Aqualung i450 vs i750

[Seefa]

I've been looking at those two computers as a potential upgrade with AI.

I currently work as a dive guide over the weekends in a relatively warm and very sunny location. I need something that is reliable, low maintenance and that will live long with me.

The reason I'm considering only these two models is because I can get them for a very good price and service and parts are not a big issue here should I need them so *** Please do not recommend Peridix or any other computer ***

I'm looking for general advice and opinions of people who bought either of those and of people who switched to OLED display computers.

I also want to know the answer to the following questions:
How readable is the OLED display in sunny conditions?
How many dives or hours does the battery of the i750 last?
Any complaints or problems with either device?
How different is the algorithm used (pz+) to the ones used by Sherwood?
How usable is the compass on either device?
Why would you choose one over the other if price is not an issue?

Thanks!

 

[dmaziuk]

I doubt you'll find many takers. All I can tell you is i750's predecessor: Oceainc VTX got consistently bad reviews, in particular for its screen in bright sunlight. Whereas the 450 seems to be the continuation of Oceanic Atom line that has consistently good reviews.

 

[scubadada]

With Aqua Lung, you are limited to the middle of the road PZ+ decompression algorithm, with Oceanic you have your choice or the liberal DSAT or the PZ+ algorithm. Not really a choice in my estimation

 

[Ghost Diver #]

I own them both,
I love the 750, screen can be kind of hard to read in the sun and the batteries do not last long.

Once you take the time to learn the computer and the features the 750 is fantastic. The compass is nice but takes some playing with to learn how to lock the heading. And where to look for alarms while in compass mode.
The computer is very clear under the water and easy to set up and navigate the screens, like any computer it takes time to familiarize yourself with all that it can do..it's for single tank nitrox or air , non tec diving. If you do make a mistake and go into deco it have very clear steps on how to surface safely, but it's not meant for this type of diving. It's had a automatic deep stop that can be turned on for any dive below 80feet

Hope this helps .

 

[stuartv]

I have had an Oceanic Atom 3.0 for 3 years. It is awesome. I have changed the battery in it (myself) two times, I think, and that is all I've ever needed to do to it. The i450T is very similar.

I have read many posts here on SB about the Oceanic VTX being very hard to read in bright ambient light conditions. And also that the battery does not last very long at all. The i750TC appears to be pretty much the same computer as the VTX.

I use and prefer the DSAT algorithm for recreational diving. The Oceanic computers mentioned above support that algorithm and the AquaLung computers do not.

As such, I would not buy either of the AquaLung computers by choice. I would pay considerably more to get a computer that does what I want. If I could not afford the extra cost, I would rent or borrow a computer until such time as I could afford a computer that does what I want.

But, if I HAD to buy a computer and the two AL models were my only options, I would take the i450T. It is smaller than the 750 and easy to read in all normal daytime conditions. And still easy enough to read at night, by activating the back light. The 750 display would only be an advantage (in my opinion) in very dirty, low visibility water, or at night.

The Oceanic Atom is also a good, reliable, very-low-maintenance computer to have around as a backup, if/when you eventually get something else that you may like better. I expect the AL 450 would be the same (barring the issue of not liking the 450's deco algorithm).

 

[Seefa]

Thank you all for your responses.

It seems that a lot of people on SB are not fans of the pz+ algorithm and love the DSAT algorithm.

I appreciate that the pz+ is more conservative but are there other reasons why you have a strong preference towards DSAT?

The only time I did continuous deepish (recreational) diving was on a livaboard with a buddy who had a computer with an RGBM algorithm while I was running DSAT, we never really had trouble with the NDLs set by either computer and dived together with no issue. So I'm not sure if a different algorithm makes a difference big enough to warrant seeking out the Oceanic over the AL in this example.

 

[stuartv]

I appreciate that the pz+ is more conservative but are there other reasons why you have a strong preference towards DSAT?

Not for me. The DSAT liberalism is it, for me.

I did a few dives with a buddy that had a Cressi Giotto. It was consistently her computer's NDL (compared to my Atom running DSAT) that ended our dives. Those were dives in Nitrox, generally in the 70 - 115 foot range.

 

[Diving Dubai]

@warmNmoist Accross the border here, There is a good Suunto support, and there are quite a lot of us who dive the Eon Steel - (I've yet to see the Eon Core which has similar internals but different case and will cost less) It can be as liberal as DSAT or as conservative as say the Cressie. I can't say I've seen any AL computers being used

While Shearwater's are sold here, for support they have to be internationally shipped to the UK, which for me puts them off my list.

Where in Oman are you diving? The Daymaniyat's?

 

[dmaziuk]

I can't say I've seen any AL computers being used

Did they even exist before two years ago?

 

[stuartv]

@warmNmoist Accross the border here, There is a good Suunto support, and there are quite a lot of us who dive the Eon Steel - (I've yet to see the Eon Core which has similar internals but different case and will cost less) It can be as liberal as DSAT or as conservative as say the Cressie.

I think it's worth pointing out that the Eon Steel and Core use a different algorithm than any other Suunto computer (I think). So, just because the Steel/Core can be set to work in a very liberal way does not mean that any other Suunto can do the same.