Am I overdoing it starting out?

[Lee Taylor]

I am a BIG fan of Aqualung regs. I have owned a number of them. Would not hesitate to buy more.

If you use the Aqualung reg with the shinny silver decorative ring, prepare for a barracuda to get right in your face. (happened to me)

Barracuda are known to dart at and attack shinny silver things.

 

[altaskier]

I started out diving only in warm water, but now I dive a lot in cold water. Fortunately, when I bought my regulator my local dive shop steered me to one that is good in cold water too (Apeks DST/XTX50) and with enough low pressure ports to support a drysuit. As a result, I didn't have to upgrade my regulator when I expanded my diving conditions.

The Suunto Vyper is a good computer, and I think the Suunto Zoop has nearly the same functionality at a lower price. I upgraded from a Vyper to a Cobra 3 so I could download my tank pressure profiles and see my gas use on various dives.

 

[scubafanatic]

Titan LX ACD $400--I've got a fleet of REALLY nice, VERY expensive, custom reg sets, including Atomic M1 and T2, but I've taken my 'pre-2008' Aqualung Titan LX's into the 130' -150' range with no problems, they did fine! I actually own 5 complete 'pre-2008' Titan LX reg sets, they are my lower-end workhorse regs.

ABS Octopus single $100---cheapo crapola! (I like the Apex EGRESS octos)

Viper console 2 gauge $499---I wouldn't dive a Suunto computer if ya paid me!

Suunto SK7 top $90

 

[Malpaso]

Viper console 2 gauge $499---I wouldn't dive a Suunto computer if ya paid me!

Reasons?

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Viper console 2 gauge $499---I wouldn't dive a Suunto computer if ya paid me!

Reasons?

@Malpaso: The main complaint about Suunto computers that's voiced here on ScubaBoard is that the Suunto modified RGBM deco algorithm is too conservative.

• Penalties for certain profiles -- The Suunto RGBM penalizes the diver for "too fast" ascents (any ascent rate in excess of 33 ft./min. continuously or 39 ft./min. instantaneously) by requiring an extended mandatory safety stop and may decrease NDLs on subsequent dives. Suunto computers also penalize sawtooth profiles and, supposedly, reverse profiles.
• More conservative -- Moreover, for the vast majority of dive profiles, NDLs on a Suunto computer are generally lower than NDLs on a Pelagic group computers (Aeris, Oceanic) and other brands (Sherwood, Cochran, etc.). The "choice" argument is that more liberal computers can be set to be more conservative if the user desires, but the more conservative computers cannot be set to be more liberal. That's a valid point for people who really want to extend their bottom time.

I've conducted hundreds of dives while using Suunto computers. In practice, I've found that our circle of dive friends, which for the most part uses Suunto computers, logs the most underwater time of any recreational divers on our local dive boats. We're the first ones in, last ones out, and generally see more on our dives. We haven't found our Suuntos limiting at all...even on multi-day, repetitive dive trips.

Personally, I've found my Suunto computers to be very easy to use and very reliable. YMMV.