Manta lungs - first impressions

Pawel Szopinski · 17th October 2009, 21:56

After a long evaluation, I have decided to buy a set of Manta lungs for my Meg and today I was able to try them on.

First of all, I have never dived BMCLs before, so cannot comment or compare against any other unit. However, as I have had a fairly good experience with the original Megalodon or Inspiration lungs, I'm neither impressed nor disappointed at the moment. Basically, they seem to be very different.

What I like:

free chest area - primary reason for the purchase, having admittedly short hands, once I layer up in the winter, the lungs, torches and stages, I don't find it ideal.
gas blocks - briliant piece of kit, especially for running the unit off-board in an emergency or remote locations. might need to add shut-off valves on each line in case if any of the buttons jams.
build quality - what else can we expect of ISC? heavy duty tank-like.
mounting - hassle free and plastic clips are gone.
flood recovery - one of the main features which makes me keep my Meg, it will take a bucket of water and you will still be able to drain it. Tried it today, let the DSV float open for a while and flushed it all out Meg-style.

What I didn't like (at least today, hopefully I can work on some of these issues):

WOB - let's face it, it won't beat the old lungs, which are completely unnoticeable. however, it's still acceptable at any depth (took it to 42m only though) or position. I also experienced occasional "snoring".
trim - as I said before, it's different. you cannot expect to float from the day one in the way you are used to with the front-mounted lungs. needs some work on it.
lack of ADV - ok, I'm not that fussed, but adds a bit of finger action on the descent especially if you are going to run the scooter, wing, suit, setpoint and possibly the camera too. sort of "the finger is on the button" - all the way down. too many buttons, too little hands. BOV might help, especially if you cannot reach the gas block.
Inner-bag - no baloon effect and don't get in the way, but difficult to run at the minimum loop volue and really baggy - hence probably why the ISC ADV won't function well as they are not as stiff as the orginal lungs and don't colapse enough to push the Schrader valve.
Flow restrictor on O2 block - too slow to do a quick flush at 6m.

All-in-all, I think it is a good value for money and will need some time to get used to it. Unfortunately I had to cut my weekend short, so won't get a chance to dive them again tomorrow.

Hyper-limits · 18th October 2009, 02:55

Thanks for the review, keep update coming as you're doing more dives.

Cheers

Al

ljj · 18th October 2009, 07:16

YouTube - Assembling the Manta Counterlung on the Megalodon CCR

Rob Dobson · 18th October 2009, 12:39

I've done a bunch of dives on the Manta's and I've concluded that they don't work very well for people of a slight build. They sit much better on bigger people.

The Manta's are not really compatible with COPIS units utilising hypoxic Dil. The O2 add is too weak on ascent and you cannot get the loop volume up by hitting the Dil manual add until you get past a suitable depth.

I've decided to go back to the standard lungs and sell the Manta's. Any larger built APECs divers out there that want them?

windymiller · 18th October 2009, 13:38

Quote: (Originally Posted by Rob Dobson)

I've done a bunch of dives on the Manta's and I've concluded that they don't work very well for people of a slight build. They sit much better on bigger people.

The Manta's are not really compatible with COPIS units utilising hypoxic Dil. The O2 add is too weak on ascent and you cannot get the loop volume up by hitting the Dil manual add until you get past a suitable depth.

I've decided to go back to the standard lungs and sell the Manta's. Any larger built APECs divers out there that want them?

How much?! You cant get anymore unslightly built than me!!

**diverklondike** · 18th October 2009, 15:02

Rob,

Your correct when it comes to the Manta design. I have been diving various BMCL versions over the last couple years and people with smaller builds would be much better off with either the HH/Golem Gear option or something similar to what Dave Thompson has designed. Both designs put some of the CL volume behind the backplate. For what it's worth,I think Golem Gear has a set of hose adaptors that will allow you to use their BMCLs on a Meg.

Dive Safe...

