Buying gear and need advice

[dkatchalov]

Just get a wrist computer and use it in gauge mode. Simple.

 

[scubacoots3]

Some people buy a wrist computer and also dive w/analog gagues at the same time.
I'm not one of them, but i know some that do.

 

[Kingpatzer]

Computers have been getting more conservative according to several articles I've read lately. I only have ever owned one, so I can't say for sure. However, I do know that between the wheel and the computer, I can coax a few more minutes of bottom time out of the wheel.

 

[donkey]

How does one follow a computer *bindly*. Most new divers run out of air before the hit an NDL. I've never heard of a computer failing in a sneaky way. IOW's it's very obvious.

Computers are based on the tables, so I'm not sure if saying that a computer is less safe is accurate. Computers just do things based on second by second readings during a dive rather than our less impressive what we THINK we may do on a dive. If one is diving flat profiles, than tables as taught by PADI/NAUI/ect are fine. For multi level profiles, it would be difficult to use the wheel to calculate an accurate profile if constantly doing a slow ascent which is a rather common profile in a lot of sites.

There are some folks that don't dive computers. However they are not diving the tables in a traditional sense either.

This might be diverging slightly off the OP topic, but here goes:
In my mind, pushing your dive time by slowly (okay, extremely slowly) ascending just ahead of the NDL is putting a lot of trust in the specific coding of the computer's N2 loading algorithm. Doing this without considering the risks is what I mean by "blindly" following a computer. I absolutely agree that a new diver is WAY more likely to run out of air before getting anywhere near the NDL.

As for computer failures, they can happen. A couple of years ago there was something funky with some brand that resulted in bad time-to-fly numbers (I think). Again, this was when divers were pushing the NDL pretty hard (if I remember correctly), and likewise would probably never happen to a new diver because of air consumption.

Besides, computers are all out to get us!

Oh, and I also agree that data based on what you actually dove (dived?) is much better than going by what you planned to do initially is better for you. I misread that bit the first time through. (my bad)

 

[owens_c]

On the question of computers. I started on gauges and then got a computer later. I like the ease of the computer very much and do recommend one. As for what kind, well lets put it this way, I dove for a year on gauges then bought 2 relatively inexpensive Oceanics when my wife got certified (229 bucks for console with pressure gauge compass and computer). While on a dive trip in Bonaire I decided I wanted some redundancy for my computer and bought a second one. This one considerably more expensive A Citizen Aqualand (448 bucks for a wristwatch computer). Upon comparing them during dives the were almost identical in profiles, no decompression, ascent, and safety stop. That said, guess which computer has given me problems. I'll give you a hint, it ain't the cheap ones. That expensive Citizen has on several occasions failed to even register the dive.
I have also seen forums that have discussed problems with Suunto, another expensive brand while other forums have affirmed the reliability of Oceanic and the sister company Aeris computers.
This may just confuse you as I am not really endorsing a brand just saying if your new you don't have to spend 400 or more to get a good reliable computer.
I hope it helps and not confuses.
Welcome to the board

 

[halocline]

I think a computer can help new divers to learn to dive more safely, primarily because they have alarms that warn you if you're ascending too quickly. I would recommend a wrist computer; since you're in NYC, you can shop locally at leisurepro for low prices, and they claim to offer warranties equal to the manufacturer. I have read several accounts that they do uphold their warranty.

Learning to use the wheel for planning multi level dives is a good idea, and I'd suggest buying one of those too. In terms of computer brands, just get what you feel comfortable with. There are major differences in the algorithms they use to calculate NDL, but the N2 loading calculations on most computers, represented by a bar graph, are pretty similar.

 

[Zoomer]

My suggestion is do lots of research and ask lots of questions, see if your dive shop will allow you to demo some of the products you are looking at.... here is a good place to get info on gear.
Gear - Scuba Diving Magazine

 

[PvtStash]

So your plan is to spend twice? Not generally a recommend plan, but to each their own. Maybe get certified first, and then start making decisions.

Actually this "thinking in advance" ie "Planning" has worked out pretty Good for me in the past so I think I'll continue, but thanks for your ...er expertise was it?

Plan to spend twice? no, actually the plan is to spend Once. As in buying a computer Once, Next year, where I'll get More computer for Less money AND have redundancy in gauges... your familiar with redundancy yes? would thought you would have appreciated it... fairly common in Diving really... maybe You should brush up.

 

[shotthebreeze]

I have a Sherwood Wisdom that I love. Wouldn't dive with anything else. It's around $450 now and it has audible alarms and pretty much anything you can imagine. It's really the Cadillac of computers. Sherwood made a Wisdom 2, which is the same thing, different colors and $300 more.

 

[Kevin Carlisle]

Actually this "thinking in advance" ie "Planning" has worked out pretty Good for me in the past so I think I'll continue, but thanks for your ...er expertise was it?

Plan to spend twice? no, actually the plan is to spend Once. As in buying a computer Once, Next year, where I'll get More computer for Less money AND have redundancy in gauges... your familiar with redundancy yes? would thought you would have appreciated it... fairly common in Diving really... maybe You should brush up.

Redundancy is a good thing. But gauges will not make you a better diver for the simple fact that you will not be able to see your dive profile and see the errors you made during the dive and know to pay more attention to that aspect of your next dive. Like RF stated, lots of dive operations do require them for the safety factor. I have pulled one diver out of a deep cavern where he should no have been because he didnt listen to others. If he had a computer he would have known he was running out of air in enough time to get himself to safety without me having to save him. I would buy the computer, but you need to listen to your instructor and his advice. Most of them I have met know what they are talking about.