Advice on First Rebreather Purchase

**Monkey** · 28th December 2006, 15:40

Hello, I have lurked on this board for months. and this is my first post.

I have been researching and researching and researching.... and I think I have narrowed down what I would like to buy.. I hope I can get some personal opinions about my first rebreather.

Please under stand I am a newbie.....

6'2" 190 Pounds. Diving OC 5-7 tanks a month. I shoot Photo's and will be moving into video if my wife does not find out how much the rebreather cost.

after reading many many posts .. I feel that my initial investment will be in the following....

Inspiration Classic converted to use a Hammer Head dual display set up with the case converted over to an ALIBOX.

having a single point of failure with the VISION electronics bothers me.

any guidance would be most helpfull...

Thanks

Dartagnan Smith

MarkZ · 28th December 2006, 16:31

Let me congradulate you both on your decision to enter the rebreather world and on the fact that you are asking for first purchase advice AFTER you have done research. I don't think anybody can poke a lot of holes in what you are deceiding. It is a good setup.

My only comments are that you might give some thought to keeping your original unit box as they do have some positive points although it is very rare that they are mentioned. Most users do continue to use them and they do add some extra protection for the components. That being said there are certainly valid reason to trash it and not look backwards.

If you are set on a new box you might want to take a look at the offerings of a company in the US called Diving Equipment Specialities in New Jersey who have been making them for years. Pricing is similar and the owner Enrique Alverez is a bit of an unsung legend in these parts for his expertise in welding and fabrication of diving equipment. The design is similar to the Alibox, which is certainly a good choice but you may like some of the features better. A thought to consider

Blomman · 28th December 2006, 21:16

A good idea could be to wait with getting HH electronics. Dive the unit as it comes from the factory first and build up your experience and knowledge. It might very well be that you find it unnecessary to replace the electronics. Also, if you wait the problems with HH electronics might be solved by the time you place an order.

// Blomman

**Padipro** · 29th December 2006, 04:07

Welcome, welcome, welcome. I'm placing my order for the Meg on the 5th of January. Lets keep eachother in mind for future dives since we'll be at about the same level while progressing through our training.

***caveseeker7*** · 29th December 2006, 04:40

Another option of course is choosing an instructor that uses the Hammerhead and getting properly introduced to the electronics, maybe at least spend part of your training using them.

**Monkey** · 30th December 2006, 19:31

I have decided to make a trip up to Lakeland Florida for an introduction to some hard ware .... and I think it would be best to keep an open mind untill I get some first hand time with them.

Mick brom · 25th January 2007, 08:19

Quote: (Originally Posted by caveseeker7)

Another option of course is choosing an instructor that uses the Hammerhead and getting properly introduced to the electronics, maybe at least spend part of your training using them.

Please could you give me some advice regarding the HH electronics pros and cons is it only the later units that connect the hand sets Via fisher connectors and are there extra costs for soft ware or does it come fully loaded. I have been looking at all the CCr's for some time but am not covinced with one unit yet and am looking at the possiblity of putting a unit together using the HH electronics, however I understand I might have problems finding a can to attach them to. any advice would be welcomed

webhead · 25th January 2007, 12:56

Welcome to Rebreather World and awesome news that you're moving to a rebreather.

My advice to you, especially since you are in south east Florida, is to meet some rebreather divers in person and if possible, look at their rigs.

If you want to get on a dive boat with these guys, search for threads on S.C.R.U.B started by ScubaDadMiami. e.g.
http://www.rebreatherworld.com/rebre...ight=s.c.r.u.b

I think that is the best way to learn about the sport and separate the FUD from the facts.

