Dive watch or not?

[Callo21]

I am new to diving, actually in the middle of my certs. I am buying all of my gear, and came across something that I thought some of you could help me with. I am buying the oceanic v250 for my dive computer, but I wonder if I need a back up, or just a watch, or nothing at all. We have just done a pool dive so far but doing open water this saturday, and the thought just came across me that I have nothing if I was on my own, like after certification to check my time with. Then I realized that I am going to have a computer, but do I still need a watch, and if so what kind? Thanks for all the help guys, and gals.

 

[shotthebreeze]

Well, if you're buying a computer I don't see the need for a watch that does much else than keep time, just in case something goes wrong...Body Glove makes some decent dive watches from what I've heard. Are you enjoying your cert thus far? And is that mask still fogging?

 

[Callo21]

I love my cert, but haven't been back in the water yet, but I will saturday and sunday. I have class thursday night.

 

[underwasser bolt]

i dive computer and a citizen aqualand; aqualand gives depth and time at depth for a sqaure profile, so i can always dive charts if my computer fails.

 

[nolatom]

Get a watch, and wear it, you may never need it, but if you do, you'll be glad it's on your wrist. A cheap Timex or Casio is fine, no need to spend over $35.

Should your computer conk out, look at your watch, you know roughly when you began the descent, take that minute and use either the "100 rule" (your bottom time, plus your depth in feet, shouldn't exceed 100, so 70 feet fpr 30 min, 80 feet for 20 min, etc) or the "120 rule" if you're less conservative, same math principles...

And when you're timing 3 minutes (or more) for your safety stop, you can use your wristwatch to get it right, since your computer counts only minutes, not seconds..

Then, after you've surfaced, you can switch to tables, and finish out your dive day while you figure out why your computer didn't work (usually it's because you forgot to turn it on before the first dive).

A watch is also useful for noting when you splashed. They're cheap and trouble-free, why wouldn't you wear (and consult) one?

 

[DiverBeth]

Get a watch, and wear it, you may never need it, but if you do, you'll be glad it's on your wrist. A cheap Timex or Casio is fine, no need to spend over $35.

Should your computer conk out, look at your watch, you know roughly when you began the descent, take that minute and use either the "100 rule" (your bottom time, plus your depth in feet, shouldn't exceed 100, so 70 feet fpr 30 min, 80 feet for 20 min, etc) or the "120 rule" if you're less conservative, same math principles...

I agree. You don't really need anymore than that. I have a casio that will give me time and depth so if my computer conks out I can control my ascent easily and do a safety stop. However, half the time I don't even use the function.

You don't really need one it's up to you. I once met a diver who wore 2 backup wrist computers! He admitted it was overkill but he likes his toys. If you can afford it get whatever you want.

 

[Teamcasa]

I too use the citizen aqualand. Its a great watch and has the advantage of a back-up depth gauge and many other features.

Dave

 

[jpcpat]

One more vote for the aqualand. It's a great backup. As a practical matter, for cert dives, your buddy is your backup, but if you like toys...

 

[Lock Down]

I say save the money that you would spend on an expensive dive watch and get a timex or a Casio. ( unless watches are "your thing" You can spend this extra money on tank fills or more gear, and trust me there will always be more gear that you can buy. An inexpensive sports watch will do the job of keeping you aware of your bottom time and things break and get lost. If you lose a $40 watch no big deal but I will bet you might lose some sleep over a $500-$1000 Time piece that is sleeping with the fishes. Heck you can always upgrade...

 

[ClayJar]

In the event of a computer failure (well, a double computer failure for me, these days), the dive is over for me. Additionally, with the profiles I usually dive, I'm almost always well outside the square-derived tables, so I'm not going to be able to just back-calculate my dives and continue on tables.

With those two factors in mind, the only thing I'll use a backup watch for is ascent timing (rates and stops). *Any* watch will do that, so I picked up a $7 one at Walmart (actually, I bought two, but hey). It's attached to my pony rig (which has pressure and depth gauges). Even if I lose both computers and my primary air, I can make a standard ascent.