Best First Dive Comp under $700?

[tbone1004]

so you justified it with the increase in joy you get from diving. Fine, but unlike this discussion, your video equipment actually sees an increase in quality with the price increase. This is a different discussion with computers because there is no quality increase in having AI, only a perceived convenience, if that perception is worth an average of $400 to you, then fine, but at least with video, there is a functionality or quality increase when you go up in price.

The other discussion is dollar increase vs. percentage increase. You essentially are doubling your cost, while in a video system $400 is peanuts when it costs $4k+. With a computer, you not only have to think about "it's an extra $400", it's "I could buy two Geo 2.0's, with an SPG and hose for the same cost as the Atom 3.1 with transmitter". Alternatively, I could buy a Geo 2.0, with SPG/hose, AND a DRiS Trianta BP/W set, for the same price I'd spend on an Atom 3.1 with transmitter.

Cobalt 2 was mentioned, that is a $1300 computer. So now you go, do I buy a Geo 2.0 *$400*, with a DRiS Trianta BP/W *$400*, AND a full Dive Rite XT regulator set *$600*, or do I buy a Cobalt 2?

Does the increase in perceived convenience justify spending that amount of money? No. For a video rig, can I justify $4k to be able to shoot memories of the beauty that I see underwater and show others what I am passionate about? Yeah, that one is easier to swallow.


Edit: OP, just saw your last post. Shearwater basically fixes the prices, so with current exchange rate, it should be $759. If he has one in stock, see if he'll cut you a bit of a deal and make it $700 even. It blows the Cobalt 2 out of the water in literally everything, it is to the point that the Cobalt 2 is just not worth looking at. Just over half the price, better features, more user friendly, it's a no brainer. It will literally be the last computer you ever need to buy.

 

[uncfnp]

I hear you. Someone, I forget who, equated fin stiffness and efficiency to bicycle gearing. Depending on individual leg strength and endurance, people will have a different ideal bicycle gear and ideal fin stiffness. I bought Jet fins after reading all the glowing reviews and recommendations. I am now selling my Jet fins. I don't have the leg strength, ankle strength or endurance for them.

Recreational only diver. Petral or Geo ? $800 vs. $400.

AI, AI wireless, SPG, value of money spent. In my opinion, as long as the equipment is safe, reliable and functions properly, spend as much or as little as you want. I cannot justify the money I spend on my UW video equipment. It's a hobby for me. I don't make any money from it. There is no justification other than I can afford it and it makes me happy.


I like this discussion. Respectful, valid opinions.

I own both the Petrel and the Geo 2.0.

Geo 2.0 costs less than the Petrel but 400 dollars is still too much. I have seen it as low as 260 on Amazon. It is a good dive computer and can serve as a watch. Has a 2 gas option and 2 algorithm choices that each have the option of 2 additional CF options. Requires a a cable (additional charge, now you are up to 480) to download. In my option it is not user friendly but my biggest beef is that it does not retain gas mix, must be reset each day. Battery user replaceable but requires a tool supplied by Oceanic. O-ring size for battery compartment not listed.

Petrel costs more but you get more. Large LED screen. Does not require a backlight for dim or night diving. Bluetooth, no cable required. Very user friendly. Great customer service. Capable of using a variety of easily replaceable batteries including AA alkaline and lithium. Can open compartment with a coin. Firmware frequently update and improved. Screen layout user adjustable with multiple screen options. New rec mode or full tech. High resale value in the unlikely event you change your mind. And don't forget the COMPASS!

But since Oceanic is not an option and Petrel is...

 

[ronscuba]

We all assign value a little differently. The value of convenience, having something new, something that looks cool, bragging rights, etc..

I like seeing and talking to divers about their gear. Especially if they have different gear than me. It's fun, social and informative.

 

[Keith.M]

I often see the AI feature as just a convenience, and I agree that it would be.

Because I upload all of my dives to a dive log, I would see AI as a way to monitor and track your air consumption as the most important feature.

I would always still have a brass and glass SPG.

 

[tbone1004]

Keith, it's a quick step with a Petrel or any other computer that logs your average depth.... Doesn't give you real time, but I track my SAC rate for all dives, but do it as a whole dive average as that to me is more meaningful than individual segments.

 

[scubadada]

Keith, it's a quick step with a Petrel or any other computer that logs your average depth.... Doesn't give you real time, but I track my SAC rate for all dives, but do it as a whole dive average as that to me is more meaningful than individual segments.

The AI actually calculates your SRMV based on your real gas use. You can easily adjust for cylinder used, whatever. I have my SRMV for the last 534 dives since July 4, 2010

 

[eelnoraa]

You're going to need an SPG if you buy a Petrel also...it's not a bad idea even with an AI.

YMMV but my buddy has an AI Oceanic. It syncs so well that we've seen it happen when he gets within about 10' of his tank. And he's never noticed it losing the lock. The only downside is you can't touch many AI computers for much under $1K - the transmitters run $3-400 alone. It's also possible to buy an AI-based computer without one and later add it if desired or when you can more easily afford to do so - or find a good deal on one - transmitters within a mfr's line are generally pretty agnostic.

Hollis, Oceanic and Aeris are all divisions of AUP. In fact Aeris is currently being integrated into Oceanic and will cease to exist as a separate brand. So your shop should be able to get Oceanic/Hollis computers as well if there's something in their lines of interest - probably more Oceanic than Hollis in your case as I believe they only sell the two models now.

---------- Post added June 5th, 2015 at 02:36 AM ----------

I don't exactly get your point, nor do I dispute the fact that Shearwater is a superior computer, my simple point was that it doesn't appear the OP's shop where he has the credit can get one. So suggesting one has no validity in this thread's context. Nor would Suunto or any other mfr's computers the shop is also unable to get.

What are you talking about? There are frequent oceanic/hollis/aeris wireless AI computer going for $500-$600 new. If you are willing to take open box or demo unit, below $500 is very easy to find.

Just check, for $500, you can get brand new Hollis DG03 ($250) + transmitter($250) from DGX. Not that I am an AI guy, but to get AUP AI, you don't need $1k, far from it

 

[tbone1004]

The AI actually calculates your SRMV based on your real gas use. You can easily adjust for cylinder used, whatever. I have my SRMV for the last 534 dives since July 4, 2010

so it saves me what 16 characters, but requires that I input the tank size and working pressure to the computer?

Petrel gives me dive time and average depth, I put that into a simple excel formula along with tank size, working pressure, starting pressure, ending pressure and spits out my average SAC for the dive. That is what you need for gas planning, not your real time usage.

 

[djtimmy77]

if the OP wanted my advice I'd say he should spend the $250 on basic wrist computer with nitrox capability, get an SPG and then spend the rest of his budget on diving. nearly all recreational divers don't need anything more than the most basic computers on the market. If he was insistent on spending more, I would suggest buying two basic computers to have a backup. I know this falls outside his parameters, but at the same time I don't think every rec diver needs a petrel.

as for AI two of my dive buddies used to have AI (one hose mounted, one wireless) and both had issues with pressure readings. The faulty pressure sensor on the pro-plus two ended up allowing an OOA situation to happen. neither one uses AI anymore, both have switched to brass & glass SPG and use wrist mounted computers.

 

[eelnoraa]

On top of what tbone said, the real problem here is you need the computer to tell you what SRMV is. A group of people I dive with, if you ask them how much gas they have left during a dive, they will just tell you without the need to look at the SPG. Most of the time, they are accurate within 500psi, yeah, they know without a computer