first of all: yes it would have been a reasonable price for this unit.
it's a rather old discussion but still some arguments going on here. first things first: i did my training on an MK VI and yes: it got me hooked. the whole CCR stuff is not getting out of my head anymore. i even wrote an
article about my CCR experience because i was so fascinated about it
I like that the unit is soon to be upgradable to true tek style diving .
having read the
MV VI Manual 2.4 again: the Poseidon MK VI is a type R eCCR and therefore not fully able to perform full tec/trimix functionalities. as described in appendix 2 (p. 89) it is possible to do deco-diving with different dilluents but no less O2 than 16%. even with a Deco 48m Trimix battery it does NOT allow to go deeper than 48m/~150ft. the equipment is not made for this kind of diving. since Type T CCRs need to meet substantially different requirements such as the possibility of manual dilluent handling (which you don't learn in the CCR OW/AOW class), at least one backup-display and of course the proper rating >100m/330ft.
The MKVI is an upgradeable eCCR. You can even purchase the unit with the "tech" upgrades day one, if you so choose but only after you've had the proper training. Anyway, Poseidon MKVI units have user-swappable battery/computer modules. The standard module comes with the ref-diver limits, while there are two other modules that will take the unit up to Trimix-Deco diving. So, purchasing the MKVI is a pretty good idea, because you don't have to sell or replace the unit when your skills improve and/or you looking to extend your eCCR dive experience.
trying tec within the limits of the given specs sounds reasonably. the point i wanted to make (since a few people argued about it in this thread): the MK VI is NOT a tec/trimix rebreather. the specifics of the upgraded version (and how to upgrade older models) will only be released in a few months since sale for the new CCR will apparently start in November (
according to Poseidon).
if anyone is asking why this answer is written in a rather direct way: pushing the limits in this type of diving is exactly what results in serious injuries and can lead to dramatic consequences. yes it is interesting down there, this is why i took the
tec/trimix class. but this is also why you learn to know your limits. and the equipments limits are part of this set of limits - in my opinion.
Other than not having any manual input for O2 injection, what would be the issue with using this unit at say 220fsw when the upgrades come available? Obviously I would carry OC for bailout.
if you bought the new version which will be available sometime later this year then yes.
since this is not the case yet just a few questions on how to react in an emergency situation 20min into the dive on 220ft:
what gas would you bring?
how much gas would it be (since you don't want to carry 2 80cf's i guess)?
what mix have you been breathing during the dive?
at what depths do you stop and for how long?
i am aware that these questions can be asked in TEC/Trimix CCR diving at any point BUT: the difference between the current MK VI and a type T CCR is that a lot more failsafe-measures have to fail before it comes to this whereas a type R CCR is just not made for it.
thom