Computer depth accuracy at shallow depths?

[FritzCat66]

I'm going to seriously advise you to consider some remedial hot tub training.

I'm considering the PADI specialty cert now, but also a bit concerned I might be getting into some real hot water there.

 

[idocsteve]

I'm considering the PADI specialty cert now, but also a bit concerned I might be getting into some real hot water there.

Your concerns are valid my friend.

Just remember that no matter how bad things seem to be, don't lose your cool.

Panic kills divers!

 

[DiveNav]

......Sometimes I wonder what might happen if I run out of gas at 5 feet......

Stand up ?

 

[idocsteve]

Stand up ?

I never thought of that.

 

[Puffer Fish]

I have a oceanic computer that is fantastic for my needs. When i go to depths of 15'+ it matches with my analog gauges and other computers... however at depths under 10' it seems to be all over the place.

Example: i was in my pool the other day and put it on the bottom of my 6 foot pool, it measured 8' at the shallow end of my pool (4.5') it measured 4'.. Just curious if i should have it serviced or if shallow depth calculations are not as accurate. Again anything over 10' it seems to be spot on.

Well, given the responses, it would appear that you asked one of those "boy, can we made fun of this" ones.

Reasonable question, by the way.

Digital gauges measure an electrical current flowing thru two pieces of dissimilar metal. As the pressure on it increases, the current flow changes. After one gets by atmospheric pressure variation (which can effect shallow readings) and the fresh/saltwater issue, the fact is that perfect voltage flow into the system would be need to make the unit read shallow water reading accurate.. and that costs money, and as we have seen here, is not really valued by anyone.

 

[scubafanatic]

What did your other computers read when they were next to the oceanic and remember salt water is heaver then fresh water.
And did you measure the pool depth.

...a 'real' dive computer can tell the difference between fresh vs salt water and auto-adjust for that.

 

[DiveNav]

...a 'real' dive computer can tell the difference between fresh vs salt water and auto-adjust for that.

Are you absolutely sure?
Do they have a sensor to measure water salinity? Or they fake it?

 

[scubafanatic]

Are you absolutely sure?
Do they have a sensor to measure water salinity? Or they fake it?

Cochran Undersea Technology

SEA WATER/FRESH WATER RECOGNITION (High/Low Conductivity): There is approximately three-percent difference in depth readings taken in fresh water versus
seawater. Some dive computers are calibrated in feet of fresh water and some are calibrated in feet of salt water. Diving in a medium different from what the dive computer is calibrated will cause apparent depth errors. Only COCHRAN dive computers, including the GEMINI, actually determine the type of diving medium and compensate the depth reading accordingly. This is accomplished by measuring the conductivity of the water during a dive. Caution must be taken in interpreting this reading since some apparent fresh water is actually high in minerals or contaminants and is correctly compensated as salt water (High Conductivity). This commonly occurs in some caves, springs and lakes.

 

[idocsteve]

...a 'real' dive computer can tell the difference between fresh vs salt water and auto-adjust for that.

And those very same computers that can tell the difference between fresh vs salt can also sense visibility as well as the proximity to potentially dangerous marine life.

Gotta get me one of those.

How many days till Christmas is it?

 

[scubafanatic]

And those very same computers that can tell the difference between fresh vs salt can also sense visibility as well as the proximity to potentially dangerous marine life.

Gotta get me one of those.

How many days till Christmas is it?

...after viewing your avatar, it certainly does appear YOU really COULD use a dive computer that senses dangerous marine life.......