Greetings Rebreatherworld

Michael-OR1 · 31st July 2008, 18:43

I'm Michael and I've been lurking on the fringes for some time now watching as rebreathers matured and have finially decided to dive in. I attended a rebreather intro at Ghost Ships 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA and tried the Kiss and Meg units. I'm a TDI Tri-mix D/M and after diving for over thirty years and I see there are many underwater habits I have that will have to change such as exhaling out of my nose...

I'm leaning towards purchasing the Inspiration or Evolution rebreather and am currently looking for an instructor and a class schedule.

I look forward to learning from all Rebreather World has to offer.

Michael

**sfldiver** · 31st July 2008, 20:12

Quote: (Originally Posted by Michael-OR1)

I'm Michael and I've been lurking on the fringes for some time now watching as rebreathers matured and have finially decided to dive in. I attended a rebreather intro at Ghost Ships 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA and tried the Kiss and Meg units. I'm a TDI Tri-mix D/M and after diving for over thirty years and I see there are many underwater habits I have that will have to change such as exhaling out of my nose...

I'm leaning towards purchasing the Inspiration or Evolution rebreather and am currently looking for an instructor and a class schedule.

I look forward to learning from all Rebreather World has to offer.

Michael

Hi Michael,

I'm curious to know what exactly it was about the Kiss and the Meg rebreathers that you didin't like, that led you to decide on going with the Inspiration or Evolution rebreathers? And also, what is it about the Inspiration and Evolution that you do like?

I dive an Optima, as do many of my friends, and we all love them. I also dive with a many others who dive the Kiss and Meg rebreathers, and they all love their units as well; however, I don't know anyone in Florida using an Inspiration or an Evolution.

The one shop down here that I know displays an Inspitation and an Evolution, has not been able to sell them in close to a year, yet they do sell some of the other brands I mentioned.

I know Inspirations and Evolutions are very popular in Europe, but I've also heard that it's one of the only units CE Certified, which is practically a requirement in order for the unit to be accepted in Europe.

Consequently, I'm just trying to get a feel for what the appeal is towards going with that particular choice, and since they seem to be rarer than a T-Rex down here in Florida?

Thanks and welcome to Rebreather World!

Adrian

Michael-OR1 · 1st August 2008, 16:32

Adrian,
In the intro session I attended earlier in the year the instructors told us a rebreather is a rebreather is a... Each company / model has their strong points but as a new rebreather diver we would have to get a number of dives under our belts to understand what is important to us. More over, the reason I'm looking specifically at the Inspiration is simple Lemming - omics. The shops here in the Midwest teach and sell them.

I'm also interested in the Meg however the data screen on the hand unit seemed small to me in the water and as I just hit the big five oh, I want to be able to read what is displayed. The Inspiration with the Vision electronics appears larger.

One other option on the Inspiration that I liked is the HUD has four lights red / green vs a single combo light on the Meg. I'm red / green color blind and the four positions of the lights is a big selling point to me vs a single position that would be difficult to comprehend.

I've been reading the posts here on Rebreather World for a couple months before joining and I see many divers who have at least one rebreather however many either have a second rebreather or are looking at expanding there stable.

In the end I suppose all divers are the same. I have several regulators depending if I'm diving singles or doubles; mixes or air. I also have several stage bottles with regulators and don't get me started on the number of tanks and dive computers I have. Over time I too will most likely purchase a second unit.

Michael

**sfldiver** · 1st August 2008, 17:20

Quote: (Originally Posted by Michael-OR1)

Adrian,
In the intro session I attended earlier in the year the instructors told us a rebreather is a rebreather is a... Each company / model has their strong points but as a new rebreather diver we would have to get a number of dives under our belts to understand what is important to us. More over, the reason I'm looking specifically at the Inspiration is simple Lemming - omics. The shops here in the Midwest teach and sell them.

I'm also interested in the Meg however the data screen on the hand unit seemed small to me in the water and as I just hit the big five oh, I want to be able to read what is displayed. The Inspiration with the Vision electronics appears larger.

One other option on the Inspiration that I liked is the HUD has four lights red / green vs a single combo light on the Meg. I'm red / green color blind and the four positions of the lights is a big selling point to me vs a single position that would be difficult to comprehend.

I've been reading the posts here on Rebreather World for a couple months before joining and I see many divers who have at least one rebreather however many either have a second rebreather or are looking at expanding there stable.

In the end I suppose all divers are the same. I have several regulators depending if I'm diving singles or doubles; mixes or air. I also have several stage bottles with regulators and don't get me started on the number of tanks and dive computers I have. Over time I too will most likely purchase a second unit.

Michael

I appreciate the feedback Michael, because I've always been curious to know why there are so many yellow boxes up North, yet very few down South.

