Best First Dive Comp under $700?

[tbone1004]

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

why do you think you need/want AI? If you don't have your own regulator set it is completely useless as many shops won't let you swap your computer onto their regs, so that's out.
https://www.divegearexpress.com/dg03-w-free-dry-box
I think that's as cheap as you can go wireless, but the DG03 is not the easiest computer to use, and still $500 for a thoroughly irritating computer

A300 for $700 is still rather expensive with at least $300 for a transmitter.

For hose, the Puck air is $500, and the Pro Plus 3 is $650. Pro plus is a much better computer, but at $650 it's rather expensive, and is a console computer.

 

[ronscuba]

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

I'm considering the Oceanic VT 4.1. Currently going for $700 with transmitter. Also considering the Oceanic Atom which is watch size. It costs more than the VT 4.1, and I might wait to see it if goes on sale.

They both meet my budget and what I want from a dive computer.

 

[scubadada]

I'm considering the Oceanic VT 4.1. Currently going for $700 with transmitter. Also considering the Oceanic Atom which is watch size. It costs more than the VT 4.1, and I might wait to see it if goes on sale.

They both meet my budget and what I want from a dive computer.

Rumor has it that Oceanic is discontinuing the VT 4.1, thus the sale price. That would not stop me from considering it, I'm sure it will be supported. I wanted to buy a replacement for my son's old Pro Plus 2. I just bought a new, in box, 4.1 from a friend, who had it as a backup, for $500. Oceanic has not replied to my queries but Scuba.com did. If you look at the info on Scuba.com, it says - CLOSEOUT - LIMITED TO STOCK ON HAND -

---------- Post added June 16th, 2015 at 05:07 AM ----------

Craig, earlier it was being posted that a rec-only AI computer (Sherwood Wisdom 3, similar to VT3 but not hoseless) was the only logical choice for a new diver because new divers were too stupid to read their SPGs. Now you're saying computer-managed ATR is only for people that understand the ATR algorithm, dive solo, and with a pony bottle. I agree with you that solo with a large-enough pony would add enough conservatism to make ATR less atrocious. If an AI computer were to run RockBottom/MinGas then it'd be better in my eyes...but would piss off people like you diving solo with a pony because it'd be inaccurate. MinGas/RockBottom is about cubic footage to get both divers (you and yourself if diving solo) to the surface with twice your consumption rate. That would also piss off the newbie divers that didn't know why it was being conservative, so nobody wins.

I don't think either Victor or eelnoraa are as far away from my thinking as it might seem. I'd be glad to dive with either one of them, but I may stay down a little longer and finish my dive solo.

 

[ronscuba]

Rumor has it that Oceanic is discontinuing the VT 4.1, thus the sale price. That would not stop me from considering it, I'm sure it will be supported. I wanted to buy a replacement for my son's old Pro Plus 2. I just bought a new, in box, 4.1 from a friend, who had it as a backup, for $500. Oceanic has not replied to my queries but Scuba.com did. If you look at the info on Scuba.com, it says - CLOSEOUT - LIMITED TO STOCK ON HAND -

---------- Post added June 16th, 2015 at 05:07 AM ----------



I don't think either Victor or eelnoraa are as far away from my thinking as it might seem. I'd be glad to dive with either one of them, but I may stay down a little longer and finish my dive solo.

I heard that too. Makes you wonder if Oceanic is coming out with something new or will discount other models as well. They seem to have models that overlap each other. Especially since they took over Aeris.

 

[scubadada]

I heard that too. Makes you wonder if Oceanic is coming out with something new or will discount other models as well. They seem to have models that overlap each other. Especially since they took over Aeris.

It appears to be the only computer currently discounted to that degree. In their communication to me, the folks at Scuba.com knew nothing about a replacement for the VT 4.1, other than the VTX

 

[Lostdiver71]

It looks like Suunto is doing their free transmitter promotion again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tbone1004]

still doesn't help that they are horrible value computers, even with free transmitters.... Eon steel at $1500, Vyper Air at $725, neither of those are worth it even with a free transmitter....

 

[eelnoraa]

I don't think either Victor or eelnoraa are as far away from my thinking as it might seem. I'd be glad to dive with either one of them, but I may stay down a little longer and finish my dive solo.

Craig, I will definitely dive with you but I would probably never agree to this dive plan. I don't oppose to solo, but I just can't and won't leave my buddy toward the end of dive. Not that I don't trust you, just if anything happen, I don't think I can live with my decision. So my solution would be bring manifold double and/or stage to match your SAC and bottom time, so that we get in and get out together.

 

[scubadada]

Craig, I will definitely dive with you but I would probably never agree to this dive plan. I don't oppose to solo, but I just can't and won't leave my buddy toward the end of dive. Not that I don't trust you, just if anything happen, I don't think I can live with my decision. So my solution would be bring manifold double and/or stage to match your SAC and bottom time, so that we get in and get out together.

I would love to dive with you on my home reef in Boynton Beach, FL. You would love the healthy reef and the number, diversity, and size of the reef fish. The dives are drift at about 60 feet, I get about 75 minutes out of my rented AL 80s. Let me know if you are ever in the neighborhood. I'm currently living in Switzerland, but am in Florida about 2 weeks out of 8

Good diving, Craig

 

[ronscuba]

still doesn't help that they are horrible value computers, even with free transmitters.... Eon steel at $1500, Vyper Air at $725, neither of those are worth it even with a free transmitter....

Vyper air is going for $525 at Leisurepro. With a free transmitter it is a very good deal for people who want AI hoseless.

Forgetting about the AI and/or hoseless debate, there are people who want and like the feature and for them, this is a good deal. As far as I know, this is about the least expensive AI hoseless computer and transmitter package out there.