Hose vs Hoseless Computer

[Sjloug]

I am new to the Scuba Field and i am about to be purchasing my first computer. I have been looking at a lot of them. The hoseless seems like its the way to go for ease of use and less stuff on you. Do any of you have any suggestions for which one is the best to go with or should i stay with the tradional hose computer. Looking forward to your input. Thanks in advance.

 

[bvmjethead]

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=184264

 

[jchull]

I like my hoseless because I also have my analog SPG for a backup. If you replaced your console with a computer and it fails, your dive is over, possibly your trip.

 

[H2Andy]

The hoseless seems like its the way to go for ease of use and less stuff on you.

by hoseless, i take it you mean "wrist mounted" as opposed to "console mounted"?

i prefer the wrist models, for the reasons you stated. i then use a pressure gauge for gas information.

now, you do know that some wrist computers are "Air Integrated" (or AI), which means they display your gas information on your computer (it's like having your pressure gage and your computer in one unit on your wrist)?

that brings up the price considerably, however

 

[loosebits]

When you say a traditional hose computer are you referring to an air integrated computer that has a hose such as a Suunto Cobra or are you referring to a computer that's in a console with a seperate pressure guage?

Here is what I like and why:

I like the computer to be on my wrist so it is easy to see my depth and time. I like a seperate pressure guage that I clip off. I could go with a wireless air-integrated computer except I don't feel they are as reliable (see the link above), especially Suunto's, and it isn't worth an extra $500 or whatever to see my pressure on my wrist.

 

[letterboy]

For a large portion of the recreatiopnal diving community hoseless AI is great. . . there are some times it won't work well. . .


I love my hoseless AI computer. . . haven't had any trouble with it. . . I dive the aeris elite. . . They just came out with a new version of it, I haven't tried it yet though. . .

OH yeah and being AI it can give you information as to your SAC rates etc, etc, etc also it can tell you how much bottom time you have left depending on your air consumption: ie. you are being an air hog it tell you you only have 15 minutes of air left at your current depth, or you have 15 minutes of no deco time left, which ever is greater. . . .

make sense?

 

[Sjloug]

Sorry about that still new. I was wondering if the wireless wristmount computer without the house would be a good way to go. Since i am new should i stick with the computers mouted with a hose. Just trying to get a feel for what is good since i will be picking one up in the next month or two. I dont want to make a mistake and buy a piece or garbage ...thanks again guys with the quick responses..

 

[H2Andy]

well, the wrist AI computers are nice ... you do have all your info in one place. chances of failure are slim to none by now ... they've had a few generations to work out the kinks.

the main drawback is price. you end up paying about twice what you would for a non-AI computer

 

[letterboy]

Sorry about that still new. I was wondering if the wireless wristmount computer without the house would be a good way to go. Since i am new should i stick with the computers mouted with a hose. Just trying to get a feel for what is good since i will be picking one up in the next month or two. I dont want to make a mistake and buy a piece or garbage ...thanks again guys with the quick responses..

AHH . . .when you buy your equipment it is a HUGE investment. . . look to the future, what kind of diving do you think you will be doing? Will you be getting nitrox certified? What shops in your area carry what products? Are the batteries in the computer user replaceable? Do you want to buy a cheap computer now and later on dumap another 5,7, or 800 into another computer?

Off soap box now. . .

 

[frankc420]

It's personal preference really! If you want to lose a hose (assuming you don't still carry an analog SPG), then the air integrated computer is the way to go. I use an Oceanic VT3, which is an AIC, you can get them for $650 on leisurepro.com with the transmitter.

I still carry my SPG with me for backup.