dive computers: wrist vs console mounted

[eponym]

I'm considering to buy an Oceanic Veo 100 dive computer (non-nitrox, shallow dives at < 60). Any comments on the advantages/disadvantages of wrist vs console mount? [snip]

I started diving with SPG, computer, and compass on the hose. I moved the compass onto my right wrist two months back and I'm pleased with how much reduction in arm movement I've gotten while navigating on low-viz dives.

Now I'm waiting on a wrist mount to move my computer to my left wrist. I plan to wear it on the inside (dorsally) so I can look at depth while hovering with inflate hose held up . . . again, an advantage in open ocean low-viz (Oregon coast) settings where you don't have any visual cues to help you hover at a given level (e.g., deco or safety stops).

A small plastic hose clip keeps my SPG close in above my left hip - I can pull it up close to read, then let it fall back in place.

As others stated in this thread, this is what's working for me. And I agree that wrist-mounted instruments are a lot easier to lose (touch wood, as the British say).

 

[scubaranger]

I just bought a wrist comp. air intergrated with transmiter I also kept my old SPG with the compass. I use the gauges as a backup and the compass is right there. The computer on my wrist will take a little to get a custom to but so far I like it very much. I went this route because I saw a divers comp. crash last year it was human error. so I wanted a backup.

 

[Charlie99]

You should try SPG clipped off to left hip; computer on the right wrist; compass on the left wrist. That way you can check your gauges by looking in 3 places and unclipping, reclipping one.

Putting all of your gauges in one streamlined console isn't the "cool" thing to do.

 

[paulwlee]

I tried many configurations over the years:

I started out with a console setup, with depth gauge (and then computer), SPG, compass all in one console. I used to clip it to the BC and have it dangling a little. I would unclip it to use the compass for navigation. This was pretty inconvenient in all aspects.

I then discovered retractors, and this made life a little easier. I had it such that it hung as little as possible away from the body when it was retracted all the way in.
It was still very awkward for me when I did mid-water ascents where I had no visual references for depth and had to watch my computer while venting the BC and watching out for any obstacles over my head.

When my old dive computer died, I decided to try a wristmount computer. (Vyper)
I tried putting it on my left wrist facing inwards, so I could watch it while raising my arm to vent the BC when ascending. This didn't work as I thought it would.
So I tried wearing it on my right arm. Bingo!

This was the most comfortable position for me, as I could watch my depth and have my left hand free to do whatever I wanted (including venting BC) while ascending. I also didn't have to look down as I would have had to when looking at the console.

Once I started using the wristmount computer, I found that glancing at the wrist was so much more quicker and convenient than grabbing a console. Thus, I got a wristmount compass as well so I could do the same with my compass.

Up to this point, I had kept the console, with a depth gauge, SPG and compass.
So I tried putting the SPG in its own boot and getting rid of the other two. That made it much more compact and light, such that it's not even noticable when I'm not looking at it.

About this time I started reading about DIR, and it turns out that is the setup they use. After a lot of experimentation and trying out various suggestions from people, I had arrived at that exact setup. Interesting..

Right now, I use a Vytec instead of the Vyper although I still have the SPG. With the Vytec and compass, all my gauges are a eye-roll away. I just glance at my wrist to check everything instead of reaching for something. It's the most convenient setup I can think of, except for maybe a HUD.

 

[paulwlee]

As for people arguing that having everything at one place is more convenient, here is why I don't find that to be true at all, at least for myself.

You need to check air every now and then. Checking air from the lone SPG is the same as checking from the console.

Looking at something on your wrist takes no effort at all, as you just need to roll your eyes to do it. Thus, you are aware of your depth and NDL almost constantly. You just need to check your air from time to time as you would with a console. (Unless you have a AI wrist unit, in which case it's even better.)

During ascents, the wrist computer really shines. You need to constantly monitor your depth and ascent rate, while you don't have to check your air as often. If you had the console, you would constantly be pulling it up in front of you, or rather be holding it in front of you during the ascent. With the wrist computer, you just raise your wrist a little to watch it. It makes an even larger difference if you have something in your hands such as a camera. (It was after taking a camera out for a few times that I really thought about a wrist computer.) Not having a hand occupied with holding up the console is a huge relief in that case.

Sure, the wristmount computer and compass are two more things to juggle out of water, but the comfort underwater is more than worth the very small additional effort.
A small added benefit is that I don't have to lug the whole regulator around or deal with klunky HP quick disconnects when I want to log or download my dives from the computer.

 

[getwet2]

The wirst mount is easier to take to your computer to down load your dives, also if you happen to end up renting a reg for some reason you still have your computer and vice versa.

 

[RIDIVER501]

Ultimately it is a matter of choice.

I personally like to have my intruments in one place. I am using and old U.S. Diver pivot system, where I have my SPG with my compas behind it and then the depth guage slot is filled by my computer.

I usually have the pivot turned to i have my compass and computer at the ready and have to flip the console over for a quick glance at my air supply, but that is what works for me.

 

[Charlie99]

During ascents, the wrist computer really shines. You need to constantly monitor your depth and ascent rate, while you don't have to check your air as often. If you had the console, you would constantly be pulling it up in front of you, or rather be holding it in front of you during the ascent.

<snipped the rest of a well articulated explanation of why you prefer wrist-mounted>

Perhaps the above excerpt explains why you prefer wrist mounted, while I prefer console mounted (after having tried both methods for many dives).

I suspect that part of the console vs. wrist preference depends upon factors such as visibility, and how much one must rely upon a depth gauge to control depth and rate of ascent.

I DON'T need to constantly hold a depth gauge in front of me to make a controlled ascent. I DON'T need to constantly stare at a computer to make a deco or safety stop.

Another factor in my preference for a console is that I figure that fish don't need arms to swim, so I shouldn't either. Most of the time I keep my hands tucked back behind the tank, or folded together at my waist -- nice and streamlined, but more difficult to see than the console which clipped off at stomach level of the left strap.

Charlie Allen

 

[DennisS]

I started out with wrist mount compass, and depth gauge, a SPG. I switched to a console computer and haven't looked back. I have it mounted on a retractor on my left D ring. A thumb and finger flip shows depth and pressure and I extend my arm when I need to use a compass. With compass its about 8 inches long, 3 inches wide and a half inch thick, hardly a brick on a stick. Its nice not to have to put on all the wrist instruments, they went the way of my horse collar BC.

 

[paulwlee]

I DON'T need to constantly hold a depth gauge in front of me to make a controlled ascent. I DON'T need to constantly stare at a computer to make a deco or safety stop.

I prefer the wristmount over the console even when I'm not doing ascents, but you may have something there.

While I don't need to constantly hold the depth gauge in front of me to make a controlled ascent either, I do need to look at the gauge once every several seconds to hold a deco stop if I am in mid-water and have no other visual reference. I also like to ascend at a pretty slow rate (~10ft per minute) once I get relatively shallower and find that hard to do just by using other senses such as ear, etc. when there are no visual references. Thus, in these circumstances I find the hands-free quick accesibility of the wrist-mount much more preferable to the console.
I am still trying to get better at blue(or rather, green)-water ascents, and hopefully some day I will achieve a skill level such as yours.