Considering Mares Icond HD Black Air vs Oceanic VTX - cant decide

[ciaka]

I wonder if anyone on here has experience with both.
Do not recall seeing anything bad about the Icon HD.
Recall some folks posting of their VTX flooding, but honestly it could easily be user error (not tightening batt compartment as one simple explanation).

So if you can provide insight, I will be grateful for the feedback. Looking for OLED (just because), air integrated hoseless computer.
My initial candidates were:
1. SeaBear H3 (but found it is not air integrated).
2. Oceanic VTX
3. Mares Icon HD Black Edition
4. XDeep (not air integrated from what I saw)
5. Uemis SDA (company no longer in business)

I would love one that I can use as an every day watch, but most of above do not fit that criteria.

Thank you again for any feedback.

 

[BoltSnap]

H3 (SeaBear was bought out by Scubapro about a year ago) is supposedly coming out with a new AI version at coming DEMA (middle to end of November).

The other one you should look at is the Ratio Dive Computers, they are also coming out with AI versions during DEMA.

Oceanic and Hollis make excellent computers with dual algorithms.
Suunto.com makes excellent AI computers (several versions).

I am not crazy about the watch/dive computer type of unit, too small for a dive computer and too big and heavy for a watch but this is something personal.

 

[stuartv]

What I've heard about the VTX is that it gets very short life out of its battery, and it can be very hard to read the screen in bright light. As in, if it's bright out and you're in clear water at a safety stop it can be hard to read. I have an H3 and it can definitely be hard to read on the surface if it's bright out.

That said, if the H3 does get released by SP with AI, it would be the top of my Most Wanted list. However, I am confident that it's going to be so expensive that it will simply remain there at the top of my list for a really long time.

I agree with Burhan. If you're not in a rush, wait a month and see what is announced at DEMA. When Shearwater releases their wristwatch OLED computer with AI, you'll regret if you bought anything else. LOL (<-- that was a joke, by the way)

 

[BoltSnap]

Yes, I wouldn't rush to buy anything now if you can, I'd wait until DEMA and year's end to see what new products will be announced. DEMA is around November 16 - 19 IIRC.

 

[scubadada]

What I've heard about the VTX is that it gets very short life out of its battery, and it can be very hard to read the screen in bright light. As in, if it's bright out and you're in clear water at a safety stop it can be hard to read. I have an H3 and it can definitely be hard to read on the surface if it's bright out.

That said, if the H3 does get released by SP with AI, it would be the top of my Most Wanted list. However, I am confident that it's going to be so expensive that it will simply remain there at the top of my list for a really long time.

I agree with Burhan. If you're not in a rush, wait a month and see what is announced at DEMA. When Shearwater releases their wristwatch OLED computer with AI, you'll regret if you bought anything else. LOL (<-- that was a joke, by the way)

I have no experience with the VTX but have been diving Oceanic computers since 2002. I'm fond of the liberal DSAT decompression algorithm for recreational diving. I would have trouble diving the Mares-Wienke RGBM algorithm, too conservative for me.

Others will have to fill you in on specific features of the VTX and the Icon HD. I'm not particularly fond of the current Oceanic lineup, I dive a VT3 primary and a Geo2 backup. My son dives a VT4.1. I really liked the VT series, probably why they got rid of it.

 

[ciaka]

I am definitely not in a rush, and did see DEMA is in mid nivember in Nevada?
I just moved from out west, and going to the show would be a chore. will definitely wait per your guidance. getting new equipment, and am eager to try, which will be a good exercise in patience.

If anyone else has suggestions, im all ears. thank you for posting.

 

[BoltSnap]

The DEMA show isn't open to the public, it is a trade show open only to the people who are in the business of diving, manufacturers, dive centers, instructors, etc.

 

[ciaka]

Really? that sucks. I would think it would be awesome for regular folks to see upcoming products. well, guess no new products to see there for me.
Thank you for the info.

 

[BoltSnap]

Really? that sucks. I would think it would be awesome for regular folks to see upcoming products. well, guess no new products to see there for me.
Thank you for the info.

There are many consumer regional dive shows around the country, you can see what is close to you and go to it. AFAIK, the largest consumer dive show open to all is Beneath the Sea in NJ that takes place in April (not sure of date).