I too started diving the Optima, because the LDS, which is located 5 minutes from my house, concentrates on the Dive Rite Optima and has an instructor that came with a very solid teaching reputation. Also, Dive Rite is a Florida company I knew well, because I used their equipment for technical diving, and was consequently familiar with the quality of their products.

I agree that most rebreathers within the same class are somewhat similar, but do have somewhat different features. However, I've never understood divers with multiple rebreathers, because I like the idea of diving the same unit and never running the risk of getting momentarily confused and reaching for the wrong button when in a bind. Most divers I know who have decided on a differnt unit, have sold their original unit, then exclusively focussed on their new unit - I kind of like that approach. However, I can see someone having different units if they are doing varying and very extreme types of diving, however, a lot of the units today are extremely versatile and allow them to be reconfigured with larger tanks and wings pretty easily.

I encourage you to consider some other designs, before you make your final decision, especially if you have the means to travel to complete your training, because there really are some great units out there. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably go with the Optima, because I like the small size and the scrubber cartridges it uses, but I would probably give some serious consideration to other brands, especially the Hammerhead and the Meg.

When you get certified, if you want to join us in Florida for some warm water wreck diving, look us up within the Florida S.C.R.U.B.'s Forum (Florida S.C.R.U.B. - Rebreather World), as we have a pretty active group of divers and are often visited by out of towners who read and see the pictures within our trip reports and want to come dive with us.

Best of luck to you whichever direction you decide to go!

Adrian

Michael-OR1 · 1st August 2008, 20:44

Adrian,
I'm familar with Dive Rite and have purchased many of their products over the years.
I've also followed the Optima rebreather having watched it for a couple years. My principal concern is divers have to purchase ExtendAir cartridges. I understand that takes the hassle factor out of filling canisters with sorb however I'm leery of single sourcing.

Thanks for the invite to dive Florida. Its been some time since I've travelled to Lauderdale or the keys though I did make the time last year to dive the Oriskany.

Michael

**sfldiver** · 1st August 2008, 21:05

Quote: (Originally Posted by Michael-OR1)

Adrian,
I'm familar with Dive Rite and have purchased many of their products over the years.
I've also followed the Optima rebreather having watched it for a couple years. My principal concern is divers have to purchase ExtendAir cartridges. I understand that takes the hassle factor out of filling canisters with sorb however I'm leery of single sourcing.

Thanks for the invite to dive Florida. Its been some time since I've travelled to Lauderdale or the keys though I did make the time last year to dive the Oriskany.

Michael

I wasn't trying to convince you to purchase an Optima, as I was only explaining my reasoning for going with that unit, as you were kind enough to outline why you are leaning towards the Evo & Insp.

With regard to the EAC's, I've heard all the cons regarding their use, but most of those come from folks who have never used them. I will agree that if the user plans to travel outside the US for dive travel, then they may be presented with some difficulty getting cartridges. Also, if you are consitently doing dives longer than say the four hour time frame, then the EAC may also not be for everyone, but then again, so would most of the canister designs on the market. In the US, you can easily have them drop shipped from your supplier to anywhere you may travel, which saves you the time of having to carry them. With regard to not having the ability to use sorb as well, why would anyone want to? The EAC is quick and clean to change. It almost completely eliminates the risk of caustic cocktail...it eliminates the concern of potentially getting channeling in your canister. At the end of the day it does end up costing a bit more, but for the benefits you acquire by its use, well worth the $. I have never packed a canister, other than with an EAC, and I absolutely have no desire to do it. It literally takes me two minutes to open up the canister on my unit, unseal an EAC, pop in the EAC and close it up - That's it!

I dive with lot's of other Optima divers, and I have yet to hear someone say to me, I wish I could have packed my own sorb.

Again, not to convince you to go with an Optima, but just to make sure you completely understood some of the advantages that come with the use of the EAC.

BTW, here's just one part of our happy Optima diving family!

Adrian

31st July 2008, 18:43	#1 (permalink)
Michael-OR1 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 4	Greetings Rebreatherworld I'm Michael and I've been lurking on the fringes for some time now watching as rebreathers matured and have finially decided to dive in. I attended a rebreather intro at Ghost Ships 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA and tried the Kiss and Meg units. I'm a TDI Tri-mix D/M and after diving for over thirty years and I see there are many underwater habits I have that will have to change such as exhaling out of my nose... I'm leaning towards purchasing the Inspiration or Evolution rebreather and am currently looking for an instructor and a class schedule. I look forward to learning from all Rebreather World has to offer. Michael
(Offline)

