some feedback on my Drager FFM with Meg..

tecdivertraining · 7th November 2007, 01:30

On a recent Cave trip with Drmike I had the opportunity to discus and take a better look at his Drager FFM and he had no difficulty in convincing me this one was a great addition to a rebreather.

I decided for our return visit to the Song Hong cave in Thailand I would also plan to use this FFM as I would be diving with Mike and it would help with equipment configuration for our team gas bailout, obviously there are huge safety benefits in adding a full face in light of toxing or unconsciousness but what are the draw backs.

I had previously owned a KM48 that I used with my Megalodon I
have to say I absolutely hated it, it restricted my vision far to much making it difficult to read handsets and gauges, it didn’t seal on my face very well and the pod was fiddly to remove and replace quickly in an emergency leaving me without an immediate gas supply. I felt that had I become unconscious it would not of helped but possible asphyxiated me, water in the pod would have sure entered the loop as theirs very little positive pressure in the pod so opted back to my Golem BOV and standard mask.

Having placed my order wit ISC and parted with a sizable amount of dosh I was still on the fence as to if I would like the dragger over pervious masks I had tried.

The fast turn around had the mask derived half way around the world in just a few days, on first impression I was still not sure having fitted the mask to the unit and adjusted all the hoses and mask It was not that comfortable but their was a noticeable improvement in field of vision compared to the Kirby Morgan.

Havening now made a few dives with it I have to say it awesome and by far the best mask I have used to date.

Its incredibly comfortable in water as theirs no need to pull the straps tight as the mask is under positive pressure from the second stage bailout regulator, it’s difficult to flood the mask unless the second stage is isolated which is really nice, the nose clips make it super easy to equalize. Removing the DSV is also easy and if fitted with the second stage its easy to nose breath wile the DSV is unplugged and no water enters the mask. In the event of unconsciousness I feel confident no water would enter the loop and if I started to nose breathe I would have instant gas supply from either my on or off-board supply.

I will be adding P-ports to all my second stages to have access to all bailout gas via the mask. If anyone is considering moving to a FFM I would have no hesitation in recommending this one even though it a bit pricey.

Looking forward to some deep cave diving next week with it.
IMG_1422.JPG

Cheers

tibby · 7th November 2007, 01:39

Thanks for the report. Did you have to raise your HUD to see it? I'm tempted to go this route (I also own a KM48...) but no BOV. It is an expensive route though, I'll give you that.
Tibby

tecdivertraining · 7th November 2007, 01:45

Quote: (Originally Posted by tibby)

Thanks for the report. Did you have to raise your HUD to see it? I'm tempted to go this route (I also own a KM48...) but no BOV. It is an expensive route though, I'll give you that.
Tibby

I didn't but need to, I am making some aluminum stalks today it needs to be about 5-7mm taller.

Cheers

Abbo · 7th November 2007, 01:51

Thanks for the report.
What do people who wear glasses do with FFMs? Presumably you can't have prescription lenses fitted, like I do with my dive mask: would I wear glasses inside the FFM?
Which BOV are you using with it, and would you choose that one again?
Cheers,
Nicholas

lof · 7th November 2007, 02:09

Quote: (Originally Posted by Abbo)

Thanks for the report.
What do people who wear glasses do with FFMs? Which BOV are you using with it, and would you choose that one again?
Cheers,
Nicholas

I use contacts in my Drager FFM.
Golem BOV, of course

Abbo · 7th November 2007, 02:17

Quote: (Originally Posted by lof)

I use contacts in my Drager FFM.

I can't use contacts, unfortunately.

tibby · 7th November 2007, 02:25

Quote: (Originally Posted by tecdivertraining)

I didn't but need to, I am making some aluminum stalks today it needs to be about 5-7mm taller.

Cheers

I see, thanks.
I was wondering if anyone out there makes a HUD holder extender for Meg HUDs w/ffms, that way you can just remove the extention if switching back to a half mask as opposed to either keep the high stalk or having to unclamp it and reclamp the shorter one. The only issue I have with a longer stalk is the longer it is the more fragile it becomes while transporting the unit ready to dive...It would be a PITA if that thing broke just before getting in the water.
Tibby

lof · 7th November 2007, 02:38

Quote: (Originally Posted by tibby)

I see, thanks.
I was wondering if anyone out there makes a HUD holder extender for Meg HUDs w/ffms, that way you can just remove the extention if switching back to a half mask as opposed to either keep the high stalk or having to unclamp it and reclamp the shorter one. Tibby

This could work:
Golem Gear, Inc. - Golem HUD holder for Hammerhead DIVA
It is a racheting holder (can be moved up and down around the nut) designed for the Hamerhead DIVA but some have already adapted it for the Meg. You will just have to figure out how to attach the HUD using the two screws on top.
Obviously it only works with our BOV.

tibby · 7th November 2007, 02:53

Quote: (Originally Posted by lof)

This could work:
Golem Gear, Inc. - Golem HUD holder for Hammerhead DIVA
It is a racheting holder (can be moved up and down around the nut) designed for the Hamerhead DIVA but some have already adapted it for the Meg. You will just have to figure out how to attach the HUD using the two screws on top.
Obviously it only works with our BOV.

Not exactly what I had in mind but it could work. Still need to get the upper part in different heights though since I doubt it's tall enough at it's highest point. Does your BOV come with one of these? Also, how does it work on a clamped BOV (no nut)?
Thanks
Tibby

lof · 7th November 2007, 03:12

The BOV does not come with it. It only works with Trapezoid threaded model, you need the nut to guide the holder ring.
It should be high enough, the DIVA works fine with my Drager FFM.