Mark

Quote: (Originally Posted by Rob Dobson)

I've done a bunch of dives on the Manta's and I've concluded that they don't work very well for people of a slight build. They sit much better on bigger people.

The Manta's are not really compatible with COPIS units utilising hypoxic Dil. The O2 add is too weak on ascent and you cannot get the loop volume up by hitting the Dil manual add until you get past a suitable depth.

I've decided to go back to the standard lungs and sell the Manta's. Any larger built APECs divers out there that want them?

Giacomino · 3rd November 2009, 19:54

Hi friends!! after 30 hours of use, I can say that the Manta Lungs are very very nice. Very great WOB up to -80 Mt, great trim, simply to use by baypass and without ADV, the baypass have included off board gas kit

. A special thanks to Aldo Ferrucci that have permissed me to use this type of machine!

gerstl_ossi · 22nd November 2009, 19:42

Quote: (Originally Posted by Giacomino)

Hi friends!! after 30 hours of use, I can say that the Manta Lungs are very very nice. Very great WOB up to -80 Mt, great trim, simply to use by baypass and without ADV, the baypass have included off board gas kit

. A special thanks to Aldo Ferrucci that have permissed me to use this type of machine!

For me the same, just back from some diving on the Haven wreck in liguria using my home built mantastyle-counter lungs. In the last month I used the mantas also for some deeper dives in the range from 210 to 260 feet and always feel very happy with them. Nice WOB, clean chest area. MAV work perfect. I added a ADV which works great.There is no reason to not use it one the mantas.

Cheers Ossi

Outlaw · 22nd November 2009, 20:02

i am interested in this one. sure would like to hear more reviews over it.

for those who seem to be happy about them mantas, did you feel the same from day 1, or did you have to work it out with time.?

Spyros

19Hunter68 · 22nd November 2009, 20:06

I may be wrong here but I'll ask anyways. I think that the Pathfinder and Predator from ISC are utillizing the Manta and am curious now that if an "entry level" breather, having this system would be acceptable for a "noobie" too start with? With these reviews being very relavent, would a greenhorn be better off starting with OTSCL's?

