My Optima's Here!!!!!

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 21st December 2005, 06:24

My Optima arrived today. I put the unit together per the instructions. Everything is pretty much as has been noted previously.

There is one difference. My unit did not come with an Air II on it; it came with a Dive Rite second stage such as would be used for standard open circuit diving. This would allow the user to decide whether to install the second stage on the unit (it did not come installed; it was a separate component, and it's connection has a port plug on it in the unit) or to use offboard gas instead.

I am going to put together my backplate tomorrow. I did buy the Dive Rite 50 pount Rec Wing today. However, I can take it back before getting it wet. The wing and backplate issues are still to be determined.

More to come . . . .

***caveseeker7*** · 21st December 2005, 16:26

Congratulations !

Good deal with a normal second stage, Dive Rite makes pretty good ones and
they're better handling than the inflator integrated ones.

Which tanks did you order. Kahunas or weenies?

You're now officially tasked to take pictures of your unit that are missing in our gallery:
(you knew it wasn't all fun and games

)

- installed with the backcover off
- with the tanks off
- and with that foldable backplate folded

I'm really curious just small the unit folds for transport.
If you got a regulation carry-on (preferably with wheels) feel free to pack
the unit into it.

Explorer · 21st December 2005, 16:41

Just put wheels on your Optima!!

Cograds on your rebreather.

mikedive · 21st December 2005, 17:44

Congratulations,

I tried all the configurations on my unit for 100 hours plus and if you need any help or advice just e-mail me.

Cheers,

Mike - www.protecdiving.com

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 22nd December 2005, 01:45

Quote: (Originally Posted by mikedive)

Congratulations,

I tried all the configurations on my unit for 100 hours plus and if you need any help or advice just e-mail me.

Cheers,

Mike - www.protecdiving.com

Trust me, I will need lots of help, and you can count on me to ask plenty. Thanks for the offer.

Once my buddy and I finish up training and get trimix and cave on them, we will be heading your way. It's just a matter of time.

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 22nd December 2005, 02:09

Quote: (Originally Posted by caveseeker7)

Which tanks did you order. Kahunas or weenies?

I am going with the big boys, the 27 cubic foot tanks. In fact, I got a second set so that I can take them on live aboards, etc., or so that I will always have something close to full around if someone calls me for a special dive. (I do have supply cylinders but no booster . . . yet

).

I also hear that more places are starting to stock them (such as Caymans). One can always dream, no?

I hope I can still remove the valves, ship, and then put the valves back on at my destination. I have done that before with 40 cubic foot tanks without problems though this was pre-9/11.

If I have to, I can just go with smaller rental tanks at my destinations, adding weight to compensate.

Quote: (Originally Posted by caveseeker7)

You're now officially tasked to take pictures of your unit that are missing in our gallery

Will do. I don't have a good camera. However, I have a family member that has a good digital. It might take about a week, but I will get lots of good photos to upload.

Also, I assembled the unit, per the instructions, and I made notes along the way for anything that was either outdated or missing from the instruction manual. I will be posting a full write up on this as well.

Quote: (Originally Posted by caveseeker7)

I'm really curious just [how] small the unit folds for transport. If you got a regulation carry-on (preferably with wheels) feel free to pack the unit into it.

I do not know the size. However, if you give the size to me, I will see if I can make the unit fit into that space (without the tanks, of course). I am not great a metric units, however, I will do my best to convert if that is what you give me.

***jradomski*** · 22nd December 2005, 02:16

Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami)

Trust me, I will need lots of help, and you can count on me to ask plenty. Thanks for the offer.

Once my buddy and I finish up training and get trimix and cave on them, we will be heading your way. It's just a matter of time.

I can't help you with the optima itself, but if you have any questions about the electronics. Just PM me.. I have more time on it than probably anyone around. The two other guys that come to mind experience wise and have gone through all the revisions are Mark Nix (diverklondike) and Mike Dyson (neither are optima owners either)..

The only Optima instructors that has any real time on the electonics are Jeff Johnson and Andrew Driver.. All the others are relative new commers... If someone asked me to recommend an instructor to get optima training, Jeff would top my list right now..

Damon · 22nd December 2005, 10:32

Quote: (Originally Posted by mikedive)

Congratulations,

I tried all the configurations on my unit for 100 hours plus and if you need any help or advice just e-mail me.

Cheers,

Mike - www.protecdiving.com

Hi Mike,

if you changed from the steel to the 13 cubic foot ali (travel) ones; did you find the trim varied greatly? AND did you have to add any weight? (assuming that I wear no weight with the unit with the steels in warm water diving)

Cheers Damon

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 22nd December 2005, 18:46

Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski)

The only Optima instructors that has any real time on the electonics are Jeff Johnson and Andrew Driver.. All the others are relative new commers.

John P. Jones is either already an instructor or just about to get signed off on it. He stopped counting at dive number 300.

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 22nd December 2005, 18:47

Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski)

I can't help you with the optima itself, but if you have any questions about the electronics. Just PM me..

Thanks for the offer. Will do.

