air gauge

[gamon]

This is probably in the top 10 most frequently re-posted topics on this forum. It would be great if people would use the search function before starting a thread that has been posted about literally thousands of times.

That much being said, it really comes down to risk/benefit/convenience. Are you willing to abort a dive due to an AI failure, or continue the dive without knowing how much gas you've got left? If you do a lot of local diving it might not matter but on a highly anticipated diving vacation it could be a big deal.

Also depends on how reliable your AI computer is. I use an older Oceanic computer and occassionally lose signal, sometimes for the duration of the dive even though I carry 2 wrist units and a spare in a pocket.

So I run a mini spg on a thin hose, it also makes it easier to check pressure before splashing. But truth is, as I carry a bailout bottle with sufficient reserve to ascend from recreation depths I wouldn't immediately abort a dive if I lost tank pressure, I'd do my best guesstimate and dive more conservatively, with the plan to switch to the bailout when breathing gets tough.

 

[JediCheese]

I dive AI computer only. Losing the transmitter means the dive is over, but it's not critical (you were watching your air anyway and have a good idea of how much you use?). One less hose to have dangling.

 

[gamon]

Losing the transmitter means the dive is over... One less hose to have dangling.

No, it doesn't. Before I added the spg (and a bailout bottle) I'd lose signal occasionally, sometimes for the rest of the dive.

I'd cut the dive short and stick closer to my buddy but that's all that's it.

Nowadays I dive with a bailout bottle so the spg isn't all that important but I carry it anyway.

As far as "one less dangling hose".. there shouldn't be ANY dangling hoses.

End the dive and alert your buddy so they're nearby and aware. Either way you're going up.

Maybe you're ending the dive and going up. That doesn't mean everyone in that situation is going up.

 

[Khoujo1]

I'm not sure about the hesitancy to have an SPG even when using AI. We were all trained with them and should be used to them in our configuration. In the general scheme of scuba gear they cost nothing. I use an AI transmitter but will not dive without a backup SPG. It's not cumbersome, and I'll look at it maybe once or twice just to confirm all is well with the AI. As posted earlier, "One is none and two is one". Redundancy rules!

 

[Boarderguy]

Maybe you're ending the dive and going up. That doesn't mean everyone in that situation is going up.

Basic scuba forum mi amigo.

Newer divers should go up. They likely don't have their sac rate down or ingrained to time and depth. You and I, probably staying down and finishing our dive. I've done dives recently without any pressure readings because I left my perdix at home. I borrowed a buddies Garmon to use for depth and time and went about my business. A known dive site with known sac and repeated plan. Pony as a backup and off I went. I still have tanks with J-valves and handles though they don't leave my garage much anymore. But again, this is a basic forum.

 

[happy-diver]

Well I need something to secure my console to the first stage

 

[landphil]

Just spent a solo dive repeatedly dismissing a low transmitter battery warning. But I dive with a little SPG, so wasn’t concerned. I think about removing it sometimes; since the only time I look at it is when I turn my tank on. But It’s pretty compact; so it still comes along for the ride.