Dive Computers

[BeallTM]

Hello again. I posted a short hello yesterday on the introduction board but had to blast and could not ask any questions. I am thinking about purchasing an Oecanic Atom 2.0 watch type computer. I have heard that Oceanic computers are not reliable and that the transmitter technology over the whole industry is not reliable. I can easily get around the transmitter problem by adding a pressure gauge (all the 1st stage regulators I am considering have 2 high pressure ports) on a console but that defeats the desire to reduce the number of hoses.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I don't know who you heard that from. Unless it's a dealer who does not carry oceanic. Oceanic's quality and support are top notch. As for wireless technology there are issues with just about every manufacturer I've heard about. At the same time I've talked to others (divers) who say they've had none with their units. Personally I have no use for wireless. I carry a wrist mount computer( Oceanic) and an analog spg on a 24 inch hose clipped off to my left d-ring. If your hoses are the proper length and stowed and routed correctly I see no advantage to going wireless other than the cool factor. I'd get the atom without the transmitter and save a few hundred bucks.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I'm with Jim. Oceanic/Aeris (pretty much the same equipment, just different branding) equipment is top notch. I also have no use for wireless. I dive an Aeris Atmos 2 wrist computer and have a brass and glass SPG on a 24" hose clipped to my left waist D-ring. Nice and tight, no danglies.

When considering your computer, be sure and take into account how readable it is UNDER WATER. I like big numbers, little clutter. The watch-type computers or just too small for me. Some folks certainly love them. That's why you see that Oceanic and Aeris both have their top of the line computers in two models that really have the exact same feature set. One model is a small watch-style and the other is a larger, more readable standard dive computer style.

 

[Diving Doc]

. I am thinking about purchasing an Oecanic Atom 2.0 watch type computer. I have heard that Oceanic computers are not reliable and that the transmitter technology over the whole industry is not reliable.

Dont know where that came from bud, but I can tell you this. I have had Suunto and now have an Oceanic VT3, my wife has the ATOM. They are absolutely reliable and as the other chappy has said, their service (pre and post sale) are second to none.

As for 'losing' your gauges, I think you may want to reconsider that one. Transmitters are technology, and as such are prone to die (battery run out etc) at the worst possible time. I strongly recomend that you keep your guages. I have the transmitter on my computer and still carry guages, redunancy is a wonderful thing.

 

[drrich2]

I'm considering getting a transmitter pair for an Atom 1.0 & a V3. I'm part of a group planning to head to Bonaire this Spring. From what I understand:

1.) People shore dive a lot - maybe 4-5 times/day (hello, nitrox!).

2.) Due to theft problems & locked cars being more likely targets, people are often advised to leave cars unlocked & not leave valuables in them.

3.) People drive rental cares to shore sites, then everybody goes in the water.

4.) Car's a sitting duck, easily identifiable as a rental with a foreign tourist encumbered with gear out underwater somewhere.

5.) One of the things I like best about some of these dive computers is their ability to log a dive. This is especially useful if you leave your log book back at the hotel room because you're afraid it'll be stolen from the car.

6.) A transmitter lets the computer log your starting & ending pressures with your dives. Especially for a relative newbie like me, who goes through air too fast, this is interesting info. to review later on a home computer.

That said, I want to keep my gauges.

Richard.

 

[BeallTM]

The more I thought about having a SPG on a hose as a redundant backup the more I liked the idea. Now I Know it is the right thing to do. Thanks.

I didn't really believe that the Oceanic equipment could be as unreliable as I had heard but being new to dive compugters I felt that I should verify.

Thanks to all of you.

 

[String]

Oceanic's quality and support are top notch.

Where you are maybe. This is not the case worldwide.

FWIW in context of this thread i dont see the point at all of air integrated. It has a higher failiure risk than a simple analogue SPG and provides you with nothing more. Air-integrated is in my view a pointless gimmick.

 

[DiveMaven]

I happen to love my air integrated computer and wouldn't go back to guages for anything. I like having all my information in one place, and I simply replace my batteries every 12-18 months whether they need it or not, and don't worry about my computer running out of juice.

 

[Zeeman]

I currently have an Atom 1 with wireless trnasmitter, and have not had any problems. the computer has only lost the signal from the trnamsitter once, and it re-acquired the signal within seconds, so it was no big deal. I do normally have a regular spg for backup - but my buddy stole it while he searches for a new one.

My reason for going wireless was more to keep all my info on the one screen more than anything else - but I do like to have backups just in case.

Z...

 

[jeckyll]

....
6.) A transmitter lets the computer log your starting & ending pressures with your dives. Especially for a relative newbie like me, who goes through air too fast, this is interesting info. to review later on a home computer.

That said, I want to keep my gauges.

Richard.

So does a log book and a pen

If you are diving a lot, like on vacation, it's might be nice to actually log interesting things that happen on the dive right away before you forget, as well as lessons you may have learned, such as: too much weight, too little, current, things that freaked me out, things that really worked, things I need to work on, etc.

I think that's more important that you air starting & stopping pressure.

Just my $0.02

Bjorn