Do computers cost too much?

[Diver0001]

I sometimes hear people say that computers cost too much for some divers.

Is that really so?

If you compare the cost of buying:
- a watch, a depth meter and a table (or a bottom timer and a table)
and
- a computer

then a simple computer costs about $100 more than buying simple meters and a table

Is that $100 likely to stop you from diving? Do you know anyone who couldn't afford $100 extra for a computer and therefore still uses tables because of that?

Don't let this become a tables vs. computers discussion. That's been done to death. I'm only interested if the $100 is a make-or-break issue for some divers.

R..

 

[dfx]

If I had to buy my computer from my LDS, then yeah I'd agree. Luckily decent computers can be had online for very little $$$

 

[nimoh]

well, I paid $500 for my bottom timer, so I can hardly use cost as a computer deterrent

However, I don't think it is the case that divers can't afford a computer, just that it is an unnecessary piece of equipment and the money could be spent on other more important things. Some are willing to pay for the convenience of diving with a computer, and some are not.

 

[Lorenzoid]

In my way of thinking, computers are remarkably inexpensive. They come in sizes as compact as a wristwatch, execute complex algorithms based on input from a depth gauge (and some are even air-integrated!), and are rugged enough to survive exposure to substantial depths, salt water, etc. They are marvels of technology and industrial design. My thinking is that I should be comparing a dive computer with other consumer electronics, not with tables. I've paid $500 for consumer electronics that I consider little better than junk. For what they do, dive computers do not "cost too much."

 

[boulderjohn]

Let's see...

A 2-tank dive on in the Kona area of Hawai'i will cost you about $130. Many thousands of people do those dives every year without complaint.

A decent (not great) driver for golf will cost about $200. People grab them up willingly.

A single day lift ski lift ticket in my area can go over $100. Want to know how much skis, boots, binds, etc. cost? The roads to the ski areas are choked with people.

When I bought a toilet a month or two ago and did not feel like installing it myself, my wife called 3-4 plumbers in the area and got estimates. They all charged about $175/hour as a standard rate, estimating it would take 1.5 hours, or about $260. When my son bought a toilet from another source, they said they would install it for him for $1,000. (We both did it ourselves.) If $175/hour for a plumber to come into your home is the going rate, then people must be paying it. Those plumbers are all still in business.

In comparison...

I bought a pretty high end computer in 1999. It cost $800, far above the cost of a pretty decent computer today, especially considering inflation. I still have it, although I don't use it much. I recently loaned it to someone who used it for a week of diving, and it worked fine for them. That comes to about $60/year. If a new diver buys a $300 computer today and uses it for 15 years, that comes to $20/year.

Doesn't seem so bad.

 

[TMHeimer]

I can't recall what I paid for my first and only (used) reg. But it was, I guess, old school, in that it has the console with depth gauge, SPG & compass (themometer, etc.). How much less would one pay for a used reg. without the console? My cost on top of that was a $25 watch (I broke one, so 2 of those I guess). The computer I bought (Mares2) was $275. What do you think?

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

My thought is - I bought an Oceanic VEO 2.0 - it allows me to dive longer than if I used tables and shortens my SIT between dives - thereby increasing my enjoyment - making my dives longer and relatively safer. Can I put a price on that? It was cheaper than my 7 mm semi dry - so for a couple hundred dollars the cost seems well worth the investment - at least for me.

 

[jord1990]

It is an interesting question.
When I look at an item that I'm going to use multiple times, I think about how many times and how much joy I'm going to get from that time. With diving I'm willing to spend allot of money to feed my addiction. With other stuff not so much.
Therefore the how much is to much question is different with everyone.

Ps: if someone knows where I could get €2000 before march it would be appreciated.

Jord

 

[fnfalman]

I can't recall what I paid for my first and only (used) reg. But it was, I guess, old school, in that it has the console with depth gauge, SPG & compass (themometer, etc.). How much less would one pay for a used reg. without the console? My cost on top of that was a $25 watch (I broke one, so 2 of those I guess). The computer I bought (Mares2) was $275. What do you think?

Should have bought a cheaper computer.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

It also depends on the area where people are diving. In the scheme of things where you have people spending thousands to go on vacation and dive it may not be that big of a deal. But locally the price of a computer in this area could easily cover a dozen air fills and 3 or 4 quarry entry fees. Or in the case of some of our local sites there is no entry fee or boat fees. They could do two dozen dives working on skills, planning, and learning to just have fun diving. Not everyone is going to drop 3 grand for twenty dives in a week. And because i train divers for our local conditions a computer is an unnecessary luxury for many of them. We do get dr's, lawyers, ceo's etc.. But we also get many blue collar guys that just would rather dive. And tables still come with our OW packs. Or as I stated before they can download them for free.