First Dive Computer **Advice needed

[Tidusdayon]

Hello,

I have been reading several posts about first dive computers and wanted feedback more for myself.

I have seen posts about the Cressi Leonardo, Mares Puck, Sunnto Zoop Novo, Aqualung i300c, Cressi Neon.

Personally I do not want the Cressi Leonardo and my dive shop suggested the Sunnto Vyper novo but I cannot afford that right now.

I originally was drawn to the Sunnto Zoop Novo but read alot of feedback about Sunnto's issues with the depth calculator being in accurate. Can anyone attest that I should still get it or not? If not then i fall on the Aqualung i300c or the Mares Puck. I see alot of people using Mares Puck as a secondary cause its pretty reliable and ive seen the aqualung i300 as the console not as the watch.

Any comments on the cressi Neon or Mares smart air without the transmitter (or do i need to buy the transmitter)?

Sorry for the repetitive post but it helps when people are giving advice directly to you.

 

[Magnus Lundstedt]

I would say that it depends on what type of diving you see yourself doing in a few years, and how much you like bling,gadgets and data.

If you think you will buy an advanced $$$$ computer in the future, get yourself a puck sized ebtry level computer and later you can use it as backup.

If you love gadgets and data get one that is air integrated becouse it is fun.

I have played around with some of the ones you mentioned, and i use some others, what it all come down to is how readeble the display is, and what it shows you.

The Suunto problem with the depth sensors is an old problem, and i seen other brands with the same problem, some of it is a mather of neglected rinsing after every dive.

today i own and dive: Oceanics OC1, Suunto D6i, Suunto Viper air, Suunto Cobra.

I plan to get rid of the OC1 becouse i don't like to have to press a button to see what i am used to have on the main screen in the Suuntos. but that is a personal preference.

I have dived computers with 1 or 2 buttons and i dont like it, maybe personal preference.

The difference between a Zoop novo and a Vyper novo is that the Vyper novo can have air integration and you can use 3 different gases per dive. with zoop novo you can use 21-50% in vyper 21-99% so for recreational use, the only difference is AI.

If you find a 3 button zoop (not novo) there are some other differences, no backlight but only flourocent while the novos have both, only one sample frequence for logbook, no freediving or gaugemode and some more minor differences.

I personaly like Suunto and most of the people i dive withe use the D4i/D4i novo and i would not hesitate to get either of the ones you got reccomended. I prefere air integrated, and would prefere a used AI computer before a new not AI, but that is mostly becose i like data and pretty grafs in my logbook and buy most stuff second hand.

But i think any computer of the ones you mentioned would serve you well. I hate one button models, but i hear others love them. I cannot agree with Oceanics/Aqualung layout, but others prefere them.

 

[GreggS]

It's not that the Suuntos have innaccurate depth sensors, it's that they have a history of depth sensor failure. In fact, Suunto is currently involved in a class action lawsuit/recall due to the failures.

That being said, I use a Vyper Novo with AI as my primary and a Vyper as my backup. My wife uses the Vyper Air with AI as her primary and the Zoop (not Novo) as her backup. We have found that the depth they show to be very accurate. So far, the only Suunto I've had go bad is an old Gekko I bought used several years ago that had not been used in several years. It lasted about a year after I got it.

A lot of people don't like Suuntos because they say they are very conservative. I've not found them to be excessively conservative as I can usually stay down as long as buddies diving other computers.

I've never used any of the others you'vr mentioned but have heard good this about the i300c. But in the end, you'll have to make the decision based on which one you feel the most comfortable with.

Good luck with your search and purchase.

 

[scubadada]

There are a large number of threads on SB regarding a first computer, please read some of them. The most unrecognized factor is the decompression algorithm, that runs between quite conservative and liberal. Depending on your diving and physical condition, this might play a role in your computer choice.

 

[GreggS]

I agree with scubadada on this. I meant to add in my previous comments that even if Suuntos are more conservative than other brands, I'm okay with that. My wife and I are both in our early 60s so we don't want to push the limits anyway. But like I did say earlier, we haven't seen that they are as conservative as some will say they are.

If you are young and fit, you may want to go with one considered more liberal. But keep in mind, any computer you get is going to show you an estimate of what's going on with your gas loading. No algorithm is going to guarantee you won't get a hit while using it.

BTW, after posting my first reply, I saw this thread that might be of interest to you. For Sale - Suunto Viper Air + xmitter + USB cable + extras $350 obo

 

[Tidusdayon]

Thanks so much for your input. Yes, I too also want to do an air integrated computer, but I do not feel like investing in on it at the moment and when I am ready i feel like going for the Eon Core or teric or perdix.

