Dive Computer Recommendations

[Caribbeansoul74]

Hello, my name is Brandon and I’m in search of my first dive computer. Over the last 2 days I have been presented with the opportunity to buy a NEW OLD STOCK Scubapro G2 console computer for very very cheap (less than $400) through a trusted dive store that has just stopped selling Scubapro due to not being able to meet sales expectations with the company. Anyway, it’s new but been in there stock room for year and has never been registered with Scubapro so full warranty. My question is will this computer and situation be a good first computer or should I stay away from it? Should I go with another Scubapro console like the Aladdin Matrix H? Or skip Scubapro computers altogether? I would like to get the Shearwater Peregrine TX but very pricey. I would like to stay with air integration in some fashion whether it be a wrist mounted with transmitter or console and a compass on board would be nice. Any and all advice is appreciated!

 

[grantmac]

Don't buy a console. Look for a used Perdix. You don't need AI.

 

[Scubagermany]

Hello, my name is Brandon and I’m in search of my first dive computer. Over the last 2 days I have been presented with the opportunity to buy a NEW OLD STOCK Scubapro G2 console computer for very very cheap (less than $400) through a trusted dive store that has just stopped selling Scubapro due to not being able to meet sales expectations with the company. Anyway, it’s new but been in there stock room for year and has never been registered with Scubapro so full warranty. My question is will this computer and situation be a good first computer or should I stay away from it? Should I go with another Scubapro console like the Aladdin Matrix H? Or skip Scubapro computers altogether? I would like to get the Shearwater Peregrine TX but very pricey. I would like to stay with air integration in some fashion whether it be a wrist mounted with transmitter or console and a compass on board would be nice. Any and all advice is appreciated!

Do not buy some outdated console.
If you want air integration without spending over a thousand bucks try the Mares Quad CI.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @Caribbeansoul74

That is indeed a low price, nearly 2/3 off list. You will not find a new AI computer with transmitter for near that.
Air Integrated Wrist Computers in the US

The G2 runs a proprietary version of Buhlmann, ZH-L16 ADT MB. It is reasonably flexible, and special features can be disabled. You would have AI without being stuck with a proprietary transmitter that you might not want with your next computer. I dived with an AI console (Oceanic Pro Plus 2) for the first 8 years of my diving with a computer, it was perfectly adequate. Like many, I dive with a Shearwater computer now, not everybody needs to.

I think reasonably highly of the Mares Quad Ci mentioned above but it would cost you almost $1000 and you would be stuck with the proprietary Mares transmitter. If you would spend that amount, I would go with the Peregrine TX and transmitter you mentioned in your post.

Best of luck in your computer purchase

 

[Scubagermany]

I think reasonably highly of the Mares Quad Ci mentioned above but it would cost you almost $1000

Does it cost that much in the US? In Europe its just 699€ including the transmitter...

 

[scubadada]

Does it cost that much in the US? In Europe its just 699€ including the transmitter...

Seems that way, this is from scuba.com Perhaps you do better on price being in the EU along with Mares. You might want to look at the spreadsheet from the thread I linked in my post above. You, and we, might be interested in some of the other price differences between Germany and the US.

 

[Scubagermany]

Coincidentally I have been browsing and looking for dive computers.....

Mares Quad CI

There is even a 5% discount on that price....

 

[Kendall Raine]

Don't buy a console. Look for a used Perdix. You don't need AI.

+1. All the computer you'll ever need and then some without the bells, whistles, convoluted menu, ridiculously padded black box algorithm, imbecilic battery compartment and other claptrap.

 

[Doc Harry]

There are very real practical differences between computer algorithms.

Read up, intelligently chose an algorithm, and that will narrow your choices of computers.

I would avoid the RGBM algorithm used by Mares, Cressi, and Suunto. You'll run out of NDL and be heading towards the surface long before everyone else. I consider that bad, especially on liveaboard trips.

Garmin doesn't specify what algorithm they use, so I'd avoid Garmin as well.

 

[spatty99]

Garmin most definitely does specify what algorithm they use!

Dive Algorithm on Garmin Dive Computers | Garmin Customer Support

Garmin Support Center is where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and resources to help with all of your Garmin products.

support.garmin.com

There are very real practical differences between computer algorithms.

Read up, intelligently chose an algorithm, and that will narrow your choices of computers.

I would avoid the RGBM algorithm used by Mares, Cressi, and Suunto. You'll run out of NDL and be heading towards the surface long before everyone else. I consider that bad, especially on liveaboard trips.

Garmin doesn't specify what algorithm they use, so I'd avoid Garmin as well.