diving computers

Huggyd · 05-20-2007, 10:28 PM

Here a pretty basic question about gear (I really don’t think it will madder, more then likely comes down to personal preference) Diving computers? From what I know of them can be set up as part of your gauge set or on your wrist like a watch. What is the best setup for these?

scubatoys · 05-20-2007, 10:55 PM

It's really a personal preference. The first question is do you want one that is air integrated... meaning the computer is also watching your air pressure and giving you info like how long will your dive last based on your depth and air pressure.

If doing that kind, there on ones on your wrist like the Oceanic VT3 that do all that with a hose-less transmitter.

Or you can get into integrated air on just a plain console like the Data Max.

But as you can see... this feature makes it a bit more expensive. I like the two together - both air and depth. I feel if you are looking at one - you should see the other. If you look at a race car driver, they don't have a gauge here, another over there - they are together in a cluster... why should scuba be different.

So I'd do a computer in a console, unless I wanted it on my wrist, and the only way I'd do it on my wrist is with one of the air integrated ones.

There... now you're probably more confused than when you started!!

**MgicTwnger** · 05-20-2007, 10:56 PM

Wrist or console is a matter of preference.
I would recommend that you stay away from air-integrated and wireless, stick to a mechanical SPG (submersable pressure gauge). That reading is too important to risk with computer failure. I use a console with computer and SPG. Compass and bottom timer/backup computer go on my wrist.

Huggyd · 05-20-2007, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MgicTwnger

Wrist or console is a matter of preference.
I would recommend that you stay away from air-integrated and wireless, stick to a mechanical SPG (submersable pressure gauge). That reading is too important to risk with computer failure. I use a console with computer and SPG. Compass and bottom timer/backup computer go on my wrist.

I'm missing thinging here. most people say that a dive computer is one of the 1st peices of equ. that one should buy, your saying the oppsite? I can read the gaugs just fine (again I'm in a pool) and have no problems dealing with the gaugs but I would think that the computer would take away the human error from the chart reading.

Oceanic VT3 wow $900.00
Data Max $800 still wow

I was thinking more along the line of
Genesis Resource Pro Air Computer Console
http://www.scubatoys.com/store/Scuba_Air_Computers.asp
about 1/2 down the page.

**MgicTwnger** · 05-21-2007, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huggyd

I'm missing thinging here. most people say that a dive computer is one of the 1st peices of equ. that one should buy, your saying the oppsite? I can read the gaugs just fine (again I'm in a pool) and have no problems dealing with the gaugs but I would think that the computer would take away the human error from the chart reading.

Oceanic VT3 wow $900.00
Data Max $800 still wow

I was thinking more along the line of
Genesis Resource Pro Air Computer Console
http://www.scubatoys.com/store/Scuba_Air_Computers.asp
about 1/2 down the page.

I'm not saying that at all. The SPG gives you the amount of air in your tank, and a mechanical one, seperate from the computer, will still work if the computer fails.
Most everybody dives with computers, but most experienced divers, and even some dummies like me, have mechanical SPG's along with non-air-integrated computers.

scubatoys · 05-21-2007, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huggyd

I was thinking more along the line of
Genesis Resource Pro Air Computer Console
http://www.scubatoys.com/store/Scuba_Air_Computers.asp
about 1/2 down the page.

Ok, if avoiding the air integrated feature... I'd still try to talk you into getting one that has Nitrox Capability, down load ability, and audible alarms...

For example this one http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detai...D=Atmos22Gauge has more features for less money than the other one you were looking at.

New divers have a tendency of being "scared" of nitrox - but fear not. All nitrox computers - when you turn them on - they assume you are just diving air. But you have the ability to switch it to nitrox later if you start diving nitrox at another time (which you will!)

**MgicTwnger** · 05-21-2007, 06:15 PM

I would also suggest getting a nitrox capable computer. Sooner or later you will probably want to do nitrox, besides the cost is minimal.

Huggyd · 05-21-2007, 11:49 PM

Wow this is blowing my mind.

ok, thanks for all the help clearing this up.

maybe someone could type up a list of Preference that a computer should have so when I go out to pick one up I'm not buying a computer that makes coffee and opens my beer.
or a list of Manufactures and the Name of the computer.

Can't really afford to keep buying these because I should have had this option or that option, you know.

Thanks people

**glynneco** · 05-22-2007, 01:15 AM

Ah yes computers! I prefer mechanical depth, air and compass on my SPG. My computer is wrist mounted. Isolates the most likely failure point. My bottom timer (ie watch) is on the other arm. In case there is a computer failure I'm not completely screwed. If I travel light the computer can be on my wrist. The TSA boys don't even notice. It is also more convenient to just walk upstairs to the PC and download the dives vs messing with the SPG to do the same. I can also lumber around on the boat or home or room and plan dives. This is only appreciated when you are diving with a shop/boat that stores your equipment and the only time you see it is on the boat already set up. Lazy man diving.... no lugging steel 120's or schlepping gear bags for those difficult blue water dives in warm tropical water..... sorry, tangent.
I have suunto vyper that I love. I would dump it in a second for a Dive Rite NiTek Duo. I love the large numbers in the display, old eyes you know.