DR Optima VS. Meg Need Help here

Hard Suit Pilot

I am planing to order a new unit this week and would like to get any opinions and differences on the pro's and con's, good and bad, plus any facts that you would all be so kind to share.

I would especially like to hear from anyone who has dove both or anyone that has had problems or concerns with either of these two units.

I do not know that much about the Optima and how it compares to the Meg. I prefer a unit that can be mission configured and is mission flexible for both O/W and Cave diving capable of dives in excess of 300 feet.

PaulTG2

Hello,

Having recently gone through the same decision process here are my views:

Things I thought important, and which the discussions here helped determine:

* Number and types of failures noted
* Customer support
* Transportability
* Quality of construction
* Parts availability
* Ability to adapt as my diving changes

After quite a bit of reading through the threads I chose the Megalodon. Cedric has an excellent article comparing the two.

Here are a few things that made significant impressions on me as I read various postings on the boards here:

It seems that some companies charging alot and takes forever to repair anything. I have problems buying from a manuafacturer when people post so many "... but it's what you expect from xxx".

I'm not certain about owning a rebreather whose favorite nickname includes the word "death".

Reports of manufacturer or reps giving people no end of grief when selling their gear on the internet.

Ongoing discussions about serious computer lock-ups and software bugs that cause people to not be able to use it on trips.

Reports of manufacturers being particularly difficult if you don't use their O2 sensors or modify the gear.

A general understanding that various units have a serious problem with XXX with the XXX and you just learn to live with it or buy the new versions.

I hate never ending purchasing of codes for the next thing you do.

I have being locked into a specific configuration of tank sizes or other things unless you pretty much rebuild the whole thing.


OK, the Meg isn't perfect, but it seems to avoid most of the ongoing complaints about manufacturers and long standing product problems. The only downside I've heard on ISC is that you really shouldn't bother with e-mail... pick up the phone and call them. Although, to be honest, I've had excellent response on emails with specific people at ISC.


No unit fits the needs of all people or all styles of diving. But it seems to me that the Meg comes pretty darn close... for a price.

schford

Why dont you tell us about the type of diving you want to do, where you want to do it and if there is any thing in particular you look for in a unit and we can help you out.

__________________
Bailout and Kit Management account for Murphy's Law

The only bad question is one you did not ask and later wish you had.

Use of Rebreather World is subject to the Rebreather World Terms & Conditions of Use

MHD

PM LukeN on this forum, he has exposure to both.

Matthew

quickean

Ron Benson should be able to give you good information about both units. He has a great deal of experience with various types of rebreathers and is an instructor for both of those units. Either pm Deep Thought or get his contact information at goingunder.net (email or call the shop).

ScubaDadMiami

To start off, they are both good units. So, it is at least in part a question of preference.

This being said, when I was at the point of making a decision a year ago, I started with a larger field, narrowing down the final candidates to the Meg and the Optima. As you see here, some people, after getting this far, "opt" (if you will pardon the pun) for the Meg, and some "opt" for the Optima. I chose the latter.

My reasons:

Horizontal Canister, short hoses and Extend Air Cartridge = low WOB throughout the dive.

Extend Air Cartridge virtually eliminates chances of caustic cocktail. (The one negative about the EAC would be if you live or dive a lot in remote regions where this is not as widely available as standard scrubber.)

Major dive company manufacturer with excellent service and fast turn time in the event of a need for service.

Many standard scuba parts and hoses = many easy repairs by end user should the need arise (blown hose, etc.).

Compact housing that is streamlined and does not have exposed hoses and cables to the extent of many other CCRs.

You can do serious cave dives or deep dives with either unit. You can change tank sizes with either unit. The Hammerhead can be installed (comes standard on the Optima) on either unit.

Both units are solid pieces of equipment. You will not lose with either choice. It is more a question of which is a better fit for you.

BTW, the bit about purchasing codes is old news. The Hammerhead comes with all codes on the Optima already (though that was not the case a year ago).

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

Steve

Sure, but he liked the Prism as well

__________________
WARNING: I contain occasional coarse language, extreme sexual references, nudity, and adult themes, which may offend some people - Usually churchy types.

Downtime

Hi,

I haven't dived with my Optima yet, but I have purchased it and it's only two more days until the Instructor flies down here (we're already waiting at the airport so we wont be late Jason).

Having said all of that, I did take 8 months to research and investigate which Rebreather I wanted to purchase and trust my life to. As with alot of people here (no doubt) my short list included all the standards:

Inspiration
Ouroborus (Sorry about the spelling)
Optima
Meg
KISS

They all had the positives, and seemed to be great units when talking to people who dive them. What it came down to for me, was the support and attention from the local dealer (Thanks Tony). Especially being at the bottom of the known world (Melbourne, Australia)

Good luck on your decision, I bet they are both good units. (my personal lack of experience not withstanding ).

Cheers,
Michael

Mike

Yeah - he needed to learn to dive on a reliable unit before becoming a test pilot on some dodgy lashups recently...
I didn't realise prism season was open again so early, I thought the fishing was still on at the troll cave

Ultimately, I don't think it matters actually - all the mainstream units are being used for some very successful dives, and there's no real reason that the DiveRite parts bin special won't join that group.

Mike

__________________
Open ....... Closed
Mind ........ Loop