Mares RGBM Algorithm

[Beaucoupfishies]

I was originally planning on getting a Suunto Cobra, but after all the talk of its uber conservancy I was looking around at different computers ST has to offer. Is the Mares MC2 RGBM as conservative as the Suunto? Does the MC2 allow you to adjust how conservative you want it to be?

Also, what is a good comparable model (of any brand) to the Suunto Cobra? I'd like an air integrated console model if possible.

Lastly, my fiancee and I are both recently PADI certified and new homeowners, so our budget is kind of limited right now. We know when given the choice between buying a reg or BC, that you should choose a BC, but what about if the choice was between a BC or a computer? We're both average size, so renting a BC shouldn't be an issue. Is it better to have a computer first so you can have longer dives or should you own your own BC so you can have more comfortable dives?

Thanks for your help, and sorry for all the questions at once.

[rox@ucf11]

I think you will get many different opinions In my opinion since you are just certified it would be good to dive the tables for a little while, and also because your sac rates are probably not the greatest right now you would not reep the full benefit of a computer at this point.

Rent, and wait and see what kind of diving interests you, what features you like/dont like Its good imho to rent gear for awhile, you dont want to buy gear now and 6 months down the road sell it all because its not what you want, or not condusive to the type of diving you would like to do.

[Beaucoupfishies]

Originally Posted by rox@ucf11

I think you will get many different opinions In my opinion since you are just certified it would be good to dive the tables for a little while, and also because your sac rates are probably not the greatest right now you would not reep the full benefit of a computer at this point.

Rent, and wait and see what kind of diving interests you, what features you like/dont like Its good imho to rent gear for awhile, you dont want to buy gear now and 6 months down the road sell it all because its not what you want, or not condusive to the type of diving you would like to do.

Very good suggestion and I like your reasoning. That also leaves more money in the meantime to actually go diving!

[mitsuguy]

I got my computer prior to bc and regs... just because you are a new diver doesn't mean you should limit yourself on multi level dives... look into the oceanic / aeris stuff... very inexpensive, in fact almost too cheap to not have... from a rental standpoint, you can rent bc and regs, but if you are traveling, a computer may be hard to rent... make the bc your next purchase though...

[cummings66]

To me a reg is better to own than rent because you know it's service history.

At any rate, a computer will not always give you maximum dive times. Tables can often equal them depending on the dive profile. Of course, some dive resorts and such require computers, so if that's the case then your decision is made.

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by cummings66

To me a reg is better to own than rent because you know it's service history.

At any rate, a computer will not always give you maximum dive times. Tables can often equal them depending on the dive profile. Of course, some dive resorts and such require computers, so if that's the case then your decision is made.

true, to a point... at the same time, I've never had an issue with a rented reg, nor has my wife, nor have I even heard of a reg with a failure that was rented here on the board...

at the same time, I've heard quite a few stories of regs recently serviced that leaked catastrophically, or quit working completely... I don't believe owning your own regs makes it any safer at all in ~most~ recreational situations...

and as far as a table equaling a computer for dive time, you would have to descend to a certain depth immediately, spend all of your time at that depth, then ascend to your safety stop all at once... even using the wheel, you have to spend a certain time at one depth, a certain time at another depth, so on and so forth... not to mention what happens if you stray from your plan for one reason or another, I'd like to know what the revised plan will need to be, not worry about violating a rule

[Beaucoupfishies]

I do think it's important to know the tables well, but at the same time I'd still like to get a computer, even if it's a cheap one. The Mares R2 reg and 3 gauge console with the xr-1 comes out to under $400, which is cheaper than a lot of computers.

obviously no nitrox, but we won't be doing that for a while and it seems like a good starter computer.

[cummings66]

For the difference in price do Nitrox. You may not take the class for a year or two, but when you do do you really want to toss all that money away because you need new computers when you could have just spent a few dollar more at the start?

[SHAGGY]

If you know that your already hooked, so to speak, and if you can afford the gear, then I feel that purchasing your own gear is a great idea. You can get some great opinions on here on different brands of gear used. When I got into scuba a year or so ago my work paid for all of my training and for all of my gear which is pretty much top of the line, but I also wanted to get my son certified and needless to say my budget was alot more limited than my works is. I bought a Tusa RS-130 reg and an areis analog console and a Riptide Zone BCD with a Tusa IR-3 inflator/octo. It has all served well and I even like the Riptide Zone BCD more than my much more expensive Seaquest Pro QD at times, and the Tusa RS-130 also holds it own fairly well compared to my primary ST-1 reg. My son just uses his tables at first but I would really like one of the Aeris AI consoles because i'm kinda spoiled to my UWATEC Smart Com AI computer, but I will probably wind up getting one of the aeris or oceanic puck modules to pop into the console.


shaggy

[Beaucoupfishies]

We're definitely going to be diving as much as we can, so I don't mind buying the gear once we have the money. We just paid for a trip to Key Largo coming up in a few weeks and will probably go for our AOW while we're out there. Unfortunately, between that, the open water cert, and our essential gear, it'll probably be a while before we can own the fun stuff like computers and bcds. Fortunately, we're fresh enough on our tables that it won't be a problem to use them.

ST is offering a sweet deal on the Aeris RX2 if you buy the Mares Rebel regulator package, so we'll probably go for that as soon as we can.