Gekko Vs Vyper

[Webbo]

Hello All,

I'm new to diving, and I'm looking to buy my first dive computer. I've tried a few and I really like the suunto watches. However I'm not sure if its worth spending £50 extra for vyper. As far as I know the only difference is a back light and the ability to download dives to your computer. Are these important functions? Any advice is appreciated.

Adam

 

[Lamar Jr]

Hello Webbo. First off let me say welcome to Scubaboard.

I own a Vyper, and in my opinion the download function is very useful. Not critical mind you, but useful. I learn a great deal from downloading and viewing my dive profiles. The Suunto Dive Manager software produces a nice looking graph of your depth at each sampling point (typically every twenty or thirty seconds). It will also calculate your average air consumption on each dive in Surface Cubic Feet per Minute (SCFM) based upon the average depths from the dive profile. This information alone is worth the extra money to me.

Of course you will also need to buy a download cable if you decide to purchase the Vyper, so factor that cost into your decision as well.

Good Luck and Good Diving.

 

[ScubaSarus]

Depends how techy you are.

Gekko nice for basic diving but if you need to analyze you profiles for lots of deep or multilevel diving the vyper may be better. Gekko has a nice readout also.

 

[String]

The download option is very handy for keeping logs and so on. Doesnt the gecko also have a smaller screen ?

Id pay the £50 extra for that alone, it makes record keeping so much easier and accurate.

As for expense of the computer interface, you can build your own for £5.

 

[ChrisA]

Hello All,

I'm new to diving, and I'm looking to buy my first dive computer. I've tried a few and I really like the suunto watches. However I'm not sure if its worth spending £50 extra for vyper. As far as I know the only difference is a back light and the ability to download dives to your computer. Are these important functions? Any advice is appreciated.

Adam

Don't discount the value of a built-in light. I don't like having to shine my divelight on the computer at night. It means it takes two hands to read the depth. Not fun
it you are trying to accend on a line or swim at a fixed depth contour. I'm currently shopping for a second computer.

BTW. Suunto is running a special now you can get $200 off the Vytec which makes it close to the Vyper's price. Checkout the aqualung web site for details. If you are lucky you might quality.

 

[Webbo]

BTW. Suunto is running a special now you can get $200 off the Vytec which makes it close to the Vyper's price. Checkout the aqualung web site for details. If you are lucky you might quality.

Cheers, I had a look on aqualung's website but couldn't see anything about a vytec discount. Could you give me the link?

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

The offer may depend on which continent you're on . . . see the fine print at the bottom. I noticed this doesn't appear on the Aqua Lung UK site. Might make a good reason for a Caribbean dive trip soon if you're not a resident of one of the areas of "This offer only valid in . . ."

http://www.aqualung.com/computer_trade_in.html

I do value backlighting personally. It's nice to have the option. But, it's not a make-or-break function to me.

I don't own Suunto dive computers personally - I really like the functions of my TUSA IQ-700. In the UK you might check out the TUSA IQ-700 or the Apeks Quantum or the Apeks Pulse for comparison to Suunto's line.

 

[Mark Goodchild]

I also like the download feature. Allows you to keep a nice online dive log.

I also use my Suunto data with the Scubase software. This basically is like a diving journal piece of software. Very nice!

It tracks marine life, equipment used and so on....

See here.

This is why I think its a very nice feature to have on your computer.