First Dive Computer

[lowwall]

Not really, giving advice on things you never used is a big problem.

There's this thing called "research". It allows one to form opinions and provide tentative conclusions based on information from third parties. Depending on the diligence of the persons doing the research, the information they provide can be far more useful than small numbers of firsthand accounts. Indeed, for certain types of comparisons, there may be 0 available firsthand accounts.

A forum is a particularly good place for the publication of the results of secondhand research. It provides a jumping off point for discussion and any errors or questionable opinions will normally quickly be corrected or challenged.

 

[brsnow]

There's this thing called "research". It allows one to form opinions and provide tentative conclusions based on information from third parties. Depending on the diligence of the persons doing the research, the information they provide can be far more useful than small numbers of firsthand accounts. Indeed, for certain types of comparisons, there may be 0 available firsthand accounts.

A forum is a particularly good place for the publication of the results of secondhand research. It provides a jumping off point for discussion and any errors or questionable opinions will normally quickly be corrected or challenged.

You should disclose you are posting 2nd hand information. Otherwise you seem to imply you actually have real knowledge of the product. Especially when you are comparing to another product you also have never actually used. Basically a bot….

 

[rhwestfall]

 

[lowwall]

You should disclose you are posting 2nd hand information. Otherwise you seem to imply you actually have real knowledge of the product. Especially when you are comparing to another product you also have never actually used. Basically a bot….

I do disclose this when it is both pertinent and not obvious. But to allay your concerns, I shall adjust my consideration of what constitutes obvious.

 

[brsnow]

I do disclose this when it is both pertinent and not obvious. But to allay your concerns, I shall adjust my consideration of what constitutes obvious.

#Holidayinnexpress

 

[Eric802]

There are too many factors for anyone to suggest the perfect DC for anyone else - I would suggest that, in this day and age, a dive computer is almost a necessity. While you can dive with a bottom timer and a depth gauge, it is not the best way to dive now. Historical resistance to dive computers tended to spring from the fact(?) that was put out that they were unreliable. That most certainly now is not the case and I doubt anyone would seriously argue otherwise (especially for diving with in non deco limits). A dive computer will take into account all level fluctuations so can give you a longer NDL if you ascend early in the dive whereas the bottom timer/depth gauge combo means you HAVE to base it on your deepest point so ascending half way gives you absolutely no credit at all.

Apparently they’re ubiquitous enough that you even get them without asking with rental gear. The shop I dove with yesterday had puck computers in the consoles - well worn, but I think they were Suunto. Had my watch with me just in case I needed a bottom timer but nope, computers were provided. And this was for 30-foot max depth shore dives.

 

[Fishhy]

If you're brand new into diving, I'd personally recommend something like a Mares Puck Pro Plus as your first computer.
You can find them occasionally for as little as $150-170 for "new". It will do all you need it to do aside from the air integration.

Why do I recommend this route? Because, a quick check of marketplace will show you that many people don't actually end up getting as much into scuba as they originally thought- if you use a puck pro plus, you get the basic/nitrox calculations you need, and it's easy to read.

If you find scuba is indeed for you, after a few months, look into something like a perdix AI or Teric with AI. You can always use the puck as a backup computer.

Perdix AI has the nice large screen visibility and doesn't use a rechargeable battery that will run down over time.

I personally have the Teric and I like it very much. Sometimes I wish I had the Perdix b/c of the big screen and AA battery.

Why do I think it's better than a Garmin -
It's a dedicated dive computer - that's all Shearwater does, it is fully a quality, reliable computer.
Customer service - This may not seem like a big deal, but watches, etc have batteries and software that run down over time. Shearwater is absolutely the best for customer service - they will even go as far as to send a loaner if you need one.

Transmitter- The Garmin uses an ultrasound based transmitter vs radio used for the Shearwater products.
Why does that matter? - Because the Garmin one makes a high pitched squeal every 2 seconds in your ear - if you have more sensitive high pitched hearing like I do, it's REALLY annoying.

JM2C. Good luck and welcome to diving!

 

[Robert H. Diver]

I’m just gonna say “ the thing”……just get a perdix or a teric if you’re willing to spend that much money.

 

[Hondo]

Does it make sense to purchase the Mk2i like I did? No. It was impulsive. It is an overkill for a new diver. You won’t use half of the features of the DC if you don’t do technical diving. Does it look nice and is it nice even when you are not diving? Hell yes. Should you buy it? Only if you are a geek, a watch collector, if you want to do technical diving soon and if money is not a problem. Don’t forget that you will have to add a T1 for both you and your daughter. That’s another 800$. The MK2i is way superior to the Apple watch for leisure activities even though I don’t play golf and you can install the Garmin app on your iPhone.
It is not a rational purchase for a new diver though.

I like your honesty about it being an impulse buy! Now that I’ve done research and took all of your comments into account…. I’m going to base my purchase on whether AI is the way to go.

With the release of the G1 and it being similar to the Instinct (which a lot of my friends have and LOVE) I have to consider if AI is right for me as a brand new diver or non-AI and a mechanical SPG is the way to go.

If I went with the G1 the money savings would get me a nice all-in-one reg set like the Dive Rite XT advanced AND a dive computer AND still have money left over. I could get the same setup for my daughter and we’d be both on same page as dive buddies.

I guess my hangup with AI vs Non-AI is the on the fly time at depth computation. Again. Being new.. no experience with how that all plus out. Is that feature WORTH the AI?

 

[Belzelbub]

I guess my hangup with AI vs Non-AI is the on the fly time at depth computation. Again. Being new.. no experience with how that all plus out. Is that feature WORTH the AI?

I'm not entirely sure what you mean here. I'm guessing that you mean gas time calculations (Gas Time Remaining, etc.). While I use the GTR info on my screen, It's a minor benefit.

Having all the information I need in one spot, and being able to remove one hose are the main benefits for me. Next would be the real-time logging of consumption throughout the dive. Post dive, I can see where my consumption went up or down at various points of the dive. In fact, until I could configure mini displays to include GTR, I didn't include this on my main screen.

But, for a new diver, the Descent G1 looks to be a good choice. Reasonable price for a Smart Watch/Activity Tracker/Dive Computer. It's got a lot of capability as a dive computer. Runs Buhlmann with custom GFs. It would serve a new diver well, and can move to a backup role if you wanted to get AI down the road. It would match up well with other computers running Buhlmann.