7th November 2007, 01:39	#2 (permalink)
tibby untitled Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2007 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 338	Re: some feedback on my Drager FFM with Meg.. Thanks for the report. Did you have to raise your HUD to see it? I'm tempted to go this route (I also own a KM48...) but no BOV. It is an expensive route though, I'll give you that. Tibby __________________ Does the voice of reason change when you add helium to the mix?...hmm
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7th November 2007, 01:45	#3 (permalink)
tecdivertraining RebreatherWorld Sponsor Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Ouroboros Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Dolphin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Phuket, Thailand Posts: 462	Re: some feedback on my Drager FFM with Meg.. Quote: (Originally Posted by tibby) Thanks for the report. Did you have to raise your HUD to see it? I'm tempted to go this route (I also own a KM48...) but no BOV. It is an expensive route though, I'll give you that. Tibby I didn't but need to, I am making some aluminum stalks today it needs to be about 5-7mm taller. Cheers __________________ Mathew Partridge Technical Director Pro-Tech Dive College www.protechdivers.com www.tech-ccr.com
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7th November 2007, 01:51	#4 (permalink)
Abbo Nicholas Smith Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tokyo Posts: 445	Re: some feedback on my Drager FFM with Meg.. Thanks for the report. What do people who wear glasses do with FFMs? Presumably you can't have prescription lenses fitted, like I do with my dive mask: would I wear glasses inside the FFM? Which BOV are you using with it, and would you choose that one again? Cheers, Nicholas
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7th November 2007, 02:09	#5 (permalink)
lof RebreatherWorld Sponsor Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Prism Topaz Sport Kiss Classic Kiss MK 15.X Other CCR RB80 / Clone Other SCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR RB80 / Clone Other SCR Home Build Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: USA Posts: 482	Re: some feedback on my Drager FFM with Meg.. Quote: (Originally Posted by Abbo) Thanks for the report. What do people who wear glasses do with FFMs? Which BOV are you using with it, and would you choose that one again? Cheers, Nicholas I use contacts in my Drager FFM. Golem BOV, of course __________________ Jakub Golem Gear ShopKeeper www.golemgear.com
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7th November 2007, 02:17	#6 (permalink)
Abbo Nicholas Smith Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tokyo Posts: 445	Re: some feedback on my Drager FFM with Meg.. Quote: (Originally Posted by lof) I use contacts in my Drager FFM. I can't use contacts, unfortunately.
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7th November 2007, 02:25	#7 (permalink)
tibby untitled Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2007 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 338	Re: some feedback on my Drager FFM with Meg.. Quote: (Originally Posted by tecdivertraining) I didn't but need to, I am making some aluminum stalks today it needs to be about 5-7mm taller. Cheers I see, thanks. I was wondering if anyone out there makes a HUD holder extender for Meg HUDs w/ffms, that way you can just remove the extention if switching back to a half mask as opposed to either keep the high stalk or having to unclamp it and reclamp the shorter one. The only issue I have with a longer stalk is the longer it is the more fragile it becomes while transporting the unit ready to dive...It would be a PITA if that thing broke just before getting in the water. Tibby __________________ Does the voice of reason change when you add helium to the mix?...hmm
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7th November 2007, 02:38	#8 (permalink)
lof RebreatherWorld Sponsor Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Prism Topaz Sport Kiss Classic Kiss MK 15.X Other CCR RB80 / Clone Other SCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR RB80 / Clone Other SCR Home Build Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: USA Posts: 482	Re: some feedback on my Drager FFM with Meg.. Quote: (Originally Posted by tibby) I see, thanks. I was wondering if anyone out there makes a HUD holder extender for Meg HUDs w/ffms, that way you can just remove the extention if switching back to a half mask as opposed to either keep the high stalk or having to unclamp it and reclamp the shorter one. Tibby This could work: Golem Gear, Inc. - Golem HUD holder for Hammerhead DIVA It is a racheting holder (can be moved up and down around the nut) designed for the Hamerhead DIVA but some have already adapted it for the Meg. You will just have to figure out how to attach the HUD using the two screws on top. Obviously it only works with our BOV. __________________ Jakub Golem Gear ShopKeeper www.golemgear.com
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7th November 2007, 02:53	#9 (permalink)
tibby untitled Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2007 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 338	Re: some feedback on my Drager FFM with Meg.. Quote: (Originally Posted by lof) This could work: Golem Gear, Inc. - Golem HUD holder for Hammerhead DIVA It is a racheting holder (can be moved up and down around the nut) designed for the Hamerhead DIVA but some have already adapted it for the Meg. You will just have to figure out how to attach the HUD using the two screws on top. Obviously it only works with our BOV. Not exactly what I had in mind but it could work. Still need to get the upper part in different heights though since I doubt it's tall enough at it's highest point. Does your BOV come with one of these? Also, how does it work on a clamped BOV (no nut)? Thanks Tibby __________________ Does the voice of reason change when you add helium to the mix?...hmm
(Offline)

7th November 2007, 03:12	#10 (permalink)
lof RebreatherWorld Sponsor Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Prism Topaz Sport Kiss Classic Kiss MK 15.X Other CCR RB80 / Clone Other SCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR RB80 / Clone Other SCR Home Build Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: USA Posts: 482	Re: some feedback on my Drager FFM with Meg.. The BOV does not come with it. It only works with Trapezoid threaded model, you need the nut to guide the holder ring. It should be high enough, the DIVA works fine with my Drager FFM. __________________ Jakub Golem Gear ShopKeeper www.golemgear.com
(Offline)

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