Anything wrong with having a built-in compass in a dive comp?

[skywalk]

I'm referring to the vyper2 which has a built in compass. I've read posts that state it's not a good idea and i'd like to know opinions on the pros and cons please.

i'm torn between the vytec, vyper2 and the uwatec tec 2G. I can't stand my gekko's conservatism, and i'm hoping the vyper2 and vytec's RGBM50 will be a lot less conservative, especially when coupled with deep stop functions.

Thanks

 

[ClayJar]

There's nothing *wrong* with a built-in compass. I have found nice mechanical compasses to be much easier to sight with than digital compasses, but a well-done digital compass can be quite good.

If you're using a compass for orienteering-style work, it may be worthwhile to have a sighting compass on a board, but if you're just verifying which end of a small wreck you're swimming toward, a button compass would work fine.

If you're somewhere that bearings can make the difference between returning from your dive and being a recovery project, go with a nice mechanical compass that won't die if a battery runs low or the case floods. If you only dive quarries, where the only problem from lost bearings might be a surface swim back to the exit, perhaps you don't care to carry extra gear.

 

[Diver0001]

I have some friends with built in electronic compasses and they all say that they're overly sensitive for tilting. Apparently it's pretty tricky to hold it flat enough while you're diving.

R..

 

[ClayJar]

I have some friends with built in electronic compasses and they all say that they're overly sensitive for tilting. Apparently it's pretty tricky to hold it flat enough while you're diving.

Ah, thanks for bringing that up. It had slipped my mind. Anyway, that's a standard characteristic of a "two-axis" electronic compass. We saw the same thing in geocaching circles when they started including electronic compasses in GPS receivers more often.

A receiver with a two-axis electronic compass (such as the Garmin GPSmap 76S), had to be held horizontally to get a good compass bearing. Receivers with a three-axis electronic compass (such as the Magellan SporTrak Color) can be held in any orientation and still work reliably, at the cost of an additional Hall-effect sensor and a more intense algorithm.

The information on the Suunto Vyper2 does not specify whether it has a two-axis or three-axis electronic compass. If it only has a two-axis electronic compass, it's not something you'll enjoy navigating with. If it has a three-axis electronic compass, it should be able to give you at least the tilt capability of the venerable SK-7. (A nice three-axis electronic compass in a GPS receiver can basically be used anywhere from horizontal all the way to vertical.)

 

[DiveAnyone]

I'm referring to the vyper2 which has a built in compass. I've read posts that state it's not a good idea and i'd like to know opinions on the pros and cons please.

i'm torn between the vytec, vyper2 and the uwatec tec 2G. I can't stand my gekko's conservatism, and i'm hoping the vyper2 and vytec's RGBM50 will be a lot less conservative, especially when coupled with deep stop functions.

I just started diving with the new Vytec DS (using my Vyper as back-up). The deep stop feature works great and if you continue to do a 3 minute safety (which is disabled when the deep stop is enabled) you'll end up with 5-7 minutes (depending on your settings) total decompression time which I like from a conservative approach. As for the compass, I like my dependable SK-7.

 

[MSilvia]

I don't know much about the vyper2, but I do know that its compass will be awfully hard to navigate home with if the battery dies mid-dive. It may not be a frequent occurrance, but it may be worth considering.

 

[johnny_bravo]

I have a D9...I don't use the built in digital compass...the tilt is too sensitive...I use a Suunto SK-7 great traditional compass.

Cheers.

-J.-

 

[Matt S.]

I have a D6 and the internal compass stinks. Well, that may be a bit harsh, but it is hard to use. Sometimes it won't seem to lock, and just to display the compass you have to hold down a button for a couple of seconds. And then the compass display goes away after a few moments. That makes it a real pain to use if you are looking at it frequently.

So, I bought a Suunto SK7, put it on my other wrist, and find it very easy to use.

Maybe the Vyper2 compass is better than the one in the D6. But based on my limited experience, if you need a compass, buy a mechanical compass. And if you are buying a mechanical compass, go with the herd and buy the SK7.

It's diving, what's another $100?

 

[Hoosier]

I have a D9...I don't use the built in digital compass...the tilt is too sensitive...I use a Suunto SK-7 great traditional compass.

Cheers.

-J.-

Ditto..... Suunto one is just gimmick...

I was told that NEW Uwatec one is much better with a tilt feature.

 

[skywalk]

Very very useful and informative responses so far, thank you all so much. Seems like it's now down to the Vytec and tec 2G. Cheers

Diveanyone: since you use a vytec AND own a Vyper, have you tried the RGBM50 setting? From what I know, the vyper and gekko are identical in conservatism, hence I plan to have the vytec on RGBM50, as well as use the deepstop setting.
What i'd love to know, based on your experience, is; does the RGBM50 make a big noticable difference in NDL and bottom time, and allow you to stay down with other UWATEC users?