Backup computer died; what would you do?

[dmaziuk]

Seems I'm not the only one who's had this problem:
Cressi Leonardo, no display after renewing battery

I'm pretty sure it's not the new battery. I don't have a proper way of testing it, but the tongue-and-wet-finger test says it has voltage, while the old one's definitely dead. Also, when I press and hold the button, it beeps like it's turning on, then after a few minutes, it beeps again like it's turning off. It's just that the screen is blank.

You could try doing a reset (via the menu) blind, but it may not be enough even if you succeed. There's usually a hard reset that involves shorting some contacts, but in this case they're inside the pressure-proof case so...

PS also there is an off-chance that a proper 1.5001V might push it unstuck whereas a slightly degraded 1.4987V isn't enough.

 

[Centrals]

Yes. You need the watch and depth gauge and must know what your max depth on the dive was.

Without the 'dead" computer I would not had a clue on max depth dived, dive time lapsed and present depth etc etc. If I have to carry a dive watch/bottom timer I might as well buy a cheapo dc as back up.

 

[napDiver]

Because you said you may venture into tech and you do dive solo sometimes. I believe that's your biggest consideration... You should get a computer that has the same algorithm and that allows you to change GF. Basically a shearwater teric or perdix. I'd just watch for a good 2nd hand deal.

GL

 

[Esprise Me]

Thanks for the input, everyone!

I made some efforts toward resuscitating the Leonardo but have given up. At this point I'm thinking I'll wait a bit before getting a second computer, and when I do, it'll be another Shearwater. I'm a bit cash-poor at the moment after buying a house, and I don't think my need for a backup is terribly pressing. Although I do dive solo at times, I don't do solo beach dives, and I'm going to be sticking largely with those for the time being because they're cheap. My LOB originally scheduled for this past January is looking like it's not going to happen until 2024. So I should be OK with just my Teric until I have enough in my account again that the balance won't get lonely if $1k goes missing.

 

[dmaziuk]

At this point I'm thinking I'll wait a bit before getting a second computer, and when I do, it'll be another Shearwater.

Seac action comes with a reasonable price tag, and GF presets should be OK for a backup. It's new so there may be teething pains though.

 

[scubadada]

Seac action comes with a reasonable price tag, and GF presets should be OK for a backup. It's new so there may be teething pains though.

The maximum GF high is 85, making it a moderate, middle of the road deco algorithm, similar to Oceanic/Pelagic PZ+ Seac Action

 

[KenGordon]

I started diving with a Cressi Leonardo 2 years ago, and bought a Shearwater Teric 1 year ago. I kept the Leonardo and wore it as a backup on solo dives and liveaboards, and otherwise left it in my gear bag in case I forgot to charge (or forgot to bring) my Teric. Several months ago I lent it to a friend, and he just finally returned it with a dead battery. I replaced the battery and got it to beep again, but the screen is blank. I reached out to Cressi but haven't gotten a response and think it's unlikely they'll help. I'm not going to give my friend a hard time about it; I don't think it was his fault and I'm in a much better financial position to absorb the loss.

The question is, what now? I don't have an urgent need for a second computer, but I'll probably want one eventually. If I were to buy a second computer, which one would make the most sense for me? I still dive solo, though not very often (and not very deep) since I've met so many great buddies lately. I will likely do more liveaboards in the future, though not for another year or so. I still have the idea in mind to pursue tech training, though that's probably more than a year away.

Things I liked about the Leonardo/reasons to get another one: cheap, watch style, already familiar with interface, already have the cable to download dives, no need to charge battery, user-replaceable battery.

Things I disliked/reasons to get something different: single-button interface plus need to press (and hold) button to activate backlight made it inconvenient for night diving, overly sensitive ascent alarm, unable to get average depth without downloading dive (and inconvenient to download with cable), different algorithm that was mostly more conservative than my primary computer, damn thing broke after 2 years and company won't respond to emails.

Should I just wait until my need for a backup is more pressing? Should I just buy another (maybe used) Leonardo and throw it back in my bag just in case? Should I buy another Shearwater--maybe a used one, maybe a Perdix so I can still have that throw-it-in-the-dive-bag-and-forget-it-till-you-need-it convenience as long as I throw in some extra batteries? Another option I'm not considering?

Sell the Teric and buy two Peregrines.

 

[sandanbob]

If you’re really considering it, I know of another person who is interested as well as myself. I DEFINITELY don’t NEED another computer, but this one looks fun. If you can come up with 2 more people we’ve got the $200 mark. Think they would ship all five individually to different parts of the country?

Erik

I would be #4 (if I counted correctly.) So, we would just need one more?

 

[KenGordon]

I would be #4 (if I counted correctly.) So, we would just need one more?

For twice the money, just an extra $200/$250, you could have a Peregrine. Are you mad?

Advantages include:

Very nice screen
Widely available and serviceable
Genuine specialist company that develops and fully understands its own products
Widely used and understood
Regular firmware updates
Useful for almost all diving, including multi deco gas deco dives
Nothing about it requires mind bending excuses
Part of a family of similar devices so if you ever needed to upgrade, which is unlikely, everything is familiar

In the U.K. the trading standards and advertising authorities are going after “influencers” who don’t make it obvious that they have some commercial relationship with those whose products they promote.

 

[drk5036]

For twice the money, just an extra $200/$250, you could have a Peregrine. Are you mad?

Advantages include:

Very nice screen
Widely available and serviceable
Genuine specialist company that develops and fully understands its own products
Widely used and understood
Regular firmware updates
Useful for almost all diving, including multi deco gas deco dives
Nothing about it requires mind bending excuses
Part of a family of similar devices so if you ever needed to upgrade, which is unlikely, everything is familiar

In the U.K. the trading standards and advertising authorities are going after “influencers” who don’t make it obvious that they have some commercial relationship with those whose products they promote.

I don’t have an axe to grind with the excursion, but I do agree with getting a peregrine as a backup. For 99.9% of divers it does everything you want, and excellently.