Which computer

[mitchy]

I dive ten times a year, and want to get a computer, but don't really want to spend alot. Looking for feedback on some possible choices. Please let me know which you would pick, or which you would steer clear of and why.

1. Veo 100
2. Aeris XR1

Both cheap through ST.

3. Used Suunto Gekko
4. Buy something else.

[sapperw5]

i personally dive with a oceanic proplus 2 w/navcon. i love it, but pricey. many of my buds dive with the veo 100 and 250. they are great comps not air integrated, but it sounds like you dont need that yet. i really like oceanic. i see a lot of diverswith the veo 100.

[Defman]

Personally, I'd step up to the Mares M2 Nitrox.

[BubblesMcCoy]

Originally Posted by Defman

Personally, I'd step up to the Mares M2 Nitrox.

I've really enjoyed my M2. It's cheap, nitrox capable, and downloadable. It's a little bulky, but runs off of common AAA batteries that can be swapped out without tools and without losing your logged dives.

[rayaa3]

I have a veo 100 that I've used for 2 years. I like it. However, I wouldn't buy a computer that isn't nitrox capable, it I had to do it again. I don't dive nitrox, but I like the idea that if I ever do, I don't have to go buy a new computer. That being said, its a great little air-only computer.

[scubadiver888]

Originally Posted by BubblesMcCoy

I've really enjoyed my M2. It's cheap, nitrox capable, and downloadable. It's a little bulky, but runs off of common AAA batteries that can be swapped out without tools and without losing your logged dives.

How often do you have to change the battery? A rechargeable won't hold a charge long enough you can forget about it for a few months and alkaline batteries can get expensive.

Have you ever had the battery die? Did you lose your data? Or do you dive often enough that you notice when the battery is low?

[Foo2]

Originally Posted by mitchy

I dive ten times a year, and want to get a computer, but don't really want to spend alot. Looking for feedback on some possible choices. Please let me know which you would pick, or which you would steer clear of and why.

1. Veo 100
2. Aeris XR1

Both cheap through ST.

3. Used Suunto Gekko
4. Buy something else.

My husband and I both have the Aeris XR1. It's easy to use and view. Seems pretty bullet proof too.

[scubagirlj]

my husband and i have aeris xr-1 's also-air for him, nitrox for me-like Foo2 says, easy to use and read-seems good value for price thru ST-does every thing high end comps do except can't download to PC, but holds enough dives that you have ample time to get to your logbook or access to a PC where you can enter info into your program manually-our AOW DI liked them better than one she was using(easier to read u/w)

[John Yaskowich]

Originally Posted by scubadiver888

How often do you have to change the battery? A rechargeable won't hold a charge long enough you can forget about it for a few months and alkaline batteries can get expensive.

Have you ever had the battery die? Did you lose your data? Or do you dive often enough that you notice when the battery is low?

I have one and just swapped the batteries for the first time. About a year and a half on one set, although a fair bit of that was sitting dry in my dive locker. I am tempted to drop in a set of Lithiums and forget about it for about 5 years of so (based on my experience with my camera - a pair of alkalines will last about 75-100 pictures. The lithiums in there now are well into the 400+ range and still going strong, and a lot of those were flash shots!)

The computer gives lots of warning about the battery getting low. An icon shows on the screen and you have at least 5 more dives before you need to swap them. It doesn't lose your dive information but you do have to reset the date/time. Strange.

[RoyN]

Do you want a wrist computer or a console?