Analog gauge as backup?

[Judestudio]

I'm going to get an Oceanic Atom 2.0 on wireless as my computer. Should I consider getting a relatively cheap & small analog gauge as backup for depth and pressure? What are the chances for the digital computer to breakdown in the middle of a dive?

Cheers.

[cummings66]

Not great, but if you need a backup then get one. IMO my logic goes like this, computer failure = immediate thumbing of dive and a normal ascent. From that point on assuming previous dives allow it, I'll be doing table dives.

[mwhities]

I'm going to be running my Suunto Vyper 1 on my wrist and a "brass and glass"http://scubatoys.com/store/search_results.asp?iLevel=1&txtsearchParamCat= ALL&txtsearchParamMan=ALL&txtsearchParamVe n=ALL&txtsearchParamType=ALL&txtFromSearch =fromSearch&txtsearchParamTxt=brass+and+glass& amp;Submit=Search XSScuba SPG.

I'd say if you don't trust AI 100%, go with an SPG.

Michael

[JahJahwarrior]

You can get an SPG fairly cheaply used ($50?), depending on your diving style you could also put on a short SPG, on a 6" hose or so. Also, a button style guage that is contained in the screw thing....like, it screws in and the head of the bolt is also the guage, would work. But, you coudln't see that, you'd have to have a buddy look. Would get in the way less often, but not the easiest to use option.

If you follow the rule of thirds, then you should know that you have enough gas, but it's always nice to have a guage. I think that having a normal SPG as a backup is a good plan. The brass and glass SPG suggested is a good one, but you don't need to go DIR. I would ask, but computers aren't DIR IIRC, and for sure anything using wireless technology isn't There is/was someone selling a used SPG on Scubaboard2.com, and MWhities is selling a SPG and depth guage right here on ST!

[RonFrank]

Originally Posted by Judestudio

I'm going to get an Oceanic Atom 2.0 on wireless as my computer. Should I consider getting a relatively cheap & small analog gauge as backup for depth and pressure? What are the chances for the digital computer to breakdown in the middle of a dive?

Cheers.

I'd worry more about an SPG vs. a depth gauge. I've known a number of divers who have sat out dives because their transmitter was not working, and they had no backup SPG. Keep in mind that even with the transmitter out of commission, you still have the rest of the functionality in tact.

So yes, get a backup SPG. I like the small face Brass units. XSScuba makes a nice one. http://www.scubatoys.com/store/Scuba_Gauges.asp

[cummings66]

Yes, the SPG IMO is the only thing I'd want as a backup. In fact it's how I dive mine and I do reference it to verify what the AI computer is telling me. Neither one has lied to me or failed on me yet.
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>A redundant computer is a waste of space IMO.</DIV>

[CompuDude]

Electronics can and do fail, although severe failures are far more rare than transient lost signals (which are common, but usually clear after a couple of moments).

Regardless, I feel a lot better keeping an analog SPG on a short (24") hose that runs straight down the left to clip off on my left hip's D-ring. Totally out of the way, you don't even know it's there unless you reach for it.

[Divingguy]

Atom 2.0 w/ Aeris Nav console as backup and compass.

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by Judestudio

I'm going to get an Oceanic Atom 2.0 on wireless as my computer. Should I consider getting a relatively cheap &amp; small analog gauge as backup for depth and pressure? What are the chances for the digital computer to breakdown in the middle of a dive?

Cheers.

I assume you are a recreational diver,,,,diving within NDL's.....if so, one reliable dive computer is fine to start out with. A simple dive watch as your backup will serve well if your computer goes south on you....the watch will allow you to ascend at a slow rate,,as you would end your dive at the point of your computer failing...AND you would know your depth as you check it often...correct!

Nothing wrong in diving with a backup dive computer though...it does have other advantages... [img]smileys/smiley2.gif[/img]

[Judestudio]

Originally Posted by texdiveguy

I assume you are a recreational diver,,,,diving within NDL's.....if so, one reliable dive computer is fine to start out with. A simple dive watch as your backup will serve well if your computer goes south on you....the watch will allow you to ascend at a slow rate,,as you would end your dive at the point of your computer failing...AND you would know your depth as you check it often...correct!

Nothing wrong in diving with a backup dive computer though...it does have other advantages... [img]smileys/smiley2.gif[/img]

Correct, the dive should be aborted when the computer fails, but one thing I concern is the wireless pressure, if that fails, I'll panic and the foremost I wanted to be sure is I'm not running out of air. Depth is not so much a problem, my buddy's gauge should tell and I should be keeping track the whole way through anyway. I'm gonna get a small pressure gauge and maybe wear a watch too.