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Making the leap: help choosing first rb
- Thread starter Zebra 1
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Top reasons for me going with the O2ptima:
Top Mount Scrubber: Shorter loop, higher up for less chance of flooding, less WOB.
Scrubber Options: Cartrage or loose, smaller boats the carrtage should work better.
Overall Construction: More machined delrin and stand for bumpy boat rides.
Kydex Cover: (replaceable when gets all scrathed up) for less snags etc.
Ability to make into a CM for travel (about $2,000). Big plus here for me!
BOV: I think just starting out and getting everything in one location off my chest will be better.
Shearwater Electronics with Petrel 2: Feel I can't go wrong here.
Dive Rite: I feel comfortable that they will be here for us now and later down the road. Company seems to be improving their product(s) and coming up with new ones (i.e. the CM unit).
After speaking with several people selling the Prism's I could not get any solid answers on exactly what makes the Prism better. Feedback from users is mostly "we love them" or "A lot of people doing big dives on them". Positve feedback but nothing concrete. My thoughts are that Hollis has done a great job in marketing and getting dealers to sell them (which in itself should be a big plus due to the sheer number of users and dealers).
I know I'm missing a lot so if you have anything you think is relevant please speak up!
My thanks again to everyone who has contributed here, your comments, experience and expertise is greatly appreciated!
Top Mount Scrubber: Shorter loop, higher up for less chance of flooding, less WOB.
Scrubber Options: Cartrage or loose, smaller boats the carrtage should work better.
Overall Construction: More machined delrin and stand for bumpy boat rides.
Kydex Cover: (replaceable when gets all scrathed up) for less snags etc.
Ability to make into a CM for travel (about $2,000). Big plus here for me!
BOV: I think just starting out and getting everything in one location off my chest will be better.
Shearwater Electronics with Petrel 2: Feel I can't go wrong here.
Dive Rite: I feel comfortable that they will be here for us now and later down the road. Company seems to be improving their product(s) and coming up with new ones (i.e. the CM unit).
After speaking with several people selling the Prism's I could not get any solid answers on exactly what makes the Prism better. Feedback from users is mostly "we love them" or "A lot of people doing big dives on them". Positve feedback but nothing concrete. My thoughts are that Hollis has done a great job in marketing and getting dealers to sell them (which in itself should be a big plus due to the sheer number of users and dealers).
I know I'm missing a lot so if you have anything you think is relevant please speak up!
My thanks again to everyone who has contributed here, your comments, experience and expertise is greatly appreciated!
rock92
Contributor
I will offer my two cents then in regards to the O2ptima. I got mine in January of this year and it was my first rebreather and I had never done a try dive either. I chose this one because my dive shop/instructor uses it and I got a smoking deal (5 hour unit for half price). After having slugged around double 120's, putting on my little backpack of a unit was a dream.
My buddies and I dive almost every weekend, so 8 months later I have had plenty of time to get acquainted with it. It is compact, sturdy, easy to assemble and prepare, works every time, and functions very well. I love having the cartridges over the granular sorb - easy in and out. And with the BMCL and BOV, no dangly hoses and switches nor bulky counter lungs hanging around my neck and chest.
In summary, I am not 'meh' about mine, I love it. Easy to care for, easy to use, and a crap ton of capability.
My buddies and I dive almost every weekend, so 8 months later I have had plenty of time to get acquainted with it. It is compact, sturdy, easy to assemble and prepare, works every time, and functions very well. I love having the cartridges over the granular sorb - easy in and out. And with the BMCL and BOV, no dangly hoses and switches nor bulky counter lungs hanging around my neck and chest.
In summary, I am not 'meh' about mine, I love it. Easy to care for, easy to use, and a crap ton of capability.
Nobody I talked to 'loves' the optima, I got a solid meh feeling from anyone I talked to about it.
@Superlyte27
lol, I can point to 20 people locally who love their Optima
broncobowsher
Contributor
I think I can come close to that locally with rEvo divers.
I know lots of people who like their revo. I thought my revo was the best thing ever for four years. Then I dove other rebreathers and changed my mind. Lol
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