The New Dive Rite Optima CM - My 30 Hour Review

[BillyBayou]

I’m looking to buy my first CCR and plan on buying the O2ptima, I mostly dive wrecks or river bottoms these days. No caves. Does the CM perform as well as the standard O2ptima? Or does the CM lose performance in other areas but being smaller?
I appreciate any advice

 

[Superlyte27]

It actually performs better than the Optima. Unless you’re scootering. Then it sucks. Lol

 

[BillyBayou]

It actually performs better than the Optima. Unless you’re scootering. Then it sucks. Lol

Haha I don’t have a scooter (yet).
So what will keep the CM from being their flagship?

 

[Superlyte27]

Haha I don’t have a scooter (yet).
So what will keep the CM from being their flagship?

I’m pretty sure Dive Rite is probably selling 3 to 1 CM for BM, but that’s just a guess. The CM sucks for spearfishing for example. People who would rather their back be cluttered instead of their chest will stick with the BM. But for boat diving, high flow, and deep stuff, it’s pretty awesome.

I have 5 rebreathers. None of them are the best at everything and the CM is no different. But it is the best at a few things.

 

[BillyBayou]

I’m pretty sure Dive Rite is probably selling 3 to 1 CM for BM, but that’s just a guess. The CM sucks for spearfishing for example. People who would rather their back be cluttered instead of their chest will stick with the BM. But for boat diving, high flow, and deep stuff, it’s pretty awesome.

I have 5 rebreathers. None of them are the best at everything and the CM is no different. But it is the best at a few things.

I appreciate your input. It’s hard to understand how something that is at least equal can be $2500 less. I assumed it was sacrificing something. Quality or performance.
I don’t mind paying more if there is a benefit. In this case I can’t see one.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions.
Billy

 

[grantctobin]

I appreciate your input. It’s hard to understand how something that is at least equal can be $2500 less. I assumed it was sacrificing something. Quality or performance.
I don’t mind paying more if there is a benefit. In this case I can’t see one.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions.
Billy

No backplate/wing/BOV+MAV combo, dil 1st and associated hoses, cheaper O2 cylinder (if included?, no dil bottle. The Divesoft ADV/BOV/MAVs retails for $1500 by itself. Add in retail for the other bits and gets close, even assuming the build cost of the cross-over parts are the same (buying kit to switch unit from BM to CM).

...coincidentally it’s priced almost exactly the same as a ready to dive Sidewinder, though the uses cases aren’t strictly the same.

Edit: oops was thinking BM w the full BOV kit was $8500. Most of the points still stand, esp the last one.

 

[BillyBayou]

No backplate/wing/BOV+MAV combo, dil 1st and associated hoses, cheaper O2 cylinder (if included?, no dil bottle. The Divesoft ADV/BOV/MAVs retails for $1500 by itself. Add in retail for the other bits and gets close, even assuming the build cost of the cross-over parts are the same (buying kit to switch unit from BM to CM).

...coincidentally it’s priced almost exactly the same as a ready to dive Sidewinder, though the uses cases aren’t strictly the same.

Edit: oops was thinking BM w the full BOV kit was $8500. Most of the points still stand, esp the last one.

That explains exactly what I wondered.
Thank you!

Billy

 

[lostsheep]

It actually performs better than the Optima. Unless you’re scootering. Then it sucks. Lol

I read this when you originally posted and got concerned cause I was about to buy a Choptima and frequently scooter out here. I’m curious, what was your problem with it?

I finally got my Choptima and my scooter together today and I didn’t have any problems whatsoever. I could feel the tow strap on the O2 bottle but it wasn’t a problem. Clipping in was a little awkward but I’m sure that’s just from a lack of practice.

 

[1isNone]

I read this when you originally posted and got concerned cause I was about to buy a Choptima and frequently scooter out here. I’m curious, what was your problem with it?

I finally got my Choptima and my scooter together today and I didn’t have any problems whatsoever. I could feel the tow strap on the O2 bottle but it wasn’t a problem. Clipping in was a little awkward but I’m sure that’s just from a lack of practice.

@Superlyte27 - would you be able to comment on the issues you found when using a scooter with the "Choptima"? LOL-that nickname is almost enough justification to buy one!

 

[rjack321]

@Superlyte27 - would you be able to comment on the issues you found when using a scooter with the "Choptima"? LOL-that nickname is almost enough justification to buy one!

Compression of the CL against your chest seems to be an obvious issue.

I have the same problem on the TOS (top of shoulder) CLs I use on my Meg. Go fast enough and they want to smush which vents gas out your nose and triggers the ADV when you subsequently try to inhale. Or it just smushes the CL enough to trigger the ADV.