If working, do you ever need to replace dive computer (Aeris Atmos 1)

[georgec02]

Hi all,

I have an Aeris Atmos 1 wrist-mount puck. The thing's probably at least 15 years old by now. It still works, I have extra o-rings for it and it has never given me any problems. We just do regular recreational diving, no nitrox.

Is there any reason why I'd need (not want ) to replace a dive computer from a safety perspective (assuming it meets all my needs and is functional/reliable)?

Though my kids are getting certified this month so that might be an excuse to get my wife and I new computers this year...

Thanks all!

 

[Centrals]

My trusted work horse is over 24 yrs old.
Buy everyone a new one and keep the old one as back up but use it together with the new one.
Make sure the old and new have similar algorithm or use the liberal one as back up.
Nothing wrong to dive with two computers at the same time but make sure you understand them.

BTW, nitrox can be useful.

 

[Gone for diving]

If not broke don't fix it, use it on your DPV or hand it down
If you need an excuse to get a new one.

 

[emoreira]

I have an Oceanic VEO 180NX bought new in 2010. It has now more than 11 years. It has been working without any issue for all these years, but I had to upgrade to a new PDC, because the display is fading. The numbers and letters in the display are too faint that I almost cannot read them in the surface. In the water still visible, hard but visible, but I cannot read them in the surface interval.
I've contacted Oceanic support and they said that there is nothing to be done to increase contrast, it's something that ussualy happens with that PDC and I should retire it after many years of service. They offered no deal with a new one.
It's not a battery problem, as the battery is almost new.
Of course the new one is not an Oceanic PDC.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @georgec02

Your Aeris Atmos 1 was manufactured by Pelagic Pressure Systems, as is Oceanic, Hollis, Aqua Lung, Sherwood... I believe it is from early 2000s. Aeris was folded into Oceanic in 2014 and the brand ceased. Oceanic and Hollis were sold to Huish Outdoors in 2017. Pelagic Pressure Systems was sold to Aqua Lung in 2015. There is no support for your Aeris computer.

The Aeris Atmos 1 runs the DSAT decompression algorithm, still used on all Oceanic computers. The algorithm is liberal in the conservative to liberal spectrum. With the exception of not running nitrox, your computer does everything you might need for no stop diving.

One of my computers is an AI Oceanic VT3 purchased in 2010. It has 1691 dives and 1770 hours on it, works perfectly. My other computer is a more contemporary, Shearwater Teric. I do like some of the features the Teric has above those of the VT3, but I do more and different diving than you do.

 

[Bigbella]

I still have a couple of SeaQuest / Suunto Solutions, which date from 1992-3, which are still in fine working order -- save for the fact that they pre-dated the wider use of nitrox by a couple of years, and can only be used with air . . .

 

[Centrals]

"DSAT" algorithm is very liberal.
If the OP decides to pass his old one to his kid then make sure his new computer is compatible with it if they dive together in the future. So shop carefully.
"Oceanic" would be a good start to look at.

 

[georgec02]

So, while described as "liberal", guessing that DSAT still maintains a safe profile for a general recreational diver?

And regarding new computer being "compatible" assuming that means that if I bought new computers with a more conservative algorithm, there could be a situation where the more liberal DSAT profile is indicating a longer bottom time for the same dive profile? Which would mean we'd just need to dive the buddy with the more conservative profile (i.e. start surfacing if one was approaching max bottom time sooner)?

"DSAT" algorithm is very liberal.
If the OP decides to pass his old one to his kid then make sure his new computer is compatible with it if they dive together in the future. So shop carefully.
"Oceanic" would be a good start to look at.

Thanks all for the feedback. I was assuming the computers were still good, but figured I'd ask. Can't believe how rock solid these things are given lifespan of tech gear these days.

 

[boulderjohn]

So, while described as "liberal", guessing that DSAT still maintains a safe profile for a general recreational diver?

And regarding new computer being "compatible" assuming that means that if I bought new computers with a more conservative algorithm, there could be a situation where the more liberal DSAT profile is indicating a longer bottom time for the same dive profile? Which would mean we'd just need to dive the buddy with the more conservative profile (i.e. start surfacing if one was approaching max bottom time sooner)?



Thanks all for the feedback. I was assuming the computers were still good, but figured I'd ask. Can't believe how rock solid these things are given lifespan of tech gear these days.

It is liberal in comparison to other algorithms, but it has been proven to be safe for many years, otherwise it would not still be used in new computers.

Yes, if one computer indicates it is time to ascend to stay within no stop limits, then it is time for everyone in that team to ascend.

The real difference in the degree to which an algorithm is conservative or liberal is more likely to show up on the next dive after the surface interval.

 

[Centrals]

Most if not all modern day dive computers are nitrox compatible.