Why can't I use a cheap $20 watch?

[hypertech]

Is there any reason I can't use a cheap $20-40 Timex watch for my dive time?

They say they are water resistant to 100m. I would think they should stay sealed with no problem at 60-100'.

 

[divecon2k4]

I don't see why not.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Go ahead. Maybe it will for 5,10, even 20 dives. However if you look at most watches on the market today you'll see in their user manuals that unless they are rated for 200 meters they are not recommended for scuba diving. So the question arises- What happens if it conks out at 75 feet and you for some reason don't realize it? No biggie- you do a safe ascent and you're done for the day since you don't have an accurate time for your dive to figure your ending pressure group. All you did was waste the money you spent on the dive, your buddy's time assuming someone will dive with you when you are to cheap to spend an extra 30 and get a casio gshock that is rated to 200 meters. It never ceases to amaze me how little proper planning and gear selection is covered in OW classes. Darwin loves questions like this. Why not just buy personal gear at walmart? So what if the glass is not tempered it will still work, right? And if the fins are plastic you still saved 50 bucks! Why not make the bc out of a couple garbage bags? May last a couple dives even. Cheaper than the real thing. Sheeeesh!

 

[hypertech]

I run into this in a lot of hobbies with expensive gear - sometimes there is no reason for it other than it is expensive gear. After you have been in for while, you learn what is really necessary and what is "bling" that can be avoided when there are more cost effective alternative. I'm new to this one so I haven't learned the line yet.

I didn't know about the G-shock to 200 meters, I'll check that one out. $50 still isn't $150+ that I see for a lot dive watches. Thanks for the tip on the garbage bags too - I'll make sure to carry a couple in my BC in case the air bladder pops.

 

[underwasser bolt]

casio g-shock should be no problem. as for bc's, people dived for years (drbill, chime in) and some still do. I am thinking about doing a no bc dive soon. I may even build my own tank harness to do so. None of us are Cousteau, but I think it was him who was know to jump overboard holding on to a tank to do a quick dive. the point is, i am beginning to think too much emphasis is put on equipment. You need quality fins, mask, regulator, watch; weights are weights. Beyond that, alot is probably just fluff.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

I bought a cheapo watch at Wal-Mart and it lasted me 2 years before the salt water corrroded it. Of course, I didn't do deep dives, as most of my diving is beach diving. Still, for $10 it was good.
I just got my newly certified daughter a watch from Wal-Mart for under $10 that is rated to 245 m. If it lasts a year, the price was right.

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

I always dive with my Timex Iron Man watch. It is rated to 100 meters which is around 300'. I wear it day and night. The first one got about 50 dives on it before I cracked the crystal topside. Who knows how many hours in the pool it had. I couln't tell you how I did it, but I have cracked many a crystal in my days from cheap to $$$$ watches.

The Iron Man has a timer mode which is really nice for a dive. I also have a puter and monitor both the watch and the puter

 

[teddyg04]

I don't use my watch to keep time when diving, but I always wear one to use topside, and keep it on in the water. I've tried 2 separate costly dive watches; one flooded and one just quit. So I went back to my reliable Timex Expedition (I have several). Lasts forever, just keep replacing the batteries. Of course, I haven't gone the garbage bag route yet; think I'll rely on people who know what they're doing there. After all, the watch is just a watch.......

 

[brucetrinity]

I also use a Timex Ironman 100m ..... but I also use a Veo100NX computer. I primarily use the Timex for real time and also to time the safety stop .... mostly because of the really big numbers. Cost about $40 for the Timex. I've also used Casios with good results.

 

[tuner fish]

The nice thing about dive watches are they are great for everday. Spend a little more.