Ok, so this is a little ridiculous

edasque

Hey guys,

I am trying to price the total cost of the O2ptima as I get closer to making a purchase so I went to DRE and tried to figure it all out.



Questions for you:
1) am I going over the top, are there things here I won't need:

Examples:
* I have an OMS harness, SS and AL plate and Single Bladder BC 45 lb (w/ Bands), will the Transpac+Venture wing transform my experience ?

* I have a VR3 (BW, Nitrox), I am assuming I want the CCR update as well as the O2 monitoring cable (I didn't even include the download cable). Will the two handsets + the VR3 with cable be just too much clutter ?

* I included a spare kit, Relyon disinfectant, spare kit, batteries (and 8 EAC). Too much or is that all needed ?

* Also, I added a Bailout package AL30. I want to err on the safe side, always. Am I paying way too much for this BTW ?

* StormCase, handset pocket, Rebreather dive tables ?

2) Should I buy this through different dealers and get the best price for each thing ? For example the Stormcase is priced at $300 where you can see it elsewhere around $150

What do you guys think ? Of course I am not including training which would be $2k or so.

Erik

PS. For reference the bailout package includes:

• Cylinder and valve
• Regulator (RG1208 1st/RG1215 2nd)
• Second Stage Swivel
• 40-Inch regulator hose (Yellow)
• 22-Inch inflator hose (Black)
• Mini-SPG (1/2-inch face)
• Stage Strap with S/S bolt snaps
• Hose Retainers (two)
• Sheathed S/S Cylinder Clamp

Attached Images

o2ptima.gif (54.6 KB, 610 views)

jasondrake

Don't you love rebreather diving? And remember to factor in that most of this kit will crap out in the next 200 dives, need mailed back and forth, replaced/serviced or updated.

cramerdn

The bailout cylinder can be had at a much better price. Just keep scanning here and the deco stop for users sales. Its not uncommon to see rigged 40s for $200 or less. Even if it needs hydro its still a good deal. But if you want it all now...

I found a 40" hose was more convienient for the inflator on my bailout, but I dive an evo so the config may differ.

Why a yellow hose on the bailout? If you just like the color... but if it costs more why bother?

My eyes are not once they once were but even so I like a small full sized guage on my deco/bailout bottles. It takes to much time to read the timy ones and they are not as accurate. They are good for binary descions like "is it full or empty" but if you have to do and gas management theres not enough detail.

The bailout tank straps can be made from stuff at the hardware store very inexpensivly, especially compared to the strap prices. I have dove both and I like the home made cord and hose from the DIR site better than the diverite straps. DIR-diver.com - What's new

you do not need to pay for a spray bottle with your disinfectant. Just buy the tablets. Find a bottle at home.

No need to pay that much for the storm case ules sthey are already cutting all the foam nice and custom for you. Find out what size your unit and gear will need (you have to wait til its in your hands) then a pelican from leisure pro will do the job and be cheaper.

If this package is from YOUR LOCAL dive store than it may well be a good deal since you will obviously get lots of service after the sale with setting it up and fixing problems.

If you are ordering online, you can do much better with a bit of work but you may sacrafice time as you wait for all the parts and pieces.

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cramerdn

You don't need to go to this much work. I can tell you the price of any rebrather in the world right now.

Any rebreather you buy will cost you all of your disposable cash plus 10% of the available credit on the card that currently has the most, plus shipping.

There you go, now all you need to do is pick which one you want, and it looks like you already did that

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ScubaDadMiami

You can start off with using your existing plate and wing to give it a try if you want. I still use a standard back plate. However, I did get the Rec Wing for my unit, and that seems to fly it quite nicely. (I use the steel 27 tanks. So, I need more lift than the Venture Wing would likely provide.)

This will be a big money investment. So, it is your call on this one.

Some people put both the primary and secondary sets in holsters, and they use the HUD and the VR3 while flying the unit.

Some people put the primary on the wrist, holster or clip off the secondary unit, and go by the HUD and the primary without a fourth cell connected to a VR3.

Some people, probably the smallest group, put on both stock hand sets. This is the group into which I fall. I am not looking for yet another cable in my life. So, I do not have a VR3 connected to a fourth cell.

There is already enough real estate taken up by the counterlungs and other equipment. So, I don't want to add a holster to my side. By putting on the hand sets, I feel less cluttered and crowded. However, I will say that a lot of people go with the VR3 on the fourth cell, and they holster the other sets. So, it must work well enough for so many people to be doing it this way.

So, you could sell your VR3, and use the savings to lessen the cost of the overall unit a bit. You can opt to have the VR3 upgraded but then use it without it being connected to the fourth cell, or you can go the full route by connecting it, and then using it as your main computer for diving. This might be your biggest decision, and it could be the area where you can save the most money (as if that were a concern at this point ). If you go this route, put some of the savings into buying more EACs.