It's reassuring to know that all the devices you recommend them and that Sunnto is still reliable thorough your experience. Visually the zoop novo is nice. was just worried about the reliability

I would say that it depends on what type of diving you see yourself doing in a few years, and how much you like bling,gadgets and data.

If you think you will buy an advanced $$$$ computer in the future, get yourself a puck sized ebtry level computer and later you can use it as backup.

If you love gadgets and data get one that is air integrated becouse it is fun.

I have played around with some of the ones you mentioned, and i use some others, what it all come down to is how readeble the display is, and what it shows you.

The Suunto problem with the depth sensors is an old problem, and i seen other brands with the same problem, some of it is a mather of neglected rinsing after every dive.

today i own and dive: Oceanics OC1, Suunto D6i, Suunto Viper air, Suunto Cobra.

I plan to get rid of the OC1 becouse i don't like to have to press a button to see what i am used to have on the main screen in the Suuntos. but that is a personal preference.

I have dived computers with 1 or 2 buttons and i dont like it, maybe personal preference.

The difference between a Zoop novo and a Vyper novo is that the Vyper novo can have air integration and you can use 3 different gases per dive. with zoop novo you can use 21-50% in vyper 21-99% so for recreational use, the only difference is AI.

If you find a 3 button zoop (not novo) there are some other differences, no backlight but only flourocent while the novos have both, only one sample frequence for logbook, no freediving or gaugemode and some more minor differences.

I personaly like Suunto and most of the people i dive withe use the D4i/D4i novo and i would not hesitate to get either of the ones you got reccomended. I prefere air integrated, and would prefere a used AI computer before a new not AI, but that is mostly becose i like data and pretty grafs in my logbook and buy most stuff second hand.

But i think any computer of the ones you mentioned would serve you well. I hate one button models, but i hear others love them. I cannot agree with Oceanics/Aqualung layout, but others prefere them.

 

[Tidusdayon]

Thank you so much on your reply. I have read some of this on the algorithm and I had assumed that maybe taking the conservative way is the better route to go as someone new and become more familiar with dive computers and my own dive patterns

There are a large number of threads on SB regarding a first computer, please read some of them. The most unrecognized factor is the decompression algorithm, that runs between quite conservative and liberal. Depending on your diving and physical condition, this might play a role in your computer choice.

 

[Tidusdayon]

Thank you so much for the recommended post for sale!

I agree with the decision on conservative route. I figured it would be best to start conservatively until I am more familiar with the whole system and getting to know my dive style.

I agree with scubadada on this. I meant to add in my previous comments that even if Suuntos are more conservative than other brands, I'm okay with that. My wife and I are both in our early 60s so we don't want to push the limits anyway. But like I did say earlier, we haven't seen that they are as conservative as some will say they are.

If you are young and fit, you may want to go with one considered more liberal. But keep in mind, any computer you get is going to show you an estimate of what's going on with your gas loading. No algorithm is going to guarantee you won't get a hit while using it.

BTW, after posting my first reply, I saw this thread that might be of interest to you. For Sale - Suunto Viper Air + xmitter + USB cable + extras $350 obo

 

[scubadada]

I agree with scubadada on this. I meant to add in my previous comments that even if Suuntos are more conservative than other brands, I'm okay with that. My wife and I are both in our early 60s so we don't want to push the limits anyway. But like I did say earlier, we haven't seen that they are as conservative as some will say they are.

If you are young and fit, you may want to go with one considered more liberal. But keep in mind, any computer you get is going to show you an estimate of what's going on with your gas loading. No algorithm is going to guarantee you won't get a hit while using it.

BTW, after posting my first reply, I saw this thread that might be of interest to you. For Sale - Suunto Viper Air + xmitter + USB cable + extras $350 obo

Regular Suunto RGBM is not particularly conservative on the first dive, it tends to become more conservative on repetitive dives. It may be a bit more liberal than Mares or Cressi RGBM. Suunto technical RGBM/Fused RGBM is more liberal, especially at the liberal conservative settings. Aqua Lung/Oceanic PZ+ is considered moderate or middle of the road. Oceanic DSAT is considered liberal.

 

[Tidusdayon]

Have you dived with some of the programs? and what is your take on them or do you have a preference?

Regular Suunto RGBM is not particularly conservative on the first dive, it tends to become more conservative on repetitive dives. It may be a bit more liberal than Mares or Cressi RGBM. Suunto technical RGBM/Fused RGBM is more liberal, especially at the liberal conservative settings. Aqua Lung/Oceanic PZ+ is considered moderate or middle of the road. Oceanic DSAT is considered liberal.