Review Of Michael Hearnes Alibox.

windymiller · 11th September 2006, 20:50

I M SURE MANY OF YOU HAVE SEEN THREADS RELATED TO MICHAEL HEARNES TITANBOX AND ALIBOX FOR THE INSPIRATION BUT I HAVE YET TO SEE A REVIEW EXCEPT OF IT OTHER THAN WHAT HE HAS SAID.

I DECIDED TO TAKE THE PLUNGE AND ORDER ONE AS A REPLACEMENT FOR THE YELLOW BOX STUCK ON MY BACK!

FIRSTLY, IF NO ONE HAS HAD ANY DEALINGS WITH HIM, HE IS A VERY HELPFUL BLOKE WHO WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO ANSWER MY BARRAGE OF QUESTIONS.

AS MUCH AS I WOULD HAVE LOVED A TITANIUM BOX, FUNDS COULD NOT STRETCH THAT FAR SO THE ALIBOX WAS ORDERED

FRIDAY MORNING, DHL DELIVERED A HUGE IKEA BOX ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SMALL WASHING MACHINE..OH DEAR GOD! THANKFULLY THIS WAS ALL PACKAGING!

THE FIRST THING THAT YOU NOTICE ON REMOVING THE FRAME IS THE QUALITY OF THE WORKMANSHIP..I KNOW IM NO WELDING EXPERT OR METAL FABRICATOR BUT THE FIT AND FINISH LOOKS FIRST RATE IN A COOL GREENISH FINISH.

THE DAUNTING TASK OF TAKING THE ORIGINAL YBOD TO PIECES WAS NOT AS BAD AS I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE AND WITH THE AID OF A SET OF ALLEN KEYS AND AN ADJUSTABLE SPANNER IT SOON FELL APART IN MY HANDS!

PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER WAS A FAR EASIER TASK AS HOSE ROUTEING IS ALOT SIMPLER. ALL THE HOSES NOW RUN UP BEHIND THE SCRUBBER AS IT SITS PROUD IN PLASTIC BRACKET.

A HORIZONTAL CHANNEL ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY UP ALLOWS THE FIXING OF THE MANIFOLD TO THE FRAME AS WELL AS 2 SETS OF HOLES TO ALLOW POSITIONING OF THE WING AND COUNTERLUNG/HARNESS.

THE FIRST STAGES SIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STAINLESS STEEL STAND AND ALLOW EASIER ACCESS WHEN FITTING TO THE CYLINDERS.

THE SCRUBBER IS EASILY REMOVED FROM THE FRAME AND THERE IS NOW NO NEED TO REMOVE THE CYLINDERS FOR EASY REMOVAL.

ROUTEING OF THE HOSES OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FRAME IS BY HOLES SIMILAR IN SHAPE AND SIZE TO THE TOP OF THE ORIGINAL BOX ( BIT TIGHT ON THE DILUENT SIDE AS YOU HAVE A CONTROLLER,ADV, WING INFLATOR AND AUDIBLE WARNING LEAD TO CONTEND WITH!)

THIS FRAME CAME FITTED IT THE OPTIONAL HANDLE, AGAIN MADE OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL AND VERY COMFORTABLE TO LIFT WITH. MY ORIGINAL BOX HAS THE CUSTOM DIVERS BAR FITTED BUT I PREFER THIS ONE AS IT IS THICKER AND ALLOWS LIFTING WITH ONLY ONE HAND. UNFORTUNATELY, TO GET THE THREADED ENDS OF THE LOOP HOSES THROUGH REQUIRES REMOVING THE TOP BOLTS TO ALLOW THEM TO BE SQUEEZED THROUGH BEFORE TIGHTENING UP.

ABOUT HALF HOUR LATER THE BOX WAS TOGETHER AND LOOKING MIGHTY IMPRESSIVE. IT SITS ABOUT 1/2 INCH TALLER THAN THE ORIGINAL BOX BUT HAS A VERY STURDY BASE AND SITS ROCK SOLID.

I HAVE YET TO TRY IT IN THE WATER BUT TRYING IT ONE ONCE COMPLETED, IT ISNT SO CUMBERSOME ON THE BACK AND I THINK ALLOWS EASIER ACCESS FOR O2 SHUTDOWNS ETC. I VE BEEN TOLD THAT I SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOSE ABOUT 4KG OF WEIGHT AS WELL......YIPEE

NEXT IS TO FIT SOME METALSUB BRACKETS FOR SUIT INFLATION AND TORCH!

