Dive computer - AI or not AI

[Suther2136]

Hey all,

I'm looking for a dive computer and I'm torn between very expensive air integrated comp that does everything I could want, and a dive computer with an analog pressure gauge that's fairly affordable. Let me hear from both camps please, I hate being torn. I'm looking at say the Oceanic datamax or one of the watches with the tank mounted remote vs sat the aeros atmos 2.

Thanks for the help

[NitroWill]

I think the most reliable way is to go with a wristmount/clipped computer and then have a small spg/depth clipped off to the waist. The computer is right there when you need it --- and so will be the SPG if the computer fails..

[3rdEye]

I'll chime in here and say that I really like my Aeris Atmos ai

I clip it to my right chest D-ring, all i have to do is peek down and flip it up a bit and everything is there for me to see. It tells me my remaining dive time based on either NO2 exposure, air remaining or O2 exposure, and indicates which it is. It's small and streamlined, and nicely designed. Has the compass mounted right on top of it. like this:



Then when i download my dives, the pressure info at the beginning and end is recorded, pressure used is recorded, along with everything else.

Quick disconnect is a must, it just pops off and you can take it where ever.

a wrist ai computer would probably pretty sweet too, but I have no qualms with mine. I think the Atmos would be a little easier to read (larger) than a wrist if that's a concern.

[MxDiver]

check the following thread:
non-air integrated vs. air integrated
it may help you decide.

[cummings66]

Can you afford the dive computer that you really want? If so, then buy it, no questions asked.

[thor]

I love having all of the important info on my wrist available at a moments glance. Never have to look for a hose and one less hose to worry about getting entagled.

[Zenagirl]

I dive with an AI computer and really like having all of my information in one place. Since it's a console, my compass is installed on it and I can even navigate AND see my computer screen at the same time.

When I need to replace my console AI, I'll go with a hoseless AI computer....I think it's worth the money to have AI.

[thesmoothdome]

I love my AI. It's chock full of fun information . Mine's not hoseless though. For some reason, I'm one of a handful of people in the world who don't like wrist mounted gauges.

Like cumming66 said, if it's not a financial concern, then go for it.

[fire diver]

I personally don't like AI computers. If something goes wrong, or leaks, you loose everything, pressure, depth, time, everything. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I like seperate and redundant. I carry a brass and glass SPG, a computer, a watch for backup timer, and soon a backup bottom timer. All of that combined costs less than an AI computer.

But if you like the AI, then go with that. I'm a "Dive What You Like" diver.

FD

[loudgonzo]

I have a bad habit of always trying to get the best (read, more expensive), whether I need it or not. So I'm actually saving for a AI wrist mount, even though I know I really don't need it. I'm still married, I love my wife.