APECS £ To wait or not to wait that is the question

lancsman

After much waiting for info and a release date for the APECS3 it is now time time to consider my options. The world of rebreathers has moved on since I got my Meg in early 2006 and the Meg has gone from a front runner to a slow follower(IMHO).

So what are my options:
1. Keep on waiting
2. Go for a 4th cell option
3. Go for a third party head
4. Go for an other unit

Option 1 is the easy one but does not get me the fully integrated deco solutions I want.
Option 2 is an exceptance of 1 from 1 logic with all the inherent issues of cell drift and there fore wrong PPO2 readings. Very bad for deco management.
Option 3 No sure whats available and training options with them
Option 4 At the moment looks the best option just need to get more info on the availble units.

So Do I wait for "the best solution" if it ever will exist or should I move on to something that is not vapourware?

Thanks

Mark

louisrankin

Mark Chase

I had a look at the Shearwater head at the dive show and i was very impressed. Thats the rout id take.

I have a Shearwater on the KISS just for PP02 and In line deco and its proved to be excelent. If they did a KISS solonoid option Id be interested.

ATB

Mark Chase

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netmage

Whats the overwhelming motivation for pinpoint deco, and as you readily mention with 4th cell options, is it even attainable...? Don't get me wrong, I'm an IT geek.... "a thousand data points of light" makes for a great dashboard/chart/propellor spinning...

Decompression theory is not an exact science. Algorithims/computers/tables are interpretations on that theory and swagged to accomidate the variables present in a diverse diving population.

A few of my buddies have megs and dive VR3's. The discussion came up about jacking into the vr3 for live data vs. not, and the feedback was the APECS does such a good job maintaining setpoint, what is the true value...? Extra cost (software, cell, custom cables), extra intrusion into the head/loop for connections for no real added value.

I'm planning on the VR3 (which I already own) and backup tables.

jhaaja

The only really big advantage of the fourth cell would be that you then have one more ppO2 display if the main elecs. go tits up. Otherwise ther is not much to it.

JH

netmage

Can't think of a better time to bailout...

Mark Chase

On longer dives the intigrated deco reduces the overall run time a bit which is nice. I often saved 10-15mins using in line deco on 180min runs.

Removing the deco from the controler makes the unit more simple so hopfully less likley to go wrong which is a good thing to me. I also wouldent want to be a beta tester for a new Apex 3 head. Thats a BAD thing.

However, the cost of a Meg with Apex2 is very high for what it is as a unit. Basicly an inspo Classic with a HUD? SO I couldent see the point of the switch. Id opt for the Shearwater head on the Classic Inspo or just fit a Shearwater HUD to it instead..

If i was going to invest in new tec, I think the Sentinal would win out over the Apex3 Meg but I am basing this on a general respect for the works of Kevin Gurr as apossed to any fact bassed logic

ATB

Mark

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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

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Abbo

I used to sit back to back with an analyst specialising in the semiconductor industry. He was always a mystery to me because his degree was in mediaeval history, which led him to be a little too respectful of the pace of technological advance. He knew enough to understand that Moore's Law meant that every year we get better and better products for less money, and he always knew better than anybody what great new products were about to hit the market. Over all the 10 years I worked with him he never bought a computer, because there was always something better just around the corner. So he waited.

By next summer, the Apecs 3 might be out, though the links at the bottom of this page show that not only was it expected at DEMA 2007, it was confidently predicted for DEMA 2006 and 2005. For all I know, it will come out as soon next Summer, and maybe there won't even be any teething problems with the new unit. It'll probably be really exciting waiting for the next best thing, but I'd rather be out diving. A new deco function? Very nice I'm sure, but unlikely to revolutionise my diving experience. YMMV

scubagrunt

get a copis and wait for apecs 3 if you desire. you may find you like the copis and stick with it!!! i use a copis with a shearwater computer.
mel

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diverklondike

Mark,

It sounds like you understand the options...

There are many quite a few HammerMegs and I expect there will be quite a few Shearwater Pursuit Megs as time goes on. Both of these provide good options. The HammerHead option will allow you to have Deco in both the primary and secondary. You can get a 4th cell for the Meg via the P-Port cell option that I have heard Leon is offering.

I am personally partial to the HH but I know lots of people that are diving both some version of the HH and Shearwater. Bruce has had lots of success with the Shearwater computer and PP02 monitoring. The PP02 controller is new for him. The HH has been around for a bit longer and has always been a full eCCR solution. Each has had their glitches along the way but are both very sound solutions. I don't think you could go wrong with either.

Dive Safe...

Mark