The New Dive Rite Optima CM - My 30 Hour Review

[BoltSnap]

I think that I got your point

I live in the emea region so I will buy from the mfg or or from their distributors/dealers.

 

[grantmac]

I've been considering a chest-mount CCR for a while now. My son and I are still on the recreational side of things but have several hundred dives each and will have our PADI MCD certifications shortly. We both have low SAC rates and tend to come up when we hit our NDL with still more than 1000 psi. I was considering the DT Go and the Optima CM, and am leaning towards the Optima based on their track record. The Go seams like a decent product, but limited and this being the first version, probably needs some refinement. When you add it all up the Optima CM seams the best deal. Chest mount seams like it would suit our aspirations of going a bit deeper and staying down a bit longer. No aspirations of cave exploration, or super long dives, so full size back-mount is a bit overkill.

Some questions for y'all.

1. Should we be considering any other chest-mount rebreathers? I know there are others, but heard issues with support and getting parts. Dive Right / Optima should not have those issues in the areas we live and dive.
2. Why don't any rebreathers include a CO2 sensor to warn agains sorb breakthrough. I feel like that it should be an obvious addition to help prevent hypercapnia.
3. Should we go down the TDI OC training route before transitioning to CCR. CCRs seam like a far better solution and with the cost of helium, OC seams cost prohibitive over time vs CCR.
4. Any suggestions on who/where to go for Optima CM training if we pull the trigger on buying these rebreathers?

CCR makes zero sense for you. Do AN/DP or similar in some form of doubles.

 

[rddvet]

What difference does that make vs. buying from a dealer/distributor? (iQsub is at the top of my list with JJ and Prism second and third).

Depends on the distributor ;-) That's all I'll say.

I don’t know or care who mr v is referring to as there are a couple of options. I will say that one particular instructor/I believe dealer is beloved by many for their online persona but disliked by many in that instructor’s local community.
I would like to try a chest mount fx ccr but if it meant I had to deal with one person in particular it becomes an immediate no.

 

[BoltSnap]

I don’t know or care who mr v is referring to as there are a couple of options. I will say that one particular instructor/I believe dealer is beloved by many for their online persona but disliked by many in that instructor’s local community.
I would like to try a chest mount fx ccr but if it meant I had to deal with one person in particular it becomes an immediate no.

In the US, there is only one distributor, is this correct?

 

[Heat Miser]

Should we be considering any other chest-mount rebreathers? I know there are others, but heard issues with support and getting parts. Dive Right / Optima should not have those issues in the areas we live and dive.

I'm also going to try out the Halcyon Symbios, its likely to be more expensive, i.e. it comes with a BOV, will be CE rated and can come with solid state o2 sensors.

Why don't any rebreathers include a CO2 sensor to warn agains sorb breakthrough. I feel like that it should be an obvious addition to help prevent hypercapnia.

some do, like an xccr, CO2 sensors work better in dry air

Should we go down the TDI OC training route before transitioning to CCR. CCRs seam like a far better solution and with the cost of helium, OC seams cost prohibitive over time vs CCR.

No just go straight to CCR. there is a growing understanding that being highly experienced on OC is not always a great thing when crossing over to CCR, essentially good CCR training requires a reasonable amount of subsequent practice at recreational depths.

1) Whilst buoyancy management is important, its managed differently on a CCR (through finning, manually adding/dumping to/from wing and drysuit) plus managing CCR loop volume.

2) Whilst having a low SAC rate is good if your bailed out. Shallow breathing (which can produce a low SAC rate on OC) is not good on a CCR, because you need to breath the gas through the scrubbers and Co2 build up is a no-no on CCR (as in all types of diving)

As an example GUE recently restructured its curricula, previously having only allowed Teck 1 certified divers do CCR1, to now requiring entry to an introductory CCR course from a Fundies Teck pass (recreational) regardless of teck experience.

Any suggestions on who/where to go for Optima CM training if we pull the trigger on buying these rebreathers?

try Mr Chopima - Ben Lair. Paragon

 

[makar0n]

I'm also going to try out the Halcyon Symbios, its likely to be more expensive, i.e. it comes with a BOV, will be CE rated and can come with solid state o2 sensors.

Because the only thing better than 2 rebreathers, are 3 of them

 

[Heat Miser]

Because the only thing better than 2 rebreathers, are 3 of them

I may have to sell one of them, can I convince you to buy a rEvo?

BTW you missed Britannic, but there still a spot on Ben's trip to the Soloimons and USS Atlanta tomake use of your superior Choptima skills

 

[rddvet]

In the US, there is only one distributor, is this correct?

Not sure. This person is an instructor but I was under the impression they also sold the unit. I am intentionally being nondescript but those in the know will know the person pretty quickly.