Best First Dive Comp under $700?

[diversteve]

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.

I'm not willing to buy a used computer. No reason to and so I choose not to. The OP indicates he has a store credit to use so I assume he doesn't want to either. Or would be limited by whatever the shop has available used.

Using MSRP from the Oceanic website - prices quoted include transmitter:

An Oc1 is priced FROM $1599.
A VTX is $1299
A VT 4.1 is $999
An OCI is $1199-1299.
An Atom 3.1 is $899

That's all the AI models they sell.

An Aeris A300 CS OLED is $1295 from several retailers on Amazon.

Aeris is being absorbed into Oceanic. So I expect their prices to flunctuate. But I wouldn't reliably expect it to drop much below $1000 before the remaining stock is gone. Didn't see one on Leisurepro - although I might've expected to since they've sold other Aeris gear at closeout recently.

Hollis only lists one on their website - the TX1 - current retail on LeisurePro is $899.

So 5 computers over $1000 and two $100 under it. So given that you set the AUP parameters in your post - I can clearly justify MANY. Especially when his Aeris dealer is likely discounting off MAP if they are offering anything at all.

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

Yeah, I forgot about that one. But the OP isn't buying a computer from DGX since he's using his store credit...and that's a special deal only available at DGX.

 

[eelnoraa]

Aaron,

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

I guess this is for me.

For local dives, say one or two dives on the weekends, I don't even bother with DC as confirmation. I just use computer in gauge mode, keep track of my average depth at bottom, use table. My profile is usually long dive time with relatively shallow average depth. I am always on the conservative side well within 32% table. And even that, VT3 in computer mode will lock out. BTW, my main gauge is Uwatec 2G in gauge mode because it display dive time in second, has resettable stop watch. It helps me to time my ascent. It does average depth, which I use it to confirm with my own estimation. VT3 doesn't do any of these, it is mainly my backup gauge.

On vacation or live aboard where I do many repetitive dives, I run VT3 in DC mode as confirmation. I want to be extra conservative . I make sure I don't ever lock out VT3.

 

[scubadada]

I guess this is for me.

For local dives, say one or two dives on the weekends, I don't even bother with DC as confirmation. I just use computer in gauge mode, keep track of my average depth at bottom, use table. My profile is usually long dive time with relatively shallow average depth. I am always on the conservative side well within 32% table. And even that, VT3 in computer mode will lock out. BTW, my main gauge is Uwatec 2G in gauge mode because it display dive time in second, has resettable stop watch. It helps me to time my ascent. It does average depth, which I use it to confirm with my own estimation. VT3 doesn't do any of these, it is mainly my backup gauge.

On vacation or live aboard where I do many repetitive dives, I run VT3 in DC mode as confirmation. I want to be extra conservative . I make sure I don't ever lock out VT3.

Oh, BS. The VT3 runs only DSAT, you're telling me it will "lock" you out diving when you're within tables. For recreational dives, I think the only more liberal algorithm is Cochran, which I have also used. On 4-5 dives per day, it is possible to hit 100% O2 limit, but the computer does not lock you out, you my have to go to alternate screens to obtain all dive info. Please elaborate on what you are talking about, I do not believe it. Maybe you're talking about some kind of diving I just don't understand, my mistake. The VT3 does give you average dive depth on download, and give you gas use and SRMV if you are using AI/transmitter.

 

[Ultimate Shield]

Just to clear some of the confusion up, I already have my regs and other equipment like wetsuit, fins, etc. The only gear left on my list to buy is Gauges/DC and a weight integrated BCD (and a tank). In terms of my cash limits.. It's more of a "I don't want to spend any more than this ($700 w/credit or $450 w/o credit) on my first DC." If I have extra cash left over from this budget to add into the weight integrated BCD budget, then that's awesome. But I would like the best beginner friendly DC suited to my current needs that falls within that budget.
I.e, best bang for my buck.
That said, while I can afford the Petrel right from the get go, I'm thinking the Geo 2.0 may very well be the best way to go for the time being. It leaves some extra cash/credit left over from the budget to put into things like the SPG and the BCD budget, plus come the time I do start to get into wreck diving, it will suit my initial needs until I can upgrade to the Petrel.
Thinking it over for the weekend, but leaning ever so slightly over to the Geo 2.0 camp atm. Other things I need to take into consideration however is things like warranty and customer service should something go wrong with the DC.
I also don't know the first thing about the "algorithms" being discussed

 

[diversteve]

I don't think what they're discussing applies to you but the Geo 2 is dual algorithm switchable so you can choose the best one for the diving you're doing at the time. One thing that's useful for in a recreational setting is to match your buddies non-Oceanic computers more closely so you're both diving basically the same profile. Oceanic's (in really general terms) tend to be a little more liberal where Suunto's start more conservative and can only be made more so. So if you were trying to match one for example - one of these settings might be better:

Powered by Oceanic's Exclusive Dual Algorithm™ - Your choice between Pelagic DSAT (Spencer/Powell data basis) or Pelagic Z+ (Buhlmann ZHL-16C data basis)

And that's pretty much the sum of my algorithm knowledge...

