My Optima's Here!!!!!

barney · 27th December 2005, 01:44

Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski)

I have used my rig in some pretty high current, I have been able to move against currents that my OC buddies couldn't.. I honestly can't say if its stronger legs of a lower profile...

I also noticed that diving in current with a breather there is a world of difference compared to OC. You are much closer to neutral from the get-go, so you have less "weight" to move around and to compensate for with your wings. I had a perma-grin diving in Ginnie recently as it was like there was no flow at all....

***jradomski*** · 27th December 2005, 01:50

Quote: (Originally Posted by barney)

I also noticed that diving in current with a breather there is a world of difference compared to OC. You are much closer to neutral from the get-go, so you have less "weight" to move around and to compensate for with your wings. I had a perma-grin diving in Ginnie recently as it was like there was no flow at all....

Agreed.. As a general rule you have much less gas in your wing, so there is a much smaller effect from it..

About the only time I end up having alot of gas in my wing is when I dive deep with a 3mm wet suit by 100m you've lost considerable buoyancy..

Jordan · 27th December 2005, 05:00

Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami)

. And, when I put one on my unit, the corrugated hose has a pull dump built into it. The exhaust valve seems like it will get in the way of where my electronics exit the unit.

hey Howard,

You can get the Rec wing (or any DR wing for that matter) with a plain elbow instead of that rapid exhaust. The plain elbow is much more low-profile. If you already have an aircell with the RE, you can also swap out the RE for a plain elbow by just buying the BC2042 for a few bucks. I have plain elbows on all of my aircells.

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 27th December 2005, 23:03

Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski)

Mike,
The width of my rig is less than that of a Meg or Stock Inspiration.. I don't know the dimensins of the O2ptima so I cant comment there..

Standing the unit upright on the ground: 24.5 inches (height) x 12.25 inches (wide) x 5.5 inches (deep). I just used a tape. So, I could be off by a little here and there.

Anyone know what the Halcyon Evolve measures?

The Deep Sea 40 pound LCD wing is 14.5 wide but I have not yet found out how tall/long it would be. I certainly like the narrow width though. Tobin?

Quote: (Originally Posted by mverick)

If you use the wings where the discharge is set up in the center like most newer style doubles wings. Would it be better to use the old style wings like the Trek. Where the discharge for the wing is over your left shoulder. So, it has less of a chance of hitting the cannister?

Since the Optima has a horizontal canister at the top (check the gallery--I uploaded photos), it would not matter if it were in the center or toward the left. However, the cables do exit on the left side. So, taking Jordan's advice, I can place a standard elbow in the Rec Wing I already have, or perhaps something that has the corrugated hose coming from the center would work just as effectively. Also, I am noticing that having the hose on the left makes the hose want to go under the counterlung whereas something coming from the center and angled out to the left side might rest just inside of the counterlung.

***jradomski*** · 28th December 2005, 00:13

Thanks for the measurements I'll compare it against my rig..

One thing t be aware of if you plan to use a backplate.. make sure that the wing can expand unencumbered.. some narrow wings dont make good candidates with backplates and rebreathers combined..

I personally don't use a backplate so I can sit my rig as close to my body as possible and still not interfere with my wing..

The current harness I am using is the Oxycheq APAK-lite..

Its a soft backpack with adjustable harness (no pockets).. Its curved contour fits many body shapes well..

added: Just measured my normalrig.. its a touch over 16inches at the widest point (which is less than my widest point

), and 8.5 inches at the thickest point.. This rig set to also carry bailout bottles if necessary..

mverick · 30th December 2005, 23:44

Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami)

Standing the unit upright on the ground: 24.5 inches (height) x 12.25 inches (wide) x 5.5 inches (deep). I just used a tape. So, I could be off by a little here and there.

My Meg was 23in H x 16in W x 10in D. That's with the backplate and Trek wing on it.

Second one is my buddy buggin the heck out of me. So I zapped him with the flash...

That Optima sounds slim....

***jradomski*** · 31st December 2005, 00:12

Quote: (Originally Posted by mverick)

My Meg was 23in H x 16in W x 10in D. That's with the backplate and Trek wing on it.

Second one is my buddy buggin the heck out of me. So I zapped him with the flash...

That Optima sounds slim....

I see you went with lower profile brackets... That cut a bit off your width!

mverick · 31st December 2005, 00:21

Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski)

I see you went with lower profile brackets... That cut a bit off your width!

Yep, They are also welded to those bands. And the STA they hook to has around 6lbs of lead in it. Sits it about 1/2in more off the back then normal. But a good place for lead.

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 20th January 2006, 05:42

First pool session tonight. Did I mention that this is a humbling experience?

The unit trims out a lot better than expected. I did not feel severely butt heavy at all.

On the other hand, my buoyancy was terrible. Granted, I was in a six foot deep pool. So, every injection of oxygen started me up to the surface unless I kicked to stay down. Eventually, I started to add weight. I still felt somewhat underweighted most of the time. Trying to operate in semi-closed mode or flusing the loop was a disaster for my buoyancy.

The Armadillo sidemount kept my bailout bottle right in the sweet spot, always parallel to my body and behind my shoulder. I was able to take off the bottle and put it back on pretty easily. I did plenty of drills, deploying the open circuit and then stowing the regulator and hose (which required removing the rear clip and then re-clipping after stowing the regulator).

The computer is going to be a real challenge for me. I still don't get it, and I am going to spend a good portion of the day playing with it to get a better understanding of using it.

The backup set seems to always be in the way. When I go to unclip my light, I have to make sure that I am not accidentally unclipping the backup set. There just seems to be no place for me to put it that does not make it seem like it is always in the way.

