Optima Feedback

devo

I was interested in getting an Optima and was hoping to get feedback from people that have/had one. Thanks.

Jordan

I like it. I got certified on the unit a few weeks ago and have only a few dives on a borrowed unit after that. It is the 1st CCR I've ever dived so I don't have much to compare it to, but I really like it - So much that I'm going to buy one for my own.

There are a few other threads on this same topic here, you may want to view those.

I just uploaded a pic of me diving an Optima - it is my avatar.

Cheers

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seafox

I have been diving an Optima since last November. I am not going to list all the great features of this rebreather as the information has been already posted by members including me and is available on this board.
Suffice it to reconfirm that I am still very happy with it's performance, enjoy the configuration of the plate, wing and harness which make it easy to attach stage/bail bottles, dives like a charm after adding a little weight to the cannister, very very satisfied with the ease and efficiency of the cartridge, somewhat less enthusiactic about the price of the catridges, but I can justify the extra cost,and very happy with the after sale commitment and service of Mark and his staff at Fill Express.
You can PM me if you want to go into more detail.

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MHD

Are you guys diving in fresh or salt water. I've been keenly watvhing the unit and wondering if you have had any issues with corrosion of the hand sets in salt water.

Matt

seafox

Matt, the "first production" wrist units, mine included, had "exterior" problems in salt water.
I did my first 30 hours in salt water.
My understanding is that the problem has been fixed on the new units.
Best check with Mark at Fill Express.
Mine are in the process of being replaced.

__________________
Protect the SHARKS!

Excellence is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities.


Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards!

ScubaDadMiami

I have had one since December. You can search my prior posts as I provide a pretty full write-up on everything that has happened with my unit since getting it. I am pleased with my unit.

Other than pool sessions, I have been diving in salt water only. I am having issues, though not so bad yet (because I clean my hand sets really well after each use) with the nickel plated hand sets. I would prefer something not so labor intensive as far as the after dive care goes. (I don't know why they just didn't make them out of marine grade stainless from the outset.) This does nothing to take away from the computers' performance; it is just an issue to be dealt with as far as the case goes.

I have sent email to Juergensen about switching them out. No reply yet (and I don't have a contact phone number). However, I suppose that I will eventually get this worked out. I just hope that turn time on switching them is fast.

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

Genesis

You don't want to know what a full stainless handset body would cost.

A billet of stainless of that size is bad enough, but the tooling that gets chewed up milling stainless gets REAL expensive.

I have a fair idea what the existing handset bodies cost - just the cases - from my own investigation of this. Let me put it this way - they are NOT cheap.

I personally would never use aluminum unless the ENTIRE THING (including ALL fasteners) was also aluminum, and maybe not even then. I understand the attraction, but it also comes with drawbacks, especially in salt water.

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"A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American."
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Underwaterbear

Bazzas' handsets are pretty badly corroded (latest HH on his Inspo) ...but then his unit is lucky if it gets a freshwater rinse after a dive. AFAIK this is only a cosmetic issue.

Genesis

Uuuhhhh.... I assume the lid is sealed to the body with an O-ring. If so, and that corrosion gets into the O-ring groove..... (the outside side of it is exposed to the water, and is effectively a "water trap" when you remove it from the water)

__________________
"A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American."
http://www.denninger.net
http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket

mikedive

I've got my unit on Feb. 03 2005 and I did have any problem and that was pre production unit.
On the last month I've been being teaching on three new units and didn't have any problem and I'm really happy with the features on the new electronics.
I basically use my unit to cave dive with the small Al 13cf, donut shape wing (to have more lift on the waist area) and stage bottles side mounted using the Dive Rite kits. With this set up the unit trim is great and I can use the same configuration on the trimix dives.
Cheers,

Mike - www.protecdiving.com