Hose vs Hoseless Computer

[Gil57usa]

I use a Cochran computer in a wrist mount. It is not air integrated, I have an analog SPG to monitor my air supply. I like the computer on my wrist because it is easier to monitor depth, NDL time, etc. while navigating with my compass on the other wrist. The air integrated computers are nice toys but in my opinion it has more to go wrong. I like to keep it simple.

 

[Sjloug]

I did not think it was going to be so hard looking for equipment. I just keep finding more and more things. Some have some pretty serious features that woule be very nice to have. I do plan on getting more advanced in the future. I just wish there were not so many options. but i guess options are good.

 

[H2Andy]

Some have some pretty serious features that woule be very nice to have.

well.... for recreational diving, all you really need is a computer than can do Nitrox (because you're almost certain to end up diving Nitrox).

if you think later you might do some light to medium deco dives, a computer than can calculate more than one mix is helpful, so you can use deco mixes. for example, the Suunto D6 and the Nitek Pro offer two different gas mixes.

if you are going to do some serious deep or deco diving, you will need a computer than can handle multiple gases, including Helium. for example, the NitekHe can do Helium and up to seven mixes.

so ... to start with, i would suggest that a simple computer than can do two or three mixes of Nitrox will take you a long way down the road in your diving.

a feature that is nice to have is average depth computation. at the end of the dive, you can calculate your Surface Air Consumption based on your average depth and gas used. this will help you understand your gas consumption and will help you plan dives.

 

[RonFrank]

I like having my computer on my wrist. It is not air integrated. I would like an AI computer, but they are a lot more expensive. I use a brass spg for pressure readings, just a single gauge, not a console.

One buddy I dive with has an VT pro, and another has an Aeris Atom 2.0. They are both nice, but the VT pro had to be replaced (transmitter twice, entire unit once) within the first year of purchase. The moral of that story is if you do go hose less, have a backup SPG on the boat, or on the first stage.

It would be nice to have the pressure reading on my puter, but I check pressure less than other readings, like depth for example, so having the SPG attached to a Dring in easy reach is no big deal as I only look at it a few times in a dive.

 

[frankc420]

Yes, many many options. Don't be too hasty to go buy gear, you might regret your purchases in the long run. Something to think about, whatever you buy, whether you buy it online or at your LDS, make sure your LDS can service it. If you can't get it serviced, there's no point in owning it.

You can save up to 50% by buying online, just be careful who you buy from. Leisurepro is considered grey market by many, as they void the warranty on most of their products, but they do offer their own warranty in place of it.

Find stuff you want on Leisure pro, then to go to scubatoys.com for your purchases, you get full manufacturers warranty that way. THey do price matching or 10% off for scubaboard members.

 

[RonFrank]

Whatever you buy, whether you buy it online or at your LDS, make sure your LDS can service it. If you can't get it serviced, there's no point in owning it.

I don't think many LDS's can *service* a computer. With the exception of computers where the battery is not user replaceable, when computers go south, there is no LDS that has the parts or facilities to service computers that I'm aware of. They all send them back to the manufacture.

With computer equipment there are two things that go wrong in general. Software failure (firmware) or Hardware failure. I'm not sure I consider flashing a device service, but any dealer should be able to reinstall firmware. Unfortunately firmware is not what I've see go wrong, and any hardware problems go back to the factory.

I no longer consider local service on most things a consideration. My last reg service was done by TDL (not local), and I think that in a lot of cases the LDS is NOT the best option for service any longer. It's actually less hassle for me to mail something vs. driving 30+ miles each way to the LDS.

I personally like and own a computer with a user replaceable battery. I also agree with Andy about Nitrox functionality, however I'd not spend the bank on a computer that does multiple gas mixes unless you KNOW that you are interested in deco/tech diving.

Most divers that get into tech will NOT purchase the perfect computer for such diving as a first time computer purchase as they are expensive. The Aeries Atom 2.0 however would be a great choice for multiple gas mixes, and can even monitor your buddies gas if you so desire.