THE BOX IS SLIGHTLY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN OTHER TRAVEL FRAMES MADE FROM STAINLESS BUT I THINK IT IS WELL WORTH THE OUTLAY TO ANYONE CONSIDERING SUCH A PURCHASE

HOPE THIS IS OF HELP TO SOME OF YOU

diverklondike · 11th September 2006, 20:53

Nice post.... Do you have any pictures that you can share?? My Alibox should show up later this week.

Dive Safe

Mark

***schford*** · 11th September 2006, 21:05

nice review though those CAPS are a bit hard on the eyes

Mixaddict · 11th September 2006, 21:24

Great post. Please let us know what you think of it once you have had it in the water.

Regards,
Randy

***caveseeker7*** · 11th September 2006, 22:11

Nice going Windy, listen to the suggestions of Stuart, Mark and Randy and get some green (or blue, these days).

divetheworld · 11th September 2006, 23:55

What? EH? CANT HEAR YOU. Someones been shouting!!!!

Translation for those with sensitive hearing-

I m sure many of you have seen threads related to Michael Hearne’s titanbox and alibox for the inspiration but I have yet to see a review except of it other than what he has said.

I decided to take the plunge and order one as a replacement for the yellow box stuck on my back!

Firstly, if no one has had any dealings with him, he is a very helpful bloke who went out of his way to answer my barrage of questions.

As much as I would have loved a titanium box, funds could not stretch that far so the alibox was ordered

Friday morning, DHL delivered a huge IKEA box about the size of a small washing machine..Oh dear god! Thankfully this was all packaging!

The first thing that you notice on removing the frame is the quality of the workmanship..I know I’m no welding expert or metal fabricator but the fit and finish looks first rate in a cool greenish finish.

The daunting task of taking the original ybod to pieces was not as bad as I thought it was going to be and with the aid of a set of allen keys and an adjustable spanner it soon fell apart in my hands!

Putting it back together was a far easier task as hose routing is a lot simpler. All the hoses now run up behind the scrubber as it sits proud in plastic bracket.

A horizontal channel about 3/4 of the way up allows the fixing of the manifold to the frame as well as 2 sets of holes to allow positioning of the wing and counterlung/harness.

The first stages sit in the middle of the stainless steel stand and allow easier access when fitting to the cylinders.

The scrubber is easily removed from the frame and there is now no need to remove the cylinders for easy removal.

Routing of the hoses out of the top of the frame is by holes similar in shape and size to the top of the original box ( bit tight on the diluent side as you have a controller,adv, wing inflator and audible warning lead to contend with!)

This frame came fitted it the optional handle, again made out of stainless steel and very comfortable to lift with. My original box has the custom divers bar fitted but I prefer this one as it is thicker and allows lifting with only one hand. Unfortunately, to get the threaded ends of the loop hoses through requires removing the top bolts to allow them to be squeezed through before tightening up.

About half hour later the box was together and looking mighty impressive. It sits about 1/2 inches taller than the original box but has a very sturdy base and sits rock solid.

I have yet to try it in the water but trying it one once completed, it isn’t so cumbersome on the back and I think allows easier access for o2 shutdowns etc. I've been told that I should be able to lose about 4kg of weight as well......yippee

next is to fit some metalsub brackets for suit inflation and torch!

The box is slightly more expensive than other travel frames made from stainless but I think it is well worth the outlay to anyone considering such a purchase

hope this is of help to some of you.

windymiller · 12th September 2006, 01:46

yeah, thanks for the translation

just thought i would help out anyone with poor eyesight, 'coz im kind like that!

there might be some poor soul trying to read my posting on a little laptop or even mobile phone(technology these days, i dont know!) and now he wont have to squint!

Jason Ooi · 12th September 2006, 03:50

Sound good! Thanks you for your sharing.... Do you have any photo?

KevDD · 12th September 2006, 09:31

Also what was the bottom line price? I notice the prices quoted on the web page are excuding vat/taxes.

diverklondike · 14th September 2006, 20:44

My new Alibox arrived today....

Mine is the cool color of Black

Below are a couple of picture. Note that Mike did a great job of packing the Alibox for overseas travel..

Each box comes with a free pen to shamelessly promote Mike's great products and his website.

Next week I will take some step by step pics as a put the new kit together.

