Dive Computer and/or Analogue Gauges

[pronatureboy]

Hi, I'm an inexperienced (17 dives in total) Open Water Diver. Recently decided to increase my experience and have bought some gear (BCD, Regs etc). I already own a couple of Wetsuits, Mask, Snorkel and Fins. I plan to do my advanced in May in Sharm. I have just purchased a Smart Z and sender hoseless dive computer. Should I also purchase a console comprising of an analogue SPG and Depth Gauge to be used as backup? Finally would you use a three quarter wet suit or a full wet suit in Sharm in May?
Thanks for your time
Pete

 

[UncleJoes]

Where is Sharm? What are the temps like (surface and water)

To Backup or not to backup, that is the question...
this debate pops up every once in a while but as far as I can tell there is no conclusive result. I dive an Oceanic Atom 2.0, Watch style hoseless AI. I DON'T use any backups. For me the choice in computer was to cut down on excess, so adding a redundant system didn't make sense to me.
As I am an instructor though I always carry a spare set of regs in case something is wrong with either mine or my students' gear.
I also feel that I am experienced enough to know my depth and air consumption in case I need to abort a dive. Get in the habit of checking your guages every few minutes. If you lose power or link you will still have a rough idea of your depth/air/No Decompression Limit.


Now after all that my recomendation is if you need a backup to feel secure, I recomend either you wear ONLY an SPG or carry the whole console in you reg bag.

 

[String]

I have just purchased a Smart Z and sender hoseless dive computer. Should I also purchase a console comprising of an analogue SPG and Depth Gauge to be used as backup?

Yes. If your computer dies on a dive you need gauges, if your computer dies prior to a dive you can still do it with backup gauges - if you don't have those you cant so have just wasted a lot of money on a dive trip.

Finally would you use a three quarter wet suit or a full wet suit in Sharm in May?
Thanks for your time
Pete

Definitely a full suit. I've yet to see anywhere in the world where i'd go with a shortie type suit. As well as water temperature there is the issue of stings and so on to think about. A full length 3mm may do you if you dont feel the cold, better yet a full length 5mm will do you for just about any warm destination on the planet. Don't forget to take a hood.
Temps in Sharm will be 25c or so but there will often be a cooling wind which can chill quickly if in a shortie. Plus if doing 3-4 dives a day you'll gradually cool down in a thinner suit.

 

[chrispete]

It is really up to you. In a standard OW dive all a set of backup guages is going to tell you is your depth and air remaining while you are ascending directly to the surface, which is exactly what you should do in the event of a computer failure. As you get into more advanced situations, you may find that you want the guages.

 

[ucfdiver]

I was told it's mandatory for my intro to cave course to get a nitrox computer. We still have to keep an old school pressure gauge and watch for backup, with the dive tables safely in our pockets.

 

[jimdiverman]

I was told it's mandatory for my intro to cave course to get a nitrox computer. We still have to keep an old school pressure gauge and watch for backup, with the dive tables safely in our pockets.

I use dual Nitek Duo computers, plus I carry tables, and I actually know how to use them. Up until I did cave training, all of my tech dives were on tables, and my Nitek computer was just a backup. Now, that I am doing cave, the computer is more important for deco considering that in a cave environment, there is a saw tooth profile on many dives. The tables cannot very easily take all of this into account, particularly on dives where you need to ascend nearly to the surface to continue past a point in the dive, such as to cross a sink.

I would recommend gas switching computers, as you will want to carry deco gas on some of your longer dives, and you will learn that on the road to full cave certification if that is what you intend to do. I would also recommend an Advanced Nitrox course if you intend to pursue cave.

 

[Blackwood]

I always dive with a backup depth gauge, timing device and compass.

My buddy carries them for me on his wrists.

 

[ucfdiver]

I would recommend gas switching computers, as you will want to carry deco gas on some of your longer dives, and you will learn that on the road to full cave certification if that is what you intend to do. I would also recommend an Advanced Nitrox course if you intend to pursue cave.

There's no avoiding it, full cave is in my future. All my gear purchases from here on out are going to be based off of what's suggested for a full cave setup, no use re buying everything.

Shh....don't tell my mother, we're telling her I'm getting more gear for my "Advanced Cavern" course :no

 

[danclem]

Hi Pete:

I used an air integrated Smart Z until the first of the year and moved to a Sol. I have never had a problem, but have a small analog back-up gauge. It is very unobtrusive, and worth the redundancy.

If you get into photography there are incidents of computers malfunctioning because of electronic noise, usually high powered strobes. I have never had it happen, but do a search and you will see references.

Good Luck,

Dan

 

[SlowRain]

Having a backup never hurt anyone...and certainly given the relative low price for a console with a pressure and depth gauge in it, it would be a good idea. I dive a pretty good computer, and have never had a problem with it, but did not buy the air integration feature in it (Delta Vr3...it's a bit pricey, and it is "hardwired" and not wireless), so I have a pressure gauge and depth gauge console.

You know the saying....chance favors the prepared. For a hundred bucks or so for a console...this really should not be a huge decision to linger over.