Megaladon Versus Optima Fx

Lilou6 · 16th January 2008, 18:02

Hello,

I am living in France and i dive on an Optima and there is no problem to have EAC (like other spare parts) by the french dive rite dealer, my actual buddy have a Meg and i try it. The two rigs are very pleasant to dive and the WOB is the same but for me :
The pros of the Meg : robust , ADV, easy to plug different tank size, the form of the CL.
THe pros of the optima : EAC, electronic (very well thought), integrated deco (in option in the two handset), very compact so easy to transport
The cons of the Meg : no deco system, no way to put some weight on the top of the rig
The cons of the optima : ADV, the stand is not stable enough

If i have to choose one i take a Hammerhead CCR (with EAC) which is for me the union of the different pro of these two unit without the cons.

Best regards
Lilian

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 16th January 2008, 18:57

Until Lilou mentioned that there are Optimas and EACs in France, I, too, would have said to wait on the Optima until CE approval. However, if the EACs are not a problem to obtain, then I think the Optima would be a great choice.

At the time of my decision (after researching potential available units), I was trying to decide between the Meg and Optima, too. They are both good machines, and you will not be making a bad decision with either (as well as other contenders now on the market).

In the end, I am very glad I decided to go with the Optima. If I were in Europe, I don't know if I would have come to the same decision unless I were able to get parts, service and EACs. You might want to check into this some more before reaching your final decision.

zmcave · 16th January 2008, 21:29

Hi Finni,

Hard choice you have! I was in the same position some time ago.
My main problem having an optima down here is having the extendair at a fair price, customs here charge a lot to import it. If you can sort that issue in Iceland you will be happy with the rig. It has great electronics and it has a really simple design.

One thing you have to consider is using the extendair in really cold water, I am not sure how it performs under those conditions. Maybe someone here could tell us about it.

Off subject, how is Silfra? Dove there some 5 years ago... coldest dive in my life!

Best,

Zé.

jiseson · 16th January 2008, 22:23

Quote: (Originally Posted by zmcave)

Hi Finni,

Hard choice you have! I was in the same position some time ago.
My main problem having an optima down here is having the extendair at a fair price, customs here charge a lot to import it. If you can sort that issue in Iceland you will be happy with the rig. It has great electronics and it has a really simple design.

One thing you have to consider is using the extendair in really cold water, I am not sure how it performs under those conditions. Maybe someone here could tell us about it.

Off subject, how is Silfra? Dove there some 5 years ago... coldest dive in my life!

Best,

Zé.

i did a hour dive this past sunday in 38 deg F water-all was perfect-i unrolled the cartridge afterwards and only 1/4 of it was used.

and i don't have to solder my batteries together either!

Nad · 16th January 2008, 22:51

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase)

The Sentinel from the VR3 boys in the UK is well worth a look as well.

Quote.
England is closer and the guys there offer a good service and also the price is ok. As Stefan wrote they are going to have EAC and sofnolime on the unit.

Beside that I would go for the HH CCR and hope to have the possibility to try it in the next future.

Nad

Gilles · 17th January 2008, 05:01

Quote: (Originally Posted by Lilou6)

The cons of the Meg : no deco system, no way to put some weight on the top of the rig

Sorry but that is not true.

Meg inboard tanks can be de-inverted to effectively cure any trim problems. There's also a clever and blingy weighted handle avaiable by 3rd party.

The only cons of the Meg (that I'm aware of as active owner-diver)

1) no deco program (yet), but have 3rd party options
2) unnecessarily heavy can
3) sensors act as single barrier between scrubbed/unscrubbed gas. Is effectively mitigated by proper checklist usage.

**SeaBass** · 17th January 2008, 06:38

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gilles)

The only cons of the Meg (that I'm aware of as active owner-diver)

1) no deco program (yet), but have 3rd party options
2) unnecessarily heavy can
3) sensors act as single barrier between scrubbed/unscrubbed gas. Is effectively mitigated by proper checklist usage.

A couple of questions?

1. Doesnt the aluminum can reduce needed weight on your belt?
2. Is the sensor barrier problem real or is it more paranoia?

