[n2diving]

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton)

It's a nice ightweight design, Micropore cartridge scrubber, and cleanly integrated. Not a "Heavy Duty Expedition" rig, but a nice all around little rig. Ihad not seen one before and was not unimpressed.


Dave

I too am unclear why you feel the O2ptima not an expedition rig.... that was originally a stated goal for Dive Rite: an expedition rig that could also dive recreationally.

The first iteration with LP27's as the only cylinder was more oriented toward tech/cave not as good a recreational rig, but the newer FX does both well. The O2ptima is being dived as a tech rig by many with very few modifications (remove spgs, 4th sensor). It's very light for travel, full trimix capable, etc. I'm curious as to what aspects of the O2ptima lead you to feel it's recreational only?

[Dave Sutton]

Quote: (Originally Posted by n2diving)

I too am unclear why you feel the O2ptima not an expedition rig.... that was originally a stated goal for Dive Rite: an expedition rig that could also dive recreationally.

The first iteration with LP27's as the only cylinder was more oriented toward tech/cave not as good a recreational rig, but the newer FX does both well. The O2ptima is being dived as a tech rig by many with very few modifications (remove spgs, 4th sensor). It's very light for travel, full trimix capable, etc. I'm curious as to what aspects of the O2ptima lead you to feel it's recreational only?

Probably discussion for another thread, but... I'll defer further comment as I only looked at it for about 5 minutes and did not get into the minutia. Maybe it's better than I guess by a short look. It just doesn't seem like a 'Boris or a Mark-15 though.... and likewise does not share the price. And with that said, it looks like a cool rig! No offense intended at all. I was chatting with one of the guys from Micropore who had done a few in water cartridge changes with the Optima, and felt confident that it was a workable thing. Not sure if he meant it as a parlor trick or a real method, but he was grinning about being able to do so.


Dave

[n2diving]

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton)

I was chatting with one of the guys from Micropore who had done a few in water cartridge changes with the Optima, and felt confident that it was a workable thing. Not sure if he meant it as a parlor trick or a real method, but he was grinning about being able to do so.

I'm thinking April 1st is right around the corner.... I put the idea out there just as a blue sky.... I don't know anyone who's actually done it and if anyone claimed to have done it, I would want video proof.

[chunter]

How deep have they tested ExtendAir cartriges to? I remember reading on the package that they should not be used past 160 feet.

Quote: (Originally Posted by n2diving)

I too am unclear why you feel the O2ptima not an expedition rig.... that was originally a stated goal for Dive Rite: an expedition rig that could also dive recreationally.

The first iteration with LP27's as the only cylinder was more oriented toward tech/cave not as good a recreational rig, but the newer FX does both well. The O2ptima is being dived as a tech rig by many with very few modifications (remove spgs, 4th sensor). It's very light for travel, full trimix capable, etc. I'm curious as to what aspects of the O2ptima lead you to feel it's recreational only?

[n2diving]

Quote: (Originally Posted by chunter)

How deep have they tested ExtendAir cartriges to? I remember reading on the package that they should not be used past 160 feet.

Several years ago when the cartridge first came out Micropore put that sticker on them because they had not completed deep testing. It's no longer there, hasn't been for some time, and they have no official depth limit any longer.... plenty of people are using them in the 100M (330 fsw) range... and I have published actual test data on a simulated 300 fsw dive with trimix using the cartridge on my O2ptima pages... see

O2ptima Rebreather CO2 Test Results

As a general statement, there now appears to be no performance metric that you can apply to granular and cartridge in which the granular would outperform the cartridge... and it appears that there may be several performance metrics where the cartridge outperforms granular.

[wreckdiv]

The only diving limitation on Extendair cartridges is the same as granular - duration. For more info go to Scuba gear for drager rebreathers. I've used them in the 240+ range without any problem. I'm not going to hesitate in using them deeper.

Karen

[trob09]

Quote: (Originally Posted by n2diving)

As a general statement, there now appears to be no performance metric that you can apply to granular and cartridge in which the granular would outperform the cartridge... and it appears that there may be several performance metrics where the cartridge outperforms granular.

I suppose that depends on how you define "performance metric". Does that include recyclability? global availability? Price-per-dive?

Perhaps Sammuel Clemens said it best.

[dive2dive2000]

Quote: (Originally Posted by wreckdiv)

The only diving limitation on Extendair cartridges is the same as granular - duration. For more info go to Scuba gear for drager rebreathers. I've used them in the 240+ range without any problem. I'm not going to hesitate in using them deeper.

Karen

My kinda gal:devilb an:

[EBT]

Quote: (Originally Posted by wreckdiv)

The only diving limitation on Extendair cartridges is the same as granular - duration.

With respect, no absorbent can have a max duration specified without specifying its depth range. This is going over old ground, but one without the other is worthless.

Quote: (Originally Posted by wreckdiv)

I've used them in the 240+ range without any problem. I'm not going to hesitate in using them deeper.

Thats your call. I had a quick look at their site and still cant see any published test data. To be fair though, they're not alone in that respect.

[schford]

I recall Alex saying he had done some testing and was very impressed with them.