Best First Dive Comp under $700?

[tbone1004]

How does sidemount or BP/W enter into the options ?

what Victor said. It was to emphasize that the cost of AI on those computers is equivalent to a full technical backgas regulator set, and/or a top of the line bp/w or sidemount rig. You gain nothing but AI by going with these computers over a Petrel, actually lose some functionality that the Petrel has that they don't. If AI is worth between $600 and $1100, then sure, go for it, but for the same price of the Eon Steel with a transmitter you can get a top of the line computer, top of the line bcd, and damn good regs. If it's worth it to you fine, but there is no logical way to justify the cost of those computers other than "because I want it". Perfectly good reason, just not a logical one. Same goes with the Cobalt 2 from Atomic at $1300.

 

[dmaziuk]

I think his point was that a $700+ Sherwood Wisdom 3 PLUS a full set of regs.....versus just a $180 computer that does just as much.

What I read into it was you don't have to pay $1200 for AI, you can get it for the price of a petrel 2. Which may be technically true but in reality it's useless unless you spend more $$ and buy a bunch more gear to go with it.

---------- Post added June 15th, 2015 at 10:17 AM ----------

I was shocked when my wife got OW certified a few years ago. No tables. Everything was done with a dive computer.

Well, it's not like that's rocket science. Plug using padi dive tables into google and get 34.4K hits including a gootube video. At this point you can buy a $100 watch (PSNKW30GN) with depth gauge and accent rate alarm so you can dive tables. Or a $200 DC that has tables built-in, with all the advantages thereof. So why not, esp. for rec vac course where the graduates aren't supposed to dive below 60', dive off a boat, dive at night, dive carrying a camera, etfc. (looking at padi "adventure dives" list) without additional training.

 

[ronscuba]

..... If it's worth it to you fine, but there is no logical way to justify the cost of those computers other than "because I want it". Perfectly good reason, just not a logical one. Same goes with the Cobalt 2 from Atomic at $1300.

The thread has gotten pretty long and I probably missed a bunch of posts. Just thought the sidemount and BP/W references seemed to come out of the blue. If it was about what to spend the spare money on, we could have referenced anything. Travel, beer, steak, rent, kids braces, stock market investment.

We all justify our purchases in different ways. What is logical to me, might be illogical to you and vice versa. The logic for a new recreational diver to buy a Petrel as their 1st computer. The logic behind "because I want it" ? What is the logic behind scuba diving ?

 

[victorzamora]

What I read into it was you don't have to pay $1200 for AI, you can get it for the price of a petrel 2. Which may be technically true but in reality it's useless unless you spend more $$ and buy a bunch more gear to go with it.

Someone asked about a recommendation for a rec-only OLED-screened AI computer, and tbone was saying (confirmed at lunch) that when you look at it from the perspective of alternative purchases it gets crazy.

Eon Steel + Transmitter: $1664 was the best price I found after a brief search.
Petrel: $749 all day long, $700 if you look a bit.....but let's use $750.

That's a $915 difference. So, for the same price as an Eon Steel and Transmitter....you could get a Petrel, PLUS:
Backplate/Wing and Reg Set or
Sidemount harness and reg set or
Another Petrel and a big NC wreck trip or (I'm not sure what local dives cost for them, I'm using my numbers)
4 big NC wreck trips or
Half a trip to Roatan or
23 days diving Lake Jocassee (near me) or
20% of a new scooter or
OW, AOW, and Rescue classes or
Advanced Nitrox/Deco Procedures or
9 very nice meals out for you and the Mrs or
18 nice bottls of single malt or
61 cases (30pk) of Natty Light or
A pile of 915 single dollar bills.

It's a big difference, in my opinion.

---------- Post added June 15th, 2015 at 02:07 PM ----------

The thread has gotten pretty long and I probably missed a bunch of posts. Just thought the sidemount and BP/W references seemed to come out of the blue. If it was about what to spend the spare money on, we could have referenced anything. Travel, beer, steak, rent, kids braces, stock market investment.

It was a little out of the blue, but it's a perspective I hadn't put the difference in to, yet.

We all justify our purchases in different ways. What is logical to me, might be illogical to you and vice versa. The logic for a new recreational diver to buy a Petrel as their 1st computer. The logic behind "because I want it" ? What is the logic behind scuba diving ?

I know this wasn't addressed to me, but I certainly don't think a new rec-only diver needs to buy a Petrel. However, I can't understand why anybody would spend up to an Eon Steel with the Petrel being available. If it's "because I want it".....then cool, I'm glad you can get the computer you want! The price difference is just too crazy to me. As you were getting to, though, it really is whatever floats your boat!

 

[ronscuba]

I think it's just a difference of opinion on the value of AI, AI hoseless, and convenience. AI and AI hoseless is targeted at recreational. Color displays is also something relatively new, which is driving up costs. You can get an AI hoseless computer for $700, but it doesn't have color.

Some companies target recreational, some technical, some try to target both.

Good thing my wife doesn't surf SB or else she'd get excited and start shopping for $915 worth of clothes/shoes.

For me, I'd put it towards a Caribbean liveaboard this coming winter.

I know several technical divers. They get a lot of enjoyment from owning and using their tech gear. For me, it's not the gear, it's what I see UW. They mainly do local quarry or NYC area dives. I mainly travel for diving. We hang out together discussing gear, showing dive photos/videos. I own a DSS wing, my friend has an all Halcyon setup. We never get into discussions over justifying our purchases other than we want it.

 

[scubadada]

A new, rec only diver does not only not need an Eon or a VTX, they do not need a Petrel either. They could save considerably more money by buying a reasonable computer and using their SPG. Several recommendations have been made on SB. I find the decompression algorithm on the Nitek Duo and clones much, much too conservative to consider. A dual algorithm Oceanic computer like the Geo2 (I have as a backup) or one of the Veos would seem like a good choice. Then you would have even more money to spend on other equipment or a dive trip.

 

[ronscuba]

...... Then you would have even more money to spend on other equipment or a dive trip.

Or more beer.

But seriously, I agree with you. 1st dive computer for recreational diver, go simple. Displays and electronics are quickly evolving. By the time a new recreational diver needs something with more features, there will computers better than what we have today.

 

[abstract]

I'm not sure one currently exists. All I've seen seem to have one issue or another. I am interested as to what people might recommend though.

What about the best wrist computer with AI without OLED around the cost of the petrel or cheaper?

 

[Lostdiver71]

I have seen the Aeris A300 on clearance at my LDS for $699 and they will be supported by Oceanic including updates according to the Oceanic representative.


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[dmaziuk]

I have seen the Aeris A300 on clearance at my LDS for $699 and they will be supported by Oceanic including updates according to the Oceanic representative.

Made me look... To OP: if you liked geo 2 and haven't bought it yet, Amazon.com: New AERIS A300 Personal Scuba Diving Wrist Computer - Powered by Dual Algorithm with Deep Stop & FREE Online Training: Sports & Outdoors looks like an older version of the same computer at half the price. And with continuing support from oceanic and [ugly but] available manual it may well be a better option than the n2ition. For an extra $20.