Need info on Optima

Jordan · 9th May 2006, 17:42

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jeffrey C Gershen)

Anyone have experience with the Optima? Thought I had made a decision on the Prism but I keep struggling with that 12 month lead time. Inspirations are too expensive and the Meg scares me. My goal is to go no deeper than 300 fsw. Is the Optima an option (pardon the alliteration)?

Yes the Optima is an option. It is perfectly suitable for deep diving and several people that I know of have taken it below 300 fsw. I would recommend bringing this up with an instructor certified to teach on the optima and any others you are considering purchasing. If you are interested, PM me and I will try to get you in touch with someone who fits that description.

JonnyB, Re-read this guys post. He makes it very clear that he doesn't plan to go deeper than 300 fsw (not to say that the optima couldn't). You have posted twice now that he wants to go sub-300. I know this isn't a big deal but it is bothering me for some reason.

JonnyB · 9th May 2006, 18:19

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jordan)

Yes the Optima is an option. It is perfectly suitable for deep diving and several people that I know of have taken it below 300 fsw. I would recommend bringing this up with an instructor certified to teach on the optima and any others you are considering purchasing. If you are interested, PM me and I will try to get you in touch with someone who fits that description.

JonnyB, Re-read this guys post. He makes it very clear that he doesn't plan to go deeper than 300 fsw (not to say that the optima couldn't). You have posted twice now that he wants to go sub-300. I know this isn't a big deal but it is bothering me for some reason.

Well ok, he says 300. Still if i wanted to dive at 300 then i would want people to have dived it deeper than that. I am not sure if this sounds reasonable. I wanted to make a statement, that the person wanted a rebreather to dive for a specific depth, i said that to my knowledge it has not been proven to the depth that he wanted to. And i would have wanted it to have been proven even deeper, not to be on the edge. Being at 300ft to find out that it works fine for persons with navy seals specification and not to regular Joe does not interest me. I wanted to see track record. And if me questioning that bothers you, well mate so be it! Nothing i can do about that is it?
That is what i was refering too.

This discussion has derailed quite a bit huh

/Jonny

**JPJones** · 9th May 2006, 19:39

Quote: (Originally Posted by JonnyB)

Well ok, he says 300. Still if i wanted to dive at 300 then i would want people to have dived it deeper than that. I am not sure if this sounds reasonable. I wanted to make a statement, that the person wanted a rebreather to dive for a specific depth, i said that to my knowledge it has not been proven to the depth that he wanted to. And i would have wanted it to have been proven even deeper, not to be on the edge. Being at 300ft to find out that it works fine for persons with navy seals specification and not to regular Joe does not interest me. I wanted to see track record. And if me questioning that bothers you, well mate so be it! Nothing i can do about that is it?
That is what i was refering too.

This discussion has derailed quite a bit huh

/Jonny

I have a number of dives in the 250 to 300 ft range on the Optima which is what the question was and it works great. Sub 300ft dives are beyond what most people do and I would trust the Optima there as well as any unit since it has a set of electronics that have be proven for extreme diving. Since I can teach trimix to people diving all the units mentioned my recommendation is as good as anyones.

JonnyB · 9th May 2006, 19:52

Quote: (Originally Posted by JPJones)

I have a number of dives in the 250 to 300 ft range on the Optima which is what the question was and it works great. Sub 300ft dives are beyond what most people do and I would trust the Optima there as well as any unit since it has a set of electronics that have be proven for extreme diving. Since I can teach trimix to people diving all the units mentioned my recommendation is as good as anyones.

And yet you have the O2ptima test dummie under your name

Kidding aside, as i said, to my knowledge. I now do know of you that dives it to 300.
Still, i would like to hear from someone that took it to 500 f.ex just to see that it is possible. If an expert can take it to 500, i might be able to take it 300 without any problem of the scrubber duration. Lets say that i have a above average production of CO2/Min comparing to you that have less than average. And you dive it to 300ft and say that this is just fine. Then i go, trimix certified of course. And i die because of a break through. I know this is an extreme example. But what i wanted to say is that if you with a less than average production dive it to 500ft then perhaps me with above average will be able to take it to 300ft. Is that a logical thought?

/Jonny

diverklondike · 9th May 2006, 20:21

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jeffrey C Gershen)

Anyone have experience with the Optima? Thought I had made a decision on the Prism but I keep struggling with that 12 month lead time. Inspirations are too expensive and the Meg scares me. My goal is to go no deeper than 300 fsw. Is the Optima an option (pardon the alliteration)?

I think that we have now well established that 300fsw is fine as asked...

Dive Safe...

