Help me pick a wrist-mounted computer

[Hatul]

deleted

 

[mathauck0814]

Anything less than a Shearwater is a waste of money If it doesn't have it you don't need it.

 

[currier]

Anything less than a Shearwater is a waste of money

My deepest dive was 30 meters, and I doubt I will ever go much below that. I have no training for Nitrox, but may want to go there one day.

Why would a recreational diver with no tec aspirations want a computer that costs 3x more than his budget?

WANTS

1. Wrist mount.
2. Big, easy-to-read display (good back-lighting would be a plus).
3. Intuitive user-interface with little chance of misinterpreting what the computer is saying and with easy button
navigation through displays.
4. Nitrox ability (but this is the least important consideration).
5. Audible alarms (user-adjustable as to whether they sound and under what conditions).
6. Street price: $500 or less

DOESN'T WANT

1. Air integration.
2. Tri-mix or ability to switch gases during a dive.
3. Compass.
4. Fresh-water setting.
5. Altitude setting.
6. User-replaceable battery.

That Shearwater looks like a phenomenal tool, if a diver has a use for it, but I believe in choosing the right tool for the job ...

 

[mathauck0814]

That Shearwater looks like a phenomenal tool, if a diver has a use for it, but I believe in choosing the right tool for the job ...

Needs have a way of evolving and it's better (imo) to buy the "some day" for 3x budget than it is to spend 5-10x the budget incrementally on your way there. Personal preference, I guess.

 

[beaverdivers]

XP10 wrist computer is a perfect match for your needs.

 

[racyte]

Hello everyone. I too am looking for a computer with the same criteria as the original poster. I have been to the two shops in town and they don't have a Zoop on hand. After reading here and other posts it seems to have a better easier learning curve and software than similar computers. Would anyone comment on this? I am leaving for Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica next Saturday. Sidebar: any info on this location would be appreciated too. u could pm me since that is off topic.
Thanks very much!!

 

[hellhole]

so what does the shop have??

 

[beaverdivers]

Here's the XP10's review from Scuba diving mag. It got Editors choice!

Pm me for Best Deal.

NEW! XP10 Dive Computer
Take your gear choice personally. SUBGEAR offers a completely different dive gear experience. High quality engineering in the stylish, affordable package you’ve been waiting for. Sport Diver Magazine chose the SUBGEAR XP10 dive computer as a 2010 Editor’s Pick.
The XP10 was designed for divers who appreciate detailed, yet easily accessible information. XP10 is truly a complete dive computer for all levels of adventure, displaying all important dive and decompression data plus full dive data memory.

• Nitrox settings between 21% and 50% in 1% increments
• Full watch functions
• Basic choice of adjustments without the need of a PC
• Adjustable ppO2 between 1.0 and 1.6bar
• Back light, visual and audible alarms
• Timer for Safety Stops is user activated, it can be set between 1 and 5 minutes for optimal monitoring of your safety stop (default 3 minutes).
• Data can be transmitted via infrared interface (IrDA) with Dive.Log software to a Windows® PC
• User replaceable battery
• Available in wrist or 3-gauge console
• Features wake-up alarm, 12 or 24-hour mode, date and time zone shift for traveling divers.
• 25 hours of profile storage

 

[racyte]

so what does the shop have??

They had the Veo 1.0 and 2.0 and the XP-10 which seemed harder to read but I will have to look at it again based on the ad just posted above.
Don't want to spend more than $300 at this time.
thanks.

 

[Ricky B]

Answering the question as to "what is the best" tool requires knowing something about the user and how he intends to use the tool. Here is some background on me.

I have been certified since 1980, and I have been diving off and on since then. Except for open water dives for my first certification (which was in Monterey Bay--brrrr), my dives have always been in resort locations. Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, Belize, and the like. My guess is that I have done something like 30 to 60 dives (I haven't logged my dives until recently). I currently have an Advanced Open Water PADI certification.

All the dives that I have done were with professional divemasters who were responsible for planning the dive and who directed the dive (typically with a group of 5 or 6 divers).

My deepest dive was 30 meters, and I doubt I will ever go much below that. I have no training for Nitrox, but may want to go there one day.

The only gear I currently own is a mask and snorkel. I don't plan on getting other gear in the near future. I am looking for a computer primarily to use on vacations, where I will be using rental equipment. I like to travel light, and have no plans to buy my own regulator and BCD.

It is possible that I will start to dive with a buddy in Northern California, but right now that is just a possibility, not a likelihood. (And if I do, my next purchase will probably be a full wetsuit, hood, booties, and gloves).

I very much doubt that I will get into tec diving, but if I do, I have no qualms about buying another computer and using the initial purchase as a backup.

I would only buy a new computer with a warranty.

With that as background, here is what I am looking for in a computer:

1. Wrist mount.
2. Big, easy-to-read display (good back-lighting would be a plus).
3. Intuitive user-interface with little chance of misinterpreting what the computer is saying and with easy button
navigation through displays.
4. Nitrox ability (but this is the least important consideration).
5. Audible alarms (user-adjustable as to whether they sound and under what conditions).
6. Street price: $500 or less.

Here is what I don't want or need:

1. Air integration.
2. Tri-mix or ability to switch gases during a dive.
3. Compass.
4. Fresh-water setting.
5. Altitude setting.
6. User-replaceable battery.

I am inclined to a computer alogrithm that is conservative, but if liberal, I would like the ability to add a conservative factor.

I am happy to record the dive data manually if it is readily accessible.

Any suggestions as to other features a diver like me should be considering?

Anyone have experience with a model that has what I am looking for?

Looking at a recent review by ScubaLab,the Cressi Leonardo seems to be a good candidate. Anyone have experience with this model?

Thanks in advance.

Rick

Now that I am going to be on vacation in December, I am getting ready to purchase a dive computer. The Zoop looks good and is on the top of the list. Just circling back for any last-minute comments, particularly since it's been nine months or so since the original post.