Dive computers

[guitar_lord]

Hey folks,

Im looking for your opinions!
Im pretty new to the diving world - going to complete my OW in May and Im trying to get all of my gear together.

What type of dive computers would you reccomend and why?
Wrist computers/Computer consoles? (which is better)
What specific brands, options to look for?

(do I need a dive computer or should I wait until I have more experience first?)
Thanks!

 

[paulithepin]

Rent until you know this is a sport for you! Equipment purchases other than the basics, mask, snorkel, fins, etc are your first purchases, get quality gear that fits the type of diving you envision doing, don't rush into regualtors, BCD, Computer purchases until you have some dives under your belt. Be a sponge, ask instructors, other divers, and use boards such as SB to help refine your purchases. Most diving equipment can last many many years, so don't rush into anything, you will either have it and not like it for a long time or sell it at a loss and upgrade!
Paul

 

[cummings66]

I would echo the sentiments of buying quality gear, and try to buy for the future. i.e in a dive computer get one that does nitrox and can download the dives.

I would not buy all your gear beyond what's necessary for the class right now, you don't even know if you'll like the sport enough to dive often or on vacation only. Once you know you like it, try various pieces of gear via rentals and see what you like and don't like, then buy the gear.

I see nothing wrong with buying a computer now, but I would buy one that does what I mentioned above if I bought one at this stage. Just be sure you love diving first.

 

[guitar_lord]

To be honest I know I will love diving because I love diving already!!!! and I can't wait to dive again! (even though its in the pool)

Are there any advantages/disadvantages to the wrist computers as apposed to the console kind?

 

[kidspot]

Personally I prefer wrist mounted as my depth gauge sits right in front of me. I tend to check depth much more often than air supply (which is on a clip attached to my waist strap) Also while doing ascent stops I find it much more convenient to have my timer in front of me, instead of holding a console attached to a hose. Not everyone agrees however.

fwiw - I got my gear before starting my OW class and still use the same computer. The features that were important to me were having user replaceable batteries, nitrox capable, and gauge mode. The price and an always on light feature made me go with the Mares M-1 RGBM computer (It's one of the least expensive out there, yet does all I wanted it to do) I discovered one other nice feature 3 dives ago - it flooded and I now appreciate having a floodable battery compartment I just cleaned it out, rinsed and inserted new batteries (along with an o-ring that had apparently not been put back in causing the flood

Have fun, Tim

 

[Michael Schlink]

Suunto, either a Stinger or a D9, or both. Search for threads that have just about beaten this subject to death. You'll get everything from you shouldn't dive with a computer to don't dive w/o one, wrist or console, and on and on. Although I much prefer all my info on my wrists, I have friends who have years of diving experience and still prefer a console.
Once we're past the computer yes or no debate then we can move on to which computer- I have owned easily over a dozen of 'em starting with an Edge from twenty years ago. Oceanic, Uwatec, Mares, USD, Orca, Suunto, etc. My hands down favorite- is the Suunto Stinger, I have the Titanium version and that is my vacation watch also.

 

[SmileMon]

I don't think he can rent the higher priced computers, such as the Sunnto D9 or the Oceanic Atom, Nitek, delta.

But paulithepin is right, you should rent at least each type of BC (back inflatable, vest - or maybe even BP) if you can before you decide, what fits someone won't make it fit you.

About regulators - well... this can be a long story but purchasing one that can fit 99% of your planned dives will be the best thing - even if its a couple of hundred more expensive - on the other hand, if you plan to dive only 99% warm water shallow depth - getting an environment sealed reg will be a waste - then again - if you go to alaska you can still use your own instead of renting an unknown reg...

Answer yourself the following questions - how much are you willing to spend? Will you dive cold water or only warm water? do you NEED top of the line computer?
for example, lets say you're rich, diving with VR3 in a 25 foot dive will look a bit rediculous - but will cause envy in other divers - are you ego driven? if so, the D9 will be a better candidate - but according to what I've read the D9 has its drawbacks.

You need to factor knowledge in your purchase - do you have enough experience to make an educated descision or do you lack the knowledge and just want to make a guess?

To be honest, I bought all my equipment before I got my OW cert, I spent countless hours readin articles, magazines, reviews, posts, etc'. On one hand - I bought what I thought I needed, on the other hand, I might have made a different descision if I actually followed my advice in this post..
I will add that I'm happy with most of my equipment - I feel safe with it because I have it at home and it goes though some tests at home before each dive, I keep it clean and dry when not diving - this is something you don't know when you're renting and a week ago I had a tank o-ring leaking on me - which made me want to get my own tanks - now I'm doing research on it too.

 

[scubamickey]

Take what Tim (kidspot) above says to heart. I asked this same question about 8 months ago when I decided to buy a computer. The only reason I even own one is for the liveaboards that require them (maybe they think people are too stupid to use tables anymore-who knows why). Anyway...I bought a console inspite of all the advice to go with a wrist mount. Well, I just sold my $800 console mounted computer and bought a $400 wrist mount. It didn't take long to figure out that the wrist mount was a heck of a lot easier to manage and provided one less dangly thing off my rig.

Now I have both the computer or the bottom timer (depending on which I'm using) and the compass on the wrists.

 

[PaulChristenson]

Hey folks,

Im looking for your opinions!
Im pretty new to the diving world - going to complete my OW in May and Im trying to get all of my gear together.

What type of dive computers would you reccomend and why?
Wrist computers/Computer consoles? (which is better)
What specific brands, options to look for?

(do I need a dive computer or should I wait until I have more experience first?)
Thanks!

Go here... http://www.scubatoys.com/store/about.asp

Then either email them or call them on the phone...and you will get all you need to know...

 

[Don Burke]

Hey folks,

Im looking for your opinions!
Im pretty new to the diving world - going to complete my OW in May and Im trying to get all of my gear together.

What type of dive computers would you reccomend and why?

Something easy to figure out. Some computers can add to your task loading. I like the ones with bar graphs.

Wrist computers/Computer consoles? (which is better)

Yes I have a module unit on a wrist mount and am looking to update with a unit mounted the same way.

What specific brands, options to look for?

I like Oceanic, although there are plenty of fine units out there. Get something with a link to download your dives.

(do I need a dive computer or should I wait until I have more experience first?)

You should probably wait. It will give you a chance to get used to how dive profiles should go and also to ask a bunch of people with computers what they would do differently if they had it to do over.

There is no way I would buy a computer before completing OW.

A good progression is to use tables until gas supply is no longer the reason for ending your dives, then get a nitrox certification. When the nitrox tables become the reason for ending your dives, get a computer.

Some charter operations require a computer, so you may be forced into getting one sooner.