Dive Safe

Mark

11th September 2006, 20:50	#1 (permalink)
windymiller All The Gear, No Idea Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: england Posts: 294	Review Of Michael Hearnes Alibox. I M SURE MANY OF YOU HAVE SEEN THREADS RELATED TO MICHAEL HEARNES TITANBOX AND ALIBOX FOR THE INSPIRATION BUT I HAVE YET TO SEE A REVIEW EXCEPT OF IT OTHER THAN WHAT HE HAS SAID. I DECIDED TO TAKE THE PLUNGE AND ORDER ONE AS A REPLACEMENT FOR THE YELLOW BOX STUCK ON MY BACK! FIRSTLY, IF NO ONE HAS HAD ANY DEALINGS WITH HIM, HE IS A VERY HELPFUL BLOKE WHO WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO ANSWER MY BARRAGE OF QUESTIONS. AS MUCH AS I WOULD HAVE LOVED A TITANIUM BOX, FUNDS COULD NOT STRETCH THAT FAR SO THE ALIBOX WAS ORDERED FRIDAY MORNING, DHL DELIVERED A HUGE IKEA BOX ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SMALL WASHING MACHINE..OH DEAR GOD! THANKFULLY THIS WAS ALL PACKAGING! THE FIRST THING THAT YOU NOTICE ON REMOVING THE FRAME IS THE QUALITY OF THE WORKMANSHIP..I KNOW IM NO WELDING EXPERT OR METAL FABRICATOR BUT THE FIT AND FINISH LOOKS FIRST RATE IN A COOL GREENISH FINISH. THE DAUNTING TASK OF TAKING THE ORIGINAL YBOD TO PIECES WAS NOT AS BAD AS I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE AND WITH THE AID OF A SET OF ALLEN KEYS AND AN ADJUSTABLE SPANNER IT SOON FELL APART IN MY HANDS! PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER WAS A FAR EASIER TASK AS HOSE ROUTEING IS ALOT SIMPLER. ALL THE HOSES NOW RUN UP BEHIND THE SCRUBBER AS IT SITS PROUD IN PLASTIC BRACKET. A HORIZONTAL CHANNEL ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY UP ALLOWS THE FIXING OF THE MANIFOLD TO THE FRAME AS WELL AS 2 SETS OF HOLES TO ALLOW POSITIONING OF THE WING AND COUNTERLUNG/HARNESS. THE FIRST STAGES SIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STAINLESS STEEL STAND AND ALLOW EASIER ACCESS WHEN FITTING TO THE CYLINDERS. THE SCRUBBER IS EASILY REMOVED FROM THE FRAME AND THERE IS NOW NO NEED TO REMOVE THE CYLINDERS FOR EASY REMOVAL. ROUTEING OF THE HOSES OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FRAME IS BY HOLES SIMILAR IN SHAPE AND SIZE TO THE TOP OF THE ORIGINAL BOX ( BIT TIGHT ON THE DILUENT SIDE AS YOU HAVE A CONTROLLER,ADV, WING INFLATOR AND AUDIBLE WARNING LEAD TO CONTEND WITH!) THIS FRAME CAME FITTED IT THE OPTIONAL HANDLE, AGAIN MADE OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL AND VERY COMFORTABLE TO LIFT WITH. MY ORIGINAL BOX HAS THE CUSTOM DIVERS BAR FITTED BUT I PREFER THIS ONE AS IT IS THICKER AND ALLOWS LIFTING WITH ONLY ONE HAND. UNFORTUNATELY, TO GET THE THREADED ENDS OF THE LOOP HOSES THROUGH REQUIRES REMOVING THE TOP BOLTS TO ALLOW THEM TO BE SQUEEZED THROUGH BEFORE TIGHTENING UP. ABOUT HALF HOUR LATER THE BOX WAS TOGETHER AND LOOKING MIGHTY IMPRESSIVE. IT SITS ABOUT 1/2 INCH TALLER THAN THE ORIGINAL BOX BUT HAS A VERY STURDY BASE AND SITS ROCK SOLID. I HAVE YET TO TRY IT IN THE WATER BUT TRYING IT ONE ONCE COMPLETED, IT ISNT SO CUMBERSOME ON THE BACK AND I THINK ALLOWS EASIER ACCESS FOR O2 SHUTDOWNS ETC. I VE BEEN TOLD THAT I SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOSE ABOUT 4KG OF WEIGHT AS WELL......YIPEE NEXT IS TO FIT SOME METALSUB BRACKETS FOR SUIT INFLATION AND TORCH! THE BOX IS SLIGHTLY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN OTHER TRAVEL FRAMES MADE FROM STAINLESS BUT I THINK IT IS WELL WORTH THE OUTLAY TO ANYONE CONSIDERING SUCH A PURCHASE HOPE THIS IS OF HELP TO SOME OF YOU
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11th September 2006, 20:53	#2 (permalink)
diverklondike RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Delaware, USA Posts: 1,699	Re: Review Of Michael Hearnes Alibox. Nice post.... Do you have any pictures that you can share?? My Alibox should show up later this week. Dive Safe Mark
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11th September 2006, 21:05	#3 (permalink)
*schford* RBW Founder Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: UK Posts: 3,564	Re: Review Of Michael Hearnes Alibox. nice review though those CAPS are a bit hard on the eyes __________________ Bailout and Kit Management account for Murphy's Law The only bad question is one you did not ask and later wish you had. Use of RBW is subject to the Rebreather World Terms & Conditions of Use
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11th September 2006, 21:24	#4 (permalink)
Mixaddict Always Learning! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Draper, Utah USA Posts: 508	Re: Review Of Michael Hearnes Alibox. Great post. Please let us know what you think of it once you have had it in the water. Regards, Randy __________________ Randy Thornton (MixAddict) Inspiration, Evolution, Hammerhead & Sentinel CCR Instructor
