Gear configuration: SPG vs. Console

[doctormike]

Hey, I thought I would ask the board what they thought about this...

Right now my gear configuration is a Halcyon eclipse BP/W with a Suunto Cobra air integrated computer in my console, attached to my left side on a retractable reel. I also have a backup wrist mounted Suunto Mosquito (easier for monitoring during the dive). I wanted to switch to something more streamlined, like the DIR approach or some variation. I haven't had a lot of problems with drag, but then again things could always be better. The current system works well, and I upload my dives to my Powerbook where I maintain a digital log.

Here are some options:

1) switch to a brass and glass SPG clipped off to the left on a shorter custom hose, and then just rely on a single wrist mounted computer like the Mosquito. Could still upload dives, but not gas consumption data (which I like to have).

2) Upgrade to a wireless wrist mounted air integrated computer to maintain the gas data as well for upload, and add a wrist compass. However, I personally don't like the idea of my gas supply monitoring being that dependant on that much technology.

3) Wrist mounted wireless air integrated computer, compass, PLUS a brass and glass SPG. Too much?

4) Get a custom hose for my current console system, and just clip it off as if it were a brass and glass SPG, DIR style...

Any thoughts or other suggestions? Thanks!

Mike

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Option #1 is the simplest, least expensive, and most reliable.

If you get a dive computer that logs average depth, calculating gas consumption rate for the dive is simple enough to do on your own ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Bossman]

I dive the Halcyon Infinity system with the back padding, shoulder padding, and integrated weight pouches removed. Essentially it's the Halcyon Eclipse with the cinch system added. I'm not a DIR diver but like the concept of keeping things simple, less is more. My setup is the brass/glass SPG, wrist mounted compass, wrist depth gauge, dive watch, and a Oceanic GEO 2.0 non-AI wrist computer. I use my wrist mounted computer but can rely on my analogs in the case of a failure.

I dive with the computer and depth gauge on my right arm, and the watch and compass on the left. It's keeps things really simple.

 

[vladimir]

3) Wrist mounted wireless air integrated computer, compass, PLUS a brass and glass SPG. Too much?

Too much? I don't think so. I did this for a while for the same reasons you are considering--I liked the air consumption data in my log and I didn't trust the transmitter's reliability. It worked fine--a transmitter on your first stage is a pretty unobtrusive extra. I have gained confidence in my wireless computer, however, so I usually leave the brass and glass spg behind these days.

 

[Brian Sharpe]

Assuming your 1st stage has 2 HP ports option # 3.

A couple of weeks ago, before I got my AI computer I probably would have gone with # 1 but I really like the additional data my new computer provides me with.

Here's a really dumb question; have you considered just moving your retractor to a d-ring on your right hand side and just bring the hose in closer to your body? That's what I do and there's nothing dangling nor hoses protruding (except my lp inflator for my wing - I need a shorter hose)

 

[elmer fudd]

I think there's a scuba myth in play here, that being that a console style computer causes significantly more drag than a brass SPG. The reason consoles typically drag more is because people either let them just dangle or they mount them on retractors up near their chest. Clip it off at your waist on a short hose and any additional drag it produces compared to a SPG will be negligible.

 

[kanonfodr]

I use option 3 personally. Works really well, especially since I personally have issue with trusting only wireless technology to read my remaining life span underwater. But for keeping track of gas consumption it works very well, and I like having all my pertinent information right in front of my face.

Peace,
Greg

 

[redacted]

I guess it depends on how much you need the instrumented air consumption data. If you have to have it then that pretty much narrows down you solutions (and none are simple and inexpensive). I find I don't really pay that much attention to measuring my SAC any more since I settled down to a fairly predicable value with known dependence on dive conditions. Now I just enjoy a good recreational dive and don't worry about constant recording and playback of dive profile and gas usage data.

 

[TSandM]

SPG and transmitter overkill? Yeah, probably, but not as bad as my husband, who has a Cobra clipped off AND a transmitter to his wrist Vytech . . . I will say that he has frequent enough problems getting the thing to sync that I would never rely entirely on a transmitter system for pressure information.

It IS quite possible to get a shorter hose and put a boltsnap on the Cobra (minus compass or whatever other stuff is part of the console setup) and have it be quite neat. That's what Peter has done. The compass went on his wrist.

 

[ajduplessis]

I like option1, would however add addtional dive computer as backup/bottom timer. I have also moved my SPG away from my left hip to a single gauge on left shoulder.