Megalodon info required

[Alan]

I am keen to get a new Rebreather, the Megalodon seems to be the one which most suits my style of diving, lightweight with good range of functionality.

Now there are always modifications and future updates in the pipleline, so should I wait till the newyear for the latest release which I am told is coming out or go now with whats in production?

I am told reliably prices for these are about to go up so trying to decide between holding of for a future version which has no particularly deliverly date or going with the current.

Any advice on the unit, and how it should be modified would be appreciated.

[Janos]

There's a unit over on Rebreather World - Rebreathers for Scuba Diving - the next step at the moment which looks like a good deal. There are also more meg divers so you'll get a better idea of pros and cons. The problem with rebreathers is that they're such a financial and emotional investment that you will never get an unbiased answer.

Regarding futureproofing etc, then I quite like whoever's sig. it is that says "The second mouse gets the cheese". I wouldn't buy a new version of something. Wait six months so that they have all the bugs smoothed out. I think the difference is that current version doesn't have deco in the electronics and the new ones will.

Hmmm. I'd just get a KISS. Much better unit

Janos

[Nick S]

Alan
PM sent

[Simon TW]

Originally Posted by Janos

Hmmm. I'd just get a KISS. Much better unit

Janos

Now you don't really expect anyone to believe that do you.

I have just got a Meg, it's okay a well engineered piece of kit. I haven't dived it enough to be able to give it a proper apraisal, I'm still at the stage where I prefer my Inspiration and Evolution however that may change.

I bought it to travel with because if you really strip it down it will fit on a hired BCD with a couple of cans side slung the wrong way for o2 and dil which you should also be able to hire..

It's not light though.

[turbanator]

Originally Posted by Simon TW

It's not light though.

Kisses are, and you can feed 'em buddy s'lime and stick Inspo cylinders on them.

r
Paul

[gibbon]

Janos is right about the versions, the Meg is continuously evolving in the "hatchery" and you can tell the difference between units built more than a month apart. So perhaps you should wait till 2009 when version 4 is expected?

As for lightweight, you can always tell when someone has never actually smuggled a meg on an International flight... it is more possible than a unit in a box, but a stripped down YBOD is way smaller and lighter, the canister for the meg is a serious lump of ali, like a whole 80CFT cylinder!

Modification - each to their own, you will work out what you want to change over time, people make a lot of modifications to their units, thats the way it is, what is right for one person may not be for you.

If you want to see the ultimate stripped down unit then go and see Cedric and his "Meg Coupe".

[Ken]

The Meg is a fine bit of machinery. It breaks down easily for travel, although (as mentioned) the can is is substantial piece of metal. However, that's more lead off your waist. You can see me using the unit here during an Alaskan expedition:

Alaska Shipwreck History, Diving and Research - look under Torrent expedition.

So far, the unit has been quite versatile. Of course, upgrades to the electronics are expected, but I am sure that these mods. can be added to the existing hardware? I first tried a Meg prototype in 2000-1? The canister and head design haven't really changed all that much from what I can see.

I've used a bunch of RB's over the years...including owning a KISS which I consider workable, but not expedition class. The Cis was gifted. The Insp. is nice, but was always a little twitchy. The Meg is tough, versatile and gifted. It's been a solid piece of kit.

[ian Price]

Alan

my advice is to go visit and read some of the posts on rebreather world. There is a range of stuff on comparisons and info on the Meg, as well as some threads re:modifications and developments.

I am sure Dave Cooper would be willing to give you any help and advice you need. I know he teaches inspo, evolution, Meg and has a Boris, and he has a wide range of experience.

Ive just started on the CCR route and did my Mod1 on the inspiration with Andy Hayhurst at Dalesdivers. I liked the unit but had a good look around before buying my own ( I am tight and its a significant investment.) and in the end for a number of reasons, including trying out Andy's Meg, ordered a Meg.

Like all peices of kit, I guess there are as many opinions as there are owners and users! and like all technology there will be a new model or a new modification every month!

Ian

[zepp]

Originally Posted by Simon TW

Now you don't really expect anyone to believe that do you.

YES !!!

[Mark Chase]

I wouldn't bother with a Meg just yet. Id get a second hand Vision and put it in a Deco weeny travel frame and sit on it for two years whilst they sort out the electronics for the Apex and let some crash test dummies play with it for real before you invest in it.

A vision in a weeny frame is a solid unit thats lighter and more compact than a Meg. All it lacks is the cred.

At the moment the Meg has the standard Apex head and if your feeling rich you can then approach Bruce to put a Shear water on it. However even the Shear water isn't as good as the Vision so why bother?

The new dive life head sounds interesting (if you want to be a crash test dummy) but pretty much all the bugs are out of the Vision and its a clever bit of kit with all the latest toys on it.

ATB

Mark Chase