Dive Computer for Bonaire for Safety Reasons

[Arsalan Ahmed]

Hi

I appreciate all the help with Sanddollar reservations. Now I need help with another matter.

I realize this is an appropriate thread for the electronic section but I did create a thread there and essentially started an argument where people suggested the merits of physical dive tables vs. petrels.

This is basically what I"m trying to buy for.
- I'm traveling with 2 other people and we've always done guided diving where most things are taken care of for us. We also barely ever do 'dive' trips so usually, we're limited to 3 or 4 dives a year.
- I'm interested in making sure we are all safe while diving. People have been saying you can dive 4 and possibly 5 times a day. I've never done more than 3. I want to make sure we are not over diving. Safety is my primary concern.
- We are not nitrox certified nor planning on being (for a while).
- I have about 350 dollars worth of points available on Amazon.com. Hence, I wish to buy from there though hoping to not use up my entire amount.

In light of this, I'm looking to get something that primarily informs me if we are diving too much or not. and secondly, something with a compass/digital navigation (though I realize either of those 2 requirements may push me over my 350 budget).

These are 2 I've come across. Opinions would be great. I don't care if I wear it as a watch on the surface or not.

Amazon.com: Cressi Leonardo Dive Computer Watch -Wrist (Black / Blue ): Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: Cressi Giotto Wrist Computer, Black/White: Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: Suunto Zoop Scuba Black Dive Computer - Ss019544000: Watches

And finally, this. I couldn't figure out if this was a dive computer or not

Amazon.com: Suunto Core Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, and Depth Measurement (Light Green): Suunto: Sports & Outdoors

Thank you for all the help.

 

[tridacna]

The first three are decent enough computers. The last one is not a dive computer. The words that worry me is "us" and "we". Are you suggesting that this computer is going to be used to monitor your group? If so, not a good idea. If one of you is diving without a computer, they should use tables. Relying on someone else's computer is not recommended.

 

[Arsalan Ahmed]

I'm not totally sure what other people's plans are but I want to get at least a minimum for myself and ensure I have something available in case I think I've been down too long. Agreed others shouldn't rely on mine but at least if I know I've been down too long, I can insist on others getting out of the water .. or stopping for deco stops.

 

[uncfnp]

It's not the computer that will be safest but your diving. To have more dives, you have to dive in a manner that will make more dives safer.

The thing that will give you the biggest bang for the buck and truly add to safety with repetetive dives is Nitrox. But you have ruled that out. Why?

Next is shallower dives, long slow ascents (easy on Bonaire) and longer surface intervals.

As I said, all the diver computer will do is assess the risk based on the dives you do and shorten or lengthen your dives based on that. There is likely to be a Great Debate on which algorithm (note I did not say computer) will be most conservative. And generally speaking it will be the computers utilizing some form of the RGBM.

As I am sure you know from recent threads, the Cressi and Suunto computers are the best known (notorious to those that consider conservative a curse word) for their "conservatisium."

Between the Leonard and the Giotto, unless there is a large price difference, go Giotto. If you decide on the Leonard...Asteve may give you a good price on his.

Also look at the Geo 2.0. It's more complex to operate, greater learning curve, but it's a good price on Amazon right now and you can also set it for a more conservative algorithm plus additional conservative factors.

 

[Arsalan Ahmed]

Thanks. I think the giotto is 50 bucks more. On amazon i noticed the 2.0 is 399 (about a 100 more than a giotto).

Nitrox is mainly ruled out cause i'm currently not certified nor did i have plans on getting it the certification any time soon.

 

[uncfnp]

Wow. That's crazy. Last week on Amazon you could get the Geo for as little as 279.00. Today it's 399 across the sellers. Who knows next week.

Prime Scuba and Dolphin Scuba were both selling it on Amazon for under 300.

I just took a look at the Cressi's on Amazon. The prices for those are running a bit high too. Then I checked a few other sites (LP). Higher there too. I wonder if it is the holiday?

 

[Arsalan Ahmed]

I'll put a price alert on the geo and see whats up. I'm assuming you're referring to the Geo 2.0 correct?

 

[dmoore19]

Amazon.com: Oceanic "Veo 180" Air/Nitrox Wrist Dive Computer: LeisurePro


In your price point, you could get 2 of these for on 50+ what you have from Amazon.

If there are 2 of you diving it would be important for both of you to have a computer. Remember too that you shouldn't share a computer either unless of course you want to wait 24 hours between different people using it to clear. Otherwise the only option would be for them to use tables to plan to dives to be safe.

 

[Arsalan Ahmed]

Agreed. I will not share the computer with anyone at all.

Is the Oceanic 180 comparable to the others?

 

[uncfnp]

Amazon.com: Oceanic "Veo 180" Air/Nitrox Wrist Dive Computer: LeisurePro


In your price point, you could get 2 of these for on 50+ what you have from Amazon.

If there are 2 of you diving it would be important for both of you to have a computer. Remember too that you shouldn't share a computer either unless of course you want to wait 24 hours between different people using it to clear. Otherwise the only option would be for them to use tables to plan to dives to be safe.

dmoore19. I agree it's a great computer. But as computers go I don't think he could get anything more "liberal."

---------- Post added April 5th, 2015 at 06:22 PM ----------

Agreed. I will not share the computer with anyone at all.

Is the Oceanic 180 comparable to the others?

Not in a conservative vs liberal agument but as far as features it would be most similar to the Leonardo.

---------- Post added April 5th, 2015 at 06:24 PM ----------

I'll put a price alert on the geo and see whats up. I'm assuming you're referring to the Geo 2.0 correct?

Yes. The Geo 2.0. Will be interesting to see if the prices change next week.