 

[halocline]

Just to clear some of the confusion up, I already have my regs and other equipment like wetsuit, fins, etc. The only gear left on my list to buy is Gauges/DC and a weight integrated BCD (and a tank)..... But I would like the best beginner friendly DC suited to my current needs that falls within that budget.
I.e, best bang for my buck.

I also don't know the first thing about the "algorithms" being discussed

The simplest answer to your question is to get an inexpensive wrist computer and SPG. For recreational diving, the brand and features of the computer really don't matter much at all. They're all 'safe' and they all provide the information you need, which is dive time, depth, NDL time, and N2 loading info, presented in some sort of bar graph. Getting a computer without features like AI wireless or downloadable dive profiles can save you money without sacrificing anything significant in terms of your ability to enjoy diving and do any sort of recreational (i.e. non technical) diving. If you want to use your store credit, just pick one that has the display you like and is reasonably priced.

The algorithms used by various computers are used as selling points, in an effort to portray one computer as 'safer' than another, or claiming that one might offer more bottom time. The safety claims are nonsense; there is no statistical study that shows any one of the various algorithms is any safer than any of the others. The bottom time claim may be true in some fairly aggressive repetitive diving situations. BY FAR the best thing you can do to get more informed about this would be to study some basic decompression theory. There's a good chapter in the PADI encyclopedia of recreational diving that gives a basic explanation of how the use of theoretical tissue compartments form a mathematical formula to simulate the way our bodies react to higher gas pressures. Bottom line, it's not an exact science, but the more you know, the better you might be at managing your own dive profiles to be as safe as possible.

Computers are not that crucial a purchasing decision for basically these reasons. One or the other just won't make much of a difference. Your BC, though, that's another story.....

 

[eelnoraa]

Oh, BS. The VT3 runs only DSAT, you're telling me it will "lock" you out diving when you're within tables.

Absolutely can happen to VT3. I just look at my log. Here is 2 examples, Dive1, 1hr43min, max depth 83ft, average depth 53ft. VT3 goes into deco. Another dive was 2hr20 min, max depth 65ft, average depth 50ft, VT3 is in deco. These dives were NOT on the same day. I was diving double LP80 filled 3000psi. The first time it happened, I even posted my concern here, I felt OK but still wonder if I should all DAN. If I can find the post, I will post link.

 

[dmaziuk]

But I would like the best beginner friendly DC suited to my current needs that falls within that budget.

n2ition vs geo2 going by the description/specs list:

- geo2 comes with dual algorithm: on recreational dives algorithm shouldn't matter unless you're squeezing in 5 tanks/day for 10 days straight. Then you might run into "too conservative" territory -- of course the real issue is not getting bent, with that dive schedule "too conservative" may be what you want. Hopefully some tek divers chime in and explain how it works for technical diving (and I'll read and learn something).

- geo2's watch form factor & watch mode. I'm one of the "nothing wrong my eyesight, it's just that my arms are too short" people so for me bigger is better. I'm not going to wear it out of the water either, I've plenty of watches I'm not wearing already.

- geo2 has upgradeable firmware. This sounds like feature but in reality: meh. If and when oceanic starts releasing actual updates for it you can decide if you want to risk bricking your device to upgrade what ain't broken in the first place. (Or is it.)

- geo2 keeps track of your loading in gauge mode. That is actually a handy feature for a backup computer: if your primary packs it you can switch to the geo and keep diving without the 24hr "clean slate" waiting period.

The rest of the specs look pretty much the same: 3-gas, nitrox to 100%, algorithm depth to 100m, and so on.

So basically the difference is:
- $170 or
- $400 for the same feature set, but you can wear it a as a watch out of the water and it should make a better "hot" backup device later on.

---------- Post added June 6th, 2015 at 03:22 PM ----------

the Petrel 2 provides huge "utility" even when the basics are already owned.
...
Somebody got it right. (my opinion)

I do not disagree, I'd buy it if just for the big highly visible screen. It's my bank account that isn't entirely on board with that.

As for the programming and interfaces, that's part of my job description so I hear you. But OTOH I learned (and forgot) so many different ones over the years, I don't care that much anymore. Unless it's really really bad.

---------- Post added June 6th, 2015 at 03:31 PM ----------

Sorry. I am 50 recreational vacation diver.

Well, I'm 2-years-less-sorry rec vac diver, so that line won't work on me. I'll grant you being a kid athlete swimmer back when and easy access to a swimming pool now. However, with a quarter century of smoking in between, cholesterol, and intervertebral disks in lumbar region, I ain't no Amanda Beard either.

 

[Ultimate Shield]

For some reason, I can't seem to find the N2ition in stock anywhere. Has it been discontinued?

 

[Keith.M]

For some reason, I can't seem to find the N2ition in stock anywhere. Has it been discontinued?

Here you go...

https://www.divegearexpress.com/zeagle-n2ition-3-gas-dive-computer