optima owners weigh in!

**Gill Envy** · 2nd February 2006, 21:21

hello there to all optima owners. So, i'm still thinking about getting an optima. it's been a while since the first ones shipped and i'm curious how things are going for you folks.
Almost everyone in the seattle area that i have talked to who sells rebreathers says to waite on buying an optima. I've heard things like, it's made of thinner plastic, the electronic connections have not been fully stress tested yet. In general, the opinion is wait, let them work the bugs out lest you be a guinee pig. Hmm, well, i'm no dummy, everyone who sells rebreathers is heavily invested in the ones they sell. I know it's a small emerging market, paying for instructor training on new units aint cheap and takes time, having multiple units on display aint cheap. it seems to me that all this adds up to more than usual resistance to embracing new units that come out. Aside from the fact that I am suspicious by nature, i just can't tell if i'm getting a streight answere from sellers. And I just don't know any users of the optima personally.
I've been thinking, hey, if it's going to take time for all those bugs to get worked out, i'd think i'd start to hear about some of those bugs by now. So, have at it, prove the critics right or wrong. have you encountered any of those pesky insects yet? Are you just being tight lipped about all the problems? and are you happy with the unit. any meg users tried one out? the Meg, with the new deco electronics is going to be around $10 grand from what i hear...the optima with deco computer is around 7 grand. I'm probably going to be doing mostly recreational limits, maybe a bit deeper(to 150fsw ish range), but mostly no decompression diving in current/slack dependent passes (i'm a critter diver), I'm thinking the optima may still be more than enough for me...though a used inspo with training for $5500 might still win out....we'll see. So, please be so kind as to let me know as you get through the cert. and get some hours on the unit. Even if it's months from now, it might just sway me one way or another this spring when i'm likely to finally take the plunge.

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 3rd February 2006, 02:36

I have had an Optima since December. I am still training on mine. When I was ready to purchase mine, I was disclosed that this was the first production run, and that there would surely be changes coming down the road. So, I was asked to be understanding of this going into the purchase, and I was instructed not to purchase at this time if I didn't want to be in for such a ride after my purchase.

I completely understood what I was getting myself into when I elected to proceed with my purchase after this disclosure. Since Dive Rite has always been pretty reasonable with upgrading products as they change, I was okay with going into the unit this way.

Now, I am not much on being an Alpha or Beta tester of life support products. However, I am okay with being an early user of the production models once they come out if I believe in the product. We all have to draw the line someplace, right?

This is where I choose to draw the line for myself.

So, now I have my Optima, and I have had the chance to put on about 400 plus minutes on it since my purchase. Does the unit have everything just the way I want it? No. Are there some things I would change on it? Certainly. However, I am happy with the unit itself (though my performance is another story during this learning curve!

).

I like having the larger tanks on it . . . just in case (for a quick sanity breath before getting to my bailout). I like the Extend Air Cartridges in case of a flood (virtually eliminates a caustic cocktail) . . . just in case. While I haven't used every computer out there on the market, most agree that the Hammerhead is a top peformer. I like the case: It is streamlined, it stays looking good after going through wrecks compared to the hard cases, it cleans up easily, and I think it looks cool (some like it, some don't).

When I am ready to resume deeper diving, as I did with open circuit, I will have no qualms about doing it with the Optima. This was one of the reasons that I got one in the first place. So, don't think of it as a recreational kind of unit; it is built to go beyond that.

There are other units out there that are also fine. I don't get into the "mine's good, yours sucks" thing. They are what they are. But, I am happy with my Optima even with some modifications that will likely be coming down the line as the product matures.