I'd get some more of the EACs. Not sure which spare kit you are mentioning. So, I'd make sure to get at least an extra O2 sensor or so if that is not part of the plan already.

A 30 rides almost the same as a 40. I'd go with a 40 instead. If you can get a good package price, I'd get two instead of one. With the investment you are already making, you are likely to continue diving, and your likely equipment needs will eventually call for another bail out bottle and regulator for it.

Not sure about what to say with the pressure gauge issue. I am using a sidemount configuration on my unit. So, I am currently using a standard guage. It does seem to stick out too much. So, after playing around some more with the configuration, I am going to see if I can change to the larger (there are different sizes) of the button gauges to see how that works.

See above regarding the hand set pocket idea. I don't have them.

I have a Storm Case. However, I find that I am not using it. If you are going to be flying to your destinations, you definitely want to get it.

I did get a set of the constant PPO2 Tables. You never know what's going to happen, and they fit nicely in your pocket.

I think it is best to make your best deal with one place, and then to support and use that same place. You will find that LDSs will work with you when they know that you are a regular customer. I can only tell you that Mark has been invaluable to me.

Good luck, and enjoy your Optima. If you are diving in South Florida, be sure to come join the SCRUBs for some great CCR dives.

__________________
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IANTD CCR Instructor
Miami Beach, Florida
CCRDiveTraining.com

chunter

Personally I'd ditch the $54 tables and buy V-planner. You can generate your own profiles for years. If you buy "Never Tear" paper (which I believe is made by Xerox), you can print from any laser printer and they will last forever underwater.

I'd buy a Mark 15.5 if I were you You can still have the Hammerhead electronics.

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edasque

Ok, so I could save a bit of cash by rigging my own bailout cylinder (those the parts cost with a decent first stage/second stage approaches the DRE setup). I could save a bit on the tables as well (I already own VPlanner) but the NEVER-TEAR paper is $60 for 100 pages !

ScubaDadMiami suggests I could re-sell my VR3. Sure I could and I'd save $1500 total (re-sell plus cost of what the upgrade to wired CCR would be). I like the idea of a backup deco computer with downloadable profile and PO2 sensor though so I am not sure I am ready to give that up.

SDM also suggest I skip the Transpac+Wing which would save me a good $700, not bad.

I don't know much about the O2Ptima and whether it comes pre-cut or not. I'd assume it does.

Any other ideas, suggestions ?

(as for the Mk15.5, I'll pass. I like many things about the O2ptima and Evolution so I am unlikely to buy something else).

diverreb

As a newly certified O2ptima diver, I can pass on some sage advice given to me by Mark when I stopped it to see him...... Don't change or add anything to the unit (VR3 in your case) for the first 50 or so hours. Buying an O2ptima now will get you the new HH handsets. Get used to them for a while before adding any new computers to the mix.

Mark said there are things that you may think are a big deal and you'll want to change right away.... After diving with the unit, getting to know it and how it relates to your diving style, you'll find that some of the issues you thought were there are really no big deal and then you will find other things you will want to change.... Rebreather owners seem to be a lot like Harley Owners.... They never leave their stuff alone. If you want either a Harley or a rebreather that is going to be unique.... Leave it stock... You'll probably be the only one!

Also realize that it's going to take some time to get familiar & comfortable with the unit and rebreather diving in general.

I was thinking of doing deep dives fairly quickly after being trained.... Being trained and getting task loaded simulating a bunch of different failures in quick succession changed my mind in a hurry!

I dive cold water mostly so I opted for the Trans Plate with SS plate. I have a Bare Crushed Neoprene Dry suit and with that set up I use about three pounds of weight in each trim pocket on the top of the unit as well as ankle weights. No other weight is needed. I actually shed about six pounds from my open circuit rig, and I suspect I may be able to drop a few more pounds as I get more experience.

Taking your time & doing it right as far as cleaning & maintaining the unit, doing pre-dive & post dive checks, and learning & using proper dive skills & in-water rebreather techniques will help you enjoy the dives & keep you relatively safe.

Richie

Jordan

Agree w/ the advice of not changing/adding anything to the unit until after a good while. This will save you money in the long run and heartache during your training. Agree that your BP will work, that can save you money....I'm not familiar with your wing, so I don't know about that (if you use the LP27's, you'll want a good amount of lift). You might want to pass on the handset pocket, as well because the new delrin handsets are a different shape and may not fit in there (a new one will be made which the delrins will fit in).

Cheers

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JPJones

The existing pocket will not work with the new handsets I tried it on the Beta ones and I would use a wreck wing for the extra lift.

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