Data Cables?

[Vlane]

I bought me an Oceanic Geo (haven't gotten a chance to use it yet though ), and was thinking about the data cable. Seems a little ridiculous to pay about $90 for a cable but i like the idea of keeping a digital dive log so to speak.

So, what you all think about data cables?

[FishFood]

If ST's still sells the cables at cost when you buy a computer, I would get one if buying from them. Other wise, for my diving, I don't see a good benefit/cost ratio. My dive log is already in Excel...

I'm curious to see what the tec/advanced divers think, however. Any benefits to post dive analysis when doing deco, etc?

[cbope]

I voted yes, but with a caveat. I haven't bought a cable for my Suunto D6 yet. But I'm definitely going to get one in the near future.

[Heavy D]

I voted yes as well but not as much for the log as for the dive profile. You can tell a lot about your buoyancy skills and such. If it's air integrated, then you can tell even more from it.

This is part of the reason that I like the newer Scubapro/Uwatec computers though. They are IR and don't require a cable just an IR interface for the computer. Of course if you get the SP one it will cost you a fortune, but it will actually work with pretty much any IR adapter.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by Vlane

I bought me an Oceanic Geo (haven't gotten a chance to use it yet though ), and was thinking about the data cable. Seems a little ridiculous to pay about $90 for a cable but i like the idea of keeping a digital dive log so to speak.

So, what you all think about data cables?

I agree 90.00 bucks is a lot money for the cable and software. If it was me, I had a choice of buying the cable or another piece of life support like regulator I would put off the cable purchase and put the money toward life support gear. The cable and the extra data is a luxury item but it nice to be able to see you dive profile and all the other info and makes logging dives easy. That said I have a Wisdom II and Manta and purchased cables for both of them and I’m looking at the new Zeagle computer.

[rawalker]

I find it to be a valuable tool. I do use AI computers. The Oceanic Atom 2.0 and VT3. You seem to be coming on board at the right time. Oceanic has a beta of their Oceanlog software that finally works as advertized.
I use the software to track the equipment I use which makes a nice database to check configurations for differing dive profiles and environments. It allows for adding notes and pictures to the log which can help jog the memory.
One thing to consider whether it be a software package or scrapes of paper logs are only as good the the person entering the information into it. If you don't enter useful info don't expect it to help. The longer you wait to enter the info the greater the posibilty that your memory may be faulty. Having the downloader and software just makes it easier to enter more complete info.

[Vlane]

I've already got almost all of my stuff together for my first dive in my own gear. Only thing i have left to get is some weights, but think i already know what i'm going to get. Not going to buy a tank just yet since i don't how much i'm going to get to dive so the only other thing i would put the money to is a dive light or just save it.

Most of you that that are suggesting the cable seem almost like tech divers or someone who does cool profiles. Unfortunately i'm landlocked so i only have easy access to a local lake and other places that are over an hour away. I may wait on cable until i at least get my AOW or maybe even nitrox.

[CFDAlden]

I also voted yes, but try and find an aftermarket cable. The cable for my GekkoVyper was half the price of Suuntos, including shipping from Germany.

[navyhmc]

I have a Geo and bought the cable, I also have a Pro Plus II and got the cable with it when I bought it. IMO, it is a good investment. Think your trim was good and you were traveling at a constant depth? The profile will give you a good idea of that. The other data that goes along with it is nice as well. I amy not always check the temp at depth, but going back to the download, it's there.

To me it was worth the money.

[chicken]

I wish there was an option for kind of worth it. I have a cable for my Wisdom 2 and do look at my dive profile and SAC rate. I like having the log on my computer but $90 for a USB cable? The cable for my N2ition is $140 and I am stuggling wether to buy it or not.