Calling All Meg Owners Newbie Help

johno1624

Seasonal Greetings To All,

Well this forum stuff is all new to me and I have decided to cross to the Rebreather side od diving. Now I am sure you Meg owners out there are pig sick of these questions, but please bare with me. I have been scowering this site for as much info as possible. But the more I find out the easier it will be to convince and justify to myself this wonderfull new toy, or should that be to the wife?

I have been looking at the complete Meg package but am a little unsure about whether or not to just go for the stripped version and add to it. My reasoning being:-

I would prefer to upgrade to either DS4 or Cyclons instead of the supplied Scubapros, any advice?

May install the AP valve style mini gauge instead of the OMS?

I beleive you do not get the cylinders suppliied to the UK despite being quoted on the price list?

Is a 100lb OMS banded wing too large for the Meg? I was told that a 45lb is ample but presently I have a 100lb.

Dumpy 3s, Standard 3s or even 5s for cylinders?

Best clamps, tigers or metalsubs?

What size peli does the meg fit into?

I think I have rabbited on for too long now, but I think you get the general idea of what info I am after.

Cheers
Johno

nmanfield

Hi Johno,

I.m sure you'll get loads of advice from people far more qualified than I but here are my thoughts on the matter.

Re the Mark 2's they are a good solid, simple reg. Remember that the volumes of gas that are used are not the same as open circuit - IMHO there is no need for super fancy regs. If you do want these then best to spend the money on your bailout regs.

The meg can be fitted with any guages you want - I had the AP mini gauges on my Inspiaration that worked fine, but had problems with a similar guage when I used to dive open circuit (my experience only) though I know other divers who prefer something a little more robust.

The OMS wing is huge and I can't realistically imagine a scenario in which you'd need the lift - unless you have a flooded drysuit and loop and diving at depth with steel bailouts. I have a Dive Rite Rec wing which has about 50 Lbs of lift which is more than sufficent for all diving IMHO. I am even considering getting a Dive-Rite Venture wing with about 30 Lbs of lift for shallow warm water cave diving.

Regarding the cylinders, you're best off getting them in the UK. This should avoid any DOT issues (I may be totally wrong here) but also the cost of shipping from the US would mean that it is better to buy in the UK.

For UK diving I believe that most people dive with steels as it gives better weighting. I have Heiser 3 litre dumpies which can be bought for £220 per set at Go dive, Divers Warehouse or Divelife. Of course the beauty of the Meg is that you can fit whatever you like (See Cedric's Meg and you'll see what a variation there is!!!!) Dumpies versus standar 3 litres again is a matter of choice but it might be worth trying some out before buying. I dived once with 5 litres but that was because there wasn't anything else available though I wouldn't want to do it ever again as I was diving from a converted lifeboat and it was a bast**d to get into the water. You're best off making sure you have the extra capacity in your bailout IMHO. Unless your doing Insanely deep dives then then you'll not need anything larger. In fact I've got 2 litres on mine over here in Ukraine as it was all i was able to get hold of but they work very well.

I've got Tiger Mounts and am very happy with them, saying that some people prefer G snaps or cam bands as they can give a lower profile in narrow spaces - horses for courses on this one.

I dont have a Pelicase as I oped for a Storm case 2500 which is exactly carry on size. I drilled two holes in the bottom of the case which allows me to fit the attach the Meg via the Single Tank adaptor to the underside of the case using the backplate nuts. Fits perfectly.

I'm no expert mind you and evrone has their own opinions. Best of luck anyway and let us know how you get on

Regards,

Nick

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johno1624

Thanks Nick

With regard the wing, do you see any reason why i could not initially use the wing other than the overkill on the lift? I am thinking of using it initially to reduce the initial outlay.

If its no good then fair enough its another couple of hundred quid.

Is their anything else you changed after you got yours?

I was also looking at the BOV. I have tried the kiss units and think the BOV is an excellant idea. Any recomendations or thoughts?