seafox · 3rd February 2006, 22:58

It was Sept, last year, I had been working on deciding which one for more than a year.
I had heard about the Optima, but then,18 months ago, it was still being run through its paces.
I am a fan of Dive Rite, not only because they produce quality gear, have great customer service, have been around for many years,
but more importantly, I believe strongly that Dive Rite will be around for many years to come.
Making this kind of investment, for me at least, required this faith in the future of my supplier.
Now now relax folks, I am not suggesting that the others won’t be around, only time will tell, but DR’s has history,
I happen to have much faith in DR.
Yes, I have heard the rumors too! Lamar will build 200 units and then get out of the CCR business!
I personally don’t buy that.
Building CCR’s can be a profitable business and profits run a business!
I waited until sufficient information was available and attended diving shows where the unit was displayed.
I really liked what I read and what I saw. The size of the unit, it’s got a small footprint, and is streamlined,
the backplate and wing availability, don’t like the jacket type BC, easy to clip on stages, I am using Tobin's D-Rings,
I liked the short and small loop due to the canister being back of your head, the comfortable fit, the O2 flow in the canister made sense to me, ect……
Initially I had reservations about the cartridge vs packing a canister. Not any more! I was on a live aboard in Dec and
it became quickly evident that this was very efficient, “clean” and fast. Most boat charter captains will be very pleased with this technology.
I know mine was!
Even in rough seas changing the cartridge turned out to be easy and very quick. Nothing like trying to pack a canister!
With the EP cartridge you get 3hrs + in warm waters. That suits me just fine! But it’s the ease of changing the cartridge that shines.
Be warned, once out of the packaging, the cartridge is fragile until it’s in the canister. Don’t drop it before you put it in!
Hammerhead, for me, didn’t need much thought. It's been around a long time, proven, reliable, and great service from Kevin.
This new version is really cool. Check out the manual on the DR Express site. I know you will be impressed.
As I said, the electronics were a no brainer.
I strongly disagree with the initiative from the DR and Farallon to install codes in the SW, and I think
that it has more to do with marketing, and perhaps liability although I am not convinced.
In any case that’s another issue and it has already been debated on this board..
The prototypes have been around for I believe 2 years or more (?), and tested by several people and I have only heard good reports
I have an early production model and it’s performing like a charm, and, to my expectations, which were high!
Are there going to be changes and improvements over time? You bet!
Did I take a big risk? I never believed I did.
Did I believe all would be perfect? I don’t think so!
However, WE the new users are inputing our experiences and changes will be implemented
I sincerely believe that.
Oh! I had one last criterion that clinched the deal for me.
It was end of September; I had done my research, and made up my mind.
Now that I finally made up my mind, I was not willing to wait 6 to 12 to 18 months to get my unit!
My new Optima was ready for pickup in 6 weeks.
And by the way, yes I am very happy with my decision.

**JPJones** · 7th February 2006, 00:57

I have both a prototype and a production model both perform as advertised. I have been the crash dummy because I've had the time to dive it a lot and my prototype is holding up great just normal repairs that you would expect on any unit. Replace the sensors and fix a bad connection in the sensor cable.

I love the new handset Kevin did a good job and the Hmmerhead is a very proven product. There is really nothing new everything has been around for a while.

2nd February 2006, 21:21	#1 (permalink)
Gill Envy Shearwater Copis Diver Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: seattle Posts: 1,302	optima owners weigh in! hello there to all optima owners. So, i'm still thinking about getting an optima. it's been a while since the first ones shipped and i'm curious how things are going for you folks. Almost everyone in the seattle area that i have talked to who sells rebreathers says to waite on buying an optima. I've heard things like, it's made of thinner plastic, the electronic connections have not been fully stress tested yet. In general, the opinion is wait, let them work the bugs out lest you be a guinee pig. Hmm, well, i'm no dummy, everyone who sells rebreathers is heavily invested in the ones they sell. I know it's a small emerging market, paying for instructor training on new units aint cheap and takes time, having multiple units on display aint cheap. it seems to me that all this adds up to more than usual resistance to embracing new units that come out. Aside from the fact that I am suspicious by nature, i just can't tell if i'm getting a streight answere from sellers. And I just don't know any users of the optima personally. I've been thinking, hey, if it's going to take time for all those bugs to get worked out, i'd think i'd start to hear about some of those bugs by now. So, have at it, prove the critics right or wrong. have you encountered any of those pesky insects yet? Are you just being tight lipped about all the problems? and are you happy with the unit. any meg users tried one out? the Meg, with the new deco electronics is going to be around $10 grand from what i hear...the optima with deco computer is around 7 grand. I'm probably going to be doing mostly recreational limits, maybe a bit deeper(to 150fsw ish range), but mostly no decompression diving in current/slack dependent passes (i'm a critter diver), I'm thinking the optima may still be more than enough for me...though a used inspo with training for $5500 might still win out....we'll see. So, please be so kind as to let me know as you get through the cert. and get some hours on the unit. Even if it's months from now, it might just sway me one way or another this spring when i'm likely to finally take the plunge. __________________ Gill Envy ...Because I wasn't born with gills! ><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>
(Offline)

