Computer for new OW

[Biggles]

Hi

I'm a new OW diver and I’m looking for my first dive Computer.

I’ve been looking at the Mares M1 RGBM, the Uwatec Aladdin Ultra or the new Sunnto Gekko.

A lot of people on this forum appear to use Suunto, why?

Does anyone have any opinions on the other models?

Thanks

 

[Redshift]

I use an Uwatec Aladin Pro Ultra and i'm very pleased with it.
When deciding what computer to buy you have to think what kind of dives you're going to do and how much money you can spend... I'd go for a computer which alows you to use nitrox...

 

[gjw]

Hi Biggles

When I first started diving a few years back, I was undecided and thus bought the Uwatec Digital gauge (wrist mounted). Well after my first 2 week dive vacation in the BVI, I was fed up of using my tables & always calculating the pressure groups. Thus I went somewhat overboard & bought the Uwatec Aladin Air X with the SPG transponder. I used it for about 400 dives/5yrs. Never had any problem or needed service. I must say that I really appreciate the air-integration feature, because in addition to NDLs, the computer also calculates the possible dive duration based on air consumption.
During a 3 week vacation in the Red Sea, I was getting an increase in transmission error between the SPG transponder and the computer. Back home I sent the 2 units in for service. I was somewhat stunned when informed by Uwatec Switzerland, that they could no longer service the computer or replace the batteries! (This although the Aladin Air X was still available for purchase in the US at the time) The cost of having the batteries on both units replaced should have been around 100 Euros. Uwatec did offer to upgrade the computer for 200 Euros. So now I have Aladin Air Z O2 and a new battery on the transponder.
The only feature I do not like about the non ‘Smart’ (These new models have an IR-interface) Uwatec computer is that you have to buy the Memo Mouse, or build a DIY cable in order to download the dive profiles to a PC.
So my suggestion are, get a computer that meets your requirements / budget. Decide / test if you prefer wrist or console style computer, and if air-integration is needed. At any rate make sure the computer can handle Nitrox. Otherwise you might have to buy a new computer if you decide to go on Nitrox dive when you become a more experienced diver.

;-> gjw

 

[Greg_Manko]

The new Suunto Gekko looks like a very good computer for the price. I myself use a Vytec and love it! Previously I had a Uwatec Aladin Air X and also liked it, but for several things - several of the features had to be changed via computer, the downloads to computer need the "mouse" device that cost extra $$'s. When I went to buy a new computer last year, the fact that Uwatec had several recalls and lawsuits pending with their product and their general treatment of the issues involving these recalls (i.e. denying the problem existed, firing whistleblowers and only recalling the product once it was clear they could not cover up the problem) made me not trust them. Sunnto does not seem to have these kinds of problems. I also think the Suunto product is more user friendly as well. I am not surprised a lot of people are recommending Suunto.

 

[d33ps1x]

Can't go too wrong with Suunto.

Same for your compass.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Biggles once bubbled...
I'm a new OW diver and I’m looking for my first dive Computer.

... and learning to dive tables?

 

[RiverRat]

If you decide to go with Suunto, go with at least the Vyper over the Gekko. If I'm not mistaken the Vyper is only a little more in price but many more features. If money is not an option or you want wireless, gas switching etc. (features you may want later on down the road) get a Vytec. Also, if I'm not mistaken, many computers will "lock up" if you get into trouble on a dive, but the Vytec would allow you to manage a decompression dive on the way back up. And Uncle Pug has a point, know your tables and plan your dives accordingly. Use your computer as a tool in addition to your tables.

 

[Charlie99]

RiverRat once bubbled...
Also, if I'm not mistaken, many computers will "lock up" if you get into trouble on a dive,

I hear this old wive's tale often, but have never been able to identify any computers that lock up WHILE STILL IN THE WATER.

Some (like most Oceanics), will go into gauge mode 10 minutes AFTER you surface with significant amounts of deco obligation. If you descend within the 10 minute window, the computer continues to provide guidance on deco. The only way it will cease to give deco info is if your first mandatory deco stop goes below 60' and exceeds the range of the model.

Even during the 24 hour lockout period, the Oceanics will still provide depth and time info. That is a very reasonable action since, by the computers calculations, you should not be in the water again, and the computer is not able to give any reasonable estimates of your deco status.

There are probably some computers out there that just stop working for 24 hours, after you have completed a dive where you skip a lot of deco time, but the lockout doesn't start until sometime after you have surfaced.

Does anybody really know of a computer that "locks up" while you are still in the water?

 

[RiverRat]

Charlie99 once bubbled...
I hear this old wive's tale often, but have never been able to identify any computers that lock up WHILE STILL IN THE WATER.
Does anybody really know of a computer that "locks up" while you are still in the water? [/B]

Charlie99, Thanks for explaining that in more detail! I do not want to spread false info on the board. That makes it a little more clearer as to what's going on.....................

 

[ScoobyPat]

Get the Suunto Favor S, if you need a good entry-level computer. It is about $130 at LP and offers all the essential information that you need.

If you like to spend more money, I'd go with Suunto or Oceanic. Uwatec is nice as well, but I heard that they are supposed to be too conservative, but I cannot comment on that since I don't own one