Danger in buying "too much" computer?

[buddhasummer]

One of the nice things about the Vytec is the size of the display. I don't know how old you are, but especially in low light, computers with small screens can be difficult to read for those of us with a bit of presbyopia.

They are both Nitrox-capable, which I think is the minimum anyone should buy. The Vytec has a lot of capabilities you may not ever use, but the computer's feelings won't be hurt if it isn't asked to exercise those Straightforward operation in air or Nitrox mode is very easy on both. You can download the Vytec to your laptop for logging; I'm not sure if you can do that with the Zoop.

In my experience, warranty doesn't mean much with computers, unless they fail immediately. The biggest problem with them tends to be battery replacement, which is easily handled by any shop that carries the brand, and isn't covered under warranty, anyway. When my Vytec went down, it had to be sent to Finland for examination, and in the end, it wasn't replaced anyway.

You can. I believe ability to download, put into gauge mode and case colour are the differences between the Zoop and the Gekko.

 

[Malpaso]

I mentioned this in another thread, but it's worth repeating here, as I am going through a similar exercise in choosing my first computer. If you're seriously looking to download to a PC from the Zoop, look at the Vyper (not Vyper Air). The Vyper comes with the download cable, which costs about $75, and in most places the Vyper is about $75 - $100 more.
The Vyper does gauge, has a low battery indicator and a backlight which the Zoop does not have,
Zoop Phosphorescent display - Vyper Electro-luminescent display
Maximum depth display: Zoop 99m/328ft - Vyper 150m/492ft
Vyper has a calendar clock and 1 daily alarm, Zoop has neither.

 

[Skittl1321]

If you're seriously looking to download to a PC from the Zoop, look at the Vyper (not Vyper Air). The Vyper comes with the download cable

Does the Vyper Air come with the cable? Husband just bought one of those.

Otherwise, thank you for the advice.

 

[Malpaso]

Does the Vyper Air come with the cable?

Yes, according to the Aqualung web site. http://www.aqualung.com/us/content/view/309/

---------- Post added June 18th, 2013 at 01:12 PM ----------

See all dive products - Suunto compares all the Suunto dive computers

 

[drrich2]

As a fan of AI and downloading dives to a computer, let me make a plug for that.

I like how on multi-dive multi-day trips to Bonaire, my computer (a Cobalt, with an Oceanic VT3 as a backup) logs my dives, including time in & out, and starting & ending pressures, and my max. and average depths for the dive, and my SAC rate and the temp. low for the dive (actually use VT3 for temp., since I think the Cobalt gives high temp. readings), and downloading to the computer gives me a record of my dives over time that I can view onscreen or print out, and type notes into, keeping a more effective log book.

I can see my gas consumption vary with different dive conditions, see when I dive a 'saw tooth' profile bobbing up & down vs. when not, and basically find out more about how I dive.

All without writing down any start & end pressures. Or hand copying data off a dive computer into a notebook.

If you don't study your dives this way, it may not mean much to you. But if you want and will use the capability, it is nice to have.

Richard.

 

[Skittl1321]

Yes, according to the Aqualung web site. Vyper Air

Hmm, it looks like there is an option with the USB and without. Not sure which we got (didn't ask about the cable). It comes in this week, so I guess we'll find out then.

---------- Post added June 18th, 2013 at 12:38 PM ----------

If you don't study your dives this way, it may not mean much to you. But if you want and will use the capability, it is nice to have.

I'm a math geek who is obsessive about numbers and graphs. This sounds like a huge amount of fun!

 

[diversteve]

I'm a math geek who is obsessive about numbers and graphs. This sounds like a huge amount of fun!

Priced a Cobalt? (they're $1225)

The Suunto's do that also:

View, compare, and analyze your diving performance through a specially designed PC interface Reduced Gradient Bubble Model (RGBM)

The way night diving works with the Zoop is you shine your light on it for a few minutes before the dive and it glows for maybe 1/2 of it - at least my Gekko does.

I find it easier to just point my light at my computer to read it since you have to push a button for the backlight to work anyway. Since my light is usually in my other hand it's just as easy.

 

[Skittl1321]

Priced a Cobalt lately??? (they're $1225)

No thank you! How about 1/4 of that.

 

[drrich2]

I mentioned the Cobalt, but the AI and logging benefits mentioned can be had with a number of computers.

 

[Skittl1321]

I mentioned the Cobalt, but the AI and logging benefits mentioned can be had with a number of computers.

Yes, I know they can. At this point, I'm looking to spend around $300. Which means, if I buy new, I'm getting a Zoop- anything else is too expensive. (I want a Suunto. Conservative algorithm is good in my estimate, and I'd like to be in the same brand as my husband who got the Viper Air.) The only reason the Vytec is in the conversation is because someone offered me a used one- otherwise, it wouldn't even be in consideration.

Despite leaning all day towards getting the Zoop, the ability to upgrade to AI is making me now think Vytec. It is older, and the model discontinued, but it is relatively unused, and the guy is letting me check it out before I pay, so there doesn't seem to be harm in looking. If it does function well, it seems like it will be a very good deal.

I know the Zoop will also let me download my profiles, just not the air aspect. There will still be graphs to play with.