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ScubaDadMiami

I wanted to make sure that my check to purchase cleared the bank before announcing my decision.

Though every unit has something that I like over others, in the end, I decided to go with the Dive Rite O2ptima for my purchase. Here are my reasons. They might not be right for you, but they seem to make the best sense for me. You're not going to rain on my parade, are you?

There were several things that I like about the design. I actually like the Extend Air cartridges. I think that they will give a consistent performance when compared to potential variations in scubber pellets, settling and packing issues. I also like the idea that they produce no dust and can easily be changed on a boat.

I am okay with paying extra while the cost to fabricate the cartridges comes down. I am pretty confident that the duration testing will give me sufficient bottom time when newer tests are published. If I am limited to only three hours or so on a dive, I can live with that compared to the 20 minutes I am averaging on my deeper dives now using open circuit.

I really like the horizontal canister mounting. The hoses route really well from this, and I think that they present less of an entanglement hazard in wreck diving. I also think that this contributes to the overall low Work of Breathing.

I actually like the cover (though you might not). Rather than being the hard plastic which can look pretty bad after a few dives, the O2ptima cover is thin, soft and durable. After spending this kind of money, it would be nice to have something that will keep looking good for a long time. I think the O2ptima cover also does a great job of protecting the hoses, and it seems to contribute to the unit being streamlined in the water. (It may be psychology; I am no hydrodynamic expert! )

I think that the computers are well made though they are on the larger side. Most rebreather computers seem on the larger side anyway. On my wish list: I hope that they will move towards RGBM and/or VPM (I have been using V-Planner for over two years). I still like the VR3 as my top choice.

I think that the unit handles flooding well. You can fly it automatically or manually, and you can connect offboard gas to it. I have had excellent service from Dive Rite over the years, and I like the idea of staying with a major player in the overall dive industry.

Not everything is perfect. For example, I am not thrilled about using an Air II for reverting to open circuit though I can always resort to a bailout bottle (and even connect that to the unit using a standard low pressure quick disconnect fitting on the loop ). I hope that they come out with an open circuit valve on the mouthpiece as I have seen on other units like the KISS. I am guessing that this will be coming down the line.

Anyway, I have paid for my unit, and delivery is expected within a few weeks. I hope to start training in January. I will give a full report on the unit when I get started (and know a little about what I am doing . I am psyched!

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

caveseeker7

Congratulations Howard, hope you enjoy your unit.
Am looking forward to your feedback from it. Safe diving.

__________________
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.!"

ROB DAVIE

You cannot get a better instructor than Tom Mount. He is my hero, and truly the "God of the Sea"! (...and I do not mind you telling him I said so...) For all of his accomplishments, he is a warm and friendly person, and modest in the way he conducts himself.

I say again, you cannot find a better instructor than Tom.

Rob Davie

__________________
"CC Rebreathers will become a viable part of tech diving WHEN PIGS FLY!!"--GI3

decoweenie

Stuart, I think we need another new icon, :brownnose:

Rob, just kidding bud.

__________________
"...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..."

- Rebreather World PM

JPJones

[quote=ScubaDadMiami]Not everything is perfect. For example, I am not thrilled about using an Air II for reverting to open circuit though I can always resort to a bailout bottle (and even connect that to the unit using a standard low pressure quick disconnect fitting on the loop ). I hope that they come out with an open circuit valve on the mouthpiece as I have seen on other units like the KISS. I am guessing that this will be coming down the line./quote]

They looked at and actually tried the Kiss setup and went away from it to reduce weight and jaw fatigue. Congratulations on your decision and I know you will enjoy both the unit and your training.

__________________
NSS/CDS Training Chairman
www.jpjscuba.com

ScubaDadMiami

Actually, I can't say enough about John and how helpful he has been in demoing the unit at the Advanced Diver Magazine clinic at Ginnie, and in answering my questions. Once I have finished my initial training and have gotten some experience under my belt, my buddy and I are looking forward to coming back to Cave Country to complete the remainder of our training with him.

I was impressed with the simplicity in his methods of training. (I mean that in a good way!) As one "for instance," I noticed that everytime he would give a student a direction, he would then ask: "Do you understand what I just told you to do?" You would be surprised at how many students would not bring this up first, thinking that doing so would make them look poorly or something. Simple but very effective, and shows the marks of great instruction.

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

rigdiver

Howard;
You made the biggest and hardest decisions. Deciding on a unit and paying for one takes some people years. That's just time lost diving closed-circuit.
Good luck, have fun, and keep us posted on the unit and training.
Bill

ROB DAVIE

Phi,

I have worked with Tom for a lot of years now. I have also trained students alongside him.

I might qualify as a brown-noser if it could earn me anything, but the man is not even my boss now, since the sale of IANTD. I have tried for a long time to do some training with Tom, and our schedules have never matched up, so I don't even have a card from him (damn it all).

He is just a really great guy, and has been there, done that, and probably lost more T-shirts that the rest of us will ever get.

And yes, I do realize you are kidding! No worries, mate!

Rob

__________________
"CC Rebreathers will become a viable part of tech diving WHEN PIGS FLY!!"--GI3