I think I need a few more arms and hands! Trying to hold the light, deploy and store the open circuit, and opening and closing the DSV all at the same time while watching the computer screen is multitasking at its finest.

Thank goodness nobody I know saw me.

Anyway, I am not sorry about making my decision to go to a rebreather. I am still optimistic to face the challenge. However, I really do feel like I must be the worst student my instructor ever had. Did I mention that this has been a humbling experience?

***caveseeker7*** · 20th January 2006, 06:15

Thanks for the reports.

Have you tried the second hanset on your second hand yet?

If you want us to change your username to HumbleDadMiami let us know.

27th December 2005, 01:44	#41 (permalink)
barney Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 287	Re: My Optima's Here!!!!! Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski) I have used my rig in some pretty high current, I have been able to move against currents that my OC buddies couldn't.. I honestly can't say if its stronger legs of a lower profile... I also noticed that diving in current with a breather there is a world of difference compared to OC. You are much closer to neutral from the get-go, so you have less "weight" to move around and to compensate for with your wings. I had a perma-grin diving in Ginnie recently as it was like there was no flow at all.... __________________ Michael C. Barnette ASSOCIATION OF UNDERWATER EXPLORERS
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27th December 2005, 01:50	#42 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 2,992	Re: My Optima's Here!!!!! Quote: (Originally Posted by barney) I also noticed that diving in current with a breather there is a world of difference compared to OC. You are much closer to neutral from the get-go, so you have less "weight" to move around and to compensate for with your wings. I had a perma-grin diving in Ginnie recently as it was like there was no flow at all.... Agreed.. As a general rule you have much less gas in your wing, so there is a much smaller effect from it.. About the only time I end up having alot of gas in my wing is when I dive deep with a 3mm wet suit by 100m you've lost considerable buoyancy.. __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.
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27th December 2005, 05:00	#43 (permalink)
Jordan EBT called me stroppy! Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 226	Re: My Optima's Here!!!!! Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami) . And, when I put one on my unit, the corrugated hose has a pull dump built into it. The exhaust valve seems like it will get in the way of where my electronics exit the unit. hey Howard, You can get the Rec wing (or any DR wing for that matter) with a plain elbow instead of that rapid exhaust. The plain elbow is much more low-profile. If you already have an aircell with the RE, you can also swap out the RE for a plain elbow by just buying the BC2042 for a few bucks. I have plain elbows on all of my aircells. __________________ Is it clear? No. Well, let's go anyways. "Those who would sacrifice a little freedom for a little order, will lose both, and deserve neither." Thomas Jefferson
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28th December 2005, 00:13	#45 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 2,992	Re: My Optima's Here!!!!! Thanks for the measurements I'll compare it against my rig.. One thing t be aware of if you plan to use a backplate.. make sure that the wing can expand unencumbered.. some narrow wings dont make good candidates with backplates and rebreathers combined.. I personally don't use a backplate so I can sit my rig as close to my body as possible and still not interfere with my wing.. The current harness I am using is the Oxycheq APAK-lite.. Its a soft backpack with adjustable harness (no pockets).. Its curved contour fits many body shapes well.. added: Just measured my normalrig.. its a touch over 16inches at the widest point (which is less than my widest point ), and 8.5 inches at the thickest point.. This rig set to also carry bailout bottles if necessary.. __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated. Last edited by jradomski : 31st December 2005 at 00:11.
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31st December 2005, 00:12	#47 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 2,992	Re: My Optima's Here!!!!! Quote: (Originally Posted by mverick) My Meg was 23in H x 16in W x 10in D. That's with the backplate and Trek wing on it. Second one is my buddy buggin the heck out of me. So I zapped him with the flash... That Optima sounds slim.... I see you went with lower profile brackets... That cut a bit off your width! __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.
(Offline)

20th January 2006, 05:42	#49 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,136	Re: My Optima's Here!!!!! First pool session tonight. Did I mention that this is a humbling experience? The unit trims out a lot better than expected. I did not feel severely butt heavy at all. On the other hand, my buoyancy was terrible. Granted, I was in a six foot deep pool. So, every injection of oxygen started me up to the surface unless I kicked to stay down. Eventually, I started to add weight. I still felt somewhat underweighted most of the time. Trying to operate in semi-closed mode or flusing the loop was a disaster for my buoyancy. The Armadillo sidemount kept my bailout bottle right in the sweet spot, always parallel to my body and behind my shoulder. I was able to take off the bottle and put it back on pretty easily. I did plenty of drills, deploying the open circuit and then stowing the regulator and hose (which required removing the rear clip and then re-clipping after stowing the regulator). The computer is going to be a real challenge for me. I still don't get it, and I am going to spend a good portion of the day playing with it to get a better understanding of using it. The backup set seems to always be in the way. When I go to unclip my light, I have to make sure that I am not accidentally unclipping the backup set. There just seems to be no place for me to put it that does not make it seem like it is always in the way. I think I need a few more arms and hands! Trying to hold the light, deploy and store the open circuit, and opening and closing the DSV all at the same time while watching the computer screen is multitasking at its finest. Thank goodness nobody I know saw me. Anyway, I am not sorry about making my decision to go to a rebreather. I am still optimistic to face the challenge. However, I really do feel like I must be the worst student my instructor ever had. Did I mention that this has been a humbling experience? __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
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20th January 2006, 06:15	#50 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,495	Re: My Optima's Here!!!!! Thanks for the reports. Have you tried the second hanset on your second hand yet? If you want us to change your username to HumbleDadMiami let us know. __________________ Cheers Stefan "Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.!"
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