Complete or Stripped Meg?

airbornediver

Hello I'm very seriously considering getting a Meg. I got the money set aside just trying to decide what to get. I'll be heading up to Ginnie Springs for the Rebreather Demo day on 11/13/05 just to try out the Meg. The question I have is can I put any backplate and wing on? I have some Halcyon BP's and 40 lb wings as well as a few MK25's. Will I be able to use any of my gear that I already own. Or should I just get a complete setup instead of a stripped one? With my ALUM 80's doubles setup diving dry I use a 8 lbs V-weight. How do you get your rigs weighted when diving dry?
Thanks for your help and sorry for the novice questions.

Thinking about getting:

Meg stripped with Apecs
Tiger Gear Mounts
ADV
DIV
Heads Up Display
Mixed Gas manuel bypass

Add my own regs, bottles and BP/wing

UWSojourner

My backplate was not as flat as the Meg BP so I went with the Meg plate to keep the weight closer to my back.

I like the Tiger gear (some other opinions with pictures somewhere on RBW). I have the mixed gas bypass. I really like the ADV. The HUD is ok, but is taking me some time to get used to it.

Good luck.

Decodiver

I agree with UWSojourner, get a Meg backplate as well. I have often experienced difficulties fitting student's old backplates to their Megs, that way you will avoid any potential problems on your first build.

Also consider a second set of male Tiger mounts to rig spare O2 and diluent cylinders.

Best of luck.

Cheers,

Dave Cooper.

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Rebreather World Terms & Conditions

Deep Thought

Yes to both UWSojourner & Decodiver....and by all means get a second set of Tiger mounts for spare bottles as they are quick and easy to change.

First and foremost for suggestions: Don't try and build a rebreather around your spare dive gear. I find too many students fighting a harness, wing, wrong length hose, regulator with ports facing adversely, etc. when having the right stuff makes diving the rig so much more enjoyable.

Regarding Regs, I think Leon is delivering ScubaPro regs but I dive and service Apex regs so my choice was to go with my own Apex regs. Unless there is an issue with brand names or service, go with installed options.

I like ISC's deluxe harness, currently I am diving a wishbone shaped backplate that is attached by ss clamps direct to the can (no single mount bracket)and I have tried a variety of ISC's backplates/harness over the years. One thing to be said is that Leon takes suggestions and makes improvements based on divers needs.

Regarding: Adding my own bottles and wings, no reason not to use your own bottles as you can choose alloy and pressure to suit your needs, wing as wings are not a stock item and 40 is more than quite sufficient.

Check out Stuart's thread on weighting, very straightforward information. In short weighting is almost entirely related to insulation and the salinity of water...I dive fresh water primarily with fabric suit, weezle xtream plus, steel 19's/3L bottles on my meg and use about 8-10 lbs ballast.

I only expand on weighting because I added weight pockets directly to the can on the top ss straps so the weight is high on my back. Not only how to weight yourself, but where you place the weight is key to good posture in the water.

enjoy the experiences!

Robert Cook

I'm still using my old backplate (Blackarts mk3) but I'm going to be replacing it with something lower profile in the future. For a wing, I'd HIGHLY reccommend the DR Venture wing - this has the buoyancy in just the right spot,

Thanks,
Robert

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