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| | #21 (permalink) |
| . ![]() Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 699
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Re: Rebreather Migration Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running) Hello Mark, the Meg is plenty good, but I'm not fully convinced of the merits of any integrated deco given all the problems with the various makes-more complicated, more seals/possible water ingress, all eggs in one basket. I've had no problems with my VR3 or HE-knock on wood. But I would hate to imagine how overtaxed those manufacturers might be if they also tried to perfect a CCR at the same time... We are all only human after all. -Andy Integrated vs. non integrated is always an interesting discussion. I think that comes down to an individual choice and comfort level. a couple of thoughts though:- My meg with shearwater electronics has no more seals/possible water ingress points than a meg with APECS electronics. Arguably, it has less (1 handset vs. 2). That may be different with other units, though. - regarding the eggs in a basket idea, I would never dive with just the Shearwater electronics defining my deco obligations. it was drilled into me long ago to always have a back-up. I am sure people who dive that way are out there, but I've never dove with anyone who relied only on their integrated deco computer. Personally, I like the less-cluttered option of integrated deco. I have 1 handset for the 'breather & a separate, independent unit for back-up. Your comments on attention to bug fixes are well taken. It's hard to design and manufacture a unit while sorting through all the issues with deco algorithms and hardware. I believe that's partly what drove Leon to discontinue the shearwater package. Too bad in my opinion. With APECS 3 still vaporware, Hammerhead is now the only viable integrated deco package for the meg. I am interested in the APECS 3 head, but I'm not holding my breath for it to be available by year's end as discussed elsewhere on this board. The remanufactured Cis canister was supposed to be available by now, but it remains unavailable. All part of the great rebreather time-warp. The time you save on deco gets moved to waiting time for the builders to deliver their goods. None of this is meant to mean that I think the meg is the best unit, bar none. As is often stated, all the units make some compromise to achieve the end objective. Picking which set of compromises you're most comfortable with is the buyer's responsibility. In the end, the Meg was the best combination of bits for me. I have looked long and hard at a classic KISS, the Boris and the Prism, all good units in my book. I have been less serious about the Inspiration/Evolution, but it is certainly a proven unit. But enough of my rambling... Last edited by trob09 : 14th March 2006 at 13:24. |
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| | #22 (permalink) |
| ebt called me stroppy! Current Rebreather/s: | Re: Rebreather Migration What is: "niggles" ???
__________________ Is it clear? No. Well, let's go anyways. "Those who would sacrifice a little freedom for a little order, will lose both, and deserve neither." Thomas Jefferson |
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| | #24 (permalink) |
| CK+Shearwater ![]() Current Rebreather/s: | Re: Rebreather Migration Quote: (Originally Posted by Jordan) What is: "niggles" ??? Its a problem that you think you've fixed... only until it comes back just the same, or slightly different, or completely different, then you fix it again, then it comes back... etc.Apparently much like Nigel when he was young, one wonders how his mother tried to fix him and whether it worked? ![]() |
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| | #25 (permalink) |
| I go down for ages ![]() Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent
Posts: 2,562
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Re: Rebreather Migration Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie) I kmow nothing about the Meg, but I think the correct names are:
Thanks ![]()
__________________ Is it supposed to make that noise ? ![]() I took my unit to the dive shop and demanded they bolt on every thing that would fit. ![]() Join my elite diving teem and get a Tshirt "Doing It Chasey"Hammerhead Eccr Advanced Diving System |
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| | #26 (permalink) |
| Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York
Posts: 1,814
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Re: Rebreather Migration Quote: (Originally Posted by trob09) Integrated vs. non integrated is always an interesting discussion. I think that comes down to an individual choice and comfort level. a couple of thoughts though: - My meg with shearwater electronics has no more seals/possible water ingress points than a meg with APECS electronics. Arguably, it has less (1 handset vs. 2). That may be different with other units, though. - regarding the eggs in a basket idea, I would never dive with just the Shearwater electronics defining my deco obligations. it was drilled into me long ago to always have a back-up. I am sure people who dive that way are out there, but I've never dove with anyone who relied only on their integrated deco computer. Personally, I like the less-cluttered option of integrated deco. I have 1 handset for the 'breather & a separate, independent unit for back-up. Hello trob9, I should have been more clear about the