Best dive computers for a new diver?
- Thread starter Orange RVA
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concur
Belzelbub
Contributor
Agreed. The GPS on the Garmin is pretty sweet. As is the no action required dive log transfer.
ScubaBunga
Contributor
For new divers, it's hard to say what is best until you (the diver) understands what type of diving you are going to do and what features you would actually use. Then there's things like your age (my arms are no longer long enough for my reading eyes), the cool factor (do you want that HUD), etc. If it's at all possible, talk to your dive shop and buddies to see if you could use their computer on a dive or two. I had an initial computer (years ago) that was a wrist mount and I never liked it and still don't - but other divers ONLY want wrist mounts. So there are a LOT of factors. I would caution against too high end of computer to start unless you know that's the diving and feature set you know you want. You might pay for a lot and not use or even like it. A lower end (I'd assume minimum nitrox) may be good for a while until you start to realize what it does and doesn't do for you. It needs to do what you need it to for the type of diving you have planned. Then buy the one that fits your likes and needs.
Yes, I'm probably going to buy that or some other computer purely for the GPS capability for when I start searching for ancient wrecks
Belzelbub
Contributor
They just added a new feature that seems like it could help for stuff like that. Not sure if I'll use it just yet, but possibly. They added an app called Reference Point. Basically is supposed to guide you to a previously marked spot. Can use previously loaded GPS coordinates, or Entry or Exit point from previous dives. So, if you find a wreck, and ascend from it on a calm day, using the exit point should get you right to it in the future.
Yeah, that's what I need. I need to take a GPS measurement as soon as I surface as the wind is probably going to move me fairly quickly and calling up the boat with my Nautilus radio (first gen) will probably result in a fair bit of drifting. I'll also take compass headings at the same time.
Belzelbub
Contributor
You used to be able to do that with the 1st Gen Nautilus radio as well. I don't think it works quite as well though. Certainly not as fast. When you power up the Nautilus, it should receive the satellites, and will begin to store coordinates. In the old 32 bit Mac app, you could view those. The 64 bit app doesn't appear to allow the same functionality as the 32 bit app did. At least for Macs, not sure about Windows.
I'll have to play with that. Speed is important, but if I can get GPS coordinates within a minute, I shouldn't drift too much in that timeframe. It isn't difficult to account for that after all.
One technique people use is to put a GPS receiver (could be a phone, for example) in a floating waterproof box and tow it overhead during the dive. Can synchronize dive waypoints with actual location using time, or pull the float underwater for a moment so it loses signal and then regains it again when it pops up.
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