Wisdom Required

[EE-JIT]

I am looking at getting my first rebreather, im an AN / DP Sidemount diver based in Asia but travel for diving 2-3 times a year within the region.

I have narrowed it down to 2 primary choices

1). Choptima - travel friendly, robust, trimix compatible for future growth. / small counter lungs doesn't seem to be much service capacity in Asia

2). JJ - Well catered for in SEA, CE Certified, indestructible, will do anything / Not travel friendly

First question:

1). are my above assumptions on point?
2). Will a Choptima handle cold water diving?
3). I am a big bloke, will maller counter lungs hurt compared to the JJ, 6l vs 8l.
4). Is there a community of Chop divers in SEA? that i haven't been able to identify thus far. 1 very good instructor in Thailand, but not much in Phils or elsewhere in SEA.

Thanks in advance

EE-JIT

 

[makar0n]

Might want to reach out to Marc Crane / TekDeep Asia in Amed, Bali. There is also Kevin, who is currently training to be a 2nd Choptima instructor there. Mostly teaching Choptima/Revo but also FX-CCR and Liberty. Marc is rather well known worldwide I would say.
Fun mix of divers from all over the place but quite a few folks from SEA region as well, lots of regulars - most dive Choptimas/Revos though sometimes something odd shows up as well. Once you go there its hard to leave

Travel wise Choptima wins hands down - cannot beat 7kg travel weight (w/o cylinder).
Choptima latest version lung size is about 6.6 liters I think - if unsure, best visit your doctor and do spirometry that will measure your lung volume, just to be sure.
As for cold water suitability - Ben Lair regularly does trips Choptima to Scandinavia and even more North.
You could also consider just doing some try dives first, before ordering anything.

 

[cybernetic]

Might want to reach out to Marc Crane / TekDeep Asia in Amed, Bali. There is also Kevin, who is currently training to be a 2nd Choptima instructor there. Mostly teaching Choptima/Revo but also FX-CCR and Liberty. Marc is rather well known worldwide I would say.
Fun mix of divers from all over the place but quite a few folks from SEA region as well, lots of regulars - most dive Choptimas/Revos though sometimes something odd shows up as well. Once you go there its hard to leave

Travel wise Choptima wins hands down - cannot beat 7kg travel weight (w/o cylinder).
Choptima latest version lung size is about 6.6 liters I think - if unsure, best visit your doctor and do spirometry that will measure your lung volume, just to be sure.
As for cold water suitability - Ben Lair regularly does trips Choptima to Scandinavia and even more North.
You could also consider just doing some try dives first, before ordering anything.

Thanks makar0n.

Hi Kevin here, CM O2ptima Instructor Candidate, primarily operating at the Tek Deep Asia facility (Marc Crane's facility). Our community in Indonesia is growing—I'm personally aware of at least 12 Indonesian divers, 10 of whom are using the unit, and there are others as well. I know of two individuals planning to take the Diver Level course in March and they are currently looking for training dates. Additionally, Marc has also taught several Singaporean divers at Tek Deep.

I'm TDI CM Op2tima Mixed Gas (MOD2) Diver, and plan to take TDI Advance Mixed Gas (MOD3) in January (with Marc of course).

Some IG Story


Here is from a try dive session


We also quite capable (hopefully) to do parts replacement, and have quite stocks on spares across the divers.


Feel free to contact me also for further information...

 

[EE-JIT]

Might want to reach out to Marc Crane / TekDeep Asia in Amed, Bali. There is also Kevin, who is currently training to be a 2nd Choptima instructor there. Mostly teaching Choptima/Revo but also FX-CCR and Liberty. Marc is rather well known worldwide I would say.
Fun mix of divers from all over the place but quite a few folks from SEA region as well, lots of regulars - most dive Choptimas/Revos though sometimes something odd shows up as well. Once you go there its hard to leave

Travel wise Choptima wins hands down - cannot beat 7kg travel weight (w/o cylinder).
Choptima latest version lung size is about 6.6 liters I think - if unsure, best visit your doctor and do spirometry that will measure your lung volume, just to be sure.
As for cold water suitability - Ben Lair regularly does trips Choptima to Scandinavia and even more North.
You could also consider just doing some try dives first, before ordering anything.

This is great thanks, an aussie pal has just reccomended him also.

I think the Choptima is looking like a win, a good balance of travel ability, flexability for future growth, and possibility of other divers with a Choptima.

who says internet forums dont bring value.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

Read this page that I have been keeping up regarding the Choptima.

 

[happy-diver]

Marc Crane isn't opposed to having a go at anything homebuilt you may want to take there

 

[Edward3c]

I am looking at getting my first rebreather, im an AN / DP Sidemount diver based in Asia but travel for diving 2-3 times a year within the region.

I have narrowed it down to 2 primary choices

1). Choptima - travel friendly, robust, trimix compatible for future growth. / small counter lungs doesn't seem to be much service capacity in Asia

2). JJ - Well catered for in SEA, CE Certified, indestructible, will do anything / Not travel friendly

First question:

1). are my above assumptions on point?
2). Will a Choptima handle cold water diving?
3). I am a big bloke, will maller counter lungs hurt compared to the JJ, 6l vs 8l.
4). Is there a community of Chop divers in SEA? that i haven't been able to identify thus far. 1 very good instructor in Thailand, but not much in Phils or elsewhere in SEA.

Thanks in advance

EE-JIT

For Thailand, contact Tim Lawrence at ‘Dive Tech Thailand’ . Not only does he teach, but runs exploration expeditions in SEA and worldwide.