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11th September 2006, 22:11	#5 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,535	Re: Review Of Michael Hearnes Alibox. Nice going Windy, listen to the suggestions of Stuart, Mark and Randy and get some green (or blue, these days). __________________ 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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11th September 2006, 23:55	#6 (permalink)
divetheworld Dive porn pimp Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Classic Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 1,630	Re: Review Of Michael Hearnes Alibox. What? EH? CANT HEAR YOU. Someones been shouting!!!! Translation for those with sensitive hearing- I m sure many of you have seen threads related to Michael Hearne’s titanbox and alibox for the inspiration but I have yet to see a review except of it other than what he has said. I decided to take the plunge and order one as a replacement for the yellow box stuck on my back! Firstly, if no one has had any dealings with him, he is a very helpful bloke who went out of his way to answer my barrage of questions. As much as I would have loved a titanium box, funds could not stretch that far so the alibox was ordered Friday morning, DHL delivered a huge IKEA box about the size of a small washing machine..Oh dear god! Thankfully this was all packaging! The first thing that you notice on removing the frame is the quality of the workmanship..I know I’m no welding expert or metal fabricator but the fit and finish looks first rate in a cool greenish finish. The daunting task of taking the original ybod to pieces was not as bad as I thought it was going to be and with the aid of a set of allen keys and an adjustable spanner it soon fell apart in my hands! Putting it back together was a far easier task as hose routing is a lot simpler. All the hoses now run up behind the scrubber as it sits proud in plastic bracket. A horizontal channel about 3/4 of the way up allows the fixing of the manifold to the frame as well as 2 sets of holes to allow positioning of the wing and counterlung/harness. The first stages sit in the middle of the stainless steel stand and allow easier access when fitting to the cylinders. The scrubber is easily removed from the frame and there is now no need to remove the cylinders for easy removal. Routing of the hoses out of the top of the frame is by holes similar in shape and size to the top of the original box ( bit tight on the diluent side as you have a controller,adv, wing inflator and audible warning lead to contend with!) This frame came fitted it the optional handle, again made out of stainless steel and very comfortable to lift with. My original box has the custom divers bar fitted but I prefer this one as it is thicker and allows lifting with only one hand. Unfortunately, to get the threaded ends of the loop hoses through requires removing the top bolts to allow them to be squeezed through before tightening up. About half hour later the box was together and looking mighty impressive. It sits about 1/2 inches taller than the original box but has a very sturdy base and sits rock solid. I have yet to try it in the water but trying it one once completed, it isn’t so cumbersome on the back and I think allows easier access for o2 shutdowns etc. I've been told that I should be able to lose about 4kg of weight as well......yippee next is to fit some metalsub brackets for suit inflation and torch! The box is slightly more expensive than other travel frames made from stainless but I think it is well worth the outlay to anyone considering such a purchase hope this is of help to some of you. __________________ Attitude and self praise is no reccomendation. Dont try to be a great man, just be a man and let history be the judge of you. *WWW.NARKEDAT90.CO.UK* *http://www.grpservices.com/pursuit/* Supporting Shearwater Research Products in Europe
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12th September 2006, 01:46	#7 (permalink)
windymiller All The Gear, No Idea Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: england Posts: 294	Re: Review Of Michael Hearnes Alibox. yeah, thanks for the translation just thought i would help out anyone with poor eyesight, 'coz im kind like that! there might be some poor soul trying to read my posting on a little laptop or even mobile phone(technology these days, i dont know!) and now he wont have to squint!
(Offline)

12th September 2006, 03:50	#8 (permalink)
Jason Ooi New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 93	Re: Review Of Michael Hearnes Alibox. Sound good! Thanks you for your sharing.... Do you have any photo?
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12th September 2006, 09:31	#9 (permalink)
KevDD Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 99	Re: Review Of Michael Hearnes Alibox. Also what was the bottom line price? I notice the prices quoted on the web page are excuding vat/taxes.
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