A good computer for an infrequent diver. (battery concerns)

[joshua.d.vise]

Hi all!
I recently completed my PADI Rescue Diver training, and I promised that if I did, I would get a dive computer! I've looked at lots of specifications, different models, etc, and have a few in mind. However, I have some special concerns, and would like to pick your brains about them.

I want to dive more often (ideally, one weekend a month in the future), but up until recently, I've only been able to dive about 2 times a year (usually one week trips - I have 29 dives at the moment). My concern is that if I get a computer, it will be sitting on the shelf for 10 months out of the year, and I am concerned how so much down time would affect the batteries. If I get a computer with a battery that I can't replace or remove on my own, will it cause problems if it isn't used for long intervals? Any recommendations for storing a computer for a long time without experiencing battery related issues? Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[d^2b]

The only concern I know about is alkaline batteries, which leak when depleted. That would only be issue with a user replaceable batteries. I have had old computers with lithium cells in them go for several years on the shelf without any obvious harm.

 

[JohnRom]

Look at a computer with a user replaceable AA battery. Once you are done diving you can remove it and use it for other purposes and put a new one in for your next dive session (depending on the gap).

 

[Stoo]

Literally any computer with a user-changeable battery would do. If it's going to sit ofr months, pop the battery out. Just make sure you know how to replace it properly, paying due attention to the o-ring. O-rings degrade over time, regardless of the amount of use. Like all rubber, I would think that storing the thing in a box, out of direct sunlight, or fluorescent lighting.

 

[DIVEWATCHDOCTOR]

Nothing will happen to your computer by sitting on a shelf for ten months, provided the battery is lithium and not alkaline. Lithium batteries don't leak whereas alkaline after some time do. While sitting on a shelf, though, unless you can put your computer into sleep mode -which I doubt- the computer will slowly discharge the battery. The option of removing the battery before putting it away is a valid one, except that I would strongly advise using a new Oring when reinstalling the battery. All things considered, I would leave the (lithium) battery installed while sitting on the shelf and check it's status before you start diving again.

 

[Michael Jastrzebski]

Exactly, therefore being an infrequent diver myself I purchased Teric - like the idea of using it occasionally as a watch, the batteries will get some needed 'exercise' once in a while.

 

[broncobowsher]

I have a spare Shearwater Petrel that I keep around for backup purposes. Contacted Shearwater before I stored it. No harm in letting it wit indefinitely without a battery in it. The clock will need resetting once a battery goes in. And it takes a regular AA battery. Very nice and intuitive functions so when you get back to it after 10 months, it will still make sense and be easy to use.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Oceanic