Quick question from a newb about air integrated computers

[soltari675]

I have the Galileo Luna and honestly love it. I've not used a console in open water situations since. I know I can surface if it dies, and so far it hasn't given me any troubles. I managed to get a hose off my reg, one less thing to worry about dangling, etc.

Now, when I was in Florida, and this is the only place I had trouble, I went into a cavern and the air pressure signal did fail several times. Only happened in Florida for whatever reason and with different divers near me. It doesn't happen here at home, cavern or wreck. Just there. So I am actually looking at buying a console as a backup in case I run into that again, especially if I know I am going to be in any kind of overhead environment. But here locally with no overhead, I don't worry about it.

 

[ScubaBB]

If I had an air-integrated divecomputer with compass, I would take the off. For me the advantage of having a tube less (deminish the changes on failure) weigth heavier then the risk of having to ascend without computer.
But I normally only do nodeco until 120ft.

Why is nobody asking whether you an extra gauge analog instruments when you're using a normal gauge?

 

[p1p]

Ya gotta ask yourself, you are on vacation, brought your own BC/Regs, now you are thousands of miles away from home, and your AI craps out.

Thats why I dont use AI, my depth and tank are console.

 

[Thalassamania]

Ya gotta ask yourself, you are on vacation, brought your own BC/Regs, now you are thousands of miles away from home, and your SPG, depth gauge, first stage, second stage, direct feed, etc., craps out.

You deal with it. No BFD.

 

[p1p]

Its all about probabilities, electronics have a higher fail rate than good old analog stuff.

Yea, you can deal with anything, but why have to?

 

[freewillie]

Ya gotta ask yourself, you are on vacation, brought your own BC/Regs, now you are thousands of miles away from home, and your AI craps out.

Thats why I dont use AI, my depth and tank are console.

Then you rent whatever piece gear need to replace. Or put spare console SPG and/or depth gauge just in case. Change now useless transmitter for low tech back up in same port on first stage.

IMO only need back up SPG for technical or advance diving. For most recreational diving AI is fine. You are going to call the dive when ANY piece of essential equipment malfunctions. And analog gauges are not immune failure either.

Personally, I prefer having AI on my wrist because less bulky than a console. Just my preference. I advise the OP the get in a few dives with both styles. Then you can make a decision for yourself based on your own style and preference.

 

[Thalassamania]

Frankly I've had more "mechanical" devices fail me over the years than "electronic" ones. The only advantage to mechanical devices is that I have a higher probability of being able to fix them.

 

[DiveNav]

Its all about probabilities, electronics have a higher fail rate than good old analog stuff....

Do you have data to back this up?

Last time I researched this subject I did find a reliability report on mechanical relays versus solid state relays .... and the results were in overwhelming favour of the solid state (no mechanical parts) kind

 

[p1p]

Mechanical relays are more prone to failure than solid state. But there are no mechanical relays in an SPG. Analog pressure gauges have existed for a 100 years (actually more). They are generally pretty bombproof.

 

[fnfalman]

a) If air integrated computers; especially hoseless air integrated computers, are that prone to failure and unsafe then we would hear a lot more fatality reports.

b) The only failure I ever had with my hoseless AI computer was related to battery: the shop tech didn't screw the battery compartment lid on correctly and caused it to flood the battery compartment. The computer kept on working throughout my whole dive though the display faded and I had to angle the computer in order to read. After I did the safety stop and surface, it shut itself down. I broke out the backup SPG set in my dive bag, screwed it in and be ready for the next dive after surface interval.

If you don't switch the batteries out per the manufacturer's recommendation and your batteries go bad during your vacation, IT AIN'T THE COMPUTER'S FAULT.

If you didn't secure the battery compartment correctly after battery replacement, IT AIN'T THE COMPUTER'S FAULT.

If I were to want to drag a hose and a console along, then I wouldn't have bothered with the hoseless AI computer in the first place. What's the point of owning a hoseless AI computer if you're not going to take the advantage of its convenience? Might as well stick with the regular console or a non-AI computer and an SPG.