Dacor Darwin, Suunto Vyper, or Aeris Atmos 2?

[DCdiver]

My wife and I are recreational divers. We're looking for a dependable, easy to use, but not too conservative computer to start with. We currently don't do any Nitrox diving, but that could change in the future. We dive mostly in the Caribbean, South Pacific, and Latin America. Any critiques or comparisons of these models would be helpful.

 

[Asweptwing]

I'm disappointed in my Aeris purchase a little. After spending the extra dollars for a infrared download link and software, I find that there are no plans for Aeris to update their software to work with Windows XP, which seems to be on it's way to becoming the current standard.

Now I have an investment in a download link which only works with Windows 98. Other than that I wish there were USB capabilities with the link apparatus. It's only serial port which means having to move some equipment around. No biggie but at one time I was told USB was on it's way. Now, none of the techs who answer the AERIS telephone know anything about it.

The computer itself is OK as long as I keep plenty of batteries. The price was right but sometime I feel as if I've bought an Edsel. I get the feeling that support for this product is somewhat ambiguous and may not be around for long. I don't have any specific reason for this but lack of updated software, etc. lends to a "not quite right" impression I keep getting from the company.

 

[5615mike]

If you do a search on this topic you will find more threads than you can read in one sitting. Suunto is probably the pref. choice on this board. I have one and love it.

 

[paulwlee]

I don't have any experience with the current models other than Suunto, but I am very happy with my Suuntos. I was using a Vyper wristmount, and liked the Suunto so much that I then proceeded to get a Vytec (which is essentially a Vyper with hoseless air integration) when it came out, and then a Stinger for backup/freediving.

I was holding on to the Vyper in case I can get my girlfriend to dive. But looks like it's not going to happen soon, so I'll probably sell it..

 

[Diver Lori]

I don't recommend Aeris either and here's an old thread to tell you why.....

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37543&highlight=Aeris+Atmos

I've got a Mares M1 now and I'm happy with it. It's not the most user friendly, but KNOCK ON WOOD, I've not had any glitches or failures and the batteries are extremely easy to change.

 

[Karl_in_Calif]

5615mike once bubbled...
If you do a search on this topic you will find more threads than you can read in one sitting. Suunto is probably the pref. choice on this board. I have one and love it.

I absolutely love my Suunto Vyper wrist mounted dive computer.

Air mode, Nitrox mode, and gauge mode.

Dive simulation feature.

Repetitive dive simulation feature.

Dive profile feature.

Logbook and record book.

Clips onto my compass wrist strap, so that I can have both instruments on the same wrist band.

Computer download feature.

NDL algorithm is slightly more conservative than NAUI's "old" tables. Very safe.

 

[plsdiver4377]

Try the above computer as it does incorporate the newer ideas of deep stops and the newer algorithms. Also as the above poster stated the batteries are very easy to change although it isn't the most user friendly thing around.

My wife and I have dove ours several times now and had zero problems.

Cheers

 

[cornfed]

DCdiver once bubbled...
My wife and I are recreational divers. We're looking for a dependable, easy to use, but not too conservative computer to start with. We currently don't do any Nitrox diving, but that could change in the future. We dive mostly in the Caribbean, South Pacific, and Latin America. Any critiques or comparisons of these models would be helpful.

I have a vyper and am quite happy with it.

However, there appears to be issue with the way it calculates oxygen exposure in nitrox mode. Basically, it becomes insanely conservative in some situations. Do a search and you should find something about this.

 

[Karl_in_Calif]

cornfed once bubbled...


I have a vyper and am quite happy with it.

However, there appears to be issue with the way it calculates oxygen exposure in nitrox mode. Basically, it becomes insanely conservative in some situations. Do a search and you should find something about this.

Since they are not nitrox divers yet, this may be over their heads.

I fix this suunto problem by setting my PO2 to 1.5 when I really want 1.4. After all, no one on this earth has ever toxed at 1.6 or less according to Rodales, but THAT is another story ....

 

[cornfed]

Karl_in_Calif once bubbled...


Since they are not nitrox divers yet, this may be over their heads.

I fix this suunto problem by setting my PO2 to 1.5 when I really want 1.4. After all, no one on this earth has ever toxed at 1.6 or less according to Rodales, but THAT is another story ....

This is patently false. Why would you say this (or even make a joke) after acknowledging that there are people in this thread who might not know what you're talking about?!

It is possible to tox and die at a PPO2 less then 1.6. There are cases of it happening. Telling someone otherwise is no different then telling them it is impossible to get bent while following the tables. Both statements are wrong and potentially dangerous.