Consoles for Depth and Pressure.

[shogan]

Ok I've read a few posts of folks that don't like consoles. I can easily see why not the big honking 3 console but why not the smaller 2 consoles having depth and spg.

And what are the good econo brands for spg and depth?

Thank in advance

 

[Akimbo]

Pressure gauge, depth gauge, and compass consoles work for me. The console-mounted compass is fine if you are meandering back to the boat as opposed to planting limpet mines in some harbor you can’t pronounce. Do you find the pressure gauge alone annoying? (that is meant as a question only you can answer without hidden meanings). If yes, you will probably hate it. If no, perhaps not.

I started using a wrist mounted computer recently, but still check it against Navy tables. I'm a hard sell when it comes to reliability. It is far less annoying if you don’t let the console bang around the bottom. A brass trigger clip on ¼" bungee or in a pocket does the job.

Don't get too hung up on making the optimum decision. Optimum is a moving target based on conditions, experience, and personal preferences. You can stay above 30' and ditch all that crap, the octopus, and BC once you spend enough time in the water. You know the dive is over when it gets harder to breath. Not a prudent plan in 200' fifty miles offshore.

 

[Peter_C]

I prefer my computer/bottom timer/depth meter mounted on my right wrist. Using tables or using the computer to calculate your NDL's doesn't matter it is still easy to look at on your wrist, and much more natural to do. Safety stops are made easier, and if you ever have to bring an OOA diver up you can watch your depth gauge easily vs having to hold someone's BC and your depth gauge in your hand at the same time. Your left hand will be controlling your buoyancy, and possibly theirs, which is also why the depth gauge belongs on the right wrist.

Pressure gauge on a 24" hose, clipped off on the left hip, is easy to access and doesn't get in the way. When you need to know your pressure it is easy to check.

Some people use a 2" pressure gauge and others prefer the 2.5" pressure gauge. Look for the HOG Glass and Brass Gauges in this LINK

You are on your own for a computer as there are so many out there with different features. If it were me though I would choose one that fits in a DSS bungee mount. The SK7 compass is the best you can get for a reasonable price if purchased from somewhere like Leisure Pro, you can get it as console mount add-on and remove it, then use a DSS mount to put it on your wrist.

 

[diver 85]

I started with SPG & depth gauges & will always have them-----don't care if I get up to carrying 14 wrist computers.......

 

[shogan]

My first guage was a pressure guage with a depth guage incorporated as the outter ring kind like a thermometer.

That was easy wish I could find something like that.

I'm not for or against computers if I have one I could see where it would be a watch style but I want the pressure guage and depth guage attached to the rest of my stuff and not require a battery.

 

[DennisS]

I moved my gauges to wrist mount, after reading all the great advice on scubaboard

 

[TSandM]

It's not the size of the console, or what's in it; I just like having my depth and time where I can look at them more or less constantly while I'm diving. Thus I prefer wrist gauges.

 

[Peter_C]

I moved my gauges to wrist mount, after reading all the great advice on scubaboard

Nice! Now where is the picture of you diving with this setup?

 

[gcbryan]

It's not the size of the console, or what's in it; I just like having my depth and time where I can look at them more or less constantly while I'm diving. Thus I prefer wrist gauges.

OK, I really am just picking on your here but I think that was just an automatic response you just made...

You (and I) like wrist mounted info but you don't really more or less constantly look at depth and time do you?:cool2:

 

[DiveGear4Less]

There's nothing wrong with either console. If you're undecided get a console that can easily be converted into a stand alone spg and a wrist mounted depth gauge and compass. There are plenty that are affordable. We carry Sherwood, OMS, and Dive Rite, to name a few.