Hello Looking for a couple computers

[ramasule]

Hello,

My wife and I are new to diving and I want the first piece of equipment (besides fins/mask/snorkle) to be a computer.

My question is air integration worth it?

The two computers I was looking at are:

Tusa DC Hunter Wrist Dive Computer (IQ-700)

Oceanic VT Pro Hoseless Wrist Computer & Transmitter. Includes PC Download Kit

I need 2 of them as you can see without air im saving 600 bucks.

Anyways thanks for your time,

Ram

 

[DiveNav]

start HERE

More than 100 dive computers in the database and lots of videos to show them in action.

Alberto (aka eDiver)

 

[Damselfish]

Whether it's "worth it" to you is not something someone else can answer. Some people think it's great and worth the money to them. Others have no interest in the feature, or at least not enough to spend more.

If you are looking to save money on gear it's an obvious feature to skip. Especially if that means you can buy some other piece of your gear sooner. If you later decide you really want AI, you can always use the first computers as backups. (For local diving you probably wouldn't care about a backup computer, but if you're on an expensive trip someplace doing a bunch of dives everyday it's not a bad thing to have.)

 

[phillybob]

For someone just starting out, I'd suggest the Oceanic ProPlus 2. I started with the ProPlus years ago and it served me well. I use the VT3 with the IQ 700 as a back-up.

 

[scubadada]

Hello,

My wife and I are new to diving and I want the first piece of equipment (besides fins/mask/snorkle) to be a computer.

My question is air integration worth it?

The two computers I was looking at are:

Tusa DC Hunter Wrist Dive Computer (IQ-700)

Oceanic VT Pro Hoseless Wrist Computer & Transmitter. Includes PC Download Kit

I need 2 of them as you can see without air im saving 600 bucks.

Anyways thanks for your time,

Ram

I believe both the Tusa IQ-700 and the Oceanic VT Pro are out of production. I would upgrade to modern times.

Good diving, Craig

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Personally, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't make a dive computer my next major scuba purchase. But that's just me.

Have you considered the Uwatec Aladin Tec 2G? Scubapro has a very good reputation as a gear manufacturer. The computer seems to have all the features that anyone might need in a computer and is reasonably priced ($250).

I recently saw the Suunto Zoop for $225 at a local authorized dealer. It's a great computer.

 

[markmantei]

Personally, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't make a dive computer my next major scuba purchase. But that's just me.

To the OP, depending on the type of diving you are doing I may agree or disagree with bubbletrouble. If you are diving locally (jasper/banff, etc.) then get the computer. It will handle the altitude adjustments automatically. If you are planning on diving mainly @ vacation spots (mexico, carribean, etc.) you will have a guide who will ensure you are ok as far as ndl, and the diving will be @ sea level so you can use your tables.

As far as AI or not, Damselfish is right. You will need to decide for yourself. I have AI and like having everything on one display, plus getting SAC rate easily within the download software, but I don't think it is the end all and be all, if you want to save money you can do without the AI.

Another option for you would be to buy an AI computer without the transmitter. You will save a couple of hundred up front, and can always buy the transmitter after you get some other gear, most notably your regs.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

If you are diving locally (jasper/banff, etc.) then get the computer. It will handle the altitude adjustments automatically. If you are planning on diving mainly @ vacation spots (mexico, carribean, etc.) you will have a guide who will ensure you are ok as far as ndl, and the diving will be @ sea level so you can use your tables.

@markmantei: You realize that a diver can use tables to dive at altitude, right?

As far as I know, not all dive computers will make altitude adjustments automatically.

BTW, it's never a good idea to rely on a "guide" or DM to ensure that you are not exceeding NDLs.

 

[Country Diver]

My 2 cents would be...if you get a bottom timer or computer, make sure that it is easy to download without the need to buy any expensive docking port. I own the Tec 2 G, and dive it in gauge mode, but I love how easy it is to download my profiles. It has an IR built in, and only requires your laptop or desktop to have an IRDA (Infra red data adapter) which is either already in the computer built in or you can pick one up that plugs into the USB slot for $8-9. Easy!!!

Do you need a computer? Personally I like being able to download my profiles, especially on tri-mix dives, but I am also lazy at logging dives, so this does it for me. New out is also the Liquivision Xen which is a nice bottom timer with download capabilities. If I didn't have my Tec 2G, I would be looking at this one for sure. I also have a basic Uwatec bottom timer which is great, but is not downloadable.

Air integrated....AVOID!! This is just a failure point IMO and I know that people who own them love them, but I have witnessed a Cobra go firing off the hose at depth on a dive I was on long ago. I never really liked them, and that sealed its fate for me. I would also lump in the set-ups that have that antenna unit on the first stage up by the valve. Consider the loss of the computer or that antenna ....how much gas do you have left? Stick with a basic pressure gauge....simple brass SPG.

You will find that a simple computer will offer you all the information that you really need...depth and time. All the other features are nice to haves.

 

[ramasule]

Thanks for the input.