Does this show how much air i have left?

[TravisT]

Hey guys,
Just been looking around at some computers, i've read that several people actually prefer the wrist watch over the console. I was looking at this computer:

http://www.leisurepro.com/Catalog.a...CategoryID=957&Context=954&Sort=Price&Filter=

It says it's Nitrox compatible. I was curious, does this actually show how much air you have left or does this just estimate when it's time to come up ect?

Would I need to purchase a seperate gauge to measure my air with this computer?

Sorry for this newbie question, i just didn't want to buy something that doesn't fully function the way I hope it would.

 

[MechDiver]

It says it's Nitrox compatible. I was curious, does this actually show how much air you have left or does this just estimate when it's time to come up ect?

Would I need to purchase a seperate gauge to measure my air with this computer?

No, it does not appear to be AI. Yes, it would "estimate" when you should come up.

Yes, you would need a guage.

 

[rgerman95]

Hey guys,
Does this actually show how much air you have left or does this just estimate when it's time to come up ect?

Would I need to purchase a seperate gauge to measure my air with this computer?

This computer is not connected to the air supply. What it shows are estimates.

You'd need a separate SPG.

 

[Lemonade]

Most of AI computers perform estimate of how much time you have left before depleting your gas supply. This one is not AI, so neither it will display tank pressure nor will it give such estimate.

 

[TravisT]

Instead of making another topic, i haven't taken my OW cert yet, but will begin my classes/pool work this coming Tuesday and I just want to learn about some more of this other equipment that I may not have a chance to use during the class.

Another question....

How useful is a compass? A lot of these don't have any compasses on them, so I was just curious as to how useful it would be.

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

This one is not AI, so neither it will display tank pressure nor will it give such estimate.

It won't estimate when you should come up based on air supply, it will give such estimates based on NDL tables. Not usually referred to as estimates but more like absolutes, tomato - tomahto.

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

How useful is a compass? .... I was just curious as to how useful it would be.

Depends on whether you want to know which way you're headed. Extremely useful if your diving near ferry traffic, shipyards, fishing piers, boat ramps, open seas, or other danger areas.

Have fun with the class, do yourself a favor and learn what they have for you and you'll be able to better ask questions and understand some of the topics here too.

To test out why you want a compass try this, orient yourself really well onshore before your first ow dives. Then remember which direction is which once you get to the bottom. Even when I was diving areas that I knew pretty well I was disoriented after the initial descent for awhile when I was new. It's surprising how different the world looks from 30-40 feet underwater.

CD

 

[geraldp]

Instead of making another topic, i haven't taken my OW cert yet, but will begin my classes/pool work this coming Tuesday and I just want to learn about some more of this other equipment that I may not have a chance to use during the class.

Another question....

How useful is a compass? A lot of these don't have any compasses on them, so I was just curious as to how useful it would be.

A compass is an extremely useful tool. Some divers have their compass mounted in a console with their computer or other guages and some have their compass wrist mounted.

I suppose it depends on your training agency and/or your instructor, but when I was taking my SSI Open Water course we didn't work with compasses at all. Later I took an SSI course on Navigation, where I learned a great deal.

One of the funniest diver-related scenes I've seen: a group of 8 Open Water students doing their very first dive after getting their OW status (sans instructor). They all submerged in mass (in about 40 feet of water) with the plan on following the contour back to the shoreline. 5 minutes later every one of them popped back to the surface... apparently nobody had noticed which way "shore" was.

Just a quick general comment... I highly recommend you do as much research as possible on equipment (like you're doing now), then RENT your gear for a while. It's hard to know what's good and works for you without trying it out first. Unless you're loaded and you can afford to purchase new gear regularly Buy your own gear as soon as you can afford it, but make sure you get a chance to try it out first.

 

[TravisT]

Yeah, i'll be diving primarily in Lakes/Quarries since I live in Oklahoma. Something I really would like to get into is spearfishing some of the large flathead/carp around here. Boat docks and low visibility obstacles could be an issue.

I plan to do some renting, but eventually I would like to have my own and I want to learn and soak in as much information about diving as possible before heading into my class.

 

[getwet2]

You will need a seperate guage to keep track of your air.

If you are going to be renting your reg then you don't want an air integrated wrist computer, the AI computer requires a transmitter to be installed on the first stage to send the info to the wrist unit. Do some looking around and decide what you want in a computer, ie: lots of bells & whistles or just the simple basics to start out with. If you decide to go simple it can always be used as a back up down the road.

As for a compass, you can get wrist units but most gauge setups have a standard compass with them, even if you are renting the gear. You probably don't need to buy a seperate compass, wait untill you get your reg setup and get the compass then.