Computers With Timer Mode

[Lost Yooper]

Thanks Warhammer. I was just curious how it would react. It's not doing the deep stops like I thought it would. They should have started around 80'. Were those 130' dives you simulated on air?

Where can I get more info on the Aeris Savant? Is there a web site?

Thanks.

Mike

 

[Warhammer]

Yes, that was on air. Sorry I failed to mention that. But if you're really interested in a computer that is made for deco have a look at the Dive Rite Nitek 3 or the new Abyss Explorer. The Explorer of course being the more fancy of the two, as it will allow for to 10 different mixes and also does trimix.

It's almost a sure bet that if you dive the Vyper in dive mode on deco dives, while using tables, that'll you'll bend the heck out of it almost every time. At which point it will be useless to you for 48 hours because it will lock out. In error mode, the Vyper will still function as a depth gauge and bottom timer, but that's about it. Course that's why it has a gauge mode, so you can use it with tables without locking it out.

Another fairly cheap (at least cheaper than the Abyss or Nitek) choice would be the Zeagle Status II. It is more aggressive than the Vyper, nitrox compatible, and won't lock you out if you violate it. It uses a modified Bühlmann algorithm.

 

[Lost Yooper]

Hey Warhammer, I just compared that 130' dive for 40 mins against a planner (on the least conservative mode) I would use, and the total deco times are nearly identical (85mins). The difference is in the deep stops. My planner starts the stops much deeper thereby reducing the shallow stops. The deco time is roughly the same though.

I'll take a look at the Zeagle too.

Thanks.

Mike

 

[Divesherpa]

Aeris has a website. Do search on yahoo.
I've been pounding the Aeris on shallow stuff to compare to Nitek.
Spent 2.5 hours at Peacock shooting side tunnels. Depth only 65 feet.
Spent 2 hours at Little River this afternoon goofing around in the Dome room, then the Harper tunnel. Aeris worked excellent compared to Nitek for actual deco times. Stayed longer to clear Nitek. Gonig to Ginnie at 2100 tonight to load it up a little more.
I'll write more info when I get home.

 

[Lost Yooper]

Thanks for all the info guys. Based on what I have here, the Suunto's and the Niteks are the only ones that have a gauge mode. Unless I have missed something during my readings on the Zeagle and Aeris, they don't have the sperate gauge mode.

So, the Nitek3 is way out of my range at $800 or so and offers way more than I want. I haven't found a price for the Nitek C, but seeing that is has a titanium case, it wouldn't surprise me to see it up there too. So, using process of elimination, I'm back to the Suunto's which can be had for $230 or so. Of course, the Uwatec bottom timer is still very much in the running at $80 or so. Unless there is something else out there, these look like my choices.

Ain't this fun?

Mike

PS. BTW, some members of the WKPP are using Vypers because they can go deeper than the Uwatec BT, they track bottom time, and are PC downloadable.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Originally posted by Lost Yooper
Unless I have missed something during my readings on the Zeagle and Aeris, they don't have the sperate gauge mode.

You missed something....
The Aeris Savant defaults to gauge mode when the computer's stops are violated ... with the alarms off this is no big deal. It stays in gauge mode for 24hrs I believe. In gauge mode you have depth, max depth (to 330'), and TBT. This can all be downloaded to a PC.

If you do not put it into violation (and gauge mode) you will have all the standard features available including calculated NDL or deco stops, as the case may be.

 

[Lost Yooper]

OK, that's a bit clearer. Most computers will keep giving you the info after you violated it, but will lock up after the dive is done. I thought the Aeris was doing this too.

Thanks.

Mike

 

[Uncle Pug]

Hi Mike,
I know this because I have two Savants as well as a Suunto. The Savant is less conservative than the Suunto.... but you can easily add your own conservatism in by never letting it get into the yellow.

I am currently selling one of my Savants as well as an Aeris interface on ebay and at this point it is a real deal.

If you look closely at my right wrist in the profile photo...you will see a Savant

 

[Lost Yooper]

UP,

Putting the deco aside, and comparing the gauge modes of the Suunto Vyper to the Savant, which is the better of the two? I'm talking about layout, size, ease of use, features etc. The decompression mode of the computer isn't of particular interest to me because I wouldn't be using it for significant deco diving. In fact, I doubt I would put the computer into much deco (unless it was the Savant) .

The computer/deco mode would only be relevant to me on the once a year vacation where I would be using single 80's and nitrox for multilevel recreational dives. Otherwise, it would be used solely as a timer. If I decided to go on a tech vacation, I would bring my laptop along and use the computer as a timer like normal.

Thanks again.

Mike

PS. Nice setup and config. What kind of suit is that with a cuff dump?

 

[Uncle Pug]

I want to make sure I give the right advise here... as it depends on what kind of diving you do primarily.

I like the Savant because of the large numbers and layout. It is primarily a nitrox computer and only defaults to gauge mode as I said before. It is excellent for someone who wants a nitrox computer that has the capability to give you deco stops which it does down to 60' stops even though the manual explicitly states not to do it (lawyer stuff.)

What I don't like about the it is that for technical diving using tables... the Savant does not not have a stopwatch feature for timing deco....you can watch the bottom time count up in minutes but you have to keep track of where you are. I strapped a stop watch to my Savant wrist band because I like to time stops to the second .... (I sure some would consider that overboard!)

I like the Suunto Stinger because it has a stop watch feature....however I need a magnifer lense in my mask because my arm is too short or my eyes are too old.... something like that

What I don't like about the Suunto is that it is so overly (IMHO) conservative when used in computer mode. A Friend has a Vyper and it was always aggravating to have to wait for him when I was diving my Savant (same as Oceanic BTW)

Another thing about the Stinger...if you get one of those... replace the band with webbing because it uses regular watch band pins and if you pop one you loose the watch!! We had it happen.... fortunately in the kitchen.

So the moral of the story is.....$$$$$/what you need