Abyssalblue,
I own and dive both an Inspiration and 15. I don't have a favorite...they're both really strong in different areas. I originally choose the 15 for some of the reasons you pointed out in your post. The 15 had a ton of dives on it and I felt comfortable with the design. I wasn't overly concerned with the parts availability issue, because I felt like I could make or find any part I needed. So far I've been right, but sometimes I've spent a considerable time making that happen. I've also spent a lot of money on the 15 for items that I did not originally plan for. In the water, I've come to really appreciate the hydrodynamics of the 15...it swims really well. I also appreciate not having my chest cluttered with counterlungs. Many people disagree on this next point, but I feel the unit breathes very well. The notable exception is the positive lung load you experience when you swim upside down (on your back, looking up)...the slang for this is "chipmunk cheeks" and this is pretty accurate. I'm still surprised how dramatic this is. But in a prone or supine position, I think it breathes great. A notable draw back, is that the unit is not very flood tolerant. Even modest amounts of water (like from practice drills) in the unit will cause you to hear gurgling in the exhaust hose, although it takes a pretty huge amount of water to actually get the canister wet, and even more to soak it enough to get a caustic cocktail. Another thing I've heard people complain about, but have not found to be uncomfortable is the oxygen and diluent addition paddles behind your back on the sides of the unit. Isn't much of a stretch to get to, and I find them easily. My unit is equipped with Juergensen fourth generation electronics, and I would recommend this upgrade to anyone. I elected to keep the analog secondary display, which you can easily manually fly the unit with, should your electronics die for some reason (it runs off the cell voltage
needs no batteries, and is very robust.) The original harness on most all units have long deteriorated, and most units are converted to some sort of wing and harness arrangement. I've tried several arrangements, and I've found Oxycheq's O-pack and Signature series wing to be pretty awesome. Although I originally thought cleaning the rig after diving was a huge pain, Ive come to learn it is better than I originally thought. The bad points of the MK15 are the availability of parts (I'm currently looking for a counterlung for mine), the persistent leaks in the Swagelock fittings, the fiberglass hull and cover (most are old and starting to deteriorate), the packing of the canister (takes me 45 minutes but is a non issue on the 15.5's or 16's, although as far as I know there are only 2 MK16's in existence outside the Military), and the spheres (even though they are the ideal shape to hold a gas, they're really hard to find, extremely expensive when you do, I haven't found a place to hydro them...don't even know if you're supposed to, and some places won't fill them because they're not DOT approved or in hydro.)
The reason I bought an Inspiration was because I wanted a rig that was more reliable
and I think the Inspiration is at or near the top of that list. Some people have reported trouble with the electronics, but I think the vast majority of people have found them to be trouble free
.my only complaint with them is that they are only setpoint controllers
Ive been spoiled by the on board decompression in my Juergensen Gen 4s on the 15. The Hammerhead is currently available which adds Heads Up Display (HUD) with a vibrating alarm, trimix deco, and holds setpoint very tight (w/o cell drift.) APV is also going to introduce the Evolution (w/ 2 hour canister duration) and another version with longer duration that will have new electronics with these features (latest release date is end of May.) On diving the unit, I found it to breathe very easily in every position (very similar, or only slightly better than the 15). Upside down its still somewhat uncomfortable, but considerably better than the 15. The unit is not as streamlined in the water, and a little harder to swim
but still pretty good. The canister packs very easily (only takes me about five minutes to pack it properly) and has a 3 hour rated duration. (Some say the rating is conservative and actually lasts longer
but scrubber is cheap
why push it?) The unit sets up pretty easily, and there are very few gottcha type items. (Quite a few on the 15.) The unit comes standard with a pretty nice harness and wing setup. Its definitely not Hogarthian
there is a lot of junk hanging on your front, and the D rings arent my favorite
but you can easily change them out or fit a new harness and wing. Compared to the 15, I find the counterlungs to take up quite a lot of real estate on my chest. Theyre considerably less obnoxious if you use a crotch strap. An ADV is available as an option. I first considered it mandatory, and it does reduce task loading, but is less of an issue than I originally thought
although Im still glad to have it sometimes. The unit comes standard with ADVs version of the AIR2. Although I like the AIR2 for recreational OC diving, I dislike it on the Inspiration. It makes donating air to a buddy very uncomfortable. (In OC you donate your primary and switch to the AIR2
in CC youd stay on the loop and donate your AIR2
now your panicked out of air diver is 1 foot away from you, and in control of your BC. The MK15 doesnt have any provisions standard
most carry a pony.) Now I carry a pony on all dives, even shallow and/or short dives, in the future I plan on switching my Inspiration to a standard inflator and octopus. The Inspiration is easier than the 15 to do a quick cleaning
but tougher to do a good cleaning, because of access to the inside of the counterlungs. My Inspiration has the ABS plastic case and cover
it seems to be very durable. Ive ordered several spare parts from Silent Diving (the US distributor) and received my parts quickly and without issue or hassle. Ive found Cliff and Mike to be very professional and easy to work with.
Both rigs pack for shipping and travel about the same. The 15 in a large UK box ends up being a little lighter and easier to move around (wheels) than the standard Inspiration box. I havent changed the Inspiration box, because it will push the weight up over 70
bad for flying, as it is I have to take a cylinder out of the rig, and pack it in another bag to get to 70 lbs. Im more worried when I ship my 15
I know I can get another Inspiration that looks just like the one I have
In closing, if I had to pick one rig between the 15 and Inspiration, Id have to pick the Inspiration. But I really like diving and cant imagine selling my 15. Oh yeah
the Inspiration is 2/3 the cost
forgot to mention that.
Later,
Ryan
PS You didn't ask about it, but the Megladon is worth a closer look, too. I haven't dove one (yet) but I've looked at it closely and it looks like it's extremely well machined and put together...and I think Leon has a reputation of taking care of his customers. Tom Mount (head of IANTD) dive's a Meg...
