"Kate Rowley" <krowl001@udcf.gla.ac.uk> wrote in message

They don't usually, this was a "special" return of ten or twenty units from
the chap that the evolution was designed for, they were too heavy for him
and his guests.

Inspirations are no different to any other diving life support equipment,
I'd choose to get it factory serviced before I thought about using it.  Also
you need to be aware that with the imminent release of the Evolution and the
new Inspiration v2 electronics, Ambient Pressure are going to be very very
busy.... even if you were to order a new one, the turn around will be
delayed.

There are two types of regs, Seaman Sub on the very first units and Apeks on
the newer ones, these can be serviced at your LDS

The hoses, lungs etc - you'll need to clean - Buddy Clean is about 15.00

You should replace the cells regardless of what you've been told about them,
thats UKP? 55.00 each, you want three to use and I'd suggest three spare.

You'll want CRP2 like batteries, Energiser are the factory recommendations
but most people get Panasonics from MX2 http://www.mx2.com, and use them
without too many issues, each unit requires two and you'll want two spare.

If you read and familiarise yourself with the manual
http://www.apdiving.com/manual.htm at the back in appendix 9  you'll find
the predive checks - get the old owner to pre-dive the unit, assuming it
holds negative and positive pressure checks and calibrates ok there
shouldn't be too much wrong with it.

Pay close attention to the handsets and head unit, the handsets in some of
the older models cracked allowing water in - check the general condition and
marking - ask to see the unit calibrate. Next look inside the head - it
should be very clean and check the wiring on the molex connector to the
galvanic cells, this is a crimped connection and is exposed to O2 and
moisture - any black "verdigris" or shite :-) it needs to go to the factory
to be serviced - depending on if / when this was last done, it could cost
60-70 or 250-300.

If the unit is anything other than standard - I'd avoid it. - If you are in
any doubt call the factory with the serial numbers from the head and they
can give you the history and tell you who they think the owner is.

I'm sure others can add some more.

HTH

Frank Bruce
http://www.e-aquanauts.com

It's a closed list  I'm afraid administered by AP for owners
of the box. It does tend to get the more interesting traffic
as it is monitored by the factory and many of those who
have done serious time on the unit.

It also gets many of the *for sale* ads as people know there
will be no problem selling but nobody want a unit falling into
in unntrained hands with danger of putting another one on
the statistics.

nigelH

It's a closed list (as Nigel says) so I can't add you to it I'm
afraid. The powers that be in the factory add people when they get
informed of them being on a course. Not enough people get added to the
list IMO, however.

As for looking for a 2nd-hand unit, let myself or one of the other
regular yellow boxers know when you are actively looking for a unit and
we'll post a 'wanted' message for you.

Gordon