Megalodon or Pelagian

prinske64

Pro and contra for the 2 rebreathers

wedivebc

I think your proximity to the manufacturer might be a pro for the pelagian.

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Dave....

Man is the only animal burdened with the knowledge he will eventually die

Dave1w

You have Andy in Samui for support and training, for the Pelagian, and Matt in Phuket for support and training on the Meg.

Dave

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Drmike

your buying a breathing system so the first thing to ask is how do these systems breathe and which breathes better.

So,

What is the recorded WOB of the Meg, what is scrubber life at depths you will be using it.

what is the recorded WOB of the Palagian? what is scrubber life at depths you will be using it.

If the manufacturer cant tell you then either he doesnt know or its bad - either way that should set alarm bells ringing

The features, bells and whistles of the units is a secondary concern to the above IMO.

I would never spend money on a life support system that wasnt properly tested - ie published WOB and scrubber life results.

added: properly tested does NOT mean fred jones and bob brown doing a couple of deep dives on it and not dying, it means a controlled test with repeatable results, ie lab)

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Meerveld

I am a very happy Pelagian owner and can highly recommend this unit. And, although I live in Koh Samui where the unit is made, that actually had very little to do with my selection.

I started off researching CCR makes and models over two years ago. I initially wanting an eCCR with all the bells and whistles. But, after reading hundreds of accident reports and analysing the failure modes of eCCR's, I swung completely the opposite direction and began looking at the simplest mCCR's I could find.

I was originally considering one of the KISS models but was put off by the depth limitations (I like to dive deep wrecks) and their poor trim characteristics (not good for wreck penetrations).

Andy Fritz has tested his unit to 120 meters and Mark Ellyatt has taken his to 147 meters several times and the Pelagian's trim characteristics are great.

Weight and size were an issue for me as I do a lot of diving at the other end of long flights. The Pelagian is the lightest and smallest CCR I have seen.

Support and training are definitely things to be concerned about. I wanted a unit simple enough that repairs could be done done by a child with a monkey wrench (i.e. my level of engineering ability).

Imagine my surprise when I found out that the unit that fits all my criteria is manufactured practically next door to me .

Before making a decision I suggest you pop-over to Samui. I will be happy to buy you lunch and tell you about my experiences. You could then meet Andy Fritz and give him a good grilling over his unit face to face.

Regards,

Carl Meerveld

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wearypanda

I guess that you are comparing the COPIS with the Pelagian given that they are both mCCR?

I too am a happy Pelagian owner having carefully considered both the Meg and Pelagian. I am in the UK so there was no significant difference between the proximity convenience of the two manufacturers.

My decision was based primarily on the compact design of the Pelagian as I will be travelling with it most of the time to dive. The Meg by comparison looks huge and rather over engineered (not unusual for equipment coming out of the USA).

I also felt that the Pelagian had some very cool features such as the instant validation, the design of the lungs, needle valve etc.

Both units are good, so of course you should choose the one you feel most comfortable with. I must say though that having Andy on my door step would be a big plus for the Pelagian if I was in your situation. Andy is an brilliant engineer and a top notch instructor too.

Cheers and good luck

rogeringebo

I had both a Megalodon and a Pelagian for 6 months and then I sold my Meg.
It just gathered dust.....

Why?

-The Pelagian is much lighter and I like to travel with my gear. 10,5kg and will fit in your carry on luggage. Its light but still made for deeper technical diving.
-It has a bigger scrubber, 3,4kg lime against 2,3kg.
-It has more streamlined counter lungs.
-The Pelagian has a better trim with little extra air in the head, valves and regs up make it behave very nice in the water.
- I dont like solenoids!
-I like the needle valve!
-It is very easy to service and maintain with standard scuba gear from your local shop.
- You can use any tanks from 2-11 liter with no modifications. Just slide them in and off you go. Great when traveling.
-Rebreatherlab have a nice BOV if you would like that.
- Sensor validation on the fly with out a complete loop flush.
-The Pelagian is cheaper then the COPIS Meg and a lot cheaper then the ECCR version.

What you see above is a mix of hard facts and some personal views. Others might have other demands and wishes.
I have not missed my Meg.
I hope you will be happy what ever you decide to do.

Cheers
Roger

tecdivertraining

If your in Thailand pay me and Andy a visit, I will happily let you have a trial on a meg if its of interest and I'm sure Andy will to, try them both them make up your mind that way you have had a first hand experience on both units or visit the TDI booth in Singapore in April and I will be showing the meg alongside Andy with his pelagian.

Cheers

__________________
Mathew Partridge
Technical Director
Pro-Tech Dive College
www.protechdivers.com
www.tech-ccr.com

Drmike

good post. I like posts made from a direct experience viewpoint, having owned and dived both units.

I still get a woody when I think about 10.5kg carry on weight!!!

one question about the pelagian. Do the sensors point upwards when in standing position? any issues with water droplets falling on them when jumping in?

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silent running

Hi Roger, thanks for all the first hand info and facts, but you didn't mention anything about WOB. I know that percived WOB is not the whole story, but it is still of interest. How did the Meg and Pelagian WOB compare in your experience, any notable difference? -Andy