31st July 2008, 20:12	#2 (permalink)
sfldiver S.C.R.U.B.'S Photographer Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 819	Re: Greetings Rebreatherworld Quote: (Originally Posted by Michael-OR1) I'm Michael and I've been lurking on the fringes for some time now watching as rebreathers matured and have finially decided to dive in. I attended a rebreather intro at Ghost Ships 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA and tried the Kiss and Meg units. I'm a TDI Tri-mix D/M and after diving for over thirty years and I see there are many underwater habits I have that will have to change such as exhaling out of my nose... I'm leaning towards purchasing the Inspiration or Evolution rebreather and am currently looking for an instructor and a class schedule. I look forward to learning from all Rebreather World has to offer. Michael Hi Michael, I'm curious to know what exactly it was about the Kiss and the Meg rebreathers that you didin't like, that led you to decide on going with the Inspiration or Evolution rebreathers? And also, what is it about the Inspiration and Evolution that you do like? I dive an Optima, as do many of my friends, and we all love them. I also dive with a many others who dive the Kiss and Meg rebreathers, and they all love their units as well; however, I don't know anyone in Florida using an Inspiration or an Evolution. The one shop down here that I know displays an Inspitation and an Evolution, has not been able to sell them in close to a year, yet they do sell some of the other brands I mentioned. I know Inspirations and Evolutions are very popular in Europe, but I've also heard that it's one of the only units CE Certified, which is practically a requirement in order for the unit to be accepted in Europe. Consequently, I'm just trying to get a feel for what the appeal is towards going with that particular choice, and since they seem to be rarer than a T-Rex down here in Florida? Thanks and welcome to Rebreather World! Adrian __________________ *Currently piloting & shooting...* Dive Rite O2ptima FX Rigged w/ a Dsix Custom Aluminum Frame, Nomad Wing, Transpac Harness and VR3 Computer w/ VPM-B/E & a 4th Cell Sensor Link.* Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera *Rigged in a Patima-PDCH 2008 G9 Aluminum Housing w/ an Inon UWL-100 Achromat Wide Conversion Lens, 2 Inon UCL-165M67 Close-Up Lenses and 2 Inon Z-240 Strobes.
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1st August 2008, 16:32	#3 (permalink)
Michael-OR1 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 4	Re: Greetings Rebreatherworld Adrian, In the intro session I attended earlier in the year the instructors told us a rebreather is a rebreather is a... Each company / model has their strong points but as a new rebreather diver we would have to get a number of dives under our belts to understand what is important to us. More over, the reason I'm looking specifically at the Inspiration is simple Lemming - omics. The shops here in the Midwest teach and sell them. I'm also interested in the Meg however the data screen on the hand unit seemed small to me in the water and as I just hit the big five oh, I want to be able to read what is displayed. The Inspiration with the Vision electronics appears larger. One other option on the Inspiration that I liked is the HUD has four lights red / green vs a single combo light on the Meg. I'm red / green color blind and the four positions of the lights is a big selling point to me vs a single position that would be difficult to comprehend. I've been reading the posts here on Rebreather World for a couple months before joining and I see many divers who have at least one rebreather however many either have a second rebreather or are looking at expanding there stable. In the end I suppose all divers are the same. I have several regulators depending if I'm diving singles or doubles; mixes or air. I also have several stage bottles with regulators and don't get me started on the number of tanks and dive computers I have. Over time I too will most likely purchase a second unit. Michael
(Offline)

1st August 2008, 17:20	#4 (permalink)
sfldiver S.C.R.U.B.'S Photographer Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 819	Re: Greetings Rebreatherworld Quote: (Originally Posted by Michael-OR1) Adrian, In the intro session I attended earlier in the year the instructors told us a rebreather is a rebreather is a... Each company / model has their strong points but as a new rebreather diver we would have to get a number of dives under our belts to understand what is important to us. More over, the reason I'm looking specifically at the Inspiration is simple Lemming - omics. The shops here in the Midwest teach and sell them. I'm also interested in the Meg however the data screen on the hand unit seemed small to me in the water and as I just hit the big five oh, I want to be able to read what is displayed. The Inspiration with the Vision electronics appears larger. One other option on the Inspiration that I liked is the HUD has four lights red / green vs a single combo light on the Meg. I'm red / green color blind and the four positions of the lights is a big selling point to me vs a single position that would be difficult to comprehend. I've been reading the posts here on Rebreather World for a couple months before joining and I see many divers who have at least one rebreather however many either have a second rebreather or are looking at expanding there stable. In the end I suppose all divers are the same. I have several regulators depending if I'm diving singles or doubles; mixes or air. I also have several stage bottles with regulators and don't get me started on the number of tanks and dive computers I have. Over time I too will most likely purchase a second unit. Michael I appreciate the feedback Michael, because I've always been curious to know why there are so many yellow boxes up North, yet very few down South. I too started diving the Optima, because the LDS, which is located 5 minutes from my house, concentrates on the Dive Rite Optima and has an instructor that came with a very solid teaching reputation. Also, Dive Rite is a Florida company I knew well, because I used their equipment for technical diving, and was consequently familiar with the quality of their products. I agree that most rebreathers within the same class are somewhat similar, but do have somewhat different features. However, I've never understood divers with multiple rebreathers, because I like the idea of diving the same unit and never running the risk of getting momentarily confused and reaching for the wrong button when in a bind. Most divers I know who have decided on a differnt unit, have sold their original unit, then exclusively focussed on their new unit - I kind of like that approach. However, I can see someone having different units if they are doing varying and very extreme types of diving, however, a lot of the units today are extremely versatile and allow them to be reconfigured with larger tanks and wings pretty easily. I encourage you to consider some other designs, before you make your final decision, especially if you have the means to travel to complete your training, because there really are some great units out there. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably go with the Optima, because I like the small size and the scrubber cartridges it uses, but I would probably give some serious consideration to other brands, especially the Hammerhead and the Meg. When you get certified, if you want to join us in Florida for some warm water wreck diving, look us up within the Florida S.C.R.U.B.'s Forum (Florida S.C.R.U.B. - Rebreather World), as we have a pretty active group of divers and are often visited by out of towners who read and see the pictures within our trip reports and want to come dive with us. Best of luck to you whichever direction you decide to go! Adrian __________________ *Currently piloting & shooting...* Dive Rite O2ptima FX Rigged w/ a Dsix Custom Aluminum Frame, Nomad Wing, Transpac Harness and VR3 Computer w/ VPM-B/E & a 4th Cell Sensor Link.* Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera *Rigged in a Patima-PDCH 2008 G9 Aluminum Housing w/ an Inon UWL-100 Achromat Wide Conversion Lens, 2 Inon UCL-165M67 Close-Up Lenses and 2 Inon Z-240 Strobes.
(Offline)