Mark

**Gill Envy** · 9th May 2006, 20:30

Quote:

Anyone have experience with the Optima? Thought I had made a decision on the Prism but I keep struggling with that 12 month lead time. Inspirations are too expensive and the Meg scares me. My goal is to go no deeper than 300 fsw. Is the Optima an option (pardon the alliteration)?

while i have not truly dove the optima, i did do a pool session and loved it. it was my first choice over the evolution for a while. I think i will always have a thing for it. it felt so comfy and easy to breathe, Bouency was easy to find...in my limited swimming pool experience. i was not expecting to do super deep dives and at the time felt like large tanks equalled greater safety margine. I did however have several folks steer me away from it until it has been out for a while longer and was turned off by the expense of the extendair cartridge.

so far the only problems i've heard on this board about the optima is that some of the aerly casings for the HH e's corode, but i understand that has been corrected. oh, and then there was the suggestion from Rudy Assir (sp?) that a canister adapter was coming out for granular sorb...

and then the IANTD contraversy.

let me say this though, now that i have a little bit of experience packing my own granular sorb, neither soda sorb or safno lyme produce much dust when packing. Packing a canister sounded so ominous to me but as it turns out is actually quite easy, takes a few minutes and the canister is spring loaded for a tight pack even with additional settling.

As far as caustic cocktail, I concluded from talking around and reading up, that with the over the shoulder counter lung design of many leading rebreathers, that caustic cocktail is just not that big a concern. It seems like if you have fludded your unit bad enough for the water to fill up the exhale counter lung and the canister, you've got much bigger problems and would know about it in time to bail before alkalinized water got around to the inhale side of the loop.

I guess in the end, I just did not see that caustic cocktail or dust was a real concern worthy of such a high operational cost of the extendair cartridge, in fact they seem more like issues of the past.

As far as initial expense and what you get for your money. The optima, when you add it all up is pretty close to it's contendors, (even a used inspo with a vision upgrade) at least close enough for price to not to be much of a consideration and that is coming from someone who had to barrow the money to purchase thiers. It just would not make much sense to buy it for economy when you will turn around and spend the difference on extendair cartridges. On the other hand, I'm finding the added expense of the vision electronics is paying for itself in added economy of scrubber (and that is staying well within the temp sticks safety margine).

If you are going for a fully electronic rebreather, I think it's a wash in terms of money spent. I'd recomend that you forget about upfront cost and consider which one you like the most, what you will be most happy with down the line and try out as many different ones as you can get your hands on and talke to as many people as you can before you make your final decition.

Jason Blackwell · 9th May 2006, 21:21

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gillenvy)

If you are going for a fully electronic rebreather, I think it's a wash in terms of money spent. I'd recomend that you forget about upfront cost and consider which one you like the most, what you will be most happy with down the line and try out as many different ones as you can get your hands on and talke to as many people as you can before you make your final decition.

Great Quote!!!!

but I do like my Optima...

as for all of the other "depth" conversations above, I have only had her to 250 foot so far.

And my first student in the water now.

Cheers Jason.

henckell · 9th May 2006, 21:22

Quote: (Originally Posted by JonnyB)

Forget the old days when the granules were dusty. Today they are by far not as dusty as they were 5 years ago.

What brand of sorb did you use 5 years ago?

n2diving · 9th May 2006, 23:21

Besides a good bit of diving on the Optima at the depths discussed...
there is some published test data on the unit at 10 ATA.... see..
http://www.diveriteexpress.com/libra...2testing.shtml
I'm also aware of some very exteme dives on the Optima, far deeper than
being discussed here.

-- Mark

E-man · 9th May 2006, 23:41

Jeff Bozanic (in the colorful wetsuit) is diving the Optima down to 170ft+ in this video...dunno if that helps, but figured id share the vid anyway...

http://www.exn.ca/video/?video=exn20060314-plane.asx

9th May 2006, 17:42	#11 (permalink)
Jordan EBT called me stroppy! Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 226	Re: Need info on Optima Quote: (Originally Posted by Jeffrey C Gershen) Anyone have experience with the Optima? Thought I had made a decision on the Prism but I keep struggling with that 12 month lead time. Inspirations are too expensive and the Meg scares me. My goal is to go no deeper than 300 fsw. Is the Optima an option (pardon the alliteration)? Yes the Optima is an option. It is perfectly suitable for deep diving and several people that I know of have taken it below 300 fsw. I would recommend bringing this up with an instructor certified to teach on the optima and any others you are considering purchasing. If you are interested, PM me and I will try to get you in touch with someone who fits that description. JonnyB, Re-read this guys post. He makes it very clear that he doesn't plan to go deeper than 300 fsw (not to say that the optima couldn't). You have posted twice now that he wants to go sub-300. I know this isn't a big deal but it is bothering me for some reason. __________________ 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
(Offline)

