Do Oceanic Computers have a bad reputation?

[JeffMandell]

Do Oceanic Computers have a bad reputation?

Reading through various threads about dive computers, there seems to be little interest in Oceanic computers and what interest there is seems a bit negative. I've read posts in Suunto threads that criticize Oceanic for have a too liberal ND algorithm, but I've never heard that more people actually get bent using them. To me, they've simply got the easiest to read displays out there and I 'm thinking of getting another as a backup to my ProPlus2, which I love (but which isn't wrist mounted, hence the interest adding another). Before I do, am I imagining this or are there real complaints about Oceanic's computers?

 

[Charlie99]

DCS rates are around 3 per 10,000 dives, so it is difficult to have meaningful statistics on DCS rates vs. computer brand. There really aren't even any decent statistics of DCS rates of computer users vs. table users!

Another complicating factor in the analysis is that, it doesn't matter what your computer says, it's the profile that you dove that matters. Most divers don't dive to the NDL limit on every dive.

The computers are simply tracking your N2 loading and displaying that information to you in various forms. A wise diver realizes that deco is fuzzy subject and running right up to, but not beyond NDL limit of ANY computer, does not guarantee your safety. (The converse of this is that blowing the NDL by short amounts, i.e. surfacing with a few minutes of deco obligation doesn't necessarily mean you are going to be bent. If in an emergency you need to take someone to the surface, do it even if you have a few minutes of "mandatory" stops").

In my opinion, the effect of two 1 minute deep stops, and 3-5 minutes at a shallow stop far outweigh the effects of liberal vs. conservative computers.

Suunto computers and Pelagic Pressure Systems computers (the manufacturer of Oceanic computers as well as many other brands) each have a distinct advantage.

The Suunto computers pay attention to the dive profile of PREVIOUS dives and will drastically reduce your NDLs if you have done things that are likely to promote microbubbles. Fast ascents, reverse profiles, and repeated up and down excursions are examples of what will cause the Suunto to reduce NDLs for up to 100 hours. This reduction is in addition to the normal repetitive dive residual N2 loading calculations.

The Pelagic computers work as simple accounting devices that track depth and time, using those 2 items to calculate the dissolved gas loading of various compartments. No adjustments are done for factors such as fast ascents.


The area where the Pelagic computers excel is in their indication of N2 loading. The "tissue loading bargraph" (TLBG) is a graphical display of the percentage loading of your tissues, with sea level saturation being the bottom end of the graph, and the NDL limit being the top end of the graph. The compartment with the highest percentage loading controls the bargraph display. The beauty of this graph is, that as you are doing your multi-level ascent and stops, the TLBG gives you clear indication of the calculated N2 loading. You can extend your stops as desired to match the level of conservatism you want.

The equivalent bargraph on the Suunto computers is simply a repeat of the NDL time remaining, but as a bargraph. This is nowhere as useful, because even if you are relatively heavily loaded, the NDL time at shallow depths is very long and the bargraph will recede way into the green. In other words, the Suunto doesn't really tell you how heavily you are still loaded, once you have gone back to shallower depths.

They are both good tools. Understand them and use them wisely.

 

[herman]

For what it's worth I have 2 Oceanic computers, a Data 100 and a Dataplus. I have had no trouble out of the Dataplus but the Data 100 (an old model with lots of dives on it) failed on me during a dive. It flooded and was distroyed. It was way out of warrenty and there was no reason for Oceanic to do anything about it. When the LDS called them, they requested that it be sent to them. One week later I had a new one at no cost. Customer service means a lot to me and that kind of service is hard to find these days. I added the DataPlus because I wanted a Nitrox computer, the replacement Data 100 goes along as back up on a lot of dives. I like the Oceanic computers due to the easy to read display. I also like the fact that the batteries are common and easy to replace.

 

[Rick Murchison]

I prefer the Oceanic over the SUUNTO.
Rick

 

[GreenDiverDown]

"Do Oceanic Computers have a bad reputation?"

Absolutely not. They rock! (But stay away from the Data Trans and Data Trans Plus models)

"Reading through various threads about dive computers, there seems to be little interest in Oceanic computers and what interest there is seems a bit negative. "

That's just a Scuba Board thang... pay no nevermind to that. Seriously.

"I've read posts in Suunto threads that criticize Oceanic for have a too liberal ND algorithm, but I've never heard that more people actually get bent using them."

If the Oceanics are used in a reasonable manner then this is not an issue. Follow the rules and don't do crazy stuff. Back down on the bar graphs (for instance, use the last green block as if it were yellow) and your Oceanic can be as conservative as you wish.

"To me, they've simply got the easiest to read displays out there and I 'm thinking of getting another as a backup to my ProPlus2, which I love (but which isn't wrist mounted, hence the interest adding another). "

Right on. If your thinkin' about a wrist mount, check out the Versa Pro...nice...or the VT Pro if you're into that wireless air integration set up.

