Wrist Computer or Computer Console?
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keithdiver
Contributor
What i am saying to the OP. Is that, she is cash strapped accordig to her profile, and her post. She has been renting gear, and i feel for the $ she is going to spend from her Father, she is better off getting her BP/w. regardless of her buyonancy and trim which will come in due time like all of us. Her most pertinent piece of equipement is the BcP/w or BC for now. in MOI> The thing with the wing is that it is one stop shopping, she will never have to buy another one unless she goes doubles. The Bc is not a true fit from the dive shop, like renting the reg, with compass, air, spg is. The Op will be able to get a computer in due time also when the new ones come out.
Crush
Contributor
Hi keithdiver,
That is a fair point. I may not agree with it, but I can't argue with your position based upon anything other than personal opinion.
Offgassing
Registered
Wrist or console? Personal preference. I went with the wrist mount. Get what you like. As far as which specific unit to buy, try to find someone to dive with that has one (maybe they'll let you borrow it?) to see if you like it. Also I found this article to be somewhat helpful.
14 New Computers | Scuba Diving Magazine
-Scott
14 New Computers | Scuba Diving Magazine
-Scott
1_T_Submariner
Contributor
I have both I don't think it is difficult look at one more than the other.
The Console I like that it is one less thing that I need to take off or put on before a dive.
The wrist is always right there the only time isn't comfortable is when wearing a drysuit with dry gloves.
At this stage I would go with the simplest nitrox console that you can. Also try to get your own reg with it. Buying a Backplate or a BC without owning your own reg seems silly to me. Rent some differnet BCs or find a diver that will allow you to try their Back plate and wing.
The Console I like that it is one less thing that I need to take off or put on before a dive.
The wrist is always right there the only time isn't comfortable is when wearing a drysuit with dry gloves.
At this stage I would go with the simplest nitrox console that you can. Also try to get your own reg with it. Buying a Backplate or a BC without owning your own reg seems silly to me. Rent some differnet BCs or find a diver that will allow you to try their Back plate and wing.
Crush
Contributor
Here here!
damage
Contributor
I prefer wrist, easier to carry on if you travel often and don't want to carry all your gear. I think the console is bulkier.
If you are still renting gear, the wrist computer has a big advantage, in that it doesn't have to be installed on a rental regulator.
I think it's a good idea to have your own computer, simply because computers vary in their displays and how they are operated, in terms of things like doing dive planning, or setting Nitrox mixes, or downloading dives. I think a computer you can download makes it much more likely you will keep a record of your dives, after a point; at least it works that way for me.
The big advantages of a wrist computer are that it's where you can see it all the time, and it's independent of your regulator. The disadvantage is that it's one more thing to remember (or forget, depending on how you look at it) and there is a higher possibility of losing the device (depending on how it is secured).
No DIR diver is going to tell you to stick to square profiles. We certainly don't! And honestly, I think a computer is a very good place for new divers to start, so long as they continue to learn so that they understand what the computer is, what it is actually doing, and what the information they get from it means and what it is worth. New divers don't have enough bandwidth to run continuous depth averaging in their heads, or remember their tables. That's what computers are GOOD at!
I think it's a good idea to have your own computer, simply because computers vary in their displays and how they are operated, in terms of things like doing dive planning, or setting Nitrox mixes, or downloading dives. I think a computer you can download makes it much more likely you will keep a record of your dives, after a point; at least it works that way for me.
The big advantages of a wrist computer are that it's where you can see it all the time, and it's independent of your regulator. The disadvantage is that it's one more thing to remember (or forget, depending on how you look at it) and there is a higher possibility of losing the device (depending on how it is secured).
No DIR diver is going to tell you to stick to square profiles. We certainly don't! And honestly, I think a computer is a very good place for new divers to start, so long as they continue to learn so that they understand what the computer is, what it is actually doing, and what the information they get from it means and what it is worth. New divers don't have enough bandwidth to run continuous depth averaging in their heads, or remember their tables. That's what computers are GOOD at!
