Dive Computers/Watches

[LavaSurfer]

This "which computer" question comes up fairly regularly and as always there are many answers. Here's my .02. I have been diving computers for 20 years (I still have my Edge) My favorite by far is my Suunto Stinger. On trips I leave my watches at home and the Stinger stays on my wrist 24/7. If it's too big I haven't noticed.
I also dive with a Atom. Now I have had numerous problems with the Atoms and I wasn't too happy with Oceanic but after several go arounds I have another unit. I don't and won't trust it anywhere near the way I trust the Stinger. The Stinger has never failed, I've had NUMEROUS failures with the Atom and my wife gave hers back and opted for something else. When wearing both the Stinger and the Atom there is an obvious difference in the math, I just wait until both are happy before getting out of the water.
If I were to get another computer I'd probably go for a D9 so that I had a match to my Stinger, but more than anything I'd trust the D9 over the Atom.

you bring up a good point about the Atom. Oceanic released it way ahead of its time and many people got burnt real bad from failures, flooding and still short battery life.

I have the latest version so, knock on wood, its been trouble free after 50 dives. and one battery change. Every once in awhile the screen goes blank and then comes back. I have no clue why and its only happened in watch mode. (Scratches Head)

If money were not an issue, the D9 is the way to go.

 

[Michael Schlink]

When it comes to dive gear is money ever an issue???? Come on everyone spend the most

 

[LavaSurfer]

When it comes to dive gear is money ever an issue???? Come on everyone spend the most

As in anything, big $$$ <> Quality
Big $$$ ~= Big Marketing Budgets

In the case of the Sunto D9, Its way overpriced, IMHO, but is wort the money if one can afford it

 

[alo100]

I wear one a Citizen Hyper Aqualand every day and on every dive, there is also a stainless version if you want something more formal. Its always fun on vacation when it kicks into dive mode while snorkling and on a free dive.

I don't think you're gonna find a watch that is a daily-wear type that is also a serious computer (i.e. air integrated and fully functional), though Suunto is a good place to look. Having said that, you'll find many, many, many avid divers wearing one sort of Citizen or another, the Auqualand being a favorite. The new model is pretty sweet...maybe I'll go buy one now that I'm thinking of it.

Citizen is relatively new to the other DC's made by more traditional dive equip companies, with $500 you can have other options also, did you heard a lot of good things about the item before you made the decision? Is casio/seiko also making it?

 

[RICoder]

Citizen is relatively new to the other DC's made by more traditional dive equip companies, with $500 you can have other options also, did you heard a lot of good things about the item before you made the decision? Is casio/seiko also making it?

I was really trying to answer SharkGrl's question the best way I could, which is to say that IMO there is no such thing (yet) as a computer that can be worn as an everyday watch that will be feature-rich enough to use alone. I also pointed out that I have a watch that I wear everyday and it has a dive computer, but I'd never use it without gauges or another air-integrated computer.

 

[c_figaro]

Suunto Mosquito.

 

[hank harris]

The Suunto D9 would be the perfect watch/computer for the parameters you described. I bought one last Fall and it has worked flawlessly as both watch and computer (not to mention the compass which is awesome when you go hiking off trail).

That said, I just gave it to my son-in-law. Why? My eyes are going south and, as Ms TS&M said, the numbers are not kind to old eyes. I am awaiting delivery of an Oceanic Pro VT with big fat numbers for my encroaching blindness. No where near the streamlined look of the D9, but the ability to read a computer at depth is a non-negotiable. If your eyes are strong and your budget fat, go for the D9. If not, there are quality alternatives that are less expensive. I just throw out the D9 because it's the dream combo for those who want a computer that doubles as a watch and compass.

 

[Charlie59]

I just dove in Bonaire with my new D9. It is great to have a relatively small wrist unit that gives you all the info you need. I did not have trouble with the numbers and I am no spring chicken.

Software recall aside, I am very happy with the D9, integrated wrist units make diving just a little easier.

Some wisearse at the casino did comment on the size of my watch though. Didn't hurt my feelings too bad, I kept the watch/computer.

 

[RICoder]

PFfft! Maybe I just have small wrists...

 

[Fastmarc]

Some wisearse at the casino did comment on the size of my watch though. Didn't hurt my feelings too bad, I kept the watch/computer.

LOL...
in that case I would have just told him it was a special watch for diving and when he enquires what it does, just tell him it was too technical for him to understand.
So far with the Nemo, I have only gotten 'oohs' and 'ahhs' and for some reason fellow female divers really digs it.
I do think it is a little big, but most of them are a little big.