handset thing. I meant that I don't like them at all, whether connected to deco electronnics or SP controllers. Multiple buttons and cable glans supporting heavy, dangling boxes all seem like trouble to me. Give me a HUD and a small, passive 2ndry to tuck away and glance at once in a while and let me have my hands free. Who needs electronics to change SPs underwater? Not me. I just turn off my unit and do it manually, no buttons to push-except the one on my HE-no leaky handsets necessary. Simpler, and I get to practice running the unit manually on a regular basis. The point you make about needing backup-which of course you do-just makes inegrated deco even less attractive to those of us who like it max simple. So then you have 1 maybe 2 handsets and a backup computer. I've got 1 computer on my wrist and a bottom timer, either on my wrist or attached somewhere else or in a pocket-no wires running down my arms and the least amount of bulk/weight on my wrists/hands. Also, I'm guessing that with integrated deco, the deco computer and ECCR share the same power source. With my simple set up, I can always get out of the water without worry, even with a dead computer and a dead SP controller-zero chance of one failure effecting the other. I don't mean to sound all braggy/naggy, and I'd bet that the Meg handsets are sturdier than some others, but I think these points are worth making. -Andy Last edited by silent running : 14th March 2006 at 17:11. |
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| | #27 (permalink) |
| Resident Selkie ![]() Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL- USA
Posts: 227
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Re: Rebreather Migration Quote: (Originally Posted by Steve) When I bought my Meg I was told that the bulk of Meg purchasers, like me, were existing CCR owners that had realised the benefits the Meg has over other units. Since then I have continued to see the migration of Inspo, Prism, KISS and Mk 15.5 owners to the Meg but none moving the other way. Does anyone know of a Meg owner that has sold their unit to purchase something else? If they exist, what did they buy and why? Back to the original question. It seems to me, after following various threads for the last couple of months, isn't that Rebreather owners so much "upgrade" to other units as "acquire" new units. I wuld personally be curious as to the number of people who own multiple units. Arguably, most divers lean toward being techno-philes, I think that tendency increases in the techinical diver population (just look at the feilds tech divers work in- most are techonologically advanced- not many liberal arts majors around). I thinkt hat tendency further exerts itself in the RB population. Personally, until several months ago I couldn't have cared less about the variations in Rebreather's and their design. I find that the more I dive mine, and the more I see other units, the more curious I become. Heck- I've considered going to one of Curt Bowen's Rebreather demo things just so I an lay hands on several different Rebreather's and poke and prod them a little.
__________________ Duct tape is like the force... it has a light side and dark side, and it holds the universe together. |
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| | #28 (permalink) |
| Who loves ya, baby ![]() ![]() Current Rebreather/s: | Re: Rebreather Migration Quote: (Originally Posted by hchoat) It seems to me, after following various threads for the last couple of months, isn't that Rebreather owners so much "upgrade" to other units as "acquire" new units. Unless someone's Rebreather ownership has been a really bad experience you're probably right. My guess is that the reasons for trading in the old unit for a new one are mostly economical. Those who can afford multople units (and probably a few who can't ) do. ![]() And "upgrading" doesn't necessarily translate into the new unit being superior in every way, but rather better suited to the current diving which may well change over the years. Quote: I wuld personally be curious as to the number of people who own multiple units. I don't. Everytime someone says "Phi" the frustration of not having even one dinghy little 'breather takes 15 mins off my life expectancy. Quote: Arguably, most divers lean toward being techno-philes <snip> most are techonologically advanced- not many liberal arts majors around. B.A. in Photography Quote: I find that the more I dive mine, and the more I see other units, the more curious I become. Heck- I've considered going to one of Curt Bowen's Rebreather demo things just so I an lay hands on several different Rebreather's and poke and prod them a little. By all means, do it. ![]() They're fun and you're bound to learn something. I'd do it for the li'l Sport Kiss alone. ![]()
__________________ 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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| | #29 (permalink) |
| . ![]() Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 699
