A beginner seeking advice...

[BoltSnap]

The dive equipment we use in our dive school is:

1. Regulators: Scubapro and Atomic. Used to have Cressi/Mares and AL but we sold them and use only SP and Atomic now (mostly SP).

2. BC's: Standardizing on SP, we have also AL, Mares and Cressi and I'd like to sell them to replace them with SP.

3. Dive Computers: SP, Suunto and Cressi but I am also trying to standardize on SP and sell the Cressi and Suuntos.

4. Fins: SP, AL and Mares but I'll probably require the students to buy their own fins and boots in future courses

5. Various brands but now I am requiring the students to buy their own M&S.

I have used and evaluated other brands in BC's, regulators, fins, computers, etc. but the above is the "standard" for the dive school.

 

[BoltSnap]

@chillyinCanada

Is this what you wanted to know?

 

[chillyinCanada]

@chillyinCanada

Is this what you wanted to know?

Yes, thank you.

 

[stepfen]

Hey @Antonios . End of summer is a great time to buy second hand. Have a look here: Facebook Groups and here Facebook Groups
Some good deals pop up now and then. I saw these days a suunto zoop novo and a D4i (suuntos are pretty popular here in Greece, I don't like them, but you can find other brands in these groups too).

Few general info/suggestion:
- In most computers (I think all entry level ones) the user cannot erase dives. Hence the dive count you will see in second hand units will be real ( I bought my cressi newton 180euros 2 years ago with 4 dives - 2 of which were practically splashes at 3 or so meters - I couldn't believe it was real but it was!)
- Don't worry (for now) for more advanced models unless you have the money to spend and you need air integration (AI - I don't use it and I have seen people having issues with it but a lot of people like it). Even the intermediate ones don't offer much more features. Cost increases fast while even entry level have most features that a normal rec divers might ever need (except AI maybe). My suggestion: buy an entry level - enjoy it and IF/WHEN you consider tech diving in the future you will get whatever is needed then - your entry level DC will then be used as a backup.
- Caution: Sooner or later someone here in scubaboard will suggest you to look for ~1000 euros Shearwater Teric or Perdix. At least now Shearwater has Peregrine (does more that you will probably ever need, save AI, at around 500 euros). If you have the money look no further.
- I'd prefer a DC that has user replaceable battery (again I'd avoid suuntos). The cost and trouble of sending them for replacement is too big.

Cressi Donatello looks nice. As you said an updated Leonardo. What you might not like are:
- it needs an extra interface to download your dives (cost of extra ~70 euros - at least now it is Bluetooth) I think it is a "must have" item
- it lacks air integration (if you need it)
- it looks similar sized to leonardo hence it is big. Newton (I don't know its' newest model name) on the other hand is watch sized - you can comfortably wear it as a watch after dives while the screen is not much smaller.

As always these are my 2c.

I am following the second hand groups I told you above - if I see any good deals I will inform you.
Regards

 

[BoltSnap]

Yes, thank you.

What was the point of the question please?

 

[stepfen]

I have not used that model...I use an Oceanic 2.0...and if you are on a budget I would look into ebay and sometimes you can mail in to have calibrated by the manufacturer. I can tell you, I do not like Suunto Zoop...I know you're on a budget but if you really plan to dive each year...get a watch that grows with you...not too basic and not too technical. I feel the Oceanic 2.0 is great...
Side note...EANx will be great after your AOW for your deep dives. Have fun.

@Antonios FYI there is an oceanic geo 2.0 for 230 euros on sale here: Facebook Groups posted for sale on the 19th of August. Keep in mind - I don't know this DC, I don't know if it is still available nor the one selling it and I don't know if this is a good deal or not. Just letting you know

Also I forgot to mention: You said you plan to do 8-10 dives a year. That's too low for somebody living next to the sea If you are hooked you will soon (hopefully) find ways to dive much more than that.

 

[Streydog]

@Antonios FYI there is an oceanic geo 2.0 for 230 euros on sale here: Facebook Groups posted for sale on the 19th of August. Keep in mind - I don't know this DC, I don't know if it is still available nor the one selling it and I don't know if this is a good deal or not. Just letting you know

Also I forgot to mention: You said you plan to do 8-10 dives a year. That's too low for somebody living next to the sea If you are hooked you will soon (hopefully) find ways to dive much more than that.

I have the Geo 2.0 and I love it. It will do anything a rec diver really needs, easy to read small screen in size slightly larger than a watch. That being said it is older computer and it has been discountinued for a while. I paid $270US for mine new 3 or 4 years ago. I would not pay more than $150 US for a used one in good shape. The newer computers with the brighter screen are really nice but how much are you really going to be staring at your computer during a dive anyway?

 

[BoltSnap]

oceanic geo 2.0 for 230 euros on sale

You can get current dive computers with better features at around the same price in Europe. Few Euros more and you can get FAR better more modern dive computers from SP and AL with full warranty and ability to update the firmware with Bluetooth support. This isn't a bargain at all.

 

[Esprise Me]

I second the recommendation to look at used options. It's nice to have your own computer so you can get used to the interface; they're pretty much all fine, and you won't know enough to pick something you like better until you get some experience. I thought I was going to do 8-10 dives a year too, and the Cressi Leonardo was a decent choice for that. I ended up doing ten times that and decided I was willing to pay more and deal with a rechargeable to have cool extra features. Good luck!

 

[MrVegas]

In our family, we have a Mares Puck Pro, an Aqualung i300, and a Cressi Leonardo. They all work fine (except on the Cressi I don't think you can turn off audible alarms).

The Mares Puck Pro is inexpensive and has worked just fine, at least for us. The one button function might be an issue if you are trying to change gas selections on a boat, but if you are mostly diving air in recreational depths, that won't really matter too much.