Computer for Tech diving......which one?

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

Ok, need some help here, switching over to tech, selling my Oceanic Data plus 2, and moving on, i just wanna say if anyone wants a great 1st puter for air-nitrox, the oceanic data plus 2 never gave me 1 problem for the 2 years ive been diving !!

First : Im looking at Air-Intergrated only, reason being, want to stay streamlined as possible.

Second : Would like a computer programble from 21% to 100% and maybe switchable under water, so when i do a deco stop, i can switch gases on puter, nice feature but if i cant get it im flexable.

Third : I like big faces, easyer to see underwater, im not to crazy aboutt he small wrist watches they sell where they crame alotta info into a small watch.

Forth : Computer must be able to follow dive platform and do deco diving, not going into gauge mode.

The only Computer so far that seems to do everything i need for the next year of diving coming up until i get into Tri-mix, seems to be the Cochran Gemeni . Two things i like , 1. it does deco diving and gives you celings to make your stops, 2. Seems to have gotten pretty good reviews from what i read about it.

I know the older Cochran Gemeni were having transmiter problems. Did they fix that on the newer models?

Any help would be greatley appreciated. And yes, i will be diving by tables, the puter will be a secondary redundet system, in case my brain fails at 200' plus feet

 

[Scuba_Vixen]

The computer between your ears is due for service, dude.... But seriously...There are no such animals as AI computers for tech diving. (some would say there is no such thing as a tech diving computer at all...just use a depth gage and bottom timer) But for what you want, The suunto vytek is one of the better AI decompression computers, and it has at least minimal gas switch ability under water, (3 gasses)..like from air/nitrox to a either 1 or 2 higher O2 deco mix(s), but there are no trimix AI computers. From most of what I've read in past threads, I'd stay away from Cochrans, and go with something with a proven track record. The Vytek or the Dive Rite Nitek3 for air/nitrox/deco mixes or the Nitek-He, or the Explorer or maybe the VR3 for mixed gas capabilities...Sounds like you have a ways to go yet before it's time for one of those high $$$$$ computers anyway...use the money for training first, you may decide the computer isn't what you need after all.

When you enter the world of overhead, whether real or virtual, the error chain to disaster gets real frickin' short.....


Good luck,
Darlene

 

[blackice]

Scuba_Vixen once bubbled...
When you enter the world of overhead, whether real or virtual, the error chain to disaster gets real frickin' short.....

So well put .. should be on a t-shirt

 

[6474286]

I would recommend the VR3 computer.

Expensive as it is, it is a very very good computer.

http://www.vr3.co.uk

Paul

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

Ok lets leave depth out of the picture, i live in florida, and want to stay down on wrecks around 135' , and dive the hydro atlantic at 170', most of our diving right now is around 135' . Now i want to stay down there, do my dive plan on top before we go down, and stay down at 135' for an hour, scooter around the wreck, or go inside, and yes were advanced wreck cert, and cavern cert, going into full cave here also by next summer, so we do alot of over head, im looking for a computer that will be realible, give me my deco stops without going into gauge mode, and must be switchable gases upto 99 % , were taking an advanced nitrox course here withen the next few months, so with that said, i love the VR3 , i think thats the best computer out there by far so far, to bad its not air intergrated ;( I may just go with a non air intergrated puter, and short hose to read my psi in tank, with compass, ill keep searching, but good reply, i appreciate it

 

[Scuba_Vixen]

Take the advanced nitrox and deco proceedures courses..... (they are usually taught together)

For the diving you describe, you're going to want to be diving doubles ..... and that's going to take some training and experience to manage that kind of diving...Especially if you plan to go to 170' on air. (Search the threads for deep air..that kind of depth is Ill Advised given what we now know and the availability of mix classes)

You'll learn that AI, while a nice feature for recreational diving, isn't really applicable to tech. You'll learn the right way to fully plan a dive and figure the gas requirements and how to manage all your deco reqirements.

