Birdseye
New
I'm trying to decide on a first dive computer. We bought the Mares M1 for my husband yesterday, and I've been through the manual with it, getting the hang of how it looks and displays.
Can't know how it looks underwater yet, but my first impression is that some of the information (ft/m, C/F, etc) is pretty small. Also the buttons, although getting easier to activate, seem difficult to use.
I'd really appreciate suggestions on a first computer for someone that will be doing strictly recreational, tropical diving. I've searched & looked through posts here, been to local dive shops, etc., but I'm still overwhelmed with all that's available. The shops, obviously, all recommend what they carry as the best.
I'd like a console mount, preferably with separate depth gauge. Primary importance to me is an easy-to read display with large (yes, getting to that stage!) numerals and easy to use controls that are fairly intuitive. Not tiny buttons, or ones that have to be held down varying amounts of time to enter various modes (Mares).
I'd like to have current & max depth constantly displayed (unlike Mares M1, which switches back & forth automatically), along w/no decompression time. The basics.
And I'd like it to be a good reliable brand that isn't well-known for malfunctions.
Also, as my dive partner has a more conservative model, ideally I'd like to have one that's more conservative also - and would anyway. Everyone says get Nitrox - someday you'll thank yourself. I don't know if we'll ever dive Nitrox.
Also, what are most reliable sources to order online? We buy most gear from our dive shop, but I'm considering ordering computer myself.
I'd really welcome any suggestions - I know that many of you dispense the same advice over and over, and I feel bad asking one more time - but I am! Thanks for any input; it will all be sincerely appreciated.
Can't know how it looks underwater yet, but my first impression is that some of the information (ft/m, C/F, etc) is pretty small. Also the buttons, although getting easier to activate, seem difficult to use.
I'd really appreciate suggestions on a first computer for someone that will be doing strictly recreational, tropical diving. I've searched & looked through posts here, been to local dive shops, etc., but I'm still overwhelmed with all that's available. The shops, obviously, all recommend what they carry as the best.
I'd like a console mount, preferably with separate depth gauge. Primary importance to me is an easy-to read display with large (yes, getting to that stage!) numerals and easy to use controls that are fairly intuitive. Not tiny buttons, or ones that have to be held down varying amounts of time to enter various modes (Mares).
I'd like to have current & max depth constantly displayed (unlike Mares M1, which switches back & forth automatically), along w/no decompression time. The basics.
And I'd like it to be a good reliable brand that isn't well-known for malfunctions.
Also, as my dive partner has a more conservative model, ideally I'd like to have one that's more conservative also - and would anyway. Everyone says get Nitrox - someday you'll thank yourself. I don't know if we'll ever dive Nitrox.
Also, what are most reliable sources to order online? We buy most gear from our dive shop, but I'm considering ordering computer myself.
I'd really welcome any suggestions - I know that many of you dispense the same advice over and over, and I feel bad asking one more time - but I am! Thanks for any input; it will all be sincerely appreciated.