Dive Computer or Underwater Camera???

[mccabejc]

I've only known diving with a computer, so I'm wondering: how do you determine ascent rate without a computer?

A computer allows you to graph your dive, so you can see what you did wrong, which is also helpful in DCS evaluation/diagnosis, no? Computer allows you to simulate a dive, and easily do "what if" scenarios (which take into account SAC rate, personal conservatism factors, etc.) which is an excellent training and planning tool. Computer is safety gear, camera is not. Therefore, I would consider it no contest. Get the best damn computer you can find to supplement your tables.

As far as cameras are concerned, if you've seen one fish you've seen them all. At least that's what I'm trying to convince myself until I can afford a Nikon D70 and housing.

 

[ShakaZulu]

Get a computer first.......REC divers depend on them, then again it's your life.

 

[mwrager]

Computer First, then the camera. Computer may save your life, where a camera will just show people what you have seen. I bought my computer first then my camera

 

[drbill]

Agree entirely with the last few suggestions... computer first (life support equipment) then camera later. I dove for decades without either (well, I did use a Nikonos back in the late 60's or early 70's), but when I decided to get them both I opted for the computer first (followed somewhat quickly by my video equipment!).

Of course if you are only doing one dive in a day, the computer may not be so important. It wasn't until I starting doing 3-7 dives a day that I recognized the computer as essential equipment.

Dr. Bill

 

[Mandy3206]

I'll second H2 Andy coments, I use my computer in every dive but I switch between speargun and camera depending on the dive.
The speargun is the first choice, but if it's a non spearo dive, then the camera gets wet.
I started with a $40.00 35mm speedo undewater camera (150 ft max depth) and have progresed to a Cannon S40 4 megapix digital with Cannon housing (110 ft max depth).
Next one probably will be something with arms and strobes or someting for deeper dives with a custom housing (still got too much to learn before the purchase).
Definetely it's going to be digital and more than 7.0 megapix.

Computer is an essential piece of gear and should be backed up by tables, or like me the computer from my Citizen Promaster.
There's no substitute to planning your dive and know your max time, the computer should be used as a tool, not a ruler.

 

[Jim Baldwin]

As several others have posted there was diving before computers. I started diving in 1979 and was using tables. I now own four dive computers. Computers will allow you to do a multilevel dive something you can't do with a table. They will track you nitgroen and oxygen buildup and keep up with your surface interval. They definitely will not replace your brain.

Get your buoyancy, air and diving skills down. Then think about getting a camera. I carry my camera on virtually every dive. It's routine for me to shoot 700-900 pictures in a week of diving.

I also see divers that have trouble maintaining their buoyancy, staying horizontial and get low of air way too soon because they're fighting trying to get the shot instead of relaxing breathing deep and letting the shot come to them.

Let the camera come later. Besides you can buy a good wrist mount computer brand new for about $250. A good camera, with housing and strobes will cost considerably more.

Just my experience and a little gray hair talking.

 

[BIGSAGE136]

Agree entirely with the last few suggestions... computer first (life support equipment) then camera later. I dove for decades without either (well, I did use a Nikonos back in the late 60's or early 70's), but when I decided to get them both I opted for the computer first (followed somewhat quickly by my video equipment!).

Of course if you are only doing one dive in a day, the computer may not be so important. It wasn't until I starting doing 3-7 dives a day that I recognized the computer as essential equipment.

Dr. Bill

My 1st post was in sarcasm. I too bought my computer before the camera. But its interesting to remember the beginning days.

Remember Thunderball?

 

[H2Andy]

I've only known diving with a computer, so I'm wondering: how do you determine ascent rate without a computer?

actually, that's pretty easy. all you need is a watch and a depth gauge (or a bottom
timer that combines the too).

if you pick, say, a 60 foot per minute ascent, all you have to do is make sure you
don't go up more than one foot per second.

for a 30 foot per minute ascent rate, just keep it to two feet per second.

then throw in a minute stop at 30, 20, and 10, and you're set! (or some such
variation).

 

[Stryker]

What everyone is neglecting to ask is, how much experience do you have diving so far? If you are relatively new to diving, you probably dont want to invest a whole lot of money into a expensive u/w camera. Also You are still learning how to master the basics and you should focus more on the dive.

Neither are essential equipment, but a computer makes you a more informed diver. I am a pilot also and I can make this comparison. The more information you have while flying, the safer you are. With the introduction of handheld GPS and personal radar, non-commercial pilots are much safer than they were with just analog equipment. Diving is the same way. 30-40 years ago all divers had were gauges, but that never stopped them from diving. The more information you have the safer and more aware diver you CAN be. Not to mention, you can get more out of each dive.

I may not be a very experienced diver, but I kind of fell into the same situation so I had to drop in my 2 cents!! hope it helps.

 

[kevink]

I am jumping on the computer bandwagon. Start out with a simple air computer that you should be able to walk into for under $200. The worst dive buddy you can have in the world, experience aside, is someone with a camera.

Get condident with your bouyancy and diving skills before you turn into a bottom crawler with a camera. The fish will appreciate you.