" Before I do, am I imagining this or are there real complaints about Oceanic's computers?"

My only complaint (and the reason that I use my Suuntos almost exclusively now) is with the PC software/logbook. Actually, I have only HEARD that the Oceanic software is sub par and I have not personally checked it out. But the Suunto software is great! Hmmm... maybe I'll download the Oceanic software and give it a go. Now if Jamie would come out with an interface for the Versa Pro, I'd be in like Flint! Jamie?

Oh...I should add...I REALLY like the resetable timer function on my Stinger and Vytec models. Unfortunately, Oceanic doesn't offer this on any of their computers...as far as I know.

Here is an interesting thing...looking at my Versa Pro and my Vytec side by side, they seem to be almost identical...well at least the housing is the same. Seems like I read somewhere that they are now made by the same company.

You can't go wrong with either line but different models do have different advantages and disadvantages. Sorta depends on what you're lookin' fur. As a backup to an Oceanic I would stick with an Oceanic.

 

[Charlie99]

Stephen Ash once bubbled...
My only complaint (and the reason that I use my Suuntos almost exclusively now) is with the PC software/logbook. Actually, I have only HEARD that the Oceanic software is sub par and I have not personally checked it out.

The older 1 button models, such as the Data Plus had very limited logging of dive data ---- the only thing they logged was the time you crossed a new 10' boundary. So once you crossed 30', no more data would be logged until it logged the time you crossed either 20' or 40'. Essentially useless.

The newer models, such as the 2 button Data Plus 2, Versa, Veo, etc all have greatly increased logging options, such as "every 5 seconds", or every 2'.

The logbook software isn't really fancy, but it does print out a nice detailed log of the dive profile, which is what I'm looking for.

 

[ppilot]

Stephen Ash once bubbled...
Actually, I have only HEARD that the Oceanic software is sub par and I have not personally checked it out. But the Suunto software is great! Hmmm... maybe I'll download the Oceanic software and give it a go.

Can you actually download it? The only thing I've seen is a $150 kit they want to sell you. No thanks.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

ppilot once bubbled...


Can you actually download it? The only thing I've seen is a $150 kit they want to sell you. No thanks.

I think that you can.

Try this link...

http://www.oceanicww.com/s-softdownload.cfm

SA

But you're gonna need an interface cable...

 

[GreenDiverDown]

I downloaded the Versa Pro Ocean Log software and gave it a brief looksee.

It seems OK but it doesn't have some of the cool stuff that's in the Suunto Dive Manager program.

Like...I didn't see a section to list dive equipment. In the Dive Manager program you can create a gear "bag". Then, for each dive, you can select items from your gear bag to list for that dive. And...it's very customizable!

Another thing...In the Suunto program, if you record your start and end psi and note the cylinder that was used, you will automtically get a SAC rate calculation...neat! I didn't see that little trick in the Oceanic program.

There's probably more but first my impressions are that the Suunto software is more to my liking.


Oh...

I tried to download from my Versa Pro using Jamie's Suunto interface...didn't work...dang it!

SA

 

[pasley]

JeffMandell once bubbled...
I've read posts in Suunto threads that criticize Oceanic for have a too liberal ND algorithm, but I've never heard that more people actually get bent using them.

My first dive computer was an Oceanic Datamax. At my age (47 at the time) I liked the larger display too.

I got bent on dive 12. What they call "Undeserved Decompression Illness".

I followed the computer. Depth 107 FSW, Dive time surface to surface 19 minutes. Did safety stop at 60, 40, 30 and 15 feet. Remained at each depth until computer showed nitrogen load in the green. Ascended in the green on the accent speed indicator.

Next I dove the decompression chamber for a total of 3 dives at 2 hours each.

That is when I found out that the tables on this brand of computer are very liberal.

Was it the computers fault? I can't say it was. Perhaps it was just one of those things. But I sold it immediately and bought a SUUNTO which has a conservative dive table, and then I adjusted the personal setting to make it even more so.

Do more people get bent using their computers. I don't know. I have not heard of any studies on this either. But when it comes to diving you have to choose for yourself. Do you want a dive computer that is liberal (as in cuts it closer to the edge) or conservative? It is your body, your life, your bends, you decide.

But I really think Oceanic should consider these facts: 1.) Most young divers would (IMHO) tend to gravitate to small, sleek, slip through the water computers. 2.) They have to know that the older diver with trouble seeing up close is going to be attracted to their larger screen (and I might add huge computer body). 3.) Age is a risk factor for DCI and a liberal dive table is not really a good idea in this situation.

I was new to diving and never thought about different dive computers having different dive tables (aren’t all dive tables the same) or one being liberal and one conservative. A rookie mistake that cost me.

But I survived and here I am with 80 dives in the past two years still loving it.