Gary Poole
New
How do. Looking at buying a new computer. Mine is pretty old. Just how many years are they good for considering software upgrades and such?
How long is a dive computer good for?
- Thread starter Gary Poole
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
It depends significantly upon the computer.
I bought my first one in 1999. Its algorithm is still in use, unchanged, in the newest version. I used it regularly for 7-8 years, and then less frequently for a while. My computing needs changed, and it became a rarely used backup, so I sold it to a friend for whom it worked fine. I just learned that he bought a replacement for it because he does not like the algorithm. I believe he is going to sell it to someone else--it works as well as it ever did.
I currently use Shearwater computers, and they have periodic updates, but you just download them from their website and install. I have a friend who bought one of the first Shearwater Predators when it was created. It was missing a lot of the features that came in later models. No problem--it's fully updated now.
I bought my first one in 1999. Its algorithm is still in use, unchanged, in the newest version. I used it regularly for 7-8 years, and then less frequently for a while. My computing needs changed, and it became a rarely used backup, so I sold it to a friend for whom it worked fine. I just learned that he bought a replacement for it because he does not like the algorithm. I believe he is going to sell it to someone else--it works as well as it ever did.
I currently use Shearwater computers, and they have periodic updates, but you just download them from their website and install. I have a friend who bought one of the first Shearwater Predators when it was created. It was missing a lot of the features that came in later models. No problem--it's fully updated now.
clownfishsydney
Contributor
I still use on holidays as a backup a Uwatec Aladin Pro that I got in 1991. Still works perfectly, although it is now considered very basic.
Since most algorithms don't really change unless someone comes up with something really new and different I would say your computer can last for decades as long as you don't mind not having the latest gadgets, bells and whistles.
First computer is a Suunto Solution purchased in 1992 shortly after OW certification from lunch money saving 
. It still works and delivers accurate depth, time and temp readings. Very liberal algorithm, this predates RGBM so I think it uses a straight Buhlmann 16A (the latest is 16C). Although I've done deco dives with it in the past, I wouldn't use its algo for deco dives today knowing what we know now.
It's well built physically but that said, what you should look for are computers that will allow you to update the firmware and software online similar to the Shearwater implementation. I don't think you can do that in a Suunto. Obsolescence in a Dive Computer is more firmware/software related rather than hardware.
. It still works and delivers accurate depth, time and temp readings. Very liberal algorithm, this predates RGBM so I think it uses a straight Buhlmann 16A (the latest is 16C). Although I've done deco dives with it in the past, I wouldn't use its algo for deco dives today knowing what we know now. It's well built physically but that said, what you should look for are computers that will allow you to update the firmware and software online similar to the Shearwater implementation. I don't think you can do that in a Suunto. Obsolescence in a Dive Computer is more firmware/software related rather than hardware.
Mine flooded after I messed up replacing the batteries last year, 1997 model.
Caveeagle
Contributor
another '91 Aladin pro here still working great. Only reason it does not get more use is that I am mostly diving ~32%
If I am diving air, I really like it for its simplicity
If I am diving air, I really like it for its simplicity
K
KeithG
Guest
a dive computer is good until it breaks. breakage is generally due to pressure sensor failure, mechanical failure of the enclosure / buttons or damage due to flooding.
being "old" does not mean a computer needs to be replaced. the software does not wear out.
my computers are over 20 years old and i will continue to use them until they "break". they are uwatec aladins and i do my own battery replacements (it is a messy job).
being "old" does not mean a computer needs to be replaced. the software does not wear out.
my computers are over 20 years old and i will continue to use them until they "break". they are uwatec aladins and i do my own battery replacements (it is a messy job).
The thing about divers who might have old computers is that we often have old eyes! Not a lot of bright, large, color LCD screens in 90s era hardware, so maybe it's worth treating yourself to a Petrel for a "milestone" birthday...
Similar threads
