Dive Computer Calibration/Accuracy curiosity

[searay250]

In my experiences shopping / comparing all of the dive computers, wondering if there are technical reviews verifying the accuracy to which the dive computers perform and their calibration tolerances, ect. For example, In a controlled test environment, If I take the "Brand X" dive computer to a depth of exactly 75 ft. with a known calibrated amount of air (psi). What does the computer tell me that I have ? Just wodering how the accuracy among the leading models compare ? Are there any periodic and published technical comparisons ?

[cummings66]

The specs are sometimes in the owners manual. The Cochran manual I was reading this weekend claimed 1%. I don't recall what if any are from my Oceanic.

[CompuDude]

I think I've seen some accuracy testing in one or two of the Scuba Diving Mag reviews... I think. But nothing consistent.

[cummings66]

I looked at my VT3's manual and it like the cochran manual says +- 1% of depth, and 1 second per day for the clock.

I'll bet that's common and depending on what dide of +- they fall you can expect variances.

[rfb3]

Week before last my buddy and I compared readings at depth (75') in the BVI, and they were right on. Or, maybe they were both off??? I have an Oceanic Vera Pro, but I cannot remember what his brand is...

[cummings66]

I had a dive where my buddies computer showed 144 feet and mine showed 138 feet. My Timex Helix shows about 1 foot off of mine too.

My buddies Cochran and mine show the same. I think it just varies.

[Chocoholic]

On my AOW class my Instructor and I compared computers at depth, his was 1 foot more than mine but the water temp was the same. I have a conservative computer Suunto Vyper can't remember what his was.

[FyVe]

the ones that i've seen spec'd out, say 1% of depth

[CompuDude]

Even more fun is the fact that there are two settings on computers: Salt water and fresh water. If your computer is set to fresh water, it will read deeper than your actual depth in salt water.

In order to err on the conservative side, a number of computers are pre-set for fresh water. If you don't know to check this setting, you may be diving a bit shallower than you thought you were!

[Aussie]

I have a Suunto D9 and a Suunto Vytec. The difference in the depth between the two in slatwater is 10cm and the difference between both computers when AI is used is sometimes 1 bar.

Aussie