Dive Computer recommendations- budget US$500

[sipadiver]

Hi,

I'm after a dive computer- two of my DM friends recommended the SUUNTO Stinger. But after reading comment on this forum... I'm not so sure now...

My budget is around US$500. I don't mind paying more - if there is a significant quality appreciation, ie. I can really feel that the money is well spent.

I guess my criteria is -
1. it works well and is reliable
2. has a good record of working beyond the warranty date.
3. aftermarket warranty service is excellent

(I've done close to 40 dives now- and I'm heading for the Maldives in late May - a dive computer is required- and I don't want to hire one for $50 for the trip)

 

[Mr. Sunday]

I would suggest a Diverite Nitek Duo. It seems to be about the best bang for the buck out there

 

[UncleJoes]

It kinda depends on what you're looking for in a Computer. I love Oceanic's devotion to excellent customer service, so I would recomend either a GEO or a VEO 250

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Plus one for the Nitek Duo or the TUSA IQ-700 (same thing, different brand) Very capable for the money and will take you all the way through advanced nitrox (bottom gas plus one deco gas diving.)

On the other hand, Cochran sells some great air/nitrox/trimix computers that are upgradeable as your needs evolve and the basic models are about $700.

 

[Ann Marie]

I really like the SUUNTO Computers. The Gekko is good computer in the under-$500 range. The shop I work for has them on all of the rental computers and they take a beating and keep going. It is nitrox compatible. The battery is user-replaceable too. It has automatic activation as well. Though the Gekko technically doesn't have a download feature, if you do a search on this forum, there is some 'Do it yourselfer' that has come up with a way to do it.

(My favorite computer is the Cobra but that is outside your budget)

 

[Melicertes]

There's nothing wrong with Suunto IMHO. I had the Stinger for several years and my wife still dives her Mosquito no problems. I switched to the Uwatec Aladin Tec purely because I got it on a very good deal from someone here on SB and it gave me the ability to change the batteries myself which my Stinger did not. There's also a few settings, like it's microbubble levels, that I quite like.

Other than that I don't think you should be overly concerned about not going Suunto unless there is a very specific reason for you not to go that route. That said there are other computers available also that fits your budget range that's got some pretty good reviews too - decide exactly what you need/want in a dc, then do your homework (read replies here etc,) and go with what your gut tells you

 

[sipadiver]

There's nothing wrong with Suunto IMHO. I had the Stinger for several years and my wife still dives her Mosquito no problems. I switched to the Uwatec Aladin Tec purely because I got it on a very good deal from someone here on SB and it gave me the ability to change the batteries myself which my Stinger did not. There's also a few settings, like it's microbubble levels, that I quite like.

Other than that I don't think you should be overly concerned about not going Suunto unless there is a very specific reason for you not to go that route. That said there are other computers available also that fits your budget range that's got some pretty good reviews too - decide exactly what you need/want in a dc, then do your homework (read replies here etc,) and go with what your gut tells you

The main reason why I like the SUUNTO is that the three DM friends that I know have it- and swear by it. Time to join the brotherhood

But it seems the SUUNTO D9 etc.. suffer from to major problems. And the after market service is awful for SUUNTO.

But I looked at the OCEANIC GEO- and it seems ok and at half the price.

 

[gcbryan]

Basically all dive computers out there are reliable. Whether employees from a particular dive shop all use Suunto's or any other brand has more to do with what brand that dive shop carries and the "key man" deals that they offer employees (usually close to cost).

I have a Tusa IQ-700 (same as Nitek Duo) and I also have an Oceanic Veo 200. They both work, are reliable and have exceeded the warranty. I have friends with various Suunto's and the same is true of them.

Just pick the features that you want and the price that you are happy with. They all work.

I like the IQ-700 because to me the method of changing the battery is more robust than most other methods, I like the larger numbers on the display, and I like the dive playback feature on the unit itself. Some other computers have these features although most don't have as robust a method of changing the batteries.

 

[vicdiver656]

I would definitely suggest the Mares M2 computer. I have never had problems with mine, and my buddy has never had any problems with his. It goes for about $189 on Scubatoys.com, and features bottom timer mode, depth gauge mode, air mode, nitrox mode (mixture within recreational level), and the regular temperature guage. Definitely a good "bang for your buck" computer.

 

[jefffalcone]

I would say that the stinger is loaded with features that you probably don't need that make it very expensive. Combine that with the fact that you have to send it back to suunto to change the battery, and I would say you can probably spend your money better.

I agree with the guy who suggested the oceanic geo. It does everything you will ever need for around $300 US. It seems to me like oceanic/aeris computers are a little less expensive than comparable computers made by other manufacturers. Suunto seems a little above average as far as pricing goes. Combine that with a reputation for bad customer service and I really wouldn't be interested in them. Don't get me wrong, the stinger seems like a great computer, but for the pricetag, you could do better. If you're just looking for the best looking computer on the market, then the stinger definately has that cornered.

Most computers are excellent quality, so my advice is:

1. figure out what features you need for your diving and your planned future diving. don't pay for features that you won't ever use

2. shop around and find the best deal on a computer that does everything you need

3. make sure you can get that computer serviced easily where you live.

Everybody loves whatever computer they use. This is great evidence that they're all good. You're sure to get a long list of folks telling you to buy the computer that they have. They're all right.