Good Nitrox Computer That Won't Break the Bank

[willardj]

I have 2 diff. computer's.
1. Dacor Darwin about 3 yr's and love it. under $300 I've even seen it under $200 RGBM profile
2. Dive Rite Duo- Just received it, I have heard nothing but Great thing's about them. under $400.. You can get the Duo Plus for $300 or under. I like the larger #'s of the Duo.
Make that 3 I still have my first one also a sherwood source.
Since '95.

 

[jsmharley]

another vote for the dive rite plus. simple easy to use.

 

[xwhitesmokex]

anything wrong with the Cressi archimede 2 wrist computer? 2 nitrox mix, computer download. similar algorithm to suunto with 3 more conservative options. less than $$ mentioned if you contact divers-supply

 

[Rainer]

Lots of people seem to recommend the Gekko. I don't THINK you can download profiles to your computer though. If this matters to you, spend a bit more and get a Mosquito. I love mine.

My gf dives a Gekko. You can most certainly download it. Just search SB for the "hack" (it's pretty simple what was done; i.e. making the Suunto software think it's communicating with a downloadable Vyper).

 

[jd950]

Having dealt with the same issues recently myself, I can tell you that computer choices are surprisingly personal. It's kind of like asking which brand of pickup truck is better. I had first thought that the comparisons would be simple. But then I found that some computers were more "adjustable" than others in their "conservatism" and that there are some interesting differences in the different algorithims and displays. Plus, for a lot of folks, appearance matters a lot. There are also issues like user-replaceable batteries, warranty length, recalls, etc.

Also, some of the conservative vs. liberal issues change pretty dramatically depending on the type of diving you are doing (depth, repeat dives, deco stops, etc). Also it appears that some of the "conservative" computers (namely Suunto) may appear highly conservative due to their imposition of a "penalty" for some diving techniques, and whether that is good or bad depends on how you dive and how you feel about a computer monitoring your behavior. At least that is my understanding, I am not speaking from experience.

I don't have enough knowledge to suggest any particular computer but would suggest this to you: I have found the posts on this topic by Charlie99, and the threads in which they may be found, to be very educational and you should search them out. No slight intended anyone else.

If possible, take the time to gather a lot of information before deciding what to get and get information from as many sources as possible. For everyone who says get a Suunto, there is someone else who will say Suuntos are crap, get an Oceanic, or get a Mares, or......

 

[ClayJar]

I've actually been fascinated lately by how many *wrist-mounted* Gekkos I've seen on new divers. While on the boat with some divers doing their checkout last weekend, I was listening in on a couple talking about how easy they were to use.

I got one the week before my OW/nitrox checkout dives (did both at the same time), and I still find it perfectly adequate (although if I ever go to advanced nitrox, deco procedures, or tech stuff, those dives will be beyond it). Perhaps it's conservative, but I've never had any problems with that.

(Dive computers are like shoes. Different people have different fits. A Gekko isn't Nike Air or Prada or anything. It's the nice off-brand tennis shoes that don't have anything special about them but are just comfortable, long-lasting shoes.)

 

[Tanked Monkey]

But hopefully your dive computer won't stink after a few days of hard use.

Mike

 

[wjknobles]

i have a ss mares nemo and love it. plus their customer service it phenomenal.

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

anything wrong with the Cressi archimede 2 wrist computer? 2 nitrox mix, computer download. similar algorithm to suunto with 3 more conservative options. less than $$ mentioned if you contact divers-supply

Not that I'm aware of. This model lets the user set the pO2 alarms for each mix independantly, anywhere from 1.0 ATA to 1.6 ATA. In the TUSA IQ-700, Apeks Quantum, and NiTek Duo, mix1 has a fixed pO2 alarm at 1.4 ATA and mix2 has a fixed pO2 larm at 1.6 ATA.

Not sure if the PC interface program for the Cressi Archimede 2 model is the same / similar as for the other similar models.

 

[scubatoys]

Cressi does not make computers, of course for that matter, neither does Tusa, Apeks, dive rite, etc - most all computers come from a very few places, and "manufactureres" re-brand them with their logo.

That being said, we used to carry the Cressi line, but we where not over joyed with the customer service we received. When they had a recall on their line of BCD's, ( http://www.**********/recall/cressi-sub_050223/cressi-sub_050223.html ) it took us 4 months to get a customers BC back. One he had purchased 2 weeks earlier. I hope it goes without saying that a delay like that was not satisfactory for him, or us, so we got him into another brand. That along with some other similar problems convinced us to drop that line. Now in the area, there are very very few dealers for their products. If they received the same service as we did on that issue... I can see why.

If that is the brand you want, I'd highly suggest you make sure you are getting it from a retailer who will stand behind it in case there are any issues. Or go with a comparable brand and feature set from a company with a little more presence in the industry. For example, Tusa, and Aeris/Oceanic have exemplary customer service.