9th May 2006, 18:19	#12 (permalink)
JonnyB Johnny The Hatch Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Titan Other CCR Other SCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Megalodon Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other CCR Other SCR Home Build Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweden (Stockholm)/Cyprus(Ayia Napa) Posts: 970	Re: Need info on Optima Quote: (Originally Posted by Jordan) Yes the Optima is an option. It is perfectly suitable for deep diving and several people that I know of have taken it below 300 fsw. I would recommend bringing this up with an instructor certified to teach on the optima and any others you are considering purchasing. If you are interested, PM me and I will try to get you in touch with someone who fits that description. JonnyB, Re-read this guys post. He makes it very clear that he doesn't plan to go deeper than 300 fsw (not to say that the optima couldn't). You have posted twice now that he wants to go sub-300. I know this isn't a big deal but it is bothering me for some reason. Well ok, he says 300. Still if i wanted to dive at 300 then i would want people to have dived it deeper than that. I am not sure if this sounds reasonable. I wanted to make a statement, that the person wanted a rebreather to dive for a specific depth, i said that to my knowledge it has not been proven to the depth that he wanted to. And i would have wanted it to have been proven even deeper, not to be on the edge. Being at 300ft to find out that it works fine for persons with navy seals specification and not to regular Joe does not interest me. I wanted to see track record. And if me questioning that bothers you, well mate so be it! Nothing i can do about that is it? That is what i was refering too. This discussion has derailed quite a bit huh /Jonny __________________ A quote from Crazyduck - In remembering our own Rob Davies. "Outbound flight 777 heavy you are cleared for flight Due west into that warm red Texas sunset You have angels on your wings and divers memories on your six." Rest In Peace http://www.divetekcyprus.com http://www.diveccr.com
(Online)

9th May 2006, 19:39	#13 (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: Need info on Optima Quote: (Originally Posted by JonnyB) Well ok, he says 300. Still if i wanted to dive at 300 then i would want people to have dived it deeper than that. I am not sure if this sounds reasonable. I wanted to make a statement, that the person wanted a rebreather to dive for a specific depth, i said that to my knowledge it has not been proven to the depth that he wanted to. And i would have wanted it to have been proven even deeper, not to be on the edge. Being at 300ft to find out that it works fine for persons with navy seals specification and not to regular Joe does not interest me. I wanted to see track record. And if me questioning that bothers you, well mate so be it! Nothing i can do about that is it? That is what i was refering too. This discussion has derailed quite a bit huh /Jonny I have a number of dives in the 250 to 300 ft range on the Optima which is what the question was and it works great. Sub 300ft dives are beyond what most people do and I would trust the Optima there as well as any unit since it has a set of electronics that have be proven for extreme diving. Since I can teach trimix to people diving all the units mentioned my recommendation is as good as anyones. __________________ NSS/CDS Training Chairman www.jpjscuba.com
(Offline)

9th May 2006, 19:52	#14 (permalink)
JonnyB Johnny The Hatch Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Titan Other CCR Other SCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Megalodon Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other CCR Other SCR Home Build Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweden (Stockholm)/Cyprus(Ayia Napa) Posts: 970	Re: Need info on Optima Quote: (Originally Posted by JPJones) I have a number of dives in the 250 to 300 ft range on the Optima which is what the question was and it works great. Sub 300ft dives are beyond what most people do and I would trust the Optima there as well as any unit since it has a set of electronics that have be proven for extreme diving. Since I can teach trimix to people diving all the units mentioned my recommendation is as good as anyones. And yet you have the O2ptima test dummie under your name Kidding aside, as i said, to my knowledge. I now do know of you that dives it to 300. Still, i would like to hear from someone that took it to 500 f.ex just to see that it is possible. If an expert can take it to 500, i might be able to take it 300 without any problem of the scrubber duration. Lets say that i have a above average production of CO2/Min comparing to you that have less than average. And you dive it to 300ft and say that this is just fine. Then i go, trimix certified of course. And i die because of a break through. I know this is an extreme example. But what i wanted to say is that if you with a less than average production dive it to 500ft then perhaps me with above average will be able to take it to 300ft. Is that a logical thought? /Jonny __________________ A quote from Crazyduck - In remembering our own Rob Davies. "Outbound flight 777 heavy you are cleared for flight Due west into that warm red Texas sunset You have angels on your wings and divers memories on your six." Rest In Peace http://www.divetekcyprus.com http://www.diveccr.com
(Online)

9th May 2006, 20:21	#15 (permalink)
diverklondike Just one of the Peasants Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Delaware, USA Posts: 1,613	Re: Need info on Optima Quote: (Originally Posted by Jeffrey C Gershen) Anyone have experience with the Optima? Thought I had made a decision on the Prism but I keep struggling with that 12 month lead time. Inspirations are too expensive and the Meg scares me. My goal is to go no deeper than 300 fsw. Is the Optima an option (pardon the alliteration)? I think that we have now well established that 300fsw is fine as asked... Dive Safe... Mark
(Offline)

