Inspo Classic vs. Evolution

WrekDiver

I have never dove a rebreather and was hoping I could get some input. I have finally decided to make the upgrade to a CCR and get rid of my heavy LP twins. I was considering the Meg as well but have narrowed it down to the Inspiration Classic or Evolution. I am looking at a used classic for $4400.00 that is freshly serviced and comes with a factory warranty.

I am wondering if the Vision electronics are worth the extra money. The scruber sensor seems like the best feature as the co2 is the thing that makes me most nervous diving a CCR. The auto setpoints, and compact size seems really nice for traveling also. But, it is alot more money. I am not too worried about onboard cpu and think my VR3 will do just fine.

The other way I am thinking about going is with a factory refurbished classic for about $1400 more plus whatever the adv valve costs. Any help would be appreciated.

WrekDiver

jepuskar

Hi,

Do you mean an Inspiration with Vision electronics? The Evolution is a seperate rebreather that comes with the Vision electronics as standard.

J

MarkZ

I am not going to get into the discussion of the cost benefit of the vision versus the classic handsets electronic packages and I will not get into the aftermarket packages that are available. It is up to you to decide if the value of the additional features and benefits are worth the price premiums.

I will however strongly suggest that should you decide to purchase a used classic that you go with a remanufactured model from the factory. Not only will you be sure that you have not purchased a unit with hidden secrets but you also get a full year long warranty that is factory backed. That peace of mind is well worth the extra $1400. As much as it pains me at times to admit it the best price is not always the best value.

Doorduijn, Niels

Some observations:

1. The features of the Vision are undoubtedly more impressive than the Classics. However, the Vision is relatively new. From what I have heard and seen, APD seems to have ironed out most of the initial issues, but it is still a fairly new unit on the market.

2. As for CO2 monitoring, I wonder whether it is worth all the extra money. CO2 can become an issue in three cases: (1) over extending the scrubber life (i.e. more than 3 hours), (2) forgetting the O-ring on top of the scrubber and (3) incorrect packing. The first two are not really issues for which I would spend a heap of money as I can easily control these. As for the third, I don't know whether the temp stick would always measure this (it works with temperature readings, not CO2 measurements), but packing the scrubber is not difficult at all. If I were to upgrade my unit to a Vision, it would have a temp stick, but I don't think that I would upgrade for the temp stick.

3. A big advantage of the Vision is that it has a HUD. It may not seem like much, but it is certainly very nice to have.

Best wishes with the choice!

Rgs,

Niels Doorduijn

nigelh

I upgraded my Classic to Vision electronics and, despite one serious incident, I'm pleased I did. As with all things diving you need to look at the controller displays with your brain in gear as the electronics can be fooled but more information helps.

The scrubber monitor tells you about the temperature in the scrubber. Provided you remember that that is all it does and you are deriving an idea of what that implies about the scrubber usage it works fine.

__________________
nigelh

DaveB

I trained on a Classic and dive an Evo. The temp stik is nice to have, the inbuilt deco is neat and accurate (I have a VR3 as backup), the HUD is a life saver and worth the extra on its own. (IMHO).

I like the 2/3 size and weight of the Evo over the Inspiration.

It will come down to your own pros and cons, but I have no doubt that for me the Evo was the right choice.

Edit- it would be a good idea to have a play with both before deciding!

__________________
David

WrekDiver

What about the Optima? Does anyone have any experience with this unit? I was thinking about it before but ruled it out because of the need to use the cartridges. Thought it may be a pain to get them when I travel. But, the unit still looks very nice to me.

I am confused. I didn't have this hard of a time making a decision when I bought my house.

Mark Chase

The Classic is a PP02 monitor only unit so simplicity its self in the ECCR field but sadly badly designed hand sets let it down.

Service history is easily checked with AP but 9its best to find a local CCR diver to help you select a unit.

The Classic doesn't have a HUD and for me thats unacceptable but there ae good aftermarket options which can be fitted in such a way that they can be removed before sending your unit back to AP.

Classics are a good value entry into ECCR and have the massive advantage that a spare set of electronics is available at reasonable cost to cover your back side on long trips.


The Vision is a better unit obviously but the temp stick isn't worth getting too excited about IMHO. Good housekeeping with the sofnalime will do the job.


Basically if you can afford the Vision go for it. If its a bit much, then the Classic with an aftermarket HUD is not a bad entry into ECCR.

ATB

Mark Chase

__________________
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

Mixaddict

Having owned both the classic and the vision, I can say hands down that the Vision is preferable in virtually every way. I have found the Vision to be more consistently operational with less breakdowns and have had virtually no bugs or problems with the software. The temp stick is very helpful as is the HUD. That said, if you can't afford the Vision, the classic is still a solid unit that can give you years of service.

__________________
Randy Thornton (MixAddict)
Inspiration, Evolution,Hammerhead & Sentinel
CCR Instructor

Gobfish1

Did my mod1 training on the classic & Evo both good to dive ,
I dive with a classic and its nice and simple just what I need being new to the ccr world ,
The hud and temp stick are nice put not a must,
Got mine 2nd hand , with a Vr3 for the right money, but had to spend about £1000 to get it in top working order,
My classic has worked fine on all my dives to date ,
My M8 have a all singing all dancing Vision, he has had one or two issues with it ,
His unit worked on all his dives bar 1 , when it just did not want to play , so we had to bail from 70m,
Ps
don’t think I would have ap units if I lived in the USA , to much pissing about with the post man I think ,

Best bet would be to get two 2nd hand units that way you always have one to dive if the other is still in the post

__________________
Steve G

Apparently not the only gay diver in the village

http://drinkingliberally.org/blogs/o...nzee-glock.gif

http://www.scubatunes.com/audio/vol01/mp3/HiTech.mp3