Should have added that a major consideration is what others around you dive. Have you some friends with a particular penchant for one or other; if so it makes sense to talk to them.
Similarly what's the support like around you. Being in the US I guess will guide you towards US-built machines. The reality is that there's a few spares you need to get access to such as cells. Other parts are less common.
Finally it's worth thinking about specific opinions you may have. Sure, those opinions are more a gut feel than based upon experience (you're a novice, that's fine!), but it could sway you in one direction or other.
I had strong opinions about the Revo with its twin scrubbers, manual rebreather roots and the five cells. I jumped for that and haven't regretted it one bit. Especially as I consume half the amount of scrubber than the others do
Tip: budget for at least two sets of cylinders. For MOD1 you need a single stage - ali7 is optimum sized. Then the breeding cylinders for banking, different bailout depths... Also need to have some spares in hand including spare cells.
Be careful if buying second hand. Not for crooks or anything, just that you don't know in detail what is good or bad. Try to find someone you know who knows to kick its tires. Budget for a full service including "we had to change the electronics and the gangel pin in the head, that'll be $1000+ please". Which is why a lot of people just buy new for their first one.
Similarly what's the support like around you. Being in the US I guess will guide you towards US-built machines. The reality is that there's a few spares you need to get access to such as cells. Other parts are less common.
Finally it's worth thinking about specific opinions you may have. Sure, those opinions are more a gut feel than based upon experience (you're a novice, that's fine!), but it could sway you in one direction or other.
I had strong opinions about the Revo with its twin scrubbers, manual rebreather roots and the five cells. I jumped for that and haven't regretted it one bit. Especially as I consume half the amount of scrubber than the others do
Tip: budget for at least two sets of cylinders. For MOD1 you need a single stage - ali7 is optimum sized. Then the breeding cylinders for banking, different bailout depths... Also need to have some spares in hand including spare cells.
Be careful if buying second hand. Not for crooks or anything, just that you don't know in detail what is good or bad. Try to find someone you know who knows to kick its tires. Budget for a full service including "we had to change the electronics and the gangel pin in the head, that'll be $1000+ please". Which is why a lot of people just buy new for their first one.