It can be confusing. But, for most gear, including computers, there is no ONE right choice, so chances are you will end up with something that works for you, irrespective of whether it is a wrist-mount or console. Computer selection question is a recurring SB issue and there are a number of previous threads that may offer additional insights (e.g. basic-scuba-discussions/265291-computer-console-wrist.html; basic-scuba-discussions/114279-what-did-you-buy-you-regret.html). The variables in selection include wrist vs console, air-intergrated vs not (and, if integrated, wireless vs wired), is the battery user-replaceable, can the data be downloaded to PC, is it nitrox -enabled, can it handle multiple gases, how big / readable is the display, how 'conservative' is the algorithm, and the list goes on. Since the choice really is a matter of personal preference, I will share mine, as others have done. I dive (3) wrist-mounted computers - I find wrist-mounts 1) much easier to use in the water than consoles, 2) easy to use with different regs without changing hoses and 3) I have never lost one, although I have forgotten to put one on once or twice. None have 'user-replaceable' batteries, although I have nonetheless changed two of them myself without problems, and the third is rechargeable. All are nitrox-enabled, all are multi-gas, all are downloadable (although I don't download one of them and don't really use downloaded data that much anyway), all are big / bright enough for me to read them U/W in poor vis (and I don't try to use any of them as a wrist watch with street clothes), and I don't pay attention to the algorithm. One is wireless air-integrated and I find that covenient but not essential, but I always have a SPG, so the wirelsss integration is not my only source of pressure information. For me, the biggest issue is - can I comfortably read the display, and can I use the computer for different gases (nitrox-enabled). Everything else is 'nice to have'.
I started out with a console because that was what my instructor recommended. I dove with it for 6 months or so. I have the veo 200 and it was in a Navcon boot. That was a nice setup UNTIL I tried it in a wrist mount. Will never go back to console for my regular diving. I have one on my pool rig with analog gauges but in OW a console, compared to wrist mount gauges, is bulky, inconvenient to use in low vis, can make compass navigation problematic if the hose is too short, and wrist mount gauges are always right there. I also do not use or recommend wireless air integrated computers.
I too carry two comps- the veo and an OMS bottom timer. The comp is on my right wrist, the bottom timer and compass on the left. All I need do is bend my arm to have all the info I need for navigation in front of my eyes. Air is a brass and glass spg. If you don;t have regs then a console can also be a pain when you need to switch hoses to use it. The watch styles are nice but I simply cannot see a screen that small. Get the size you need to be able to see it comfortably in all conditions.
Before a comp I'd get a reg and bc but that is just me. Tables work well, offer conservatism for the new diver, and can be run over by a truck and still be used. I have seen too many new divers dive a computer and run it right up to the red line thinking that they are fine doing this. NDL's are not an exact science and neither are the algorithms in any computer. The difference is that tables tend to off a bigger safety margin and you can do multilevel profiles on any set of tables.
It does require you to be more aware of your depths and times and keep some kind of record but I find that is a good thing. As for the ability to download dives, there are times when that is just not convenient, computers and software do not like each other, etc. I find it more advantageous to keep a detailed paper logbook. I can carry and fill it out right on the boat. I used to download but it got to be a pain with the software issues and finally just sold the damn cable.
I too carry two comps- the veo and an OMS bottom timer. The comp is on my right wrist, the bottom timer and compass on the left. All I need do is bend my arm to have all the info I need for navigation in front of my eyes. Air is a brass and glass spg. If you don;t have regs then a console can also be a pain when you need to switch hoses to use it. The watch styles are nice but I simply cannot see a screen that small. Get the size you need to be able to see it comfortably in all conditions.
Before a comp I'd get a reg and bc but that is just me. Tables work well, offer conservatism for the new diver, and can be run over by a truck and still be used. I have seen too many new divers dive a computer and run it right up to the red line thinking that they are fine doing this. NDL's are not an exact science and neither are the algorithms in any computer. The difference is that tables tend to off a bigger safety margin and you can do multilevel profiles on any set of tables.
It does require you to be more aware of your depths and times and keep some kind of record but I find that is a good thing. As for the ability to download dives, there are times when that is just not convenient, computers and software do not like each other, etc. I find it more advantageous to keep a detailed paper logbook. I can carry and fill it out right on the boat. I used to download but it got to be a pain with the software issues and finally just sold the damn cable.
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