Hopefully I've hit the right forum for this question. Here's the deal. When I was certified, computers weren't exactly commonplace and for me it was a non-issue since I blew through a tank of air long before my bottom time for tables had been reached. Later, I bought a Tusa computer (not nitrox compatible). Then, a few years later, I bought a Suunto Cobra and used the Tusa as a back-up. Then I got nitrox certified and so while I could use the Tusa as a back-up on my non-nitrox dives, it wasn't any good on the others, however it was fun to use it to see what was going on with the divers in the group using air. But sometimes, I'd end up locking it out.
So I concluded that I needed to get a nitrox capable computer for my backup. (I may still take the Tusa along just so I can gauge what's happening for divers on air.). Here's my question. Should I get another Suunto for my backup (it will need to be a wrist computer so probably a Vyper or Mosquito)? Pros are that it should closely parallel my Cobra and surfacing because the wrist computer is clear isn't going to be particularly helpful unless my Cobra is also since it won't perform its full functions on subsequent dives. Cons are that Suuntos are pretty conservative so if I buy something less conservative, I may know I'm OK to surface on a dive even though my Cobra isn't clear...just that I'll have some challenges using my Cobra on my subsequent dive. I think I've just talked myself into getting another Suunto, but would be interested in others' views.
So I concluded that I needed to get a nitrox capable computer for my backup. (I may still take the Tusa along just so I can gauge what's happening for divers on air.). Here's my question. Should I get another Suunto for my backup (it will need to be a wrist computer so probably a Vyper or Mosquito)? Pros are that it should closely parallel my Cobra and surfacing because the wrist computer is clear isn't going to be particularly helpful unless my Cobra is also since it won't perform its full functions on subsequent dives. Cons are that Suuntos are pretty conservative so if I buy something less conservative, I may know I'm OK to surface on a dive even though my Cobra isn't clear...just that I'll have some challenges using my Cobra on my subsequent dive. I think I've just talked myself into getting another Suunto, but would be interested in others' views.