Cheap Timex as backup Bottom Counter

[brutus_scuba]

I have a timex watch and have always used it as my backup bottom timer, some because I like redundancy and some because I just never take it off... well just in case any of you have wondered what the difference between a water resistant and water proof watch are I have an answer for you after my timex died on my last dive. Water Resistant watches you can not press the buttons underwater. When you press a button on a WR watch you break the seal and it can flood. I figured I'd post just b/c I know i'm not the only one out there who has done it.

 

[Guba]

I've used $14.95 Armitron watches for my backup timer since I started diving seven years ago. The buttons are fully functional at depth (well, down to 110 feet, the deepest I've been) and the digital screen is large and easy to read in low light. That's what I got it for...BIG letters that my aging eyes can read.
One drawback...if the battery should die, you can replace it, but it will most likely not be watertight again. Well, the battery is $5.00 and the a new watch is only 15. But they last about 2-3 years each, so it's still far more cost effective than a more expensive counterpart. Yup, got it at Wal-Mart.

 

[K Mejean]

Hey Brother let me tell you how that work. There is no such thing as water proof. When they set the seals on those watches they are set to a specific pressure rating. So for example... You have a watch with a pressure rating of 65 feet. That doesn't mean you can go to 65 feet it means that it can handle that much pressure. You can in theory go that deep but any movement will add additional pressure and cause the seal to give and ruin the watch.You can have 65 feet worth of pressure on that seal by moving your arm rapidly in 15 feet of water so it is very misleading. My advice is to always buy a watch with a rating of 200 meters or greater. They cost more but are worth it. I learned this lesson the hard way when I ruined a very expensive watch in 20 feet of water. I don't believe that it matters as to whether it is digital or analog.

 

[in_cavediver]

Hey Brother let me tell you how that work. There is no such thing as water proof. When they set the seals on those watches they are set to a specific pressure rating. So for example... You have a watch with a pressure rating of 65 feet. That doesn't mean you can go to 65 feet it means that it can handle that much pressure. You can in theory go that deep but any movement will add additional pressure and cause the seal to give and ruin the watch.You can have 65 feet worth of pressure on that seal by moving your arm rapidly in 15 feet of water so it is very misleading. My advice is to always buy a watch with a rating of 200 meters or greater. They cost more but are worth it. I learned this lesson the hard way when I ruined a very expensive watch in 20 feet of water. I don't believe that it matters as to whether it is digital or analog.

Very true but I can tell you from personal expierence that many el-cheapo wal-mart watches hold up very well to dives in excess of recreational limits. My $3.95 WR to 75ft watch went on a dive to 187' and aside from the light button self depressing at depth, worked just fine until I inadvertantly ran over it with my truck (many months later). I have since shifted to a bottom timer with my computer rather than watches as my backup. Even so, on some dives, I'll likely still take a watch with as well.

Mike

 

[Kevin K]

My WalMart special-five dollars and ninety two cents-every day, has been to 116 feet. It has been on 30 dives now. Mostly deep 80 to 110 feet. Works great! It is an Aquatech and is water resistant to 165 feet. I looked at the 70 dollar Casio but couldn't push the buttons with my big fingers. So I figured I could buy 10 or 12 of these before I was losing the game. My wife and kid use them as well. In fact my daughter uses one that the dive master on a boat gave her that he found on the bottom off of West Palm! Had to put a few pins in it from pulling lobsters out of holes but hey! Wal Mart gives those to you at the jewelry counter. Sincerely, kk

 

[CompuDude]

Water-resistance ratings on watches are done under static pressure, so it is true that they will not actually function as dive watches (which get moved while at depth, which dramatically increases the pressures the watch faces) at the rated deepest depth.

However, the worst true waterproofing is 50 meters, or 164 feet, which is certainly outside the realm of recreational scuba. The water-resist rating that should be used for scuba watches is 200 meters. If you're diving to 200 meters (656 feet), you've got other things to worry about than the cheap Timex on your wrist.

An inexpensive (under $40) Timex Ironman or Casio G-Shock, both rated to 200 meters, makes an excellent backup timer. Either should have full function on even the deepest tech dives, meaning you can push the buttons and use the watch normally.

I would not push the buttons on a watch that only claims 100 meters water resist (or less) in anything deeper than a swimming pool.

Also be careful if you have owned the watch long enough to replace the battery. Be sure to take it to a jeweler who can re-seal the watch for proper water-resistance, or you'll likely be buying a new watch shortly after your next dive. This is a frequent problem. Good thing they're cheap.

 

[*Floater*]

Water Resistant watches you can not press the buttons underwater. When you press a button on a WR watch you break the seal and it can flood. I figured I'd post just b/c I know i'm not the only one out there who has done it.

To be fair, the manual warns you of this.

 

[Vicente]

Concur, the Timex IronMan "200m" watches have been a fantastic value for me. That's what I buy and what I recommend to other rec. divers never had a problem with it flooding in my type of diving.

 

[boulderjohn]

Water-resistance ratings on watches are done under static pressure, so it is true that they will not actually function as dive watches (which get moved while at depth, which dramatically increases the pressures the watch faces) at the rated deepest depth.

However, the worst true waterproofing is 50 meters, or 164 feet, which is certainly outside the realm of recreational scuba. The water-resist rating that should be used for scuba watches is 200 meters. If you're diving to 200 meters (656 feet), you've got other things to worry about than the cheap Timex on your wrist.

An inexpensive (under $40) Timex Ironman or Casio G-Shock, both rated to 200 meters, makes an excellent backup timer. Either should have full function on even the deepest tech dives, meaning you can push the buttons and use the watch normally.

Have you read the instructions that come with these watches?

I had a Casio many yers ago, and I read their interpretations of those ratings. As my age-enfeebled memory recalls, they said that the ratings do not actually relate to depth. They had a table in the instuctions. It said something like 50m = you can wear it in the shower. The deeper ones (like 200 m) could actually be used at recreational depths, but they were certainly not good for 200 m.

 

[trucker girl]

Concur, the Timex IronMan "200m" watches have been a fantastic value for me. That's what I buy and what I recommend to other rec. divers never had a problem with it flooding in my type of diving.

I only got a computer last summer and I am far too cheap to buy a "real" dive watch (especially as a back up).

I bought the same watch- Timex Iron Man- as my dive watch 4 years ago. It's probably ready to die but I have a computer now and the watch is my backup (just in case). It totally says in the instructions that though it is rated for 200m (WAY deeper than I EVER plan to go unless I'm in some unforseen state of nitrogen narcosis... and in THAT case I imagine I'll never reach the surface again anyway... ) it is NOT intended to serve as a dive watch. I believe it's their way of shrugging off responsibility in case someone's dive vacation is "ruined" or in case someone breaks the NDL...

But it's a great backup. I just changed the batteries in my computer and I doubt I will need it... but I have my timex watch, my slate and my spare depth guage (zip tied to the back of my console mount computer) for my trip to Hawaii. I won't be diving every day but it doesn't hurt to have a back up just in case anyway (my depth and time are recorded on my computer...).

If need be, I will replace it with another cheapo... $27 beats $150 any day (even if it's NOT intended for diving...). And I'm nothing if not cheap (no snide comments please...).