Best First Dive Comp under $700?

[lowviz]

It's called a "fixie" and at this point they are bought by hipster kidz 'coz they "cool".

Well, maybe.

But, speaking from the viewpoint of a NOT hipster kid, the Petrel 2 provides huge "utility" even when the basics are already owned.

I've done my share of programming user interfaces. The Petrel 2 is truly something quite apart from the norm. You can strap on the DC, poke one or two obvious/intuitive commands into it, and then go diving. I've found that you can also forget about it until you need it and then it is already offering what you need to know. I dive for diving, not for DC's.

Somebody got it right. (my opinion)

 

[uncfnp]

It's called a "fixie" and at this point they are bought by hipster kidz 'coz they "cool". Well, OK, there is the other kind: the "not worth stealing" commuter bike in places where bike theft is common. There is pretty much no other reason to choose 1 gear. The difference with fins is you can choose between crap, stiff, and "super materials" in the DPV price bracket. So with fins "buy stiff, go to the gym and work your legs" is actually the best advice this side of a sea-doo. Yep. I have no intention of upgrading my leonardo until it dies. The OP was about them having no resale value, which is true. (And not growing with you, which is misleading because "growing" is really only about having gauge mode and "not" is only about zoop: it seems to be the only remaining DC now that doesn't have it.)

That's rather one dimensional thinking, in both fins and DC's. If I strapped on a pair of jet fins, legs or no legs, my feet would sink like a rock. And there is a world of options between basic dive computer and gauge mode.

 

[ronscuba]

.......So with fins "buy stiff, go to the gym and work your legs" is actually the best advice.

Sorry. I am 50 recreational vacation diver. This is not good advice for me.

I don't view scuba diving as a competitive sport where I have to challenge myself physically or mentally. It's not about who has the best gear, who has a more efficient kick, who is the fastest. I dive for fun and enjoyment. I choose gear with that in mind.

 

[djtimmy77]

Ok, so this truly has come down to a Oceanic Geo 2.0 VS Shearwater Petrel 2 debate.
I've spoken with another local dealer who sells Oceanic. He's offering me the Geo 2.0 at $369.99
My LDS (The guy I got my cert through) has the Shearwater Petrel 2 and is selling it at $760.00, but I'm pretty sure I get a 10% discount on gear through him which would bring it to about $684, but this is all before taxes.
So I guess I got some thinking to do. Go with the Geo, which will suit my needs for the time being, leaving me extra store credit/cash left over to put toward a weight integrated BCD (and a year or two later when I get into the more advanced diving upgrade to the Petrel when I need it)
Or jump right into the Petrel 2.0 for its extra features and just rent the remainder of my gear for the season from my LDS
Hmmm. What to do, what to do.:confused4:

I am sure tbone will disagree...but my opinion is that in your situation I would get a less expensive computer (with gauge mode of course) and get a BCD/more gear that will get you diving more. I see it all the time with coworkers who get certified and hardly ever dive due to the hassle (not to mention expense) of renting gear and having to return it.

Now is the obligitory time for us to suggest a backplate and wing, which is great for recreational diving in addition to its usefulness in tech. Also can be done for a competitive price to a jacket BCD so long as you don't let the marketing of the blue H get in your way.

 

[tbone1004]

nope, I agree with that, my first recommendation was to spend $180 on the Zeagle N2ition, and see if he can use the $250 on a bc or reg set. The issue though is the credit at the LDS on the BCD discussion, regs not so much since those are pretty stable, but BP/W's are a very different discussion. My only objection was $250 for a basic nitrox computer, when you can spend less and get one with more functionality *N2ition*, or spend a little more for a whole lot nicer computer *Geo 2.0*...

 

[victorzamora]

djtimmy: You didn't ask for my thoughts, I agree wholeheartedly. However, the question was best computer at $700. The answer is to save one more notch to get a Petrel2. The best gear decision for OP seems like a cheap computer (N2ition or similar) and a BCD.....IMNSHO.

 

[lowviz]

Spend your dive money wisely, seek the most (and lasting) value for each purchase.

 

[eelnoraa]

nope, I agree with that, my first recommendation was to spend $180 on the Zeagle N2ition, and see if he can use the $250 on a bc or reg set. The issue though is the credit at the LDS on the BCD discussion, regs not so much since those are pretty stable, but BP/W's are a very different discussion. My only objection was $250 for a basic nitrox computer, when you can spend less and get one with more functionality *N2ition*, or spend a little more for a whole lot nicer computer *Geo 2.0*...

I am total with tbone on this one. If I were to start all over today, I will just get the N2ition. But of course when I started, I was adviced similar, but I was like nah, I can afford get better computer, more "cool" feature such as wireless AI. I got Oceanic VT3(similar to DGX DG03)+transmitter. A few year forward, I sold the transmitter, put VT3 into gauge mode. It is still a good compuer and does what I want, but I know have save quite a bit of money if I had listened to orginal advice.

Have that said, I do understand the desire to have a computer with cool feature. If I had never bought VT3, I may long for one today. Just my 2 cents

 

[buddhasummer]

I think he should buy HOG. Oh wait, it's not a regulator thread. My bad.

 

[lowviz]

Aaron,

Now that I have time to think about it, don't you run RD and just use your DC as a quick confirmation?