how'd you Start using your computer?

[Kaffphine]

I was wondering how everyone started using their computers, or if you're in the process of getting your first how you plan to start using it.

Some OW classes have computers on the rental consoles and you start with them right away, trusting that computer right off the bat. Other people were taught tables only, eventually get a computer after a good chuck of experince and use it as a really sweet bottom timer.

Do you plan your dive with tables? Jump in and let your computer tell you when to come up? Check tables so you know what kind of time is expected and if your computer gives you more you have an idea of when the computer is getting to loose with extra bottom time? On repetitive dives do you figure it all out on tables? On repetitive dives do you figure out what the tables say, then dive with the computer and joyfully take the extra time?

Do you use your computer in the same way you did when you got it? Does the kinda of dive (excluding tek stuff) effect the way you use the computer?

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I was on tables for almost a year of diving before I got my computer about two months ago. I use it as a really sweet bottom timer. On repetitive dives I figure it all out on tables. Since I'm still kinda new with the computer, I'm looking at what kinda of profiles it's creating and comparing it to tables to see if I'm gonna start to let it do the actual profiling work in the future.

 

[jonnythan]

I learned with the tables, but my scuba club had some computers so the majority of my dives have been with a computer.. I just recently bought my own from a board member ( ) and have been using that. Generally my buddy and I each have a computer, and don't plan the first dive.

Most of the water we dive around here doesn't get deeper than 50-60 feet, and we use up an AL 80 long before we reach our max bottom time. When we're doing repetetive dives, we usually find something to do between dives, so we get a nice long surface interval and use the computers to plan our second dive. When logging, I use the table to write down repetetive groups and whatnot.. quite often we exceed the tables, so that's mostly for amusement.

When doing deeper dives, or when trying to get a few dives in a short amount of time, we'll use the tables for a general game plan, but we usually end up with lots of bottom time to spare.

 

[chiara]

I was asked the same question by two new OW I had helped supervise during their certification when I came back from Thailand a couple of weeks ago.

I took my logbook out and my tables (I honestly almost never use, except when I need to explain them).

Of the 22 dives I had made in the ten days I was away, only one was in accordance with the tables, none of them required a deco, just the usual safety stop.

I used a computer on my first saltwater dive, it was my 20th, never stopped since, although sometimes I've been asked to preview my dive on the tables or on the preview program on the computer itself.

 

[Liquid]

Hm. I took it out of the box, put on my hand, push the button, and gone diving. The reading I did before buying it.

Now seriousely- Ever since I bought the computer (SUUNTO Vyper, btw, a great computer) I haven't used tables exept when teaching others to use them. It's convinient and easy, there actualy isn't to much to learn.

 

[scuberd]

I started with tables, but got a computer for X-mas when they became affordable to the general diving community. i.e cheap enough

 

[Zept]

I learnt with tables. Didn't see any need for a computer b/c most of my diving was shallow and limited by air. Then I went on holiday and hired a computer, just because the opportunity was there. The diving was deeper and it was done on a 'trust the divemaster' basis, which isn't really my thing. Afterwards I persuaded my boyfriend to buy me a dive computer for Christmas.

I still plan my dives with tables and calculate the pressure groups afterwards. I also have a Wheel for doing multilevel calculations (I am sad, I like the Wheel). I use the computer as a depth gauge, timer and data recorder, plus I keep an eye on the no-decompression time on deep divers, just to double-check my maths.

I use the tables for planning because you can see all the options at once, more quickly than you can work them out with a computer. For the first dive of the day, I have a couple of 'boilerplate' plans that I know will work.

The other thing I like about tables is that the pressure group tells you how much gas you're carrying. My computer only shows the no-decompression time. When I'm hanging around at 5m, doing a safety stop, it tells me I can stay there forever -- which is fair enough, but it doesn't give me any idea of my gas load.

What computer did you get, Kaffphine?

Zept

 

[sharpenu]

Computers will usually give you more bottm time than tables. It is because the tables round your max depth and times UP and they also assume that you go directly to your max depth, stay there and then go directly to the safety stop. Most divers don't dive like this. The computer takes advantage of this by allowing credit for the time at shallower depths.
For example, I had a recent dive on air that was:
76 feet for 51 minutