Best First Dive Comp under $700?

[uncfnp]

Another way to look at it is the Geo is 400 and no store credit. The Petrel from the LDS is just under 700 if I remember correctly and that is through the LDS. So really it's 700 - 250 = 450. Even I can do the math on this one.

As I have said, I own both.

 

[ronscuba]

Sorry I spelled it wrong. Petrel.

I am sure it is a great computer and would make recreational divers very happy. A big part of it's feature set is for tech divers and that is part of it's price tag. He did mention a budget restriction.

Many people don't "buy it once". The latest and greatest is tempting for many, whether they need it or not.

It's human nature to recommend what we ourselves like and use. Sometimes our recommendations are beyond what is needed. I'm guilty of this myself. Just sayin'.

 

[tursiops]

I wore my Petrel on a night dive with a fellow who does only recreational diving, and is getting older so has weakening eyes.
When we surfaced, he wanted to know where he could get one.....he will set it in recreational mode and live happily ever after.

 

[djtimmy77]

DJ above you suggests a Zoop which is a properly useless paperweight and no offense to anyone who has bought one, but they really just aren't good computers especially for the amount they charge for the bloody things, same with the Leonardo.

Please quote where I typed this. Can't do it eh?

Now that being said, I have personally used a gecko/zoop for all of my recreational dives and am very satisfied with this computer. Last time I paid attention, you could get them for $185 brand new from authorized dealers around here. Any recreational diver could use this for all of their dives and be happy, in fact countless divers do. They are in fact good computers, they just lack features that you feel are important but in reality the vast majority of divers will never use.

I specifically didn't mention the Zoop by name as you had previously made a good point about gauge mode for someone who has indicated that they may do tech diving down the line.

I would personally consider a Petrel now as I do some tech diving, but in reality the tech diving I do is with run time tables and I use a Vytec in gauge mode for that. (which I purchased at a ridiculous price from someone who moved to RB only) Taking the next step to trimix would likely be the only thing that would get me to take the jump.

 

[Water Boy76]

you need to start reading more posts slick.

How did you know my nickname?
Really no need to read post's about computers anymore. They always end the same....

 

[scubadada]

Please quote where I typed this. Can't do it eh?

Now that being said, I have personally used a gecko/zoop for all of my recreational dives and am very satisfied with this computer. Last time I paid attention, you could get them for $185 brand new from authorized dealers around here. Any recreational diver could use this for all of their dives and be happy, in fact countless divers do. They are in fact good computers, they just lack features that you feel are important but in reality the vast majority of divers will never use.

I specifically didn't mention the Zoop by name as you had previously made a good point about gauge mode for someone who has indicated that they may do tech diving down the line.

I would personally consider a Petrel now as I do some tech diving, but in reality the tech diving I do is with run time tables and I use a Vytec in gauge mode for that. (which I purchased at a ridiculous price from someone who moved to RB only) Taking the next step to trimix would likely be the only thing that would get me to take the jump.

The computer forum is probably the most contentious site on SB. Everyone has their own biases and forever posts them. Petrel is often the only answer. I'm holding out for AI Petrel 3. I can't tolerate the Suunto RBGM algorithm, for a non AI I would go for the Geo2. The OP asked for an AI at $700 or less, I would go for the VT 4.1.

 

[tbone1004]

You weren't the DJ I was talking about, djdalite was the DJ I was referring to.

Why would you get a gecko/zoop when you can get the N2ition which is infinitely better?

Waterboy, they do always end up the same, which is why I posted the thread referenced on the first page. There are three computers on the market right now that make sense, any other computer you list I can shoot more holes in any justification for it you may have than a trigger happy machine gun. The Petrel is not the end all be all, it however is the best computer on the market, and at the price point it is at, unless you really need AI, or are bound to a brand, the three computers I mentioned are really the only ones looking at.

Scubadad, the AI Petrel 3 will not come. Shearwater has said they have no interest in AI.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/sh...so-will-shearwater-offer-gas-integration.html
Post #8. From the owner himself, they have a module for wired AI for the DiveCAN, but have no plans for AI.

 

[victorzamora]

Really no need to read post's about computers anymore. They always end the same....

There might be a reason

Please note the sarcasm...I'm trying to reduce tension here, not cause it.

 

[uncfnp]

To me the whole rec vs tech dive computer is nonsense. Some have more features. Some less. They all work (unless you've been really bad, they have a lock out function and not in gauge mode).

 

[scubadada]

You weren't the DJ I was talking about, djdalite was the DJ I was referring to.

Why would you get a gecko/zoop when you can get the N2ition which is infinitely better?

Waterboy, they do always end up the same, which is why I posted the thread referenced on the first page. There are three computers on the market right now that make sense, any other computer you list I can shoot more holes in any justification for it you may have than a trigger happy machine gun. The Petrel is not the end all be all, it however is the best computer on the market, and at the price point it is at, unless you really need AI, or are bound to a brand, the three computers I mentioned are really the only ones looking at.

Scubadad, the AI Petrel 3 will not come. Shearwater has said they have no interest in AI.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/sh...so-will-shearwater-offer-gas-integration.html
Post #8. From the owner himself, they have a module for wired AI for the DiveCAN, but have no plans for AI.

The N2itiion has the most ridiculously conservative algorithm that it may make the Suunto RBGM look liberal. I own one, could not tolerate diving it. Otherwise, it is a perfectly good dive computer...

I will hold out for an AI Petrel, "build it and they will come" tbone, you really do know everything, don't you?