You don't get a computer to get into tech diving..... You learn tech from the ground up, tables, depth gage/bottom timer, and planning ...and then after you have some experience, you can add the computer to augment your skills.

It's quite common to use a Vytek in gage mode for depth and bottom time because it gives you the ability to download the dive to your pc for analysis etc.

Hope this adds something more to incorporate into your future diving plans.


Darlene

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

Hi Darlene, i do plan on diving doubles, pst 130's to be exact, have the oms IQ pack, with SS BP, dive a henderson drysuit, and so on, but im looking to make a computer purchase here shortley before going into the course, i just sold my last computer, and upgrading my equipment and going tech with the best equipment that will suit my dive profile. Next year we will be taking a tri-mix course, so i was thinking of the VR3, and dumping the air -intergration, what do u think? I even heard good things about the Nitek HE 3 , any suggestions?

 

[Scuba_Vixen]

Then it's a choice between the VR3 and the Explorer (either HS or Abyss).... They seem to be the only 3 to seriously consider...Each has pros and cons.....

Without getting real long winded, I'll try to sum up the numerous threads that have been posted about both.

VR3:

The manual is worse than pathetic...it's a trial and error learning process at best.

They come from the UK and QC isn't what they excell in...many owners have sent them back repeatedly for service that costs $$$$ and a lot of wasted time..weeks to months

Custome and service are nearly mutually exclusive terms from what a lot of owners have said

They use Buhlman deco algorythms not RGBM that are more up to date...but they don't bend you either

all the information is not on screen at all times, you toggle the screens

the big easy to read graphics are an extra cost option

The case is metal and rugged as rocks

They seem to be the computer of choice (at this point) for CCR divers because of the O2 sensor interface....But that's an extra $$$$ option, useless for OC diving.


Explorer....

RGBM deco algor...

The manual is Outstanding

Had some case leaking probs in an early production run, but since been trouble free

Fantastic customer service and easily upgradable.... Generally very short turnaround If you ever need service

They are made in Fla. and it's easy to get info from them

All information is always on screen and is easy to read

The case is some type of plastic material, it's tough, but probably not as indestructable as the VR3....Most people's biggest whine is the buttons could be better...



That's pretty much the summation..they are both excellent comps (when working, lol ) each has it's followers and naysayers..BUT...I've heard a lot more people Ebay the VR3 than the Explorer....

Now the part that counts for your purposes...For square profiles, like your wrecks...neither serves a purpose worth it's cost....IF you still have to have one, you need to be on the same page as the rest of your dive team...either everyone has the same one, or they are just an expensive bottom timer/dive logger....

I'd suggest doing a lot more "homework" before spending the money to buy one...talk to the instructor you're going to take your training with ...search the threads here and on the deco stop board..there's a ton of info out there...


Good luck,



Darlene

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

Thank you Darlene for that good information, thats great information, and i will be looking into the both,, ,,,,,, i would love to hear more of your dive profiles, i have alitta Q to be asked, , if you wouldnt mind drop me an email, or pm, i would love to hear what set ups you use, and learn from your experiance, thanks, FLTEKDIVER

 

[jplacson]

Well, I love my Vytec... but like everyone here said... computers are just to augment your training...they're not meant to REPLACE your training. There's an old saying in the PC World:

"The computer is only as good as it's user"

This should apply to dive computers even more so... The BEST dive computer is only as good as the diver it's strapped to.

I love having a computer basically cuz I'm a gadget freak. I like things that light up and beep! :lol:

I still plan on tables...as I believe everyone should... set the proper alarms on your computer (depth, time, etc) ... and follow your plan... should something come up...and make you deviate from your plan in anyway, it's nice to know that the computer is there as a back-up system to help you recalculate your bottom time. The computer should be like a doctor's 2nd opinion... you should have a plan in mind already, and the computer should just be there to confirm it.

Just like GPS navigation on your car is nice to have... I wouldn't drive blindfolded and just follow the voice prompts on the naviagtor.