Bottom Timer (OMS/Uwatec) Worth it?

[Yoyoguy]

All,
I want to ditch my console, and replace with a standalone SPG. But before I do so, I need some redundancy as far as depth/time gauge goes just in case my dive computer craps the bed in a dive. I could convert my current console depth gauge into a watch style gauge and then wear a dive watch along with it but then I would have 3 watch/bungees on my right arm (dive computer, depth gauge, and a dive watch). That seems like a little much. I have been looking around for a cheap standalone bottom timer OR another dive computer which can go into gauge mode. I have come across a OMS/uwatec bottom timer which appears to be from 2002 but still works. Would this be worth while for 75$? Should I consider something else? I will be deep diver certified this coming weekend which means I will be making dives up to 130', but still recreational diving. Maybe redundant depth and timer is not needed until tech diving? I don't know. thoughts?

 

[Adobo]

All,
I want to ditch my console, and replace with a standalone SPG. But before I do so, I need some redundancy as far as depth/time gauge goes just in case my dive computer craps the bed in a dive. I could convert my current console depth gauge into a watch style gauge and then wear a dive watch along with it but then I would have 3 watch/bungees on my right arm (dive computer, depth gauge, and a dive watch). That seems like a little much. I have been looking around for a cheap standalone bottom timer OR another dive computer which can go into gauge mode. I have come across a OMS/uwatec bottom timer which appears to be from 2002 but still works. Would this be worth while for 75$? Should I consider something else? I will be deep diver certified this coming weekend which means I will be making dives up to 130', but still recreational diving. Maybe redundant depth and timer is not needed until tech diving? I don't know. thoughts?

First, do you always dive with buddies or do you dive solo?

Second, in general, I don't recommend diving to 130' for newer divers. Heck, I am not that new and I don't do recreational dives to 130'.

 

[rongoodman]

Unless you're diving solo, I wouldn't worry about it. If your computer fails, just signal your buddy and end the dive. The batteries for the OMS timers are non-replaceable, and as I recall, are supposed to have about a ten year life, so even if the one you're looking at still works, it might not next week or next month. If you're going on a trip on a liveaboard or some remote location where you can't replace or repair your dive computer, then you might want to consider a spare.

 

[PfcAJ]

I view those as 10 year units. Might have some life left but I wouldn't expect it to last very long

theyre good though.

 

[Yoyoguy]

First, do you always dive with buddies or do you dive solo?

Second, in general, I don't recommend diving to 130' for newer divers. Heck, I am not that new and I don't do recreational dives to 130'.

Yes I am a newer diver. I am PADI Advanced open water trained with 53 logged dives which do not include any of the course dives. 10 Of those dives have been to 90-100ft in Lake George in various areas. I am doing my certification for deep diver this weekend. It does not mean I will always be diving that deep, and I do not solo dive but it does certify you to 130feet. The instructor of this course is a VERY experienced tech diver and dives all over the world. I look forward to working with him as I have not been able to find anyone in person to help with training. He has extensive training and dives all around the world so I feel confident he will train me well. I would have asked him this question but he is currently away on holiday and does not return until Friday.

Unless you're diving solo, I wouldn't worry about it. If you computer fails, just signal your buddy and end the dive. The batteries for the OMS timers are non-replaceable, and as I recall, are supposed to have about a ten year life span, so even if the one you're looking at still works, it might not next week or next month. If you're going on a trip on a liveaboard or some remote location where you can't replace or repair your dive computer, then you might want to consider a spare.

thanks! Did not know the battery was not replaceable so then that is a no go. I do always dive with buddies. I just like the idea of redundancy.

 

[Adobo]

Yes I am a newer diver. I am PADI Advanced open water trained with 53 logged dives which do not include any of the course dives. 10 Of those dives have been to 90-100ft in Lake George in various areas. I am doing my certification for deep diver this weekend. It does not mean I will always be diving that deep, and I do not solo dive but it does certify you to 130feet. The instructor of this course is a VERY experienced tech diver and dives all over the world. I look forward to working with him as I have not been able to find anyone in person to help with training. He has extensive training and dives all around the world so I feel confident he will train me well. I would have asked him this question but he is currently away on holiday and does not return until Friday.

re: deep diving
I'm not the scuba police. I was just sharing my personal opinion. I prefer to approach diving a certain way but I can appreciate that my way isn't the only way.

re: backup computer
As someone already stated, if your computer craps out during the dive, your buddy's computer provide you that redundancy. If your existing computer does not have any deficiencies that need to be addressed immediately then it might be better to save your money for something else.

 

[Yoyoguy]

re: deep diving
I'm not the scuba police. I was just sharing my personal opinion. I prefer to approach diving a certain way but I can appreciate that my way isn't the only way.

re: backup computer
As someone already stated, if your computer craps out during the dive, your buddy's computer provide you that redundancy. If your existing computer does not have any deficiencies that need to be addressed immediately then it might be better to save your money for something else.

Understood. Honestly, I do take diving pretty serious as far as trying to remain safe. I have heeded many people's advice on here and I will yours. I do try and limit my deep dives but at the same time I do like adventure and pushing the limits (with in reason) I will likely never be the guy that goes for the world records and such, but I do see myself doing deco diving and dives to 200ft later in my future! I dive many dives for fun on cool looking wrecks or walls BUT I also mix in training dives purely to practice things like regulator exchange, using a lift bag in a buoyancy emergency (if ever needed until I get a dry suit) and other techniques.

 

[tbone1004]

no need in backup unless you are doing planned decompression. If your computer craps out you ascent, sing a song to yourself on your safety stop and go on with your life.

Dives to 130ft I don't recommend without being deco certified but to each his own and there are better places for redundancy at that point, like tanks and regulators...

 

[KevinNM]

I don't like the Narc below 100 feet, but part of the deep course is teaching you about how this feels.

Having a backup computer with you on every dive is highly useful on a long liveaboard. Losing your computer on a dive means losing your deco status, which means you sit for 12-24 hours then dive using tables or a borrowed computer. Alternately, If you log all your data in a logbook after each dive you could reconstruct an approximation of your status using tables. Assuming you have tables and know how to use them, which seems to be a dying art these days...

If you are just running a bottom timer then you are going to be using tables (or one of the various approximations of tables) so you should be able to make that work if you lose the bottom timer.

 

[eelnoraa]

I think Uwatec bottom timer is not worth it in your situation. If you are on budget and have nothing at this point, it may be OK. If you already have something to use now, and on tight budget, do what Adobe or Tbone said, forget about back up for rec profile. Save the money toward something more useful. If budget isn't an issue and you want a backup, at least get a air/nitrox computer with gauge mode, like N2ition for $170 at DGX. It will be a much more useful device in a long run.

Also not a fan of diving below 130ft on rec profile. On air, you NDL time a few minutes only. On nitrox, you can use 28% and be at 1.4 at 130ft. Equivalent air depth is ~115ft. NDL time is still very short. Plus the amount of gas you need to ascent from 130ft safely (rock bottom) is significantly more than 100ft. The dive is just too short to be fun IMO.