Thanks,
Hunter

17th October 2009, 21:56	#1 (permalink)
Pawel Szopinski RBW Member ISC Megalodon APECS 2.06 APD Inspiration Vision Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London, United Kingdom Posts: 300	Manta lungs - first impressions After a long evaluation, I have decided to buy a set of Manta lungs for my Meg and today I was able to try them on. First of all, I have never dived BMCLs before, so cannot comment or compare against any other unit. However, as I have had a fairly good experience with the original Megalodon or Inspiration lungs, I'm neither impressed nor disappointed at the moment. Basically, they seem to be very different. What I like: free chest area - primary reason for the purchase, having admittedly short hands, once I layer up in the winter, the lungs, torches and stages, I don't find it ideal. gas blocks - briliant piece of kit, especially for running the unit off-board in an emergency or remote locations. might need to add shut-off valves on each line in case if any of the buttons jams. build quality - what else can we expect of ISC? heavy duty tank-like. mounting - hassle free and plastic clips are gone. flood recovery - one of the main features which makes me keep my Meg, it will take a bucket of water and you will still be able to drain it. Tried it today, let the DSV float open for a while and flushed it all out Meg-style. What I didn't like (at least today, hopefully I can work on some of these issues): WOB - let's face it, it won't beat the old lungs, which are completely unnoticeable. however, it's still acceptable at any depth (took it to 42m only though) or position. I also experienced occasional "snoring". trim - as I said before, it's different. you cannot expect to float from the day one in the way you are used to with the front-mounted lungs. needs some work on it. lack of ADV - ok, I'm not that fussed, but adds a bit of finger action on the descent especially if you are going to run the scooter, wing, suit, setpoint and possibly the camera too. sort of "the finger is on the button" - all the way down. too many buttons, too little hands. BOV might help, especially if you cannot reach the gas block. Inner-bag - no baloon effect and don't get in the way, but difficult to run at the minimum loop volue and really baggy - hence probably why the ISC ADV won't function well as they are not as stiff as the orginal lungs and don't colapse enough to push the Schrader valve. Flow restrictor on O2 block - too slow to do a quick flush at 6m. All-in-all, I think it is a good value for money and will need some time to get used to it. Unfortunately I had to cut my weekend short, so won't get a chance to dive them again tomorrow. Last edited by Pawel Szopinski : 17th October 2009 at 22:31.
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18th October 2009, 02:55	#2 (permalink)
Hyper-limits Al Delisle Megalodon Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Victoria BC Canada Posts: 254	Re: Manta lungs - first impressions Thanks for the review, keep update coming as you're doing more dives. Cheers Al
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18th October 2009, 12:39	#4 (permalink)
Rob Dobson RBW Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oxford Posts: 219	Re: Manta lungs - first impressions I've done a bunch of dives on the Manta's and I've concluded that they don't work very well for people of a slight build. They sit much better on bigger people. The Manta's are not really compatible with COPIS units utilising hypoxic Dil. The O2 add is too weak on ascent and you cannot get the loop volume up by hitting the Dil manual add until you get past a suitable depth. I've decided to go back to the standard lungs and sell the Manta's. Any larger built APECs divers out there that want them?
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18th October 2009, 13:38	#5 (permalink)
windymiller All The Gear, No Idea Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: england Posts: 450	Re: Manta lungs - first impressions Quote: (Originally Posted by Rob Dobson) I've done a bunch of dives on the Manta's and I've concluded that they don't work very well for people of a slight build. They sit much better on bigger people. The Manta's are not really compatible with COPIS units utilising hypoxic Dil. The O2 add is too weak on ascent and you cannot get the loop volume up by hitting the Dil manual add until you get past a suitable depth. I've decided to go back to the standard lungs and sell the Manta's. Any larger built APECs divers out there that want them? How much?! You cant get anymore unslightly built than me!!
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18th October 2009, 15:02	#6 (permalink)
diverklondike Hammerhead CCR HammerHead CCR It's Classified Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Delaware, USA Posts: 2,153	Re: Manta lungs - first impressions Rob, Your correct when it comes to the Manta design. I have been diving various BMCL versions over the last couple years and people with smaller builds would be much better off with either the HH/Golem Gear option or something similar to what Dave Thompson has designed. Both designs put some of the CL volume behind the backplate. For what it's worth,I think Golem Gear has a set of hose adaptors that will allow you to use their BMCLs on a Meg. Dive Safe... Mark Quote: (Originally Posted by Rob Dobson) I've done a bunch of dives on the Manta's and I've concluded that they don't work very well for people of a slight build. They sit much better on bigger people. The Manta's are not really compatible with COPIS units utilising hypoxic Dil. The O2 add is too weak on ascent and you cannot get the loop volume up by hitting the Dil manual add until you get past a suitable depth. I've decided to go back to the standard lungs and sell the Manta's. Any larger built APECs divers out there that want them? __________________ ______________________________________ Have you made a donation to DAN recently?
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22nd November 2009, 20:02	#9 (permalink)
Outlaw In search of Law breaking Meggy Meg... Got the best one from day 1... Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cyprus, Nicosia Posts: 988	Re: Manta lungs - first impressions i am interested in this one. sure would like to hear more reviews over it. for those who seem to be happy about them mantas, did you feel the same from day 1, or did you have to work it out with time.? Spyros
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22nd November 2009, 20:06	#10 (permalink)
19Hunter68 RBW Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Columbia Heights, MN Posts: 765	Re: Manta lungs - first impressions I may be wrong here but I'll ask anyways. I think that the Pathfinder and Predator from ISC are utillizing the Manta and am curious now that if an "entry level" breather, having this system would be acceptable for a "noobie" too start with? With these reviews being very relavent, would a greenhorn be better off starting with OTSCL's? Thanks, Hunter
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