Another newbie needs computer advice!

[Centexbear]

Hi all...what a great resource this board is!. I've been studying and researching this forum for 3 days and I believe have narrowed my computer choices down to 3.

Background: I haven't even yet been certified but class starts tomorrow. I have my first trip already planned for mid July to Cozumel..going to dive for 5 days...I'm so excited I can't wait! I not worried about getting a dive computer for class, but wanted to get one for my Cozumel trip. I live in Texas and plan on doing my diving primarily in Mexico, the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cayman, Belize, Mexico). I may dive the Flower Gardens a few times here in Texas in the Gulf.

I am looking for a good, well made, conservative, basic and affordable dive computer. I don't need/want AI (at this time) but would like to have it for Nitrox if I get into that which it sounds like I probably will in the not too distant future. I am a computer geek so having pc integration I think would be fun to play with and keep records of my dives.

I think a backlight would be handy and I plan on doing a night dive in Cozumel & I think I want a wrist computer...not a console.

Before listing the choices...one item I've read about here is Guage mode and how people like that but I can't figure out exactly what that is and if it would be important to me. Of the below, only the Vyper has Guage mode.

The three choices (pricing from LeisurePro):

Suunto Gekko - $224.00
Suunto Vyper - $299.95
Oceanic VEO 180 - $199.00

I have read so many positive reviews about the Gekko. I have read about the ability to hook it up to a PC (hopefully isn't too difficult or compromise the conservative algorithms). It has no backlight but the ability to shine a flash light on it to light it up. No guage mode. Has air/nitrox mode.

Vyper: has pretty much everything I'm looking for but is a little more pricey. Don't have to hack for PC. Has guage, air & nitrox mode.

Oceanic: has everything except for Guage mode. has air/nitrox mode. This has been recommended by several on this board for newbies/first computer.

I've look and priced many other computers suggested here and think these 3 best fit my needs +/- a few items on each.

My lds where i'm getting certified has the Gekko for rental and may let me just use it during class...and I may rent it for the check out dives.

Any advice or recommendations helping me narrow the list would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Thank you,

Jeff
:cool2:

 

[Tigerman]

I cant say for the specific 3 computers, but there is 4 things I think any computer should have.

1. Backlight in case you start going night diving (It DOES really help a lot not to have to use your lights on it).
2. Nitrox capability.
3. Freshwater mode as well as salt water (This is the one thing mine dont have and its kinda annoying).
4. Computer interface so that you can put your logs onto your computer.
You might think now that you dont need some of it, but from my experience it sucks to regret it later..

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

Its a little more expensive then your choices but the Vytec DS would be what I suggest.

To answer your question (or attempt to). Gauge mode is like taking a computer and shutting off everything but the time, depth, temp, and pressure (only if AI) essentially turning it into a set of digital gauges and completely disabling and decompression info or time to surface or air time or comprehensive logging ability. The computer will still record the dive and keep it in memory but it wont record datapoints and retain a complete dive profile.

So why would anyone want to spend $500 on a computer and disable all its fancy functions? Because the computer doesn't have a brain and most of these computers cant handle things like gas switches or gases outside their imposed limits. Also if you decided to follow a set of tables or a custom decompression plan then the computer might get angry with you and lock you out if you missed a decompression stop. If the computer is in gauge mode it wont lock you out because its not trying to calculate decompression for you.

In normal single gas recreational diving it's probably fine to use the computer in computer mode but if you dont like how it computes your decompression your pretty well stuck or else it will lock you out.

So now I return to my suggestion of the Vytec DS. Its capable of handling 3 gases (all nitrox) and allows you to switch underwater so the computer will grow with your recreational diving if you decide to do some more advanced yet still recreational dives. It also offers deep stops which, depending on what side of the argument your on, can add another level of safety to your dive. It offers air integration (which I am not a fan of) but that comes at a heavy price though you can add it at any time if you decide your going to need it. It can handle a higher O2 percent too then some other computers if I remember correctly.

If yo have any remote possibility of getting into some mildly more advanced diving then having something with gas switching and bottom timer function may be nice.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

Scubastore. Online Scuba gear and Scuba equipment shop. has the best prices on suunto that I have found.

 

[Centexbear]

North, thank you very much for the gauge explanation, the link & your recommendation!

 

[300bar]

Oceanic: has everything except for Guage mode. has air/nitrox mode. This has been recommended by several on this board for newbies/first computer.

Who gave you that idea.

Oceanic Worldwide - Personal Dive Computers - Veo 180

 

[jmorriss]

I just picked up an n2ition (original) for $260-Zeagle is running a 30% off special right now. It does gauge mode and allows 2 mix switching.

If for w/e reason as a rec diver you needed 3 mixes the n2ition 3 is out now for $346 and also has a prettier display and digital compass.

 

[RJP]

Take it from me and a great many other people:

Buy your SECOND computer first!

More expensive up front, much cheaper in the long run.

PS - my "second" computer is a Vytec DS, which has served me well for 300 dives ranging from short shallow "pretty fishy" dives down to 185' two-hour "lower engine room" deco dives and everything in between.

 

[Centexbear]

I am talking about the wrist computer. i don't believe it has a gauge mode...i could be wrong.

 

[jmorriss]

I am talking about the wrist computer. i don't believe it has a gauge mode...i could be wrong.

Are you talking about an air integration system or are you confused on the 'gauge mode' thing?