Training on the Meg is a bob or two isnt it, best not go their!
Thanks again

Johno

nmanfield

Hi Johno,

Firstly I would say take almost everything i saw with a huge pinch of salt The great thing about the Meg is that it is so flexible. I'm sure you could use your OMS wing in the time being and I think that there are people who use them on their Megs - but the OMS wings always geta good price on ebay and you can pick up a dive rite Trek wing at go-dive for £135 (many people use the Trek on a Meg including our very own Stu Ford - see his excellent Meg build up article). The Bov is a great idea which is a thread in itself - you have many options but the Golem gera BOV comes highly recommended. I used a bov one on my Inspiration and was very happy with it. I myself went down the full face mask route (drager) and the DSV should be winging its way from the Meg hatchery as we speak . Wings, backplates etc are infinitely changeable but really depend on your trim and type of diving. As you will see from the article I've just posted the Meg is great to travel with so I went with a heavy Portland oceaneering backplate that I can carry in a daysack - The stock handle on the Meg is pretty panty really and the handle on the backplate is great. I've also go a narked at 90 Meg stand that I have yet used but I dived with Sutty who had one on his Kiss and he swears by it. Apart from a few hose covers here and handset covers there, the unit is pretty much standard. but the worlds your lobster and you can get hold of different scrubbers etc and the possibility of the scrummy new Apeks 3 electronics once they come out. However, the unit in standard form is excellent and really doesn't need too much tinkering with (unless your a kit wh0re like I am) who really does have more money than sense. In the short term I'd save my money and invest in Training and TIW (Time in water). i did my crossover with Dave Cooper who (despite his love of cross dressing) was excellent and reinforces the ability to speak (and swear) underwater. He is Decodiver on this forum and can train you in Switzerland, (et al) which is only a short easyjet flight away from london (gov'ner)

Best of luck

Regards,

Nick

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Flup

Hi,

I can't speak for others, but me and my freind purchased a 'naked' meg. We just bought the unit, including tigergear, extra clamps, en the 'luxe'O-ring kit. After that we started assembling the unit like we thought it was best (for us).

We added apeks first stages and the OMS wing to make the unit complete to our needs. I use a 6 mm thick SS backplate wich gives me enough weight to dive the unit in dry suit without the need for adding other weight. Also got a 3 mm SS backplate for wetsuit diving (however that's not common for me )

I dive the unit with 5 liter steel tanks, my freind with 3 liters. % liters i found looking great on the Meg and if i go diving for a weekend i need no refills. My freind with the 3 liters needs to refill no and then.

Didn't got me a BOV. I talked to my instructor and he didn't recommend it. Leave the unit the unit, bail out you take along. (and i don't want to start a discussion on this point, so many people, so many views) I've added an scubapro S555 to the dil site for 'quick' bail out, so i buy me some time to switch to the right bail out stage.

Later on ( ) we purchased the 'head only calibration kit', a must have, so order it at once when or if you order your Meg.

All i can say is the way we build up our units give us much diving pleasure.

Good luck with your purchase.

Flup

Ow BTW: I've got a pelicase transport box for my love, i mean it's the 1640, but i'll have to check it to be sure. Any way, she fits fine into it.

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They say i'm all mixed up, maybe that's why i like mixed gas diving !!!!

tecdivertraining

Nick / Flup

you both forgott your swanky loop covers

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www.protechdivers.com
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Flup

Correct,

Nice way to pimp up your Rig

Flup

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They say i'm all mixed up, maybe that's why i like mixed gas diving !!!!

nmanfield

I'd never do such a thing !!!! see post above

Apart from a few hose covers here and handset covers there,

They are excellent though and thoroughly reccomended

Tahnsk again

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johno1624

Cheers Flup

Could you tell me your hp hose lengths?

johno1624

Thanks to all for your help.

Does anyone know of any Meg stand drawings out there? Would like knock up some solid model drawing and fabricate one up.

johno