3rd February 2006, 02:36	#2 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,066	Re: optima owners weigh in! I have had an Optima since December. I am still training on mine. When I was ready to purchase mine, I was disclosed that this was the first production run, and that there would surely be changes coming down the road. So, I was asked to be understanding of this going into the purchase, and I was instructed not to purchase at this time if I didn't want to be in for such a ride after my purchase. I completely understood what I was getting myself into when I elected to proceed with my purchase after this disclosure. Since Dive Rite has always been pretty reasonable with upgrading products as they change, I was okay with going into the unit this way. Now, I am not much on being an Alpha or Beta tester of life support products. However, I am okay with being an early user of the production models once they come out if I believe in the product. We all have to draw the line someplace, right? This is where I choose to draw the line for myself. So, now I have my Optima, and I have had the chance to put on about 400 plus minutes on it since my purchase. Does the unit have everything just the way I want it? No. Are there some things I would change on it? Certainly. However, I am happy with the unit itself (though my performance is another story during this learning curve! ). I like having the larger tanks on it . . . just in case (for a quick sanity breath before getting to my bailout). I like the Extend Air Cartridges in case of a flood (virtually eliminates a caustic cocktail) . . . just in case. While I haven't used every computer out there on the market, most agree that the Hammerhead is a top peformer. I like the case: It is streamlined, it stays looking good after going through wrecks compared to the hard cases, it cleans up easily, and I think it looks cool (some like it, some don't). When I am ready to resume deeper diving, as I did with open circuit, I will have no qualms about doing it with the Optima. This was one of the reasons that I got one in the first place. So, don't think of it as a recreational kind of unit; it is built to go beyond that. There are other units out there that are also fine. I don't get into the "mine's good, yours sucks" thing. They are what they are. But, I am happy with my Optima even with some modifications that will likely be coming down the line as the product matures. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
(Offline)

3rd February 2006, 22:58	#3 (permalink)
seafox 02ptima Instructor Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TORONTO, CANADA -Have "02ptima" will travel! Posts: 172	Re: optima owners weigh in! It was Sept, last year, I had been working on deciding which one for more than a year. I had heard about the Optima, but then,18 months ago, it was still being run through its paces. I am a fan of Dive Rite, not only because they produce quality gear, have great customer service, have been around for many years, but more importantly, I believe strongly that Dive Rite will be around for many years to come. Making this kind of investment, for me at least, required this faith in the future of my supplier. Now now relax folks, I am not suggesting that the others won’t be around, only time will tell, but DR’s has history, I happen to have much faith in DR. Yes, I have heard the rumors too! Lamar will build 200 units and then get out of the CCR business! I personally don’t buy that. Building CCR’s can be a profitable business and profits run a business! I waited until sufficient information was available and attended diving shows where the unit was displayed. I really liked what I read and what I saw. The size of the unit, it’s got a small footprint, and is streamlined, the backplate and wing availability, don’t like the jacket type BC, easy to clip on stages, I am using Tobin's D-Rings, I liked the short and small loop due to the canister being back of your head, the comfortable fit, the O2 flow in the canister made sense to me, ect…… Initially I had reservations about the cartridge vs packing a canister. Not any more! I was on a live aboard in Dec and it became quickly evident that this was very efficient, “clean” and fast. Most boat charter captains will be very pleased with this technology. I know mine was! Even in rough seas changing the cartridge turned out to be easy and very quick. Nothing like trying to pack a canister! With the EP cartridge you get 3hrs + in warm waters. That suits me just fine! But it’s the ease of changing the cartridge that shines. Be warned, once out of the packaging, the cartridge is fragile until it’s in the canister. Don’t drop it before you put it in! Hammerhead, for me, didn’t need much thought. It's been around a long time, proven, reliable, and great service from Kevin. This new version is really cool. Check out the manual on the DR Express site. I know you will be impressed. As I said, the electronics were a no brainer. I strongly disagree with the initiative from the DR and Farallon to install codes in the SW, and I think that it has more to do with marketing, and perhaps liability although I am not convinced. In any case that’s another issue and it has already been debated on this board.. The prototypes have been around for I believe 2 years or more (?), and tested by several people and I have only heard good reports I have an early production model and it’s performing like a charm, and, to my expectations, which were high! Are there going to be changes and improvements over time? You bet! Did I take a big risk? I never believed I did. Did I believe all would be perfect? I don’t think so! However, WE the new users are inputing our experiences and changes will be implemented I sincerely believe that. Oh! I had one last criterion that clinched the deal for me. It was end of September; I had done my research, and made up my mind. Now that I finally made up my mind, I was not willing to wait 6 to 12 to 18 months to get my unit! My new Optima was ready for pickup in 6 weeks. And by the way, yes I am very happy with my decision. __________________ Protect the SHARKS! Excellence is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities. Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards! Last edited by seafox : 3rd February 2006 at 23:06. Reason: Grammar!
(Offline)

7th February 2006, 00:57	#4 (permalink)
JPJones O2ptima Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Optima Titan Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 367	Re: optima owners weigh in! I have both a prototype and a production model both perform as advertised. I have been the crash dummy because I've had the time to dive it a lot and my prototype is holding up great just normal repairs that you would expect on any unit. Replace the sensors and fix a bad connection in the sensor cable. I love the new handset Kevin did a good job and the Hmmerhead is a very proven product. There is really nothing new everything has been around for a while. __________________ NSS/CDS Training Chairman www.jpjscuba.com
(Offline)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode