Buying first computer, a couple of questions

[teamgs]

Greetings,
My wife and I are finishing our certification, and will be heading to Maui next month for a week. We have wetsuits and the school required mask, snorkel, fins, booties. Because this is our first trip, and we have little idea of what we want/need, we were going to rent pretty much everything else, until we were made aware that most all dive shops don't rent computers. While most guided dives don't really require a computer, we would feel more comfortable having one, since we will be using them for our open water cert., and will most likely be making some unguided beach dives with a group of about 8 friends.
Does it seem like a logical step to purchase modules and wrist boots now, so that we can use them on our trip? In the future, we will then have the option of dropping them into the console of our personal reg's when we decide to purchase them.
Finally, while we will be getting checked out using a Genesis Resource, I like the extra features of the Atmos 2. However, while I like the techie stuff, my wife doesn't. Is the Atmos 2 much more complicated than the Resource, for standard air dives?
BTW, thanks to Larry for pointing out in a post that purchasing an Oceanic online voids the warranty! I was so close to getting the Versa Pro.

Regards,

Gary

 

[ShakaZulu]

http://www.leisurepro.com/Catalog.aspx?op=ItemDisplay&ProductID=SQTMQ

No further questions............

 

[Diver0001]

Hi Gary,

I have a couple of comments for you. Read on:

....snip.... we were made aware that most all dive shops don't rent computers.

This was certainly the case 5-10 years ago but computer prices have come way down and many dive shops do rent computers now. I would check it out by calling some shops where you are going before you spend a lot of money for something that isn't really high on the priority list.

While most guided dives don't really require a computer, we would feel more comfortable having one,

You mean two. Computers eliminate almost *all* the rounding error in the tables so even what seems like very small differences in your dive profile can make a big difference in your available bottom time. You and your wife both need your own computer if you're going to dive with computers. There is not getting around this.

....snip....
Does it seem like a logical step to purchase modules and wrist boots now, so that we can use them on our trip? In the future, we will then have the option of dropping them into the console of our personal reg's when we decide to purchase them.

Wrist mount is logical. In fact, many divers wouldn't have it any other way.

. Finally, while we will be getting checked out using a Genesis Resource, I like the extra features of the Atmos 2. However, while I like the techie stuff, my wife doesn't. Is the Atmos 2 much more complicated than the Resource, for standard air dives?

You should buy a nitrox computer. If you're motivated enough about diving to want your own gear then you'll regret not getting the nitrox feature in the long run. Even if you're not interested right now you'll soon discover that nitrox is very handy--and very popular--even on things like live-aboards and guided boat diving in the tropics.

BTW, thanks to Larry for pointing out in a post that purchasing an Oceanic online voids the warranty!

Larry is a dive shop owner and although he's helpful and sincere I would still take his comment with a grain of salt. Some of the grey market dealers have their own ways of getting around warranty problems..... It's not necessarily as big a problem as it seems on the surface.....

R..

 

[Quarrior]

One thing to keep in mind. You don't need a computer that has an Air function. Remember, Air is just 21% Nitrox. Personally, I like the Suunto line of computers. Very user friendly and menu driven.

 

[mmcdds]

While most guided dives don't really require a computer, we would feel more comfortable having one,

Hi Gary,

Congratulations on starting a really great hobby. My family and I starting diving a couple of years ago and it has turned out to be a great family sport that keeps my teenaged kids excited about family vacations.

As to your comment about not needing a computer on a guided dive, I would suggest rethinking that position. You should never, in my opinion, blindly put your safety on a dive into the hands of someone else, even if its the DM guide. Buy the computers and be responsible for your own profiles. I've been on numerous guided dives that the DM pushed the dive to the very edges of NDLs and its highly unlikely that everyone (or anyone for that matter) had the exact same profile as the DM, so its likely that if one wasn't watching his own NDL, he could easily go over.

On another note, since its this will be your first dive trip, don't feel pressured to follow the guide everywhere he goes. If you're not comfortable doing something, then don't do it. I personally don't like tight swimthroughs, I won't do them no matter how many times the guide goes through them.

Oh, and get acomputer that does Nitrox, later, you'll be happy that you did.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[teamgs]

Thanks for the comments/suggestions.

Shaka and Brian: I also thought Suuntos looked like great units. I simply was leaning to the Atmos 2 due to the special price, and the look of the face. The Aeris site has a Flash demo, that makes it look very simple and straightforward.

Rotuner: You are correct in that I will be getting two units. (Actually, I may be making a small group purchase for others in our group also getting certified this month) I don't doubt that there are ways around the warranty/dealer protection plans the manufacturers have, but if the two units were very similar, it seemed more logical to go where I knew a warranty was in effect. Now, if I found an unbelievably great deal on the absolute bomb of a computer, I would definately be investigating any and all angles.

mmcdds: Thanks for the tips. You make a very good point. If you are going with a dive company you know nothing about, you have know idea as to the competancy of the guide.

Thanks again all for the help!

Regards,

Gary

 

[teamgs]

New Info:

I just got off the phone with Lahaina Divers, where we will be getting our gear and probably diving through, and they do indeed rent the Suunto Viper with their regulators. $14/day. Now I have to decide whether to purchase, so we can get some practice with the computer, or just wing it when we get to Maui.

Regards,

Gary

 

[mmcdds]

New Info:

I just got off the phone with Lahaina Divers, where we will be getting our gear and probably diving through, and they do indeed rent the Suunto Viper with their regulators. $14/day. Now I have to decide whether to purchase, so we can get some practice with the computer, or just wing it when we get to Maui.

Regards,

Gary

I use a Vyper, I like it alot, its a great computer and its easy to use. If you ask, there's a chance that the dive shop you rent it from might credit the money you spend on your rental towards the purchase price of the computer, that way you can try it first and then buy it without throwing the rental fees away.

 

[teamgs]

I use a Vyper, I like it alot, its a great computer and its easy to use. If you ask, there's a chance that the dive shop you rent it from might credit the money you spend on your rental towards the purchase price of the computer, that way you can try it first and then buy it without throwing the rental fees away.

Good point, I will look into that. I also just left the LeisurePro site, and the have a warranty card that states: if an item isn't covered by the mfg warranty because they aren't an authorized distributor, they will match or exceed the original warranty. I will be calling them tomorrow to ask more details about that.

Regards,

Gary

 

[Quarrior]

If you do a search on this board, you'll see a lot of posts about LeisurePro. Most are good, some are from diehard LDS supporters, and a few are from folks that acutally had bad experiences. Point is, you're doing the right thing, considering all options. Good for you.

Good point, I will look into that. I also just left the LeisurePro site, and the have a warranty card that states: if an item isn't covered by the mfg warranty because they aren't an authorized distributor, they will match or exceed the original warranty. I will be calling them tomorrow to ask more details about that.

Regards,

Gary