events that allows you to try each of them. Most of the day long workshops have both Optimas and Inspirations/Evolutions.

Another odd consideration is to figure out who you are going to dive with. Having similar units can be a benefit if you wish to order supplies to say nothing of obvious understanding of the unit. Plus being able to touch and feel a unit will help you determine if you have the patience and anal-retentiveness to pack a scrubber and perform the required maintenance.

I would also like to suggest you seek out and find who you would take your training with should you decide on either of these, you really want a top-drawer instructor. A few folks on this board I think are capable of diving almost anything anywhere with little or no training, but not all. Many of us need and seek out extensive and detailed training.

Good luck, figure out what type of diving you plan to do for the next five years and it'll help you decide.

ScubaDadMiami

I echo what has been stated above. Having shops for each near you is a big plus but should not be the deciding factor. There are several factors to consider in making your decision.

I discuss some of your topics in my article, "Transition to Rebreather Diving," in the recent issue of Advanced Diver Magazine. You may find this article helpful in reaching your decision.

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Howard Packer
IANTD CCR Instructor
Miami Beach, Florida
CCRDiveTraining.com

sensor330

Buy a Meg and be done with it. Sorry had to do it.

Scott

decoweenie

Damn! The Meg Mob has assimilated you too...

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"...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..."

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Lilou6

Hi,

With the new hammerhead version and the option of the deco in the secondary, i think the optima is a better choice

Best regards

Lilian

Gill Envy

It seems to me that it comes down to the temp stick vs the EAC. both the optima and vision inspo are very capable rebreathers, both have the advantages and inherent vulnerabilities of eCCR's. I have no idea what your needs or priorities are.

i have very much enjoyed the vision electronics on my evolution. The temp stick is very nice, the rest of the electronics are quite sophisticated.

The optima will come with the latest version of the hammerhead electronics, which certainly also has it's devoted following... and two new handsets that appear to be fully cabable of being used as a primary for deco and set point (but still one common solenoid).

If the expense of the EAC and the fact that you can not currently use granular sorb with it doesn't turn you off then it's a harder call.

the meg is a very different beast altogether... a beaty in it's own right but built with very different specs. maybe better for you down the line if you get to the point where you are not satisfied with a stock set up and want to create a customized combination of components to your own particular specifications.

tell us more what you want to do with your rebreather and maybe we can get more specific in our feedback.

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Gill Envy

...Because I wasn't born with gills!
><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>

decoweenie

The way I understood is the new HH secondary is not a controller (not link to solenoid), it just compute the deco as back-up for manual injection.

__________________
"...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..."

- Rebreather World PM

sensor330

Yes, I have indeed been assimilated.