3. Does anyone know how the Meg breaths with an EAC?

Thom

**offpro** · 17th January 2008, 08:51

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gilles)

Sorry but that is not true.

Meg inboard tanks can be de-inverted to effectively cure any trim problems. There's also a clever and blingy weighted handle avaiable by 3rd party.

The only cons of the Meg (that I'm aware of as active owner-diver)

1) no deco program (yet), but have 3rd party options
2) unnecessarily heavy can
3) sensors act as single barrier between scrubbed/unscrubbed gas. Is effectively mitigated by proper checklist usage.

unless he travel alot ho need all that extra weight in the cold water around Iceland..

Gilles · 17th January 2008, 09:45

this is a dummy post to get passed a forum bug, and allow me to reply to Seabass's post.

Gilles · 17th January 2008, 09:50

Quote: (Originally Posted by SeaBass)

A couple of questions?

1. Doesnt the aluminum can reduce needed weight on your belt?

I'd rather rent/borrow/steal weight belt weights at my diving trips than pay airlines inflated overweight charges

Quote:

2. Is the sensor barrier problem real or is it more paranoia?

Probably is but this feature does not measure up to the quality that the rest of the system is.

Quote:

3. Does anyone know how the Meg breaths with an EAC?

Thom

No idea but she breathes real fine with a GG radial, even when it's air, and you need to go hard.

16th January 2008, 18:02	#11 (permalink)
Lilou6 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South of the france Posts: 48	Re: Megaladon Versus Optima Fx Hello, I am living in France and i dive on an Optima and there is no problem to have EAC (like other spare parts) by the french dive rite dealer, my actual buddy have a Meg and i try it. The two rigs are very pleasant to dive and the WOB is the same but for me : The pros of the Meg : robust , ADV, easy to plug different tank size, the form of the CL. THe pros of the optima : EAC, electronic (very well thought), integrated deco (in option in the two handset), very compact so easy to transport The cons of the Meg : no deco system, no way to put some weight on the top of the rig The cons of the optima : ADV, the stand is not stable enough If i have to choose one i take a Hammerhead CCR (with EAC) which is for me the union of the different pro of these two unit without the cons. Best regards Lilian
(Offline)

16th January 2008, 18:57	#12 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,213	Re: Megaladon Versus Optima Fx Until Lilou mentioned that there are Optimas and EACs in France, I, too, would have said to wait on the Optima until CE approval. However, if the EACs are not a problem to obtain, then I think the Optima would be a great choice. At the time of my decision (after researching potential available units), I was trying to decide between the Meg and Optima, too. They are both good machines, and you will not be making a bad decision with either (as well as other contenders now on the market). In the end, I am very glad I decided to go with the Optima. If I were in Europe, I don't know if I would have come to the same decision unless I were able to get parts, service and EACs. You might want to check into this some more before reaching your final decision. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
(Offline)

16th January 2008, 21:29	#13 (permalink)
zmcave www.rebreather.com.br Current Rebreather/s: Optima Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Optima Dolphin Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Brazil Posts: 189	Re: Megaladon Versus Optima Fx Hi Finni, Hard choice you have! I was in the same position some time ago. My main problem having an optima down here is having the extendair at a fair price, customs here charge a lot to import it. If you can sort that issue in Iceland you will be happy with the rig. It has great electronics and it has a really simple design. One thing you have to consider is using the extendair in really cold water, I am not sure how it performs under those conditions. Maybe someone here could tell us about it. Off subject, how is Silfra? Dove there some 5 years ago... coldest dive in my life! Best, Zé.
(Offline)

16th January 2008, 22:23	#14 (permalink)
jiseson DSIX/O2PTIMA Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: long island,ny Posts: 615	Re: Megaladon Versus Optima Fx Quote: (Originally Posted by zmcave) Hi Finni, Hard choice you have! I was in the same position some time ago. My main problem having an optima down here is having the extendair at a fair price, customs here charge a lot to import it. If you can sort that issue in Iceland you will be happy with the rig. It has great electronics and it has a really simple design. One thing you have to consider is using the extendair in really cold water, I am not sure how it performs under those conditions. Maybe someone here could tell us about it. Off subject, how is Silfra? Dove there some 5 years ago... coldest dive in my life! Best, Zé. i did a hour dive this past sunday in 38 deg F water-all was perfect-i unrolled the cartridge afterwards and only 1/4 of it was used. and i don't have to solder my batteries together either! __________________ *Jonathan D Iseson*
(Online)

