Megalodon Apeks 2.7



Closed Circuit eCCR //
1 August

READ THIS FIRST!

Read this first!

Rebreather tests

People ask me many times which rebreather is the best one in the market. I usually reply that it depends on the application of the rebreather and the diving experience by the user. Does he/she travel a lot? Does he/she wants to make only recreational dives? Is he/she a cave diver? Or deep diver?

Rebreathers differ a lot. Very important are the “roots” of the manufacturer/inventor. Is he (yes: we have only male manufacturers…) a metalworker, a programmer, a marine, an engineer, …? It can have a big impact on the design of the rebreather.

There is also a difference in build quality, safety features and additional features. And of course: the price.

I have quite a lot of experience (in the field) with rebreathers. Some rebreathers are better than others (depending on the type of dive I make with them). So I tried, based on my personal experience, to rate the rebreathers. Five stars is the highest rate. One star is the lowest. The overall rating is the average of the ratings of the subcategories, which are:

1.  Ease of use (set-up, maintenance)
2.   Buoyancy/trim
3.  Work of breathing (WOB)/automatic Diluent Valve (ADV)/lungs 
4.  Travel (modularity) 
5.  Safety 
6.  Price 
7.  Service/after sales/availability of parts 
8.  Build quality 
9.  Cave diving 
10.   Deep and X-treme diving (deeper than 100 mtr)

All subcategories have the same weight for the total “verdict”.

Regarding safety: this is a difficult category. Does adding safety-items to a rebreather (such as CO2 monitors, auto-breathe-detection, etc.) really increase the safety? Those items can brake and might make rebreather-divers technology-dependent… It’s like cars: safety equipment (like ABS, airbags, brake assist, etc.) makes cars also accessible for bad drivers… Is a rebreather without electronics safer than a rebreather fully loaded with electronics? Check out the tests… I didn’t perform tests on the rebreathers in a lab. E.g. when I talk about the WOB, it is my personal experience and NOT the result of a lab test. I understand that some manufacturers will not be happy with my conclusions and that they want react on the rating. They can do so by sending an e-mail or replying on the forum on my website. Again: the verdict is based on my personal experience and I have personal preferences as well. Those preferences will have an effect on the way I view rebreathers. Another individual might have a completely different view on the rating. Furthermore I want to make absolutely clear that any rebreather manufacturer does not influence me in any way. I’m only interested in their product: rebreathers!

CCR Computer tests 

I have quite a lot of experience (in the field) with rebreathers and CCR computers. Some rebreathers and computers are better than others (depending on the type of dive I make with them). So I tried, based on my personal experience, to rate the CCR computers. Five stars is the highest rate. One star is the lowest. The overall rating is the average of the ratings of the subcategories, which are:

  1. Ease of use (set-up, maintenance)
  2. Functionality
  3. Operating depth
  4. Reliability and build quality
  5. Price
  6. Service/after sales/availability of parts

All subcategories have the same weight for the total “verdict”. 

I didn’t perform tests on the computers in a lab. E.g. when I talk about the batteries, it is my personal experience and NOT the result of a lab test. I understand that some manufacturers will not be happy with my conclusions and that they want react on the rating. They can do so by sending an e-mail or replying on the forum on my website. Again: the verdict is based on my personal experience and I have personal preferences as well. Those preferences will have an effect on the way I view computers. Another individual might have a completely different view on the rating. Furthermore I want to make absolutely clear that any computer manufacturer does not influence me in any way. I’m only interested in their product: ccr computers!

Pim van der Horst

Director Pim’s Tekdiving PTD


 

Name:

Megalodon Apeks 2.7

Manufacturer:

Innerspace Systems Corporation (ISC)

Website:

http://www.customrebreathers.com/

Since:

1999

Type:

eCCR

CE:

Yes, since 2011

Lungs:

Over the shoulder

Weight:

25 - 29 kg (ready to dive)

Scrubber duration:

3 hours

Weight Scrubber:

2.5 kg

ADV (Automatic Diluent Valve):

Yes

HUD (Head Up Display):

Yes

BOV (Bail Out Valve):

Optional

(Deco-) computer:

Optional (Shearwater)

Tanks:

3 ltr

My deepest dive with the unit:

160 mtr

Price:

12.000 EUR (ex shipping, incl. taxes) Depending on exchange rate USD/EUR

 

General:

2 stars: has been downgraded because of stop of production and stop of support from 2017. New version Meg15 is hard to get. Long delivery times and no CE certification. 

The Megalodon is the best CCR I dived sofar. It is my preferred CCR. For many purposes and different dives. Rounded up it got 5 stars, for several reasons: robustness, easy of use, ease of travel, modularity, trim/buoyancy. But now I downgraded the Meg because of the high USD. Other CCR’s have copied the concept of the Meg, which shows its perfect design. The only drawback is its price… Quite expensive. But is worth the “pain”. I used the Meg in several environments (cave, wreck, sea, sweet water) and it always performed without any problems. Maintenance is easy an setting up the unit is quickly done. I’m quite “tough” on my equipment and the Meg always resists my “bad” handling. For travelling the Meg is the best unit as well. Because of its modularity one can divide parts all over the suitcases. I always put the head with the electronics in my hand luggage.

1. Ease of use (set-up, maintenance)

5 stars

It’s easy to calibrate the unit and to prepare it for diving. Also taking it apart can be done in several minutes.

2. Buoyancy/trim

4 stars

Trim is good, but depends strongly of the placement of extra weight.

3. WOB

4 stars

The position of the lungs makes it a unit, which is easy to breathe. The WOB of the Meg is good in every position.

4. Travel (modularity)

5 stars

One can put on any size tanks. Any backplate. And even any BCD and any first stages.

5. Safety

5 stars

Although its lack of very advanced technology, its robustness is legendary and an example for the CCR market. The Meg is practically indestructible. It has all the necessary safety features like a HUD, back up unit and ADV. A BOV (non-CE) is optional.

6. Price

1 star

A lot of money is needed (in Europe). Transportation and import duties make it an expensive unit. Flying over to Seattle to pick up the unit personally (and skip customs) is sometimes cheaper.

7. Service/after sales/availability parts

1 star

Bad after sales. Difficult to contact manufacturer. Long delivery times.

8. Build quality

5 stars

Indestructible.

9. Cave diving

5 stars

Only the necessary safety items are “on board”: no “over-engineering”. The Meg can be easily adapted to specific (cave) environments.

10. Deep and X-treme diving

4 stars

The unit is CE rated until 100 mtr. The handsets to 140 mtr. People who dive the Meg deeper then 140 mtr put baby oil in the handsets. On my dive to 160 mtr I did not do that.

Liberty eCCR Training