Decisions on a Dive Computer

[Centrals]

I have a Suunto EON Core and have been quite happy with it, I would like to hear why an earlier poster said to "avoid Suunto like the plague", why?

thanks,

It has a long and colourful history. You should not have any trouble of digging them up.

 

[Sunn]

Please stop speaking about RGBM model, gradient factors and other things without interest in this case. There are other folders in this forum to discuss this.

Please refer to the original post :

I am only recently open water certified and I am not doing any kind of advanced diving currently. Advanced open water maybe in my future at some point, but that maybe a while.

Please adapt yourself to the beginner level and don't try to make him buy something unuseful....

@FloridaMan : you'll easily find a computer for less than 300 USD ...no need to have 187 features that you'll never use ! (oh, yes perhaps in 5 years, when you'll be master diver... it will be when you should want to change your old computer)

 

[GF99/99]

Please stop speaking about RGBM model, gradient factors and other things without interest in this case. There are other folders in this forum to discuss this.

Please refer to the original post :



Please adapt yourself to the beginner level and don't try to make him buy something unuseful....

@FloridaMan : you'll easily find a computer for less than 300 USD ...no need to have 187 features that you'll never use ! (oh, yes perhaps in 5 years, when you'll be master diver... it will be when you should want to change your old computer)

Spot on!

As the OP mentioned, does not need color, AI would be nice but not required and only looking to do basic recreational diving.

So keep it simple. For the type of diving the OP is doing a $300 computer will do the same thing a computer twice that will cost.

In the last year or two there is an increasing trend in people thinking they "need" a $1,000 Shearwater to go on a basic family 1-2 time a year dive vacation. Or maybe it is because of marketing its the "cool" thing. I remember pre Teric and Perdix AI's unless you were actually doing multi gas decompression dives no one even knew what Shearwater was. Now it seems like everyone thinks they "need" 187 different features that they will never use.

I am not saying spending $1,000 on a computer is a bad thing but sometimes it is not really necessary. I think right now there is just a big sales push for computers like these to new comers because retailers make more money off them.

 

[Centrals]

I could never understand the logical reason to suggest expensive computer/regulator to new divers.

Scuba Dive Computers - Buy at LeisurePro

Oceanic Geo2 for $240.00
Aqualung i100 for $230.00
Geo 2 has more features.

Just an example.

 

[rongoodman]

I have a Suunto EON Core and have been quite happy with it, I would like to hear why an earlier poster said to "avoid Suunto like the plague", why?

thanks,

Most likely because of the proprietary algorithms, although their reputation for service seems to be an issue for some too,

 

[Wibble]

Yes I prefer the Eon to the Perdix. There's nothing bad about the Perdix, it's just that it has more annoyances (to me) than the Eon

Interesting. As someone else mentioned, would be an interesting new thread given the prevalence of Shearwater computers in technical diving and especially as they're integrated with many rebreathers (JJ, Revo, Megladon, and others)

I have a Suunto EON Core and have been quite happy with it, I would like to hear why an earlier poster said to "avoid Suunto like the plague", why?

As mentioned, the one I've had experience with is a watch style "technical" dive computer. It has a hideously complex user interface, is very quirky, has excessive conservatism (especially with MOD calculations), easily locks you out, needs a torch to read it in the dark, and a bunch of other issues related to its algorithm, etc. It is not a technical computer; there are far better ones out there.

Battery replacements are expensive and I suspect are just that. Didn't even know that Suunto had specialist service centres.

 

[Divrtim]

When I started diving the only computer available was my brain. We had a pressure gauge, a watch and navy tables. I'm really dating myself but we also had the infamous J valves. Progressing through the years I have had a variety of dive computers, buying some of the greatest and latest of the time, But I still found relying on my own brain to be most useful having developed that skill and reliance over the years.
So to your question, I would suggest that what ever you decide upon get a computer, as a minimum, that is nitrox programable. You'll probably move into using nitrox sooner than later and that training and certification for the money is better than any other equipment up grade. The nitrox class and certification is cheap compared to buying an air computer and then buying another computer to use nitrox. If your diving air you are already diving 21% nitrox so why not expand your capabilities?
Most dive computers, regardless of brand, use a Bhulman algorithm so brand per se, isn't really an issue. All of this being said, it still helps to bring your best dive computer along on every dive, your brain. Obtw, I dive a perdrix AI. Be safe.

 

[jejton]

If you are in the Broward county area (assuming by your sn that you're in Floriduh), make a stop at Aqui in Lauderdale by the Sea and check out the Deep 6 Excursion. I purchased one last summer and have been happy with it. Its a wristwatch style computer, with all the features you need for rec diving and then some, easy to use interface and, IIRC, was between around $250 at the time. It is not a color screen however and a bit on the smaller side so I'd recommend checking one out in person to see if it suits you before purchase.

 

[Shane Te Ngaio]

H

This neatly sums up my experience with Suunto.

I bought the D9tx when I was a novice, swayed by the "tec" credentials - literally lusted after it and swallowed their marketing guff hook, line and sinker. I really was their target market; knew nothing, dead keen, looking to my "tec" ambitions, even respected DiveMASTERS who wore such symbols of competence...

Only after I gained the experience with a few hundred dives under my wing, trimix, accelerated deco, do you then really learn of the Suunto's severe shortcomings. That I was using it as a backup to my Shearwater Perdix simply exacerbated it's recreational-oriented features.

As a "tec" computer it's thoroughly useless. It's illegible; horrendously difficult to use; has ridiculous lockouts (including having to ascend above the ceiling to change gasses - 100% won't switch until 5m); has a mass of overcautious nonsense; and the compass has never reliably worked.

As a recreational computer used when straying into occasional decompression it's OK. It's not great, just OK.

As a wristwatch it's good.

Hi as a recreational diver I have been using Scubapros G2 Computer and has worked well for me.Just wondering if it would be suitable to use for Technical diving as I am keen to start some decompression training diving with a twin set up?

 

[Wibble]

H

Hi as a recreational diver I have been using Scubapros G2 Computer and has worked well for me.Just wondering if it would be suitable to use for Technical diving as I am keen to start some decompression training diving with a twin set up?

The main requirement is the computer must support "standard" decompression algorithms as you will be diving with other people, sharing common plans and working together.

The standard algorithm is Bulhmann with Gradient Factors. This is supported on planning tools such as MultiDeco.

Does your computer use Bulhmann?