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Just a quick comment on Rod Farbs comparison of a BioMarine 155 to a
Cis-Lunar Mk5.
Rod implied that the Mk5 was overpriced and servicing too restrictive when
compared to his BioMarine.
He quoted aprice of $10,000 + $800 for training + mentioned that modifications
had to be made (at what cost?). This compares to 8000 pounds (not a firm 
price) which includes training, for a unit which to my mind needed no user
modification except perhaps the addition of OC bailout (who on this list
does not already own such equipment). Also, as far as I know, a BioMarine
can't be directly purchased here in the UK nor can the specific training 
be done here. All this makes the cost of the two units very comparable, with
the Mk5 being the much more advanced machine.

What about servicing? Every two years for a service doesn't sound too
bad to me (compare to sevicing of regs and tank inspection). The need
for minor field repairs and the ability of users to fix these themselves
is at the moment a bit of an unknown quantity, we will have to wait and
see. Having said this, much of the Mk4 looked like standard scuba gear
and simple plumbing, the clever bit being the computer control, which 
after 25000 hrs operation should be fairly reliable. The idea of Cis-Lunar
checking up on you to see if you have been a good boy/girl may sound a 
little over the top. But rebreathers are new technology to the general
diving community to which Cis-Lunar (and Oceanic) are hoping to sell
relativelylarge numbers of units. If an incident occurs soon after
the introduction of these units it could have serious consequences to
these companies and there sales in the litigation society we live in.
Having Cis-Lunar looking over your shoulder to see what you are up to
may make people use their units with a little more caution.

I'd love to talk to you about this a TEK but I'm not going so this
post will have to do.

Ian H

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