16th January 2008, 22:51	#15 (permalink)
Nad Rebel to the Bone Current Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 1,007	Re: Megaladon Versus Optima Fx Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase) The Sentinel from the VR3 boys in the UK is well worth a look as well. Quote. England is closer and the guys there offer a good service and also the price is ok. As Stefan wrote they are going to have EAC and sofnolime on the unit. Beside that I would go for the HH CCR and hope to have the possibility to try it in the next future. Nad __________________ The Impossible is often the Untried
(Offline)

17th January 2008, 05:01	#16 (permalink)
Gilles Worship the feminine Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Den Haag (Netherlands) Posts: 762	Re: Megaladon Versus Optima Fx Quote: (Originally Posted by Lilou6) The cons of the Meg : no deco system, no way to put some weight on the top of the rig Sorry but that is not true. Meg inboard tanks can be de-inverted to effectively cure any trim problems. There's also a clever and blingy weighted handle avaiable by 3rd party. The only cons of the Meg (that I'm aware of as active owner-diver) 1) no deco program (yet), but have 3rd party options 2) unnecessarily heavy can 3) sensors act as single barrier between scrubbed/unscrubbed gas. Is effectively mitigated by proper checklist usage. __________________ Gilles http://www.dirrebreather.com
(Offline)

17th January 2008, 06:38	#17 (permalink)
SeaBass Thom Susko Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Ray Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Ray Home Build Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Clemente, CA Posts: 246	Re: Megaladon Versus Optima Fx Quote: (Originally Posted by Gilles) The only cons of the Meg (that I'm aware of as active owner-diver) 1) no deco program (yet), but have 3rd party options 2) unnecessarily heavy can 3) sensors act as single barrier between scrubbed/unscrubbed gas. Is effectively mitigated by proper checklist usage. A couple of questions? 1. Doesnt the aluminum can reduce needed weight on your belt? 2. Is the sensor barrier problem real or is it more paranoia? 3. Does anyone know how the Meg breaths with an EAC? Thom
(Offline)

17th January 2008, 08:51	#18 (permalink)
offpro Supporting Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Up North, Norway Posts: 110	Re: Megaladon Versus Optima Fx Quote: (Originally Posted by Gilles) Sorry but that is not true. Meg inboard tanks can be de-inverted to effectively cure any trim problems. There's also a clever and blingy weighted handle avaiable by 3rd party. The only cons of the Meg (that I'm aware of as active owner-diver) 1) no deco program (yet), but have 3rd party options 2) unnecessarily heavy can 3) sensors act as single barrier between scrubbed/unscrubbed gas. Is effectively mitigated by proper checklist usage. unless he travel alot ho need all that extra weight in the cold water around Iceland..
(Offline)

17th January 2008, 09:45	#19 (permalink)
Gilles Worship the feminine Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Den Haag (Netherlands) Posts: 762	Re: Megaladon Versus Optima Fx this is a dummy post to get passed a forum bug, and allow me to reply to Seabass's post. __________________ Gilles http://www.dirrebreather.com Last edited by Gilles : 17th January 2008 at 09:53.
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17th January 2008, 09:50	#20 (permalink)
Gilles Worship the feminine Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Den Haag (Netherlands) Posts: 762	Re: Megaladon Versus Optima Fx Quote: (Originally Posted by SeaBass) A couple of questions? 1. Doesnt the aluminum can reduce needed weight on your belt? I'd rather rent/borrow/steal weight belt weights at my diving trips than pay airlines inflated overweight charges Quote: 2. Is the sensor barrier problem real or is it more paranoia? Probably is but this feature does not measure up to the quality that the rest of the system is. Quote: 3. Does anyone know how the Meg breaths with an EAC? Thom No idea but she breathes real fine with a GG radial, even when it's air, and you need to go hard. __________________ Gilles http://www.dirrebreather.com
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