First Dive Computer **Advice needed

[Dubious]

If not then i fall on the Aqualung i300c or the Mares Puck

My wife and I are new divers. I ended up buying an aqualung i300c which I have very much enjoyed. My LDS had suggested getting a different computer that I could grow into but I wanted to save some money to put towards tanks. I chose the i300c based on the many suggestions here. It is simple, easy to read, and easy to navigate. The Bluetooth integration is nice for easy downloading of dives.

We bought a new in box oceanic OCi for my wife from a scubaboard member for cheaper than a new i300c. This computer is a watch style and has AI. The truth is my wife prefers my i300c. I have used the OCi and I too also prefer the i300c. I should note we do not have a transmitter, so we are not using AI. The i300c is just easier to navigate and is easier to read.

I am sure there will be a time in the future when I and maybe even my wife will want something like the perdix AI. Until then, the simplicity of something like the i300c is perfect for our diving needs. When we do upgrade, I am sure the simpler computer will work perfectly as a backup.

 

[Davide Pusceddu]

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.

I would stay away from Cressi. Not the best computers in my honest opinion.
If you have just started you will most likely stick to recreational dives for at least one or two years which means you don't really need a dive computer, just follow your dice master and slowly ascend to surface in any given moment in case of any trouble during a PADI/SSI dive, you will be fine.
Said that, learning how to use a dive computer and being responsabile of your own dive it's an important step so I do recommend you to get a cheap entry level dive computer which you will most likely replace in a couple of years if you decide to step up the game.
Suunto Zoop Novo would be my first recommandation or the Aqualung i300c (for the gas switching). Mares Puck is the cheapest and good as well.
Consider second hand as an option. This is your first computer, you are going to replace it eventually

 

[Belzelbub]

If you have just started you will most likely stick to recreational dives for at least one or two years which means you don't really need a dive computer, just follow your dice master and slowly ascend to surface in any given moment in case of any trouble during a PADI/SSI dive, you will be fine.

I don’t often use the . In fact, I think this is the first time. So, I wanted to respond with my reason for using it.

You resurrected a thread that’s been dormant for five years to offer some bad advice. Once out of an OW course, no diver should just follow the DM. An autonomous diver is responsible for their dive. No one else is.

“I was just following the DM” would look stupid on a tombstone.

 

[Davide Pusceddu]

I don’t often use the . In fact, I think this is the first time. So, I wanted to respond with my reason for using it.

You resurrected a thread that’s been dormant for five years to offer some bad advice. Once out of an OW course, no diver should just follow the DM. An autonomous diver is responsible for their dive. No one else is.

“I was just following the DM” would look stupid on a tombstone.

I didn't noticed it's 5 years old, regardless I understand where you are coming from with the thumb down.
I should have probably worded my comment more carefully. What I meant was not to suggest to blindly follow your DM without awareness of what's going on but simply that for recreational dives the computer is not mandatory. IMHO there are more important things than a OW should focus on. Buoyancy and navigation for instance. I see so many divers with their eyes on camera and computer that have no idea how to go back to the boat or which way the current flows. The computer comes after.

 

[Belzelbub]

I should have probably worded my comment more carefully. What I meant was not to suggest to blindly follow your DM without awareness of what's going on but simply that for recreational dives the computer is not mandatory. IMHO there are more important things than a OW should focus on. Buoyancy and navigation for instance. I see so many divers with their eyes on camera and computer that have no idea how to go back to the boat or which way the current flows. The computer comes after.

I don't disagree that buoyancy and navigation are important for a new diver to get down. However, I do disagree that a computer will come later. IMO, this should be the first piece of equipment a new diver buys.

For one, most new divers today don't spend a ton of time (if any) on learning tables. Computers are pretty much expected.

Knowing how to use tables will probably let the diver plan and execute the first dive. From there, things will get trickier. A lot of dives are not square profile, so the diver may find that their table allows for a much shorter NDL on that 2nd dive than is planned. The reason is due to the computer providing credit for time spent above max depth on that first dive.

Many charters now require computers. Yes, a diver can rent one, but does that diver then know how to use it?

 

[Davide Pusceddu]

I don't disagree that buoyancy and navigation are important for a new diver to get down. However, I do disagree that a computer will come later. IMO, this should be the first piece of equipment a new diver buys.

For one, most new divers today don't spend a ton of time (if any) on learning tables. Computers are pretty much expected.

Knowing how to use tables will probably let the diver plan and execute the first dive. From there, things will get trickier. A lot of dives are not square profile, so the diver may find that their table allows for a much shorter NDL on that 2nd dive than is planned. The reason is due to the computer providing credit for time spent above max depth on that first dive.

Many charters now require computers. Yes, a diver can rent one, but does that diver then know how to use it?

Agree to disagree.
Talking about recreational dives a computer is not a priority. It's not even mandatory. It could actually make things less safe. I've seen inexperienced divers take the wrong decision trusting their computer over the DM. I've seen that happening not too long ago. We got into a strong down current a few months ago in Komodo. One of the divers panicked and we had to quickly abort the dive skipping the safety stop to resurface in an area sheltered by the current. This other guy decided to ignore the abort signal because, accordingly to his computer, he had to do the safety stop.
You can imagine what happened afterwards.

 

[Belzelbub]

Agree to disagree.
Talking about recreational dives a computer is not a priority. It's not even mandatory.

Agreed on the above

It could actually make things less safe. I've seen inexperienced divers take the wrong decision trusting their computer over the DM.

I disagree here. The anecdote you provided is an example of a computer failure. The computer between the diver’s ears.

Information is always good. If a diver decides to blindly follow the computer despite other more pressing factors, they might want to think about a different hobby.

 

[johndiver999]

I would recommend that ALL new diver buy their own dive computer. Even if they don't need it or even approach the NDL, it provides excellent and instantaneous feedback on the ascent rate.

Even though exceeding the recommended ascent rate on a "not deep dive" might not be a big deal, it is VERY useful for the new diver to learn what the correct ascent rate looks and feels like. This is vastly quicker, easier and safer if they are using their own computer.

It can also enhance their confidence and safety, and in the future, should they have a computer failure and not have a buddy to rely upon - they should know what a safe ascent feels like if they have practiced and NOT blindly followed a DM.

 

[Belzelbub]

I would recommend that ALL new diver buy their own dive computer. Even if they don't need it or even approach the NDL, it provides excellent and instantaneous feedback on the ascent rate.

Agreed. I was originally taught with the smallest bubbles approach to ascents. I dove for years without a computer. Mostly relatively shallow dives. When I first got a computer, that was what I noticed first. My ascent rates were a bit faster than ideal, so this got me to slow down and all was well. Definitely a heck of a lot easier to determine with the ascent rate indicator than trying to use a watch and depth gauge.

 

[ontdiver]

As with most things, buy the best you can afford. And whatever you choose, rest assured that it will not be the last dive computer that you own.