21st December 2005, 06:24	#1 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,044	My Optima's Here!!!!! My Optima arrived today. I put the unit together per the instructions. Everything is pretty much as has been noted previously. There is one difference. My unit did not come with an Air II on it; it came with a Dive Rite second stage such as would be used for standard open circuit diving. This would allow the user to decide whether to install the second stage on the unit (it did not come installed; it was a separate component, and it's connection has a port plug on it in the unit) or to use offboard gas instead. I am going to put together my backplate tomorrow. I did buy the Dive Rite 50 pount Rec Wing today. However, I can take it back before getting it wet. The wing and backplate issues are still to be determined. More to come . . . . __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
(Offline)

21st December 2005, 16:26	#2 (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: 5,411	Re: My Optima's Here!!!!! Congratulations ! Good deal with a normal second stage, Dive Rite makes pretty good ones and they're better handling than the inflator integrated ones. Which tanks did you order. Kahunas or weenies? You're now officially tasked to take pictures of your unit that are missing in our gallery: (you knew it wasn't all fun and games ) - installed with the backcover off - with the tanks off - and with that foldable backplate folded I'm really curious just small the unit folds for transport. If you got a regulation carry-on (preferably with wheels) feel free to pack the unit into it. __________________ Cheers Stefan "It is still a good day if you are on the green side of the grass! Su amigo Roberto!" Sponsor Lou in Race For Life!
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21st December 2005, 16:41	#3 (permalink)
Explorer I will teach you a..... Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 760	Re: My Optima's Here!!!!! Just put wheels on your Optima!! Cograds on your rebreather. __________________ REALLY FRICKIN' TRAIN WRECKED.....
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21st December 2005, 17:44	#4 (permalink)
mikedive Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Optima Other CCR Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Brazil, Texas and Mexico Posts: 322	Re: My Optima's Here!!!!! Congratulations, I tried all the configurations on my unit for 100 hours plus and if you need any help or advice just e-mail me. Cheers, Mike - www.protecdiving.com
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22nd December 2005, 01:45	#5 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,044	Re: My Optima's Here!!!!! Quote: (Originally Posted by mikedive) Congratulations, I tried all the configurations on my unit for 100 hours plus and if you need any help or advice just e-mail me. Cheers, Mike - www.protecdiving.com Trust me, I will need lots of help, and you can count on me to ask plenty. Thanks for the offer. Once my buddy and I finish up training and get trimix and cave on them, we will be heading your way. It's just a matter of time. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
(Offline)

22nd December 2005, 02:09	#6 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,044	Re: My Optima's Here!!!!! Quote: (Originally Posted by caveseeker7) Which tanks did you order. Kahunas or weenies? I am going with the big boys, the 27 cubic foot tanks. In fact, I got a second set so that I can take them on live aboards, etc., or so that I will always have something close to full around if someone calls me for a special dive. (I do have supply cylinders but no booster . . . yet ). I also hear that more places are starting to stock them (such as Caymans). One can always dream, no? I hope I can still remove the valves, ship, and then put the valves back on at my destination. I have done that before with 40 cubic foot tanks without problems though this was pre-9/11. If I have to, I can just go with smaller rental tanks at my destinations, adding weight to compensate. Quote: (Originally Posted by caveseeker7) You're now officially tasked to take pictures of your unit that are missing in our gallery Will do. I don't have a good camera. However, I have a family member that has a good digital. It might take about a week, but I will get lots of good photos to upload. Also, I assembled the unit, per the instructions, and I made notes along the way for anything that was either outdated or missing from the instruction manual. I will be posting a full write up on this as well. Quote: (Originally Posted by caveseeker7) I'm really curious just [how] small the unit folds for transport. If you got a regulation carry-on (preferably with wheels) feel free to pack the unit into it. I do not know the size. However, if you give the size to me, I will see if I can make the unit fit into that space (without the tanks, of course). I am not great a metric units, however, I will do my best to convert if that is what you give me. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
(Offline)

22nd December 2005, 02:16	#7 (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: 2,871	Re: My Optima's Here!!!!! Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami) Trust me, I will need lots of help, and you can count on me to ask plenty. Thanks for the offer. Once my buddy and I finish up training and get trimix and cave on them, we will be heading your way. It's just a matter of time. I can't help you with the optima itself, but if you have any questions about the electronics. Just PM me.. I have more time on it than probably anyone around. The two other guys that come to mind experience wise and have gone through all the revisions are Mark Nix (diverklondike) and Mike Dyson (neither are optima owners either).. The only Optima instructors that has any real time on the electonics are Jeff Johnson and Andrew Driver.. All the others are relative new commers... If someone asked me to recommend an instructor to get optima training, Jeff would top my list right now.. __________________ 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 : 22nd December 2005 at 02:35.
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22nd December 2005, 10:32	#8 (permalink)
Damon bubbleless Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Sport Kiss Optima Other CCR Dolphin Ray Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Ray Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA Posts: 31	Re: My Optima's Here!!!!! Quote: (Originally Posted by mikedive) Congratulations, I tried all the configurations on my unit for 100 hours plus and if you need any help or advice just e-mail me. Cheers, Mike - www.protecdiving.com Hi Mike, if you changed from the steel to the 13 cubic foot ali (travel) ones; did you find the trim varied greatly? AND did you have to add any weight? (assuming that I wear no weight with the unit with the steels in warm water diving) Cheers Damon
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22nd December 2005, 18:46	#9 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,044	Re: My Optima's Here!!!!! Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski) The only Optima instructors that has any real time on the electonics are Jeff Johnson and Andrew Driver.. All the others are relative new commers. John P. Jones is either already an instructor or just about to get signed off on it. He stopped counting at dive number 300. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
(Offline)

22nd December 2005, 18:47	#10 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,044	Re: My Optima's Here!!!!! Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski) I can't help you with the optima itself, but if you have any questions about the electronics. Just PM me.. Thanks for the offer. Will do. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
(Offline)

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