Air Intergrated or not?

[Mtrewyn]

What are the advantegs of an air intergrated comp. vs. a non intergrated one?

What do you all think would be better for a new diver? I'm thinking about the:Mares M2 Nitrox / Air Dive Computer.

Mostly for the cost factor but am open to any thoughts or insights.

[RoyN]

Air intergated with the number is cool.

I have the scubapro Smart Com which unfortunately did failed on me 3 times before the dive and effectively shut my dive. That was until someone lend me his pressure gauge and I used the Oceanic Geo. From there, hopefully that should help. I'm not taking sides as I agree with both and carry a backup pressure gauge and a ranch just for that trouble.

[gbrdiver]

I am sure some folks swear by them...I have never used one but have seen nothing but stuff ups. I was recently diving with a fellow who worked for one of the major manufacturers. He had some flash bit of kit that he got from work...well, I have never seen anyone perservere with such an inferior product in all my life. Everytime I see one of these things come out of the dive bag - alarm bells start ringing! They are a great idea - when they work. I am just yet to see it happen!

[CODMAN]

I think air integrated has it's interest... But is way more expensive than what it's worth... What does it give you more?

The possibility to get rid of a hose (personally, I would still keep my SPG as a backup so that's not an advantage for me)
It gives you air consumption... That's cool, but do I need that.. No...
It will estimate your remaining time left based on previous air consumption... Once again, cool... But necessary? No...
It will show you where in the dive your air consumption went up and down... Cool? Yes... Necessary? No...
They let you see your pressure on your wrist (if taking wrist mount). This is cool and probably the best advantage of an air integrated (at least in my oppinion). necessary? No... I check my air every 2-3 minutes, so grabbing my SPG isn't a problem.

They are very expensive! And don't give me enough bang for the buck. I think I'd spend the $$ upgrading my reg rather than that, for the moment... And at 200$, the M2 is really a great deal. I payed 280$ for mine when it had just come out!!! If you want the best and don,t mind paying? Go for air integrated... If you are looking for value, a regular computer will be a better choice...

Cheers!

[buddhasummer]

To be honest I wouldnt bother, especially at this stage of your diving, as you gain more experience youll be in a better place to make a more informed decision on what you want or need, I say this given the high cost of AI computers. Even if you buy one youll still need a SPG on a hose as redundant so its not gonna reduce a hose. My advice spend the money on something else perhaps more useful e.g. a good dive light, more diving etc etc..there are so many diff types of computers if you do a search on this forum and scubaboard youll find tons of info and recommendations on what are good ones etc...FWIW Id recommend a Suunto Gekko as a good first computer, and not just as a first computer, does all your likely to need on Rec OW dives simple, functional, easy to use and reliable but dont take my word have a wee look around...Good luck

[Zenagirl]

I got an AI computer right after completing my OW and haven't regretted it for a second in the 4 years I've owned it. I like having all of my information in one place, including my compass, and how compact and easy to use it is.

What I especially liked about it as a new diver was the "dive time remaining (DTR)" feature. It will tell you how much time you have left based either on your remaining air or remaining NDL, whichever is less. As a newer diver, it was always based on my air remaining, and I used the DTR as a feedback tool to relax and slow my breathing.

I remember we were diving in the Keys a few months after we got certified and I looked at my computer only to see like 20 minutes DTR. Since we were only at around 40 feet and had been diving for 10 minutes, I knew that I needed to relax and breathe more slowly. I immediately began relaxing myself and within 5 minutes I had more than 40 minutes DTR showing. Great feedback for me and I believe has helped me progress faster with my air consumption than if I didn't have the AI feature.

Bottom line, you have to decide if the money for the AI feature is worth it to you or not. It was worth every penny to me and all my computers in the future will be AI...and maybe even hoseless next time.

[No Misses]

I dive an Aeris Atmos AI. I like the fact that it calculates my SAC for every dive. When looking back at my downloaded dives I can easily spot the dives where I was task loaded (High SAC) and the dives where I got into the ZEN of diving (Low SAC). The rest of the features are the same for AI or non-AI Dive Computers (ascent rate, bottom time, profile, temp, etc.)
Good luck with your choice.

[ScubaToys Larry]

I'm a fan... Here's a thread that might help:

integrated vs. non-integrated

[BSea]

If you are getting a console then great. If you are getting wireless, save your money. I wish I had. When it works, it's great, but it doesn't work enough to keep me from using a guage too.

[Mtrewyn]

Originally Posted by ScubaToys Larry

I'm a fan... Here's a thread that might help:

integrated vs. non-integrated

cool thanks for all the help, this link is real good