Beginner question about Nitrox analyzers

[Ghetto Diver]

I had my own, but sold it.
I used mine to confirm scapa fills ( first fill nitrox, second fill air = leaner mix).
I didn't use it as much as I thought so sold it before sensor crapped out.
I used a medical analyzer btw...can be had pretty cheap.

 

[Alastor]

I am diving Nitrox (and Trimix) whenever I think it is worthing, considering the type of dive I plan to do.
For example, during liveaboards, with multiple repetitive dives I try to use nitrox whenever possible.
I do not own any analyzer, I always use those provided by the filler to confirm their analisys and sign the register (and fill the labels on the tanks).
I think that the need to own an analyzer is only when you do the mix by yourself, or if you stock gases in taks for very long time before use.
If you really do not need it, is another piece of equipment to take care of (sensor, battery), so your total cost of owneship is too much.
Blenders shall have their own and provide them to customers for verification, so you will always find one when asking for gas mixes.

 

[hammet]

I am diving Nitrox (and Trimix) whenever I think it is worthing, considering the type of dive I plan to do.
For example, during liveaboards, with multiple repetitive dives I try to use nitrox whenever possible.
I do not own any analyzer, I always use those provided by the filler to confirm their analisys and sign the register (and fill the labels on the tanks).
I think that the need to own an analyzer is only when you do the mix by yourself, or if you stock gases in taks for very long time before use.
If you really do not need it, is another piece of equipment to take care of (sensor, battery), so your total cost of owneship is too much.
Blenders shall have their own and provide them to customers for verification, so you will always find one when asking for gas mixes.

or when you go on a charter boat where the tanks are provided for you... usually marked with some blue tape with a two digit number written on it in magic marker.

 

[Neilwood]

When dealing with nitrox, any place that is providing it (charter boat, LOB, LDS) should provide an analyser as a matter of course - if they don't think twice about using them. They should also ask that you check the tank and complete a form stating the % normally with a signature as well. As for marking the tanks, that depends on where and when you are using them- if you are picking up a few tanks you need them identified with the % on the tank. If it is on a charter or LOB where you have one tank at a time, you just analyse that tank, set your computer and fill in the form.

Worrying about the state of the analyser is a bit moot - the provider of the nitrox is unlikely to gamble with the reliability of the analyser. I would say that they are not in general going to skimp on the cost of the analyser (which will do a lot of tanks) just to save a few bucks when the liability for it is huge if it is found that they were at fault. That is one of the reasons why nitrox is generally more expensive - the additional cost of blending it and testing it.

Unless you are using a lot of nitrox, you might find that you get limited service out of the sensor before it craps out and that is the most expensive bit of the analyser IIRC.

 

[TrimixToo]

Having your own lets you check the mix before diving. This can protect you from a partial pressure blending error masked by insufficient time for the gases to stabilize into a uniform mix, which could result in a bad reading, one most likely to show less O2 than is actually in the tank because air is normally added last. Depending on the size of the measurement error, this could matter...or not.

How big is the risk of this happening? Who knows? It's mitigated by the high probability that the tanks will sit for several hours before you get to them unless you sometimes pick them up right after blending. It's up to you to decide whether to accept this risk if you buy gas from shops that don't bank Nitrox (which is probably most of them).

That said, like others, I didn't buy an analyzer until I started blending. Knowing what I know now, though, I think I should have bought one sooner.

 

[BoltSnap]

I dive/dove around the world and would never consider using nitrox anywhere in the world, not even the US, without having my own O2 analyzer (and CO analyzer too)!!! I use the fill station's analyzer and my own when picking up the tanks and my analyzer just prior to diving before setting up my equipment. Even if I am getting air, I'd test O2 and CO %. It is my life and there are absolutely no warnings whatsoever that you are using the wrong gas for your dive and I won't take anyone's word or their analyzer's word without checking my own analyzer too. I actually now have two O2 analyzers in addition to the CO analyzer.

Trust no one and do NOT take their word, use your own analyzer!!

 

[DogDiver]

Agree anything else is a “trust me” dive

 

[uncfnp]

I know...

I was going to stop thinking about this when some posters said it is a "nice to have". I'm going to buy one, but not right now. I am still figuring out the PLB and canister conundrum, and that will be purchased first.

Ideally, when i have purchased everything else in my kit and actually come around to buying one, there will be an alternative to the cootwo (dual gas analyzer) from a company that has good service and support.

This. Do not buy one yet. Dive more. See how readily available they are at your typical destinations. We bought one several years after we started diving but still rarely need it. The LDS in Florida requires check and log before we leave the shop and I have never had a need to retest but if I did the dive boat has it easily available.

In Bonaire it really is useless and could not leave it in the truck so would have to return it to our condo before heading out to dive.

In Cozumel we have started taking it. The dive op has them but I have found it more convinient to have my own.

Never needed in Grand Cayman.

And it may have already been said but the analyzer O2 cell has a limited life expectancy. That means even unused it will still age and require replacement and this is almost the cost of the analyzer itself.

 

[Dogbowl]

I dive/dove around the world and would never consider using nitrox anywhere in the world, not even the US, without having my own O2 analyzer (and CO analyzer too)!!! I use the fill station's analyzer and my own when picking up the tanks and my analyzer just prior to diving before setting up my equipment. Even if I am getting air, I'd test O2 and CO %. It is my life and there are absolutely no warnings whatsoever that you are using the wrong gas for your dive and I won't take anyone's word or their analyzer's word without checking my own analyzer too. I actually now have two O2 analyzers in addition to the CO analyzer.

Trust no one and do NOT take their word, use your own analyzer!!

Agree anything else is a “trust me” dive

I get it. I totally do. Right now, I don’t think it’s top on my priority list due to other more pressing needs (e.g. dSMB/reel, signalling devices, PLB/canister, lights, etc). I’m still trying to fill in my kit. Just bought regulator sets and BCD’s, 2x (hubby and myself). As I don’t have a trust fund I’m gonna have to buy stuff piece by piece. Since most/all LSDs/liveaboards have them, I’m gonna have to “trust them” on that one, at least for now.

 

[rddvet]

or when you go on a charter boat where the tanks are provided for you... usually marked with some blue tape with a two digit number written on it in magic marker.

Never trust the blue tape. Analyze yourself. Too many factors: was it calibrated, did the person actually analyze, is the number the current %.

Buy an analyzer for CO and nitrox and use both every time.