Dive Computer and/or Analogue Gauges

[RAWalker]

If you were diving gauges would you feel you need a backup set?
No one has ever presented evidence that gauges are more reliable that computers that are properly maintained.
Pressure gauges can become inaccurate without notice and can read higher than actual pressures. For obvious reasons that can be an extreme hazzard. Pressure transducers are far less likely to exhibit this type of failure. Generally when they fail it is a total failure and you will accend immediately. This is less hazardous than the inaccurate reading of a mechanical gauge.
I would think although more costly a better backup would be a second computer and transmitter.
As for electrical interference from strobes this should not be a problem to a modern wireless computer. It is a proximity sensetive effect(you'd have to be close to the strobe) it is only temporary (when the strobe fires) and would not hinder a dive since the computer should reestablish it's sync within seconds after the strobe fires. It only effects the pressure measurement during that polling cycle and the computer would calulate everything else based on time and depth and then figure in bottle pressure based figures as it gets its next data from the transmitter. If it doesn't receive data within a reasonable amount of time (say 1 minute) it would be considered a failure and for safety you would be aborting your dive with your buddy there to assist with the safety stop and in case of an out of air situation.

 

[ucfdiver]

If you were diving gauges would you feel you need a backup set?
No one has ever presented evidence that gauges are more reliable that computers that are properly maintained.
Pressure gauges can become inaccurate without notice and can read higher than actual pressures. For obvious reasons that can be an extreme hazzard. Pressure transducers are far less likely to exhibit this type of failure. Generally when they fail it is a total failure and you will accend immediately. This is less hazardous than the inaccurate reading of a mechanical gauge.
I would think although more costly a better backup would be a second computer and transmitter.
As for electrical interference from strobes this should not be a problem to a modern wireless computer. It is a proximity sensetive effect(you'd have to be close to the strobe) it is only temporary (when the strobe fires) and would not hinder a dive since the computer should reestablish it's sync within seconds after the strobe fires. It only effects the pressure measurement during that polling cycle and the computer would calulate everything else based on time and depth and then figure in bottle pressure based figures as it gets its next data from the transmitter. If it doesn't receive data within a reasonable amount of time (say 1 minute) it would be considered a failure and for safety you would be aborting your dive with your buddy there to assist with the safety stop and in case of an out of air situation.

Remember, some of us don't have the luxury of being able to ascend immediately on danger.

 

[Blackwood]

Remember, some of us don't have the luxury of being able to ascend immediately on danger.

He didn't say ascend immediately. He said abort the dive.

 

[alchemist117]

Sharm will be still low 20s in May. If you do an hour, you may end up cold. I use a full 5mm. A hood would also be easy to pack.

 

[h90]

I have no backup. Not diving alone, not diving in deco mode and being ready to abort the dive if any failfunction and you don't need a backup. Anything more difficult and you should have backup.

 

[Doc]

I'm surprised no one added this before-

Only with an analog gauge can you quickly and 100% diagnose tank valve problems and improper valve position before your giant stride.

Suck a deep breath: If the analog gauge bobbles from 3000 and then returns... your valve is only open a crack. If the gauge drops to 2000 and stays there, you lines may have been pressurized (for an initial air check), but the tank valve has since been turned off.

Either way you would be screwed if you hopped in for a dip.

I know of no electronic remote gauge that will tell you this in real time. There may be some that do in their latest generation, but very few and it is not consistent among the class.

That's my big reason to favor analog gauges.

Then there's the list of plusses for the electronic remote units as well.

 

[Wayfarer2]

If you can afford it buy the gauges, it never hurts to have backup.

 

[pronatureboy]

After reading your replies I have purchased a small Scubapro twin console to use as backup. In the event of my computer failing I can abort that dive but still be able to dive again using the twin console. Thanks again for the info.

 

[potablewater]

Safe diving!

All the best,
Geoff

 

[don Francisco]

Pete- to backup or not to backup, that is the question. If I felt an absolute need to back up the hoseless air gauge function, I wouldn't have bought that feature in the first place, but that's just my KISS attitude.

There are two levels of redundancy, carrying spare units, & diving with them. If you own a console already, definitely take it with you to any remote destination, since that & a wrench can save a trip. As to diving with the backup, this is more situational, depending among other things on the rigor of the dive, ie. cave vs open water.

Most importantly, keep your true backup computer - the one between your ears - in good shape. Stay aware of what you're doing; note a planned depth & time before diving, note air, depth & time as you dive, & be conscious of other variables, this way you'll be in better shape to manage a failure in any piece of equipment.