28th December 2006, 15:40	#1 (permalink)
Monkey Supporting Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lauderdale By The Sea Florida Posts: 338	Advice on First Rebreather Purchase Hello, I have lurked on this board for months. and this is my first post. I have been researching and researching and researching.... and I think I have narrowed down what I would like to buy.. I hope I can get some personal opinions about my first rebreather. Please under stand I am a newbie..... 6'2" 190 Pounds. Diving OC 5-7 tanks a month. I shoot Photo's and will be moving into video if my wife does not find out how much the rebreather cost. after reading many many posts .. I feel that my initial investment will be in the following.... Inspiration Classic converted to use a Hammer Head dual display set up with the case converted over to an ALIBOX. having a single point of failure with the VISION electronics bothers me. any guidance would be most helpfull... Thanks Dartagnan Smith
(Offline)

28th December 2006, 16:31	#2 (permalink)
MarkZ New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: PA USA Posts: 99	Re: Advice on First Rebreather Purchase Let me congradulate you both on your decision to enter the rebreather world and on the fact that you are asking for first purchase advice AFTER you have done research. I don't think anybody can poke a lot of holes in what you are deceiding. It is a good setup. My only comments are that you might give some thought to keeping your original unit box as they do have some positive points although it is very rare that they are mentioned. Most users do continue to use them and they do add some extra protection for the components. That being said there are certainly valid reason to trash it and not look backwards. If you are set on a new box you might want to take a look at the offerings of a company in the US called Diving Equipment Specialities in New Jersey who have been making them for years. Pricing is similar and the owner Enrique Alverez is a bit of an unsung legend in these parts for his expertise in welding and fabrication of diving equipment. The design is similar to the Alibox, which is certainly a good choice but you may like some of the features better. A thought to consider
(Offline)

28th December 2006, 21:16	#3 (permalink)
Blomman Helium is addictive! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 151	Re: Advice on First Rebreather Purchase A good idea could be to wait with getting HH electronics. Dive the unit as it comes from the factory first and build up your experience and knowledge. It might very well be that you find it unnecessary to replace the electronics. Also, if you wait the problems with HH electronics might be solved by the time you place an order. // Blomman
(Offline)

29th December 2006, 04:07	#4 (permalink)
Padipro Supporting Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 232	Re: Advice on First Rebreather Purchase Welcome, welcome, welcome. I'm placing my order for the Meg on the 5th of January. Lets keep eachother in mind for future dives since we'll be at about the same level while progressing through our training. __________________ Scott IANTD Megalodon IANTD Trimix TDI Adv Nitrox and Deco PADI MSDT It could be that the sole purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others. Before you attempt to beat the odds, be sure you could survive the odds beating you.
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29th December 2006, 04:40	#5 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,451	Re: Advice on First Rebreather Purchase Another option of course is choosing an instructor that uses the Hammerhead and getting properly introduced to the electronics, maybe at least spend part of your training using them. __________________ Cheers Stefan "Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.!"
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30th December 2006, 19:31	#6 (permalink)
Monkey Supporting Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lauderdale By The Sea Florida Posts: 338	Re: Advice on First Rebreather Purchase I have decided to make a trip up to Lakeland Florida for an introduction to some hard ware .... and I think it would be best to keep an open mind untill I get some first hand time with them.
(Offline)

25th January 2007, 08:19	#7 (permalink)
Mick brom New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Posts: 6	Re: Advice on First Rebreather Purchase Quote: (Originally Posted by caveseeker7) Another option of course is choosing an instructor that uses the Hammerhead and getting properly introduced to the electronics, maybe at least spend part of your training using them. Please could you give me some advice regarding the HH electronics pros and cons is it only the later units that connect the hand sets Via fisher connectors and are there extra costs for soft ware or does it come fully loaded. I have been looking at all the CCr's for some time but am not covinced with one unit yet and am looking at the possiblity of putting a unit together using the HH electronics, however I understand I might have problems finding a can to attach them to. any advice would be welcomed
(Offline)

25th January 2007, 12:56	#8 (permalink)
webhead Earning the green stuff.. Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: East central Florida Posts: 284	Re: Advice on First Rebreather Purchase Welcome to Rebreather World and awesome news that you're moving to a rebreather. My advice to you, especially since you are in south east Florida, is to meet some rebreather divers in person and if possible, look at their rigs. If you want to get on a dive boat with these guys, search for threads on S.C.R.U.B started by ScubaDadMiami. e.g. http://www.rebreatherworld.com/rebre...ight=s.c.r.u.b I think that is the best way to learn about the sport and separate the FUD from the facts. __________________ "These are not the droids you are looking for.... move along" - Obi-Wan Kenobi
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