dive computer life cycle?

[lsusaints7]

I know that PC's have an extremely short lifecycle, but what about dive computers?
When are they considered obsolete?
How long do computer manufacturers like oceanic/aeris and uwatec keep a model around before releasing a "new" computer?
Aren't they all based off the same algorithms they have been using for many years just making them more conservative for liability reasons?

I am considering purchasing one before my OW certification dive, but if I only use it two or three times a year, I might just save my money and use dive tables and pick up a used Uwatec Galileo a year from now. I just hate to buy something, just to find out I will need something better later on. Any answers and suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[rye_a]

If you get a good, Nx capable computer with nice features like backlight, etc. you should be happy for quite awhile.

[rfb3]

Ditto what Rye said... Just don't let the water in.

[cummings66]

A dive computer isn't really like a pc, it has a much longer time of usage. However, given that you think you're only going to dive 2 or 3 times a year I'd say rent one when you need it and use tables the other times.

No use having something setting around you can't use.

There is the hassle of learning a new dive computer every time you rent one though, but most people can read a manual and figure it out well enough for the basics.

[SkuaSeptember]

I'm gonna second Rye on this, and you can get a pretty decent computer for just a couple hundred. A Galileo at $1600 is going to be way more than you need if you are only diving a few times each year. Also, while understanding the tables is fundamental, I think the infrequency of your diving would suggest using a computer as opposed to "boning up" on the tables a couple of times each year.
As for how long they last, I have an 8 YO Suunto and a 6 YO Uwatec both going strong.

[rye_a]

I went with an Oceanic Geo and really like it. It is easy to use and is a nice compact size while still being completely legible. Great price, too.

[Rockhound76]

I still dive with my old USD Monitor I. I"m not sure, but I bet it's at least 10yrs. old. Aside from the hassle of sending it in for a battery change every few years, it's been great. Until recently, it was my primary computer, because the numbers are so large and easy to read.

Now that I have magnifiers in my mask, I'm going to a Fathom 55 as primary with a not-so-old (7 yrs.) USD Matrix as backup for air dives. I'll give the Monitor to my son as backup as it will autostart (the matrix needs to be started before the first dive of the day-he's young and might forget.).

I went to the Fathom (Cochran EMC-14 technology) primarily for Nitrox (no backup on that), to be able to download profiles to DAN and to match my son's algorithm, as I got him one last year.

[dannybot]

Originally Posted by rye_a

If you get a good, Nx capable computer with nice features like backlight, etc. you should be happy for quite awhile.

That's what I did, but you might actually decide what kind of diving you are really going to do, before you buy a computer. If you don't do any night diving, and you wind up not doing nitrox, then a simple air computer should suffice.

As far as design obsolescence like your PC, the DC is preloaded with the software, using the existing algorythms, so until research changes the algorythms, a computer should work effectively indefinitely.

So finish your training, dive some, then decide what you need. You may not need wireless AI, download capability, trimix.....

Good luck and good diving.

[lsusaints7]

Thanks for all the great advice. I have looked at what seems to be hundreds of different models, but alot of manufacutres will create one computer and rebadge it and sell it under three or four different names (cressi archimedes II, Zeagle N2ition, and Dive rite nitek duo are all the same) so it isn't as daunting as I once thought.

I know there are some that will probably flame me for this, but I am thick skinned. I am ultimately planning on spearfishing around oil rigs in the gulf of mexico. The fish there can be quite deep, up to 200' and deeper. So I was wondering if I should get a computer that will allow for multi gas switching (which I know nothing about).

The Cressi Archimedes II is only $80 more than the Mares M2, and will allow for gas switching. These are the two I narrowed it down to. The mares being the cheapest Nitrox computer available, and the acrchimedes II being the cheapest muli-gas computer available. Any suggestions? (i know it is like asking which is better chocolate ice cream or homemade vanilla)

Before I do any of that I still have to get my basic NAUI OW cert. Will the advanced open water certification teach me decompression diving? or is there a different class I need for that?

Thanks again for everyone's help.

[RoyN]

I think the first thing to do is don't buy anything at the moment. Start the class, ask many questions about the computer with the teacher and then after when you complete your certification, get some dives in, do some research, and then go buy your computer.