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Re: Rebreather Migration Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running) Hello trob9, I should have been more clear about the handset thing. I meant that I don't like them at all, whether connected to deco electronnics or SP controllers. Multiple buttons and cable glans supporting heavy, dangling boxes all seem like trouble to me. Give me a HUD and a small, passive 2ndry to tuck away and glance at once in a while and let me have my hands free. Who needs electronics to change SPs underwater? Not me. I just turn off my unit and do it manually, no buttons to push-except the one on my HE-no leaky handsets necessary. Simpler, and I get to practice running the unit manually on a regular basis. Andy,The point you make about needing backup-which of course you do-just makes inegrated deco even less attractive to those of us who like it max simple. So then you have 1 maybe 2 handsets and a backup computer. I've got 1 computer on my wrist and a bottom timer, either on my wrist or attached somewhere else or in a pocket-no wires running down my arms and the least amount of bulk/weight on my wrists/hands. Also, I'm guessing that with integrated deco, the deco computer and ECCR share the same power source. With my simple set up, I can always get out of the water without worry, even with a dead computer and a dead SP controller-zero chance of one failure effecting the other. I don't mean to sound all braggy/naggy, and I'd bet that the Meg handsets are sturdier than some others, but I think these points are worth making. -Andy No problem and no offense taken. As I mention, we all pay our money and make our choices. I enjoy hearing why others made the choices they've made. I would hope that you think your choice is best. I believe I've made the best choice for me (although I still lust after other rebreathers...) It also sounds like we have some of the same concerns about unnecessary clutter around the hands. You've got a computer & a bottom timer. Me too. The only difference is that my computer is connnected to the head by a cable. I have also been concerned about the cable as a failure point, but after a season of crewing in the NE, I am no longer worried. The Shearwater HUD on the meg provides a secondary measure for PO2 with its own electronics and power source. So if my setpoint controller/deco computer goes down, I still have the HUD and a bottom timer/tables to get out on and I run the unit manually (something I do most of the time anyway with the setpoint just below my intended bottom PO2). If both the handset & HUD go down I can bail out & use my bottom timer/tables. Anyway, I am not looking to brag or boast about my rebreather either. as I said, I gave the Prism serious consideration, it's a great unit. In the end, I chose the meg for me because I am most comfortable with the compromises it made versus others. Tim |
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| | #30 (permalink) |
| ScubaPimp Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 511
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Re: Rebreather Migration Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running) Hello trob9, I should have been more clear about the handset thing. I meant that I don't like them at all, whether connected to deco electronnics or SP controllers. Multiple buttons and cable glans supporting heavy, dangling boxes all seem like trouble to me. Give me a HUD and a small, passive 2ndry to tuck away and glance at once in a while and let me have my hands free. Who needs electronics to change SPs underwater? Not me. I just turn off my unit and do it manually, no buttons to push-except the one on my HE-no leaky handsets necessary. Simpler, and I get to practice running the unit manually on a regular basis. Not wanting to start anything. Just a lil clarrification.The point you make about needing backup-which of course you do-just makes inegrated deco even less attractive to those of us who like it max simple. So then you have 1 maybe 2 handsets and a backup computer. I've got 1 computer on my wrist and a bottom timer, either on my wrist or attached somewhere else or in a pocket-no wires running down my arms and the least amount of bulk/weight on my wrists/hands. Also, I'm guessing that with integrated deco, the deco computer and ECCR share the same power source. With my simple set up, I can always get out of the water without worry, even with a dead computer and a dead SP controller-zero chance of one failure effecting the other. I don't mean to sound all braggy/naggy, and I'd bet that the Meg handsets are sturdier than some others, but I think these points are worth making. -Andy Prism has a handset for set points. It has a cable running back to the head. It has magnets in the dial to swap to battery or the 3 sensors. (oops, not setpoints. But with a dial to show O2 cell readings along with battery voltage. That say's it better. I hope.) Meg shearwater has a handset with 2 magnetic buttons. That don't penetrate the box. It has a cable that runs back to the head. Prism has a HUD with a cable running back to the head. Meg shearwater has a HUD with a cable running back to the head. Prism has a On/Off switch with a cable running back to the head. Meg shearwater doesn't. So, the Prism has more lines going into the head then the Meg Shearwater. And the same amount of lines into the head as a Meg Apecs. So, What's the difference with the cords? Meg Apecs has 3 cords back to the head Meg Shearwater has 2 cords back to the head Prism has 3 cords back to the head Don't want the handset on your wrist. Over you shoulder and clip it off. So, not a big difference either. You don't have to mount it on your wrist. I do love parts of the Prism. And some parts I don't like. Same with my Meg. I would like a Prism style scrubber. Then, I'd be happy..LOL No offense. Just clarrifying a little. Last edited by mverick : 14th March 2006 at 19:07. |
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