Cost vs suitability

cavediverdan

I have been lurking here for a while trying to get information on which Rebreather would best suit my needs. I understand every choice we make is a compromise of some sort. Here is my deal, I am looking at a RB that would primarily be used for cave diving. (Nullarbor, WA, Oz). The two units I have short-listed are the Inspiration and the Meg. My compromise is cost vs suitability. The option to pick up a secondhand Inspo for under $8k (Aussie) is a factor. The cost of the Meg would be closer to $13k (Aussie). Here is the rub, is the extra cost of the Meg going to provide real value, (read safety, suitability on OH environment, reliability, portabilty etc) over the cost of the Inspo, or will I find no practical difference between the units, which would suggest the Inspo would be better value.
One other minor complication, my dive buddy dives a Meg, so redunancy of spares may also be an issue.
Well looking for opinions, any ideas?

Danny

The oxen are slow, but the Earth is patient.

Mixaddict

I think you would find either unit equally acceptable for cave diving. Both have proven track records and superior customer service and dependability. I currently dive an Inspiration with vision electronics, but would also certainly be happy with a Meg.

Sorry, tough choice!

Underwaterbear

Hi Danny,
A major consideration for use of Rebreather in Overhead environments is partial flood recovery / resistance to flooding. While it is technically possible with most units to get rid of water from the counterlung, it might pay to talk to people who have the experience to tell you just how easy it is on the units you are condsidering. I believe on the inspo it is harder than on the meg...but I'm sure there are folks around here that can comment with the authority of having used both units.

As you are probably aware Craig and Karl took Prisms to the back of Cocklebiddy with the two Pauls and Dave Apps on Inspos (see www.trimixdivers.com for the reposrts). Craig is still heavily into his cave diving and now dives a Meg. He's based in Perth - I'd ask him why he dives what he does. Get in touch through Image dive.

Cheers

divelermentov

HI Danny
Hi UB

the purging of teh counterlung is a good point,
I am diving an Inspo, the purge valve of teh counterlung is located reasonable high very close to the T,
I had one flood once (manual injector inhalation counterlung was not sealed - never, never forget your positive pressure check - i learned it, luckily nothing happened) and bailout oc.
However if you want to purge the counterlung you will have to be in a slighttly head down possition which could possible lead to letting more water passed the watertrap and into your scrubber.

Has anyone experience with purging the cl. I occasionally get some fluid biuld up in the cl (manly spit - yummie) which can be abit annoying in a long dive.

cheers

kiwidiver

some people dribble more than others but I have never needed to purge spit etc even on long deco dives on the inspo.Loop recovery although an option if you have that much water in there would not be high on my agenda I dont think it would be in my consideration of the purchase of a unit.For me it would be who has the best service and range of spares on hand in aussie or the state you live.All brands have there faults and pluses it is about finding a balance for you.

jradomski

With Practice you can purge water through the manual add ports on the inspiration and not have to get into any strange position..

You can either remove the whip and overpressureize the loop while pressing the add button (its slow but it works) or you can loosen up the manual add and purge gas, as soon as gas starts escaping, tighten it down..

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Chris

Hi Dan
Who are you cave diving with at the moment, whos your buddy with a Meg ?

Steve and Craig are off with Paul Hosie and the team to dive Kija Blue on Saturday "with their Megs"; they are way out bush for a couple of weeks.

If you want to go over the Meg there is a spare in the dive shed here I can take you through if you are keen, also a PRISM and SK. Or come for a dive with us when they get back.

The boys are doing some tops wreck and cave diving as seen here on Deco from the Norwhale
http://www.uwphotog.com/galleries/deco/norwhale.html

I guess one the of benefits of a Meg in WA is Steve is the importer, instructor and also fully trained to service them, so should you ever have any issues they are delt with very quickly, as oppose with the Inspo having to send parts back to Europe.

Cheers
Chriso

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Mark Chase

I use the large counter lungs on the Insp and this locates the dumps a lot lower. As a result emptying a counter lung of fluid does not involve inversion at all.


The classic is a good unit spoilt by fragile dangley handsets. However a bit of TLC with the hand sets and creative location makes this acceptable. I would strongly suggest it needs a HUD so allow another £6-800 to add a Uri HUD and I would also suggest ditching the standard yellow box and harness and replacing them with a back plate and webbing and a compact frame.


Nothing wrong with the Meg except cost. However I wouldn't get one with Shearwater elecs because they have parted company so I would be concerned about the long term effects of this. The standard meg compares with the standard classic and until the Apex3 head is available and tested Id go for that unit if i chose a meg.

ATB

Mark Chase

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schford

But Bruce will support the Leccies and indeed has just released a new version of the Shearwater for the Meg which you can buy direct and offers a discount if you are upgrading existing shearwater leccies.

Personally I like integrated deco and would not buy APECS until 3 comes along - it is too much of a backward step (and thats my opinion - I know ppl disagree) If I was buying a Meg know I would buy it leccie less from Leon and get Bruce to install the new Shearwaters into it.

Stuart

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Steve

The Meg is actually cheaper than a YBOD over here.

Dan, I might be temped to sell my second unit if the price was right.

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