9th May 2006, 20:30	#16 (permalink)
Gill Envy Shearwater Copis Divers Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: seattle Posts: 1,314	Re: Need info on Optima Quote: Anyone have experience with the Optima? Thought I had made a decision on the Prism but I keep struggling with that 12 month lead time. Inspirations are too expensive and the Meg scares me. My goal is to go no deeper than 300 fsw. Is the Optima an option (pardon the alliteration)? while i have not truly dove the optima, i did do a pool session and loved it. it was my first choice over the evolution for a while. I think i will always have a thing for it. it felt so comfy and easy to breathe, Bouency was easy to find...in my limited swimming pool experience. i was not expecting to do super deep dives and at the time felt like large tanks equalled greater safety margine. I did however have several folks steer me away from it until it has been out for a while longer and was turned off by the expense of the extendair cartridge. so far the only problems i've heard on this board about the optima is that some of the aerly casings for the HH e's corode, but i understand that has been corrected. oh, and then there was the suggestion from Rudy Assir (sp?) that a canister adapter was coming out for granular sorb... and then the IANTD contraversy. let me say this though, now that i have a little bit of experience packing my own granular sorb, neither soda sorb or safno lyme produce much dust when packing. Packing a canister sounded so ominous to me but as it turns out is actually quite easy, takes a few minutes and the canister is spring loaded for a tight pack even with additional settling. As far as caustic cocktail, I concluded from talking around and reading up, that with the over the shoulder counter lung design of many leading rebreathers, that caustic cocktail is just not that big a concern. It seems like if you have fludded your unit bad enough for the water to fill up the exhale counter lung and the canister, you've got much bigger problems and would know about it in time to bail before alkalinized water got around to the inhale side of the loop. I guess in the end, I just did not see that caustic cocktail or dust was a real concern worthy of such a high operational cost of the extendair cartridge, in fact they seem more like issues of the past. As far as initial expense and what you get for your money. The optima, when you add it all up is pretty close to it's contendors, (even a used inspo with a vision upgrade) at least close enough for price to not to be much of a consideration and that is coming from someone who had to barrow the money to purchase thiers. It just would not make much sense to buy it for economy when you will turn around and spend the difference on extendair cartridges. On the other hand, I'm finding the added expense of the vision electronics is paying for itself in added economy of scrubber (and that is staying well within the temp sticks safety margine). If you are going for a fully electronic rebreather, I think it's a wash in terms of money spent. I'd recomend that you forget about upfront cost and consider which one you like the most, what you will be most happy with down the line and try out as many different ones as you can get your hands on and talke to as many people as you can before you make your final decition. __________________ Gill Envy ...Because I wasn't born with gills! ><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>
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9th May 2006, 21:21	#17 (permalink)
Jason Blackwell Bloody Rebreathers! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima Dolphin Ray Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Vision Evolution Classic Kiss Dolphin Ray Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA Posts: 361	Re: Need info on Optima Quote: (Originally Posted by Gillenvy) If you are going for a fully electronic rebreather, I think it's a wash in terms of money spent. I'd recomend that you forget about upfront cost and consider which one you like the most, what you will be most happy with down the line and try out as many different ones as you can get your hands on and talke to as many people as you can before you make your final decition. Great Quote!!!! but I do like my Optima... as for all of the other "depth" conversations above, I have only had her to 250 foot so far. And my first student in the water now. Cheers Jason. __________________ Jason Blackwell TDI Instructor Trainer #1358 Optima...Inspiration/Evolution...KISS...and what is next??? www.divedivedive.com.au OZTeK '09 March 2009 Sydney, Australia www.diveoztek.com.au
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9th May 2006, 21:22	#18 (permalink)
henckell New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 90	Re: Need info on Optima Quote: (Originally Posted by JonnyB) Forget the old days when the granules were dusty. Today they are by far not as dusty as they were 5 years ago. What brand of sorb did you use 5 years ago?
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9th May 2006, 23:21	#19 (permalink)
n2diving Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 272	Re: Need info on Optima Besides a good bit of diving on the Optima at the depths discussed... there is some published test data on the unit at 10 ATA.... see.. http://www.diveriteexpress.com/libra...2testing.shtml I'm also aware of some very exteme dives on the Optima, far deeper than being discussed here. -- Mark
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9th May 2006, 23:41	#20 (permalink)
E-man On the loop! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Optima Other Rebreather/s: Titan Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Eastern Coast ;) Posts: 212	Re: Need info on Optima Jeff Bozanic (in the colorful wetsuit) is diving the Optima down to 170ft+ in this video...dunno if that helps, but figured id share the vid anyway... http://www.exn.ca/video/?video=exn20060314-plane.asx
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