Dive computer advances in the last decade

[Bigbella]

m28 only makes sense imo if you run a poseidon ccr

Sure, but I only have occasional CCR opportunities nowadays -- which is about as spontaneous as organizing a space shot -- due, in part, to rebreather complexity and the travel limitations posed by the covidiocy -- quite unlike the load of conventional dive gear, stored behind the seat of my truck -- wet and ready within minutes; and the M28 does have a decent open circuit setting.

Otherwise, it would just serve as a paperweight, through a good deal of 2020 . . .

 

[Centrals]

I am still using the Aladin that I bought back in 1997. See NO reason to replace it whatsoever.
Same as Apeks regs that was bought in 1998.

 

[Sinbad the Diver]

Thanks for all the input. Seems like there have been advances, but within the basic level for recreational diving, not enough in my mind to justify a new one.

The one thing I saw that I may invest in is a low price puck that is designed to be a backup. Clips on and has multiple algorithms so you can better match your primary if you have to switch due to a failure. Given the age of mine, that might be a wise investment.

 

[scubadada]

Thanks for all the input. Seems like there have been advances, but within the basic level for recreational diving, not enough in my mind to justify a new one.

The one thing I saw that I may invest in is a low price puck that is designed to be a backup. Clips on and has multiple algorithms so you can better match your primary if you have to switch due to a failure. Given the age of mine, that might be a wise investment.

What is/are your current computer(s)?

What backup are you looking at, the Oceanic BUD.? The discontinued Geo2 is available for just $70 more, a nice watch style computer, running the same deco algorithms

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

Heck, I'm still using my Suunto ML. You mean to tell me there are improved dive computers out there? Guess I'd better open a dive magazine more often.

 

[scubadada]

Heck, I'm still using my Suunto ML. You mean to tell me there are improved dive computers out there? Guess I'd better open a dive magazine more often.

View attachment 597452
View attachment 597453

Maybe nitrox?

 

[Scared Silly]

If your computer is 12 years old, Nitrox compatible, user replaceable battery and you can see it underwater there is probably no need to replace it.

The new features:
Higher contrast color screens
Wireless (bluetooth) downloading (opposed to wired downloading - I have downloaded dives logged from 20 years ago)
Firmware updatable
User customization

 

[dmaziuk]

Thanks for all the input. Seems like there have been advances, but within the basic level for recreational diving, not enough in my mind to justify a new one.

The one thing I saw that I may invest in is a low price puck that is designed to be a backup. Clips on and has multiple algorithms so you can better match your primary if you have to switch due to a failure. Given the age of mine, that might be a wise investment.

FWIW I have not found a good reason to upgrade from my basic puck in a few years of vacation reef diving. It has its pluses, too, like battery life of 2 years and no sun glare on the screen.

I think in terms of features Garmin's about the only one with bang-per-buck, and its features have nothing to do with the actual dive computer: it's all the other bells and whistles of multi-sport activity-tracking smartwatch.

Unfortunately there isn't really such thing as "multiple algorithms": low price pucks run some not-100%-identical versions of "folded RGBM". Next up, the Oceanics that run DSAT and PZ+, PZ+-only PPS computers, and the new crop of ZH-L16-based ones with not-always-disclosed "tweaks". At high end you can get ZH-L16 and VPM-B, or "fused RGBM" and ZH-L16 on Eon Steel, if/when they release the ZH-L firmware update.

 

[Centrals]

Thanks for all the input. Seems like there have been advances, but within the basic level for recreational diving, not enough in my mind to justify a new one.

The one thing I saw that I may invest in is a low price puck that is designed to be a backup. Clips on and has multiple algorithms so you can better match your primary if you have to switch due to a failure. Given the age of mine, that might be a wise investment.

Make sure your back up runs on similar algorithm as your primary.

 

[Perryed]

Heck, I'm still using my Suunto ML. You mean to tell me there are improved dive computers out there? Guess I'd better open a dive magazine more often.

View attachment 597452
View attachment 597453

Still have one of these too. Works perfectly and is a little more liberal than my newer ones. Only reason I really upgraded from this one was for nitrox.