First stage HP port question

[DeltaWardog]

I'm a newbie and in the process of buying gear a few pieces at a time. I just bought a VT3 computer which has the remote transmitter. I'm interested in buying a Mikron reg but it only has 1 HP port on the 1st stage. Since my transmitter will be plugged into that port I won't be able to have an analog SPG. Good idea/bad idea? I'm not sure if it's accepted practice to dive with just a computer and no analog instruments for backup.

If conventional wisdom steers me towards a 2 HP port 1st stage, is it possible to mix and match? I'd still like to get the Mikron 2nd stage even if I have to get a different 1st stage.

 

[IceBergSlim]

There was a time any "cordless" item was considered verboten.

Now that current technology has caught up with common diving technique and practice it is fairly common to see people with wireless devices.

Is it ok to use them? Yep.

Aparently they work well.

Would I? No.

When you consider all the unnecessary items to discard from your kit, why would the true link to your gas supply be the one you toss off first?

 

[scubafanatic]

.....I've had good success using a 1st-stage HP Y-adapter sold by "Deepoutdoors.com"

Karl

 

[shoturtle]

I would get a 2 hp port first stage, kind silly to spend the extra money for an adopter, Just MTC

I use a T3 my wife a VT3 they are good ai wireless computers

we would not dive with out the spg, it gives us piece of mind.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

...When you consider all the unnecessary items to discard from your kit, why would the true link to your gas supply be the one you toss off first?

Exactly. As cool as the "new toys" are, I think analog backup is still prudent.

Safe Diving!

 

[Izu]

I do not use a SPG with my wireless Atom 2, I bought it to lose a hose. Wireless aint exactly skunkworks technology anymore- its pretty well proven. I have had no problems and bought an extra transmitter to keep tabs on the wifey. I glance often enough so that even if I should have sudden transmitter failure, I know about how much air I have and can ascend safely. If I'm wrong, I know the SPG on my pony says chock full.

 

[herman]

I'm a newbie and in the process of buying gear a few pieces at a time. I just bought a VT3 computer which has the remote transmitter. I'm interested in buying a Mikron reg but it only has 1 HP port on the 1st stage. Since my transmitter will be plugged into that port I won't be able to have an analog SPG. Good idea/bad idea? I'm not sure if it's accepted practice to dive with just a computer and no analog instruments for backup.

If conventional wisdom steers me towards a 2 HP port 1st stage, is it possible to mix and match? I'd still like to get the Mikron 2nd stage even if I have to get a different 1st stage.

It's not something I would do, my air pressure is the one thing I can't guess at or take my buddies numbers as a close approx of my own. If I were to do what you suggest, I would at least buy a gauge and keep it along with a wrench in my dive kit. That way if the transmitter goes either before or during a dive I can swap it out and make the next dive.

There is no reason at all you can't mix and match stages as long as the 2 use the same IP (intermediate pressure) and most but not all use somewhere in the 135-145 range. Pick up a Conshelf first stage in good shape, have it serviced and it would do nicely.

 

[spectrum]

IMO it's a pair of bad choices.

There is a current wireless thread where as of last night at least 2 users had come forward with failure stories.

Either save your money and skip integration and use the integrator between your ears or get a regulator with 2 HP ports to permit a SPG, most do.

Pete

 

[halocline]

The 1HP reg is not the problem, it's the wireless computer. No offense, but why don't you sell that (or take it back if you bought it new and have not used it) and get a regular wrist computer and a small SPG on a 24" hose? The wireless AI computers are one of the dive industry's classic solutions to non-existent problems. A clipped SPG is a simple, reliable device that you hardly notice while diving.

But, if you're set on the wireless AI, I wouldn't worry too much about the SPG as long as all of the following things are true:
1. You have enough experience to estimate your air usage within a few hundred PSI.
2. You dive with a buddy who you can count on in the unlikely event that you run out of air unexpectedly (a basic rule of OW diving anyways)
3. You don't mind thumbing a dive if your transmitter goes out, and you are confident enough with your gas planning so that you won't freak if you suddenly lose gas info.

I don't think you are increasing the danger of your diving at all by using the AI, it's just that's it's probably more likely to quit on you at some point than the SPG would. And if you are a new diver, and the computer goes out entirely, you will be suddenly left with no dive data whatsoever. If that happens with a regular computer, you still have the SPG for gas info and your buddy for approximate depth/time info. If you've planned the profile reasonably, and it doesn't push NDL limits, you can simply continue with the dive.

 

[DeltaWardog]

Thanks for the feedback everybody. I am going to go with a 2 HP first stage and use an analog SPG as a backup.

My wife and I will both be diving with computers, but hers is not AI and she will just have an analog SPG. I bought our computers used, previous owner says the VT3 has never given him a problem, but after reading your feedback I decided it will be prudent to have an SPG as backup, at least until I have more experience and know the computer better.