1st August 2008, 20:44	#5 (permalink)
Michael-OR1 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 4	Re: Greetings Rebreatherworld Adrian, I'm familar with Dive Rite and have purchased many of their products over the years. I've also followed the Optima rebreather having watched it for a couple years. My principal concern is divers have to purchase ExtendAir cartridges. I understand that takes the hassle factor out of filling canisters with sorb however I'm leery of single sourcing. Thanks for the invite to dive Florida. Its been some time since I've travelled to Lauderdale or the keys though I did make the time last year to dive the Oriskany. Michael
(Offline)

1st August 2008, 21:05	#6 (permalink)
sfldiver S.C.R.U.B.'S Photographer Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 819	Re: Greetings Rebreatherworld Quote: (Originally Posted by Michael-OR1) Adrian, I'm familar with Dive Rite and have purchased many of their products over the years. I've also followed the Optima rebreather having watched it for a couple years. My principal concern is divers have to purchase ExtendAir cartridges. I understand that takes the hassle factor out of filling canisters with sorb however I'm leery of single sourcing. Thanks for the invite to dive Florida. Its been some time since I've travelled to Lauderdale or the keys though I did make the time last year to dive the Oriskany. Michael I wasn't trying to convince you to purchase an Optima, as I was only explaining my reasoning for going with that unit, as you were kind enough to outline why you are leaning towards the Evo & Insp. With regard to the EAC's, I've heard all the cons regarding their use, but most of those come from folks who have never used them. I will agree that if the user plans to travel outside the US for dive travel, then they may be presented with some difficulty getting cartridges. Also, if you are consitently doing dives longer than say the four hour time frame, then the EAC may also not be for everyone, but then again, so would most of the canister designs on the market. In the US, you can easily have them drop shipped from your supplier to anywhere you may travel, which saves you the time of having to carry them. With regard to not having the ability to use sorb as well, why would anyone want to? The EAC is quick and clean to change. It almost completely eliminates the risk of caustic cocktail...it eliminates the concern of potentially getting channeling in your canister. At the end of the day it does end up costing a bit more, but for the benefits you acquire by its use, well worth the $. I have never packed a canister, other than with an EAC, and I absolutely have no desire to do it. It literally takes me two minutes to open up the canister on my unit, unseal an EAC, pop in the EAC and close it up - That's it! I dive with lot's of other Optima divers, and I have yet to hear someone say to me, I wish I could have packed my own sorb. Again, not to convince you to go with an Optima, but just to make sure you completely understood some of the advantages that come with the use of the EAC. BTW, here's just one part of our happy Optima diving family! Adrian __________________ *Currently piloting & shooting...* Dive Rite O2ptima FX Rigged w/ a Dsix Custom Aluminum Frame, Nomad Wing, Transpac Harness and VR3 Computer w/ VPM-B/E & a 4th Cell Sensor Link.* Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera Rigged in a Patima-PDCH 2008 G9 Aluminum Housing w/ an Inon UWL-100 Achromat Wide Conversion Lens, 2 Inon UCL-165M67 Close-Up Lenses and 2 Inon Z-240 Strobes. Last edited by sfldiver : 1st August 2008 at 21:08.*
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