Tec Computer??

[taylor79]

Hi, this is my first post, and i really only registered cus i really wanted a response to my question from a wide variety of divers.

Well I have been diving for a while and I am currently at PADI rescue diver level. I have most of my own equipment but i have been taking it slow buying stuff. I want to buy my first computer, however i dont want an entry level one; I plan on starting technical diving courses in about a year and I want a computer that i can rely on for tec diving. But i dont really feel like spending 1000+ $ on a VR3 o some other model of trimix computer. I asked my instructor for advise and he recommended that i buy a computer that allows for 2 mixes, he told me that that is whats is used most often in advanced nitrox tec, and that a 3 gas computer ( like suunto Vytec) isnt really worth the money, because most of the time a diver using more than 2 mixes is using atleast one trimix, so a 3 nitrox mix computer is sorta pointless...

I trust my instructor, who is a good friend of mine. And the computer I am considering is the Dive Rite Nitek Duo, because it fits my needs and the diver center i go to can service Dive Rite equipment. And for the occasional trimix dive i would just use Gauge mode and tables.

I would like to know if you tec divers out there agree with this or not, and what other advise you might have

Thank you

[rongoodman]

Another one to consider is the Aladin Tech 2G, which has resettable depth averaging and a stopwatch when used in gauge mode. There's also a DSS bungee mount for it.

[in_cavediver]

I personally use a VR3 and Bottom timer. I dive caves and tables can be a PIA to use in that environment. Its not essential but I decided that if I was going to spend the money on a computer, it might as well understand what I am breathing all of the time.

One other note, when looking at computers, make SURE that the computer is intended for decompression diving. Most aren't, even some of the multi-gas models.

[cummings66]

Exactly, there are many dive computers that handle multiple mixes, my VT3 does for example but it's not suitable for doing Deco Dives. Of course, tec is a wide ranging field and does not necessarily mean doing deco dives. Also, Trimix isn't something the average rec computer supports, it's mostly a Nitrox type setup.

[ianr33]

I think you have 2 choices.
1) Buy something like a DiveRite Duo or one of its clones. These are under $400 and can handle 2 nitrox mixes. Will work fine for Deco dives using air/nitrox with one deco gas. Also they are great for most cave diving.
This computer would also work for trimix dives with low % He and one deco gas (But you need to know what you are doing)

2)Buy a trimix computer. In my opinion the best 2 on the market are the Liquivision X-1 (~$1800) and the Shearwater Pursuit ($1400)

If you are a new diver then trimix is a long way away so I would go with option 1.

I have done maybe 10 trimix dives this year. Dont have a trimix computer.Sure it would be nice but I really can not justify spending that much money. Bottom timers and knowledge will go a long way!

If you decide on a duo/duo clone get whichever has the longest warranty. There have been quite a few reports of problems with these computers. Supposedly fixed now but who knows what the truth really is? The warranty is NOT transferable if you buy a used computer. (Found tht out the hard way !)

[Black-Gorrilla]

the diverite duo is a good computer, but i believe the zeagle version comes with 2 years of warranty as opposed to the dive rite branded one.
the zeagle is called N2ition

[MSilvia]

I don't use one at all, and don't particulary want one. I can do my deco dives just fine with pre-cut tables and a bottom timer. I have yet to hear a particularly compelling argument for using a mix computer in open water.

My tech dive computer is a PC with V-planner and a printer.

[LiteHedded]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

I don't use one at all, and don't particulary want one. I can do my deco dives just fine with pre-cut tables and a bottom timer. I have yet to hear a particularly compelling argument for using a mix computer in open water.

My tech dive computer is a PC with V-planner and a printer.

what he said ^

[ianr33]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

I don't use one at all, and don't particulary want one. I can do my deco dives just fine with pre-cut tables and a bottom timer. I have yet to hear a particularly compelling argument for using a mix computer in open water.

My tech dive computer is a PC with V-planner and a printer.

It depends on the type of dive. If your diving a wreck and the ascent is up a line then I totally agree with you.
I was fortunate enough to go to Divetechs Tekweek in Cayman this year and also to borrow a Shearwater Pursuit from the manufacturer. Our standard profile each day was 200 feet for 20 minutes.First gas switch at 90 feet onto 40/25. The mooring pins are in about 50 feet of water so we would just cruise around,gradually getting shallower and enjoying the dive rather than strictly following stops from a slate. Made for great dives.

The other reason I would like a Trimix computer if for the dive that goes all to hell. Maybe a Great White drags you 50 feet below your deepest contingency plan,or you have some emergency and someone brings a tank of 32% when you only have tables for 50 and 100%. Sure you can estimate the deco (and probably pad it massively to be safe) but a computer would make life easier.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by ianr33

It depends on the type of dive. If your diving a wreck and the ascent is up a line then I totally agree with you.

Absolutely. Virtually all of my deco dives are more-or-less square profile wrecks, so my dive profiles tend to be simple "go down, stay at that depth, then ascend" affairs.

Originally Posted by ianr33

Made for great dives.

Sounds lovely. I'm more than a bit jealous.

Originally Posted by ianr33

Maybe a Great White drags you 50 feet below your deepest contingency plan

If a GW drags me anywhere and I live to make an ascent, it's more likely than not going to be a direct one. Better bent than shredded and digested, I always say. Put my terrified and profusely bleeding ass on O2 and call a helicopter.

Originally Posted by ianr33

Sure you can estimate the deco (and probably pad it massively to be safe) but a computer would make life easier.

Sure, but when you consider that it would have to be a very unusual sort of calamity on the sort of dive that I approach with a great deal of care and planning in order to need that luxury, and that I could most likely get myself home safely with some inconvenience if it happened, I hardly see making my life easier in the unlikely event of such a problem a compelling justification for spending in excess of $1000. The cost/benefit analysis doesn't work out in favor of the expensive toy.

It would be nice, but I can think of a long list of things I could do with a grand or two that would be a lot nicer than buying a computer I expect I'd never need. Heck, I don't even use one for recreational dives anymore, as I rarely do any dives that would benefit from it.