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

[blackice]

Scuba_Vixen once bubbled...
VR3:
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

Explorer....

RGBM deco algor...

All information is always on screen and is easy to read

Nice comparasion, I was wondering about whilst diving what is it that is missing from the main screen on the VR3?

Does the VR3 give more info for things like a list of deco stops, will the Exploer give this innfo as well? And will the Explorer allow you to simulate a dive?

 

[blackice]

Scuba_Vixen once bubbled...
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...

I have tried the VR3's buttons and they seem easy to use, a simple press in, either hold for short of long and get different menus.

How does the Explorer's buttons work? Do they press in? Or are they some sort of magnet?

 

[Scubatooth]

FLTEKDIVER once bubbled...

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?

what problem would you be talking about, because a transmitter problem is kind of rare, but i dont know that they are constantly updated , because when i took mine in for a hceck they said that they updated the firmware in it and when i fired it up it was different then when i put it in, plus on the analyst it read a new software version.

if you have anymore questions feel free to ask because i would be glas to pass them along to cochran, as im only just up the road from them.

Dan

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

From what i heard about Cochran's, is they have are not very dependable, if you do a search in the forms here for Cochran, you can read all the post. Binmi Toll also dosnt even allow them on there dive charters, 3 out of 4 failed, i have a Oceanic computer that does nitrox to %50 right now which i just sold, and it never gave me 1 problem. I also have a friend who has a similar computer, (Aries Atmos 2) and in 1 year he's on his third computer, for that reason i will never by a Aries computer.

I do know that the VR3 was tested for a whole year before it even hit the market to be sold, and ive heard nothing but the best with that computer, but i dont have $1,300 right now either for a computer.

I still havnt bought one yet, im taking my time, doing alot of research, but one thing that i did change my mind, is im not going air-intergrated, thats a rec computer as far as im concerd.

I'll be looking into a computer that will do tri-mix, do deco diving, upto %100 nitrox, and switchable underwater, that seams to be the major concerns for me right now.

Im thinking of the Explorer, but not sure if it does tri mix yet, im still looking into it. I'll keep you posted, any more help would be appreciated

 

[Scubatooth]

FL

i dont know what your talking about because i havent had any trouble with my gemini at all, and from the users of cochrans that i know and talk to yes there is the occasional glitch which was user induced.

as for the Bikini stuff that complete BS and has been proven over and over again. the guy didnt read the manuel and didnt read his screen correctly. the reason it read 9+ hours on the clock left because that was how much time he had left till he hit theNDL not deco remaining, because the are three seperate timer levels, NDL, DEC (deco) and AIR which is based off your SAC how much time you have left. I have talk to mike cochran him self about this very issue and he said that they guy didnt pay attention to his screen at all. as for them failing at bikini the ones they dont allow are cochrans that arent made any more. the newer gemini and plus verisions as long with the commanders with upgraded software are fine and that was the software version that is atleast 2 years old, and has been updated several times since then.

i will have to go find the article but mike cochran tested the computer when it was brought back to them and when they down loaded the file , he had cleared his deco 5 minutes ealier before he noticed the "problem".

cochrans must not be that bad if the US navy EDU is using them, and that from what i hear that they are releasing a CCR version w/ cell integration and HE integration.

FWIW

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

heres just one of the links, there are alot of web sites reporting problems, heres just one :

http://www.bikiniatoll.com/Cochran.html

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

Scubatooth dont take it im bashing the Cochran computers, im still thinking of the Gemeni even with the post of problems they had, including transmitter recalls and stuff, but im thinking of buying one now, and using it as a back up when i goto tri mix, yes the navy uses it, but look at the past post of all the probs with them, in my honest opioun they were good computers back in there time, now there are to many computers such as the VR3 and Explorer that from the track record have proven reliabilty and thats what im looking for, but if somone waves a gemeni in front of me for $300 slighley used, i wouldnt hesitate to buy it

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

Arduous
Senior Member



Registered: Nov 2001
New England
Posts: 657
Hi Scubatooth
My cousin is a 25 year veteran of the US Navy. He retires this year. He was a Navy diver for 14 years, but no longer. He now works closely with the current divers in the recompression chamber. Not sure what his actual function is, but it has something to do with the recompression of deep divers. I never see the guy, we are not that close. However I did get a chance to talk to him a few months back and I, myself was looking into the Cochran computers. I like the way the Cochran’s look and I like the large display and well, I like most things about it. But after having a conversation with my cousin over this computer, he talked me out of it. I have a friend who had a Cochran Commander and has never had a problem with it. He has stated to me that he would not trade it for anything. He loves it. I have never had or dove with a Cochran myself. Though I like the looks and concept of this computer, I am leery to purchase one.


__________________

 

[Scuba_Vixen]

into them for use while underwater... All 10 can have any percentage of Helium, Oxygen, or nitrogen you wish. You specify the He and N2 and by default, O2 is the balance to 100%.

The explorer buttons are acrylic rods that move thru a sealed chamber. They are about 1/16" in diameter, it would be nice if they were 3/16" to 1/4" or so.

Here's a pic of the Explorer, you can see the buttons and the screen... (too bad it's not on a dive so you could see all the info it displays), it's set on the 2nd gas of a relatively deep mix
dive ...You can see it's a He N blend with 12% O2



Darlene

 

[rdriver]

I have a VR3 And love but it is an added convenience not a necessity, at the trimix level get yourself a bottom timer better yet two, one for redundancy and good tables. At this stage of the game it is plan the dive and dive the plan. the VR3 is great for cave diving though, where you may have a multi level staged deco although even then you should have some type of tables with contingencies plan out.