Recommendation On Rebreather

sotongking

Hi All,

I'm planning to take up rebreather but I have mixed comments on these two and I don't know will I get flamed for this?
Of the two (Megalodon & Inspiration Vision), which one is most recommended in terms of life span, maintenance and user-friendliness?

Thanks!

Dave Faye

They are both solid units. Maybe you should think about rebreather support in your area. Do others near you dive an Inspo or Meg? Its very nice to have another ccr diver using the same unit nearby. It helps with your ability to compare problems and fixes and you can share spares.

Also, how hard will it be for you to get a Meg back to Seattle for servicing over UK for the Inspo. Consider your travel requirements, training available and YOUR physical size. Consider the Evo also as it is nearly identical to the Inspo but smaller and much lighter for travel and general weighting above and below water.

Also, do you want onboard integrated deco? The Inspo/Evo has this the Meg does not YET. Do you already have a constant partial pressure computer like a VR3? The Inspo/Evo does not require you to have one as the deco software is built in (although its nice to have a back-up like the VR3). The APECS 3 for the Meg should have this option but when will it be available and will there be bugs to work out when it first comes out?? The Meg costs a bit less too.

Hope that helps.

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DSF

sotongking

Thanks for your explanation!

I'm based in Singapore and I think the regional countries support both models. Seems like the Inspo/Evo is much more advanced compared to Meg however someone told me that when you dive with Inspo/Evo, the internal system (electronics & batteries) will be wet whereas Meg will be dry. Is that so?

Frankly, I new to rebreather. I'm more familiar with OC but wanted to do something for a change. Based on what you had said, does that mean if I choose a Meg, I would need a VR3 to complement it? I believed D9 is out of the question right? :P

Dave Faye

The batteries are in the head on and Inspo/Evo and sealed up nice and dry. Just like a Meg. The current software available on the Meg does not come with deco software (though one is in the works). So You would be diving with tables (not much point in that) or you would need a constant pp computer like the VR3. there are a few cheaper options out there than a VR3. The Inspo/Evo has all of the VR3 feature (plus a few extra fetures) built in. Personally, I use both but that is an expensive proposition. I have my VR3 from my old OC days.

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DSF

UWSojourner

In terms of support, the Meg does offer field service training that might help you. Other than that, as stated above, consider which location might be more service friendly for you.

If you need integrated deco, the Meg does not have it (although you can convert a head to the Shearwater or Hammerhead). You could wait for Apecs 3, but nobody can tell you exactly how long you will wait or exactly what you would be waiting for. I have expectations that it will be great, but in truth nobody knows and waiting is about all that can be done.

I dive a Meg and it's built very well. Can't comment on the Inspo/Evo, but from recent Rebreather World data about 61% of this forum dive them so something must be right there. From my vantage point, most everyone here has very sound reasons for choosing the rig they dive. We all grow in our views (which sometimes change), but 61% is some vote of confidence I think.

Exchange rate may play a factor at this point. The US dollar is close to play money now , so that helps the Meg.

I really like my Meg. Very solid and great service and support to this point. But that's just me. Think it through based on your circumstances.

Good luck with your decision.

Abbo

The question is not which is best, but which is best for you.
When considering costs, you need to think about total lifetime costs. I went with the Meg. I like its soldier-proof build quality, for one, not because I plan on abusing it, but because I plan on using it for a very long time.
I like its modular design, which means that I can change it little by little as new features come out and as my needs change.
I like the fact that it is light and breaks down into a small bag that fits in an overhead bin for flying. That means that if I get there then the breather gets there too. I wanted to avoid the "breakfast in Tokyo, supper in Thailand, dive gear in Vancouver" phenomenon.
It's a pity it does not have deco built in, but until I get through Mod 2 training I will be OK using an old Nitek 3 set for nitrox as an approximate measure: after all, the limits are 40m depth and 5 mins max deco till I get through Mod 2. By then, Apecs 3.0 is likely to be coming out. I hear it's going to have 2 different deco models running parallel, which will blow everything else out of the water. I just bought a VR3 , which will be a good back up.
And as was pointed out earlier, the US $ is only play money at the moment so why not?
The YBOD has a very high percentage of the installed base, but it is the Meg that has the highest percentage of recent sales. Of course, I'm biased...

jknox

Well there is at least one Meg diver in Singapore and you are more than welcome to have a look at mine when it floats back from Kuching next week...

As for the dive computer, certainly while you are learning and building up hours the D9 if you already have it will work fine. You can simply set a nitrox mix that resembles your setpoint at your max planned depth and then another for the shallower part of your dive. This gives your most of the benefits while deciding what constant PO2 computer you want.

As for reliability, the only "maintenance" that I have had to do so far was change the batteries, a few lithiums from Sim Lim and they are still going strong after more than 100 hours... But if you ever do have to ship it back to the US it will be expensive...

And for travel, I usually put the meg can, counterlungs, canister light and a few first stages and dive comps in my carry on case. So if I don't have to take my tanks I can get away with about 30kg checked luggage (and a sore shoulder from the carry-on)...

Cheers
John

Drmike

computer says noooo

Both get wet sensors both may need a rewire or at least new connectors fitted at some stage due to use of inapproriate connectors/wiring. Especially if you lend one to Craig and he floods it


Both units supported in singapore by SooSeng at Pandan loop IANTDSEA.COM

He has both (and a bunch of other units) in his shop - worth a chat with him. He dives the Meg over his other units.

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Get a girlfriend you sad twat - a Rebreather is an unfaithful mistress - dont blind yourself to her faults just because she goes down on you

PaulTG2

Hello,

My expectations is that either rebreather, with proper training and continued practice for proficiency, will work for your diving. Each have features and benefits the other doesn't.

One interesting thing to look at is how many people move from Vision or Inpiration rebreather to Megladons vs. how many move from Megladons to Inspirations/Visions rebreathers

-p

Explorer

Contact Amarok on Rebreather World. He currently owns both systems you are asking about and can give you his feedback/opinions.

Cheers

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