New computer with vibrating alarms recommendations

[tursiops]

Seems like what your computer outputs is a spectrum of outputs...there are the static displays, flashing displays, flashing colors, beeps, vibrations.

I get it that beeps are annoying to other divers, or so I'm told since I can't her them. In fact the only way I know my computer is beeping is if I look around and everybody is looking at me. That's the problem with beeps; they propagate through the water column. Maybe vibrations are better than beeps?

I get it that someone in a drysuit is not going to feel the vibrations. So they learn to look at their computer perhaps more often. Most, myself included, do not look at our computer very often if the interest is gas pressure. Unless something goes wrong, after thousands of dives in varying conditions I have a pretty good idea of how fast my gas gets used up, so checking the pressure is very much about seeing if everything is OK. Same with depth; unless I'm awfully close to my MOD it only gets looked at if I'm varying depth a lot. Someone posted about being on a boat with a max depth of 100 ft; yes, you stay away fromn that but all the input you can get on your depth is good....and if you have to keep staring at your computer while at 95 ft then why are you diving...isn't the idea usually to look around and see stuff?

So, your computer has this spectrum of outputs; why draw the line arbitrarily at flashing colors are OK but personal vibrations are not?

 

[Marie13]

I would suggest there is a reason that all dive computers (to my knowledge) have alarm capability built into them.

The Perdix has no alarms other than visual ones. I’d have to check the manual, but I bet the Peregrine also has the same sort of large flashing notifications the Perdix does. Maybe you want the vibrating alarm as the gray on black displays aren’t the easiest to read? The Peregrine screen is large and colorful. It’s a shame it doesn’t have AI, but clip your spg off to a chest D ring (which I used to do before I had my Perdix). It’s very easy to see there.

 

[Marie13]

Someone asked if the vibrating alarms can be heard by others. I have a Thermolution heated vest. The wireless controller vibrates for changes. Others have told me they can hear it. I now let buddies know about it. Not sure how strong the Peregrine vibrating alarms are, though.

ETA: Shearwater didn’t add the vibrating alarms to their computers until they had one that was targeted at a more recreational diver audience (Teric). The Perdix doesn’t have them. I bet most tech divers do NOT want or need such alarms, except for CCR divers in such instances as @doctormike noted above.

 

[tursiops]

I know a number of new divers who’ve bought a Perdix. No audible or vibrating alarms, so nothing to shut off. They’re still alive and diving. They bought the computers for the large, colorful display and AI.

One strike against the alarms is do you know what it’s going off for? Do you even know if it’s your computer? I’ve been diving with multiple people whose computers were beeping all at once and after the dive they said they didn’t know if it was their computer or someone else’s.

Wait 'til YOU lose your high-frequency hearing! Problem solved.

 

[OTF]

Someone with good knowledge of dive computers should make some recommendations for OP's needs (Teric might fit the bill?), and we should split off a new thread debating the merits of sound/vibration alarms. Clearly it's a topic with some interest, and a discussion worthy of having its own thread, perhaps with parallel arguments to the mCCR vs. eCCR debate.

For what it's worth, I think it's natural and okay for conversations to evolve and "go off topic".

 

[Raphus]

I recommend the peregrine or teric. But like others said. Peregrine has no AI(maybe a new version is coming?)

For the new question:
I would not recommend a new diver to turn off the alarm.
But i would recommend to turn the alarm off, when the basic skills are learned.
Vibrating alarms are just personal.
Loud alarms are annoying for all in the water.

But as a new diver it helps immensely to get a warning, when ascent is to fast. Or he drops below MOD. Because at the first 20-50 dives a new diver might not recognize these thinks, because of task overload.

Personally it helped me a lot when i started. Especially on dark water ascents..
Now i got a perdix and i would turn off all alarms if it had one.

 

[Blackcrusader]

I don't have a Teric, Shearwater brought a few to the Curacao invasion for people to try. Very nice computer, but quite expensive and maybe overkill for what I need.

I'm a recreational diver. I use the Shearwater Perdix as I do not wear a watch and I wanted the larger screen. No computer is overkill ( in my humble opinion ) even if you just want to dive in warm waters for recreational diving. I get a lot more information on my Perdix than I did with my Suunto which had a pressure sensor failure. Cost yes I can understand that as an issue. It wasn't for me when I saw the Perdix in use it was what I decided was good for me.

 

[rsingler]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

Let's try to restrict further discussion to computers with vibrating alarms and their capabilities and/or shortfalls. Thanks!

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[BoltSnap]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

Let's try to restrict further discussion to computers with vibrating alarms and their capabilities and/or shortfalls. Thanks!

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You as an admin here is what keeps many of us around. Thank you for your most professional attitude and work around here.

You are a class act second only to our beloved admin, the late Quero.

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

For the OP, my understanding is that the new Garmin Descent Mk2 has a vibrating alarm as well. Not sure about the Mk1.