Comparison between Suunto Vytec and Uwatec Aladin Z Nitrox

[DM462432]

Hello to all,

I am deciding to buy either the Vytec or the Aladin Z Nitrox,
Could you kind people out there give me a hand by telling me the pros and cons of each com??

Thanks and Regards

 

[david.tolan]

AFAIK you can set up three different nitrox mixes on the vytec, and change the gas you are using underwater, eg for decompression stops on a higher O2 nitrox.

You may want to check if you can do this on the Aladin.

Dave.

 

[DM462432]

Hello to you, david
Thank you for your reply,
Changing gas underwater is impossible for the
aladin as far as I know.
Also, anyone else have these two computers?
All your comments will be much appreciated.

 

[jeffsterinsf]

Suunto gets my choice:
* RGBM
* User-replaceable battery

 

[DiveTub]

Here is a great PDF with all the computers and there featuers in a graph

http://www.diveoz.com.au/pdfs/Compare_computers.pdf

 

[ERP]

My 2c --- Unless one of the computers is missing a feature you particularly want (e.g. gas switching), it probably comes down to ergonomics.

Which display layout do you prefer. Do you primarilly prefer to look at bargraphs or numbers?

I own a Cobra and a Viper (which are similar to the Vytec) the only feature I'd like to see on them that's absent is the ability to get some idea of absolute nitrogen loading between dives.

 

[jeffsterinsf]

The more I know about multi-phase (bubble) models for deco, the less important nitrogen loading is to me. I'll stick with a good planning mode and a good model any day over "nitrogen loading" which is only a part of the picture.

 

[kcanty]

I have the Air Z nitrox. BTW if you choose this line do
not go with the Air Z O2 as you loose the planning mode
for rebreather support.

My dislikes:

1. temperature is not displayed. It is tracked and used in
the deco algorithm but you can't see it until you upload.
pretty annoying.

2. The O2 percentage is only changeable in 2% increments
from 22-40 %. A little annoying

3. No gauge mode. not a factor if you're not planning on
doing any 'tech' diving

Aside from those issues I love the computer. I've got
175 dives on it over the past year and the battery's at
93% down from 98%. I like the fact that when I do need
a new battery ( in several years ) They will update the
firmware and pressure test the unit. I felt a little nervous
when I replaced the user replaceable battery in my
Suunto Mosquito but you may feel comfortable with that.

I know it's not the vytec but the mosquito I have should be
somewhat similar and the main thing I dislike is the somewhat
conservative algorithm. However in the vytec there is an option
to set the computer to a more liberal version of the rgbm. The
vytec also has a gauge mode and I think it shows the temp.
They did have a recall on the vytec for a firmware issue but
you can easily check by serial number range if a computer you're
looking at is effected or not and get it corrected ( if you're
buying used )

One other small thing the screen protector on the Aladin is
very good but I'm not sure about the vytec one. Primarily
a consideration if you're doing diving where you may scratch
the display.

Short version: both are good computers, but if I were buying
now I would probably get the vytec.

Kell

 

[DM462432]

Sounds like very good advices to me.
Does anyone know whether you can get the
Vytec pressure tested for leaks every time you
changes batteries?

 

[DM462432]

Have anyone changed the batteries on your own b4?
How is it like and how expensive is it to buy the new
batteries?