Dive computer

[MicahEW]

Im am still new to diveing. I just did my inclass part of my cert last weekend and my OW will be this weekend. I am really wanting to persue the Tech side of diving and have spoken with a cpl of ppl abt comps already. So im wanting a comp that I wont " out grow" anytime soon. I like the Oceanic Atom 2 but how is reliability of wireless? Or the Oceanic VT3? Oceanic GEO? Oceanic VEO250? I was even suggested the Zeagle N2itrox. It would be nice to get rid of a console but again how good is wireless?

[MSilvia]

Take it slow... you have years of diving ahead of you before your ready for tech diving. That said, you may be suprised to find that it's very common for deco divers not to use a dive computer. They plan their dive ahead of time, and execute it using a bottom timer that gives simple depth and time information.

If you get a decent nitrox computer, that should meet your needs for the forseeable future if it has "gauge mode", you may even be able to use it for tech diving someday. Personally, I don't believe wireless/AI is worth the cost, but to each his own. It's generally as reliable as the batteries on the send and receive units. I prefer an analog pressure guage that doesn't depend on a power supply. More reliability for a lower price is attractive to me.

[marchand]

If you are going to pursue tech diving then you should go ahead and get a Nitek Duo so you can do gas switching. Actually, any of the Cassio computers (the ones that look like the Nitek Duo) will work. Zeagle, Oceanic, Dive Rite, and someone else all carry it, they just have different names for them.

[mwhities]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

Take it slow... you have years of diving ahead of you before your ready for tech diving. That said, you may be suprised to find that it's very common for deco divers not to use a dive computer. They plan their dive ahead of time, and execute it using a bottom timer that gives simple depth and time information.

If you get a decent nitrox computer, that should meet your needs for the forseeable future if it has "gauge mode", you may even be able to use it for tech diving someday. Personally, I don't believe wireless/AI is worth the cost, but to each his own. It's generally as reliable as the batteries on the send and receive units. I prefer an analog pressure guage that doesn't depend on a power supply. More reliability for a lower price is attractive to me.

Great recommendation. I concur.

[navyhmc]

What they said...

A good nitrox computer will suffice for a long time. If you want to go wireless, you're going to put out some big bucks. Most sending units alone are around the cost of a good wrist unit. To start out, I would shy away from wireless and go with a good nitrox capable and PC downloadable unit. The Oceanic Geo, VEO180, Dive Rite Nitek, TUSA IQ-700 are all good choices.

As noted in a previous thread, unless you have a lot of cash to spend, ST had the Blue Geo for $299. Oceanic Geo Wrist Computer, Dive Watches, Oceanic, Oceanic Geo Wrist Computer A good computer for a very good price.

I am not the owner nor do I work for Scuba toys, but I am a faithful customer!

[MicahEW]

Thank you guys.... I did some more research and the wireless is really expensive. I will probably stick with the console for now. I need to look but is there a console comp that does gas mixing?

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by MicahEW

Im am still new to diveing. I just did my inclass part of my cert last weekend and my OW will be this weekend. I am really wanting to persue the Tech side of diving and have spoken with a cpl of ppl abt comps already. So im wanting a comp that I wont " out grow" anytime soon. I like the Oceanic Atom 2 but how is reliability of wireless? Or the Oceanic VT3? Oceanic GEO? Oceanic VEO250? I was even suggested the Zeagle N2itrox. It would be nice to get rid of a console but again how good is wireless?

First, for tech diving, much of it is done without a computer, especially the training. The training is all done from tables, be it custom cut tables or more common buehlman or RGBM printed tables. Cave is one of the few areas where computers are prevalent - mostly because the profiles don't fit tables well.

If you find yourself in an area of tech where computers are used, you'll likely want multi-gas and possibly trimix capable. Air integrated is almost unheard of but not completely. You'll still want an SPG and definitely NOT a console.

Now, what to do now. Matt Silva really hit the nail when he recommended a basic nitrox computer for now and to wait until later for the more advanced one. A good nitrox computer is a few hundred. A true tec computer is $1250-$2000. Now, if you have the cash to burn, the DeltaP VR3 or HS Explorer are computers you won't outgrow. (Multi-gas OC/CC trimix with Direct PO2 monitoring options).

I'd say use that money to get a basic nitrox computer and the rest to go dive and get expierence before worrying about the tec side. (it will be at least a few years down the road for you)

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by in_cavediver

First, for tech diving, much of it is done without a computer, especially the training. The training is all done from tables, be it custom cut tables or more common buehlman or RGBM printed tables. Cave is one of the few areas where computers are prevalent - mostly because the profiles don't fit tables well.

If you find yourself in an area of tech where computers are used, you'll likely want multi-gas and possibly trimix capable. Air integrated is almost unheard of but not completely. You'll still want an SPG and definitely NOT a console.

Now, what to do now. Matt Silva really hit the nail when he recommended a basic nitrox computer for now and to wait until later for the more advanced one. A good nitrox computer is a few hundred. A true tec computer is $1250-$2000. Now, if you have the cash to burn, the DeltaP VR3 or HS Explorer are computers you won't outgrow. (Multi-gas OC/CC trimix with Direct PO2 monitoring options).

I'd say use that money to get a basic nitrox computer and the rest to go dive and get expierence before worrying about the tec side. (it will be at least a few years down the road for you)

Ditto.

[MicahEW]

Sounds like a good idea......

SPG why not a console????

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by MicahEW

Sounds like a good idea......

SPG why not a console????

SPG is mechanical and proven. Wireless/AI is electronic without the same history of reliability. (AI may prove better but it hasn't yet)

As for the lack of a console, its all in streamlining and gear routing. Its just cleaner to have your Depth gauge/computer on your wrist and a single SPG on the HP hose. It may not be as important in the rec context but it gets that way quickly in the tec context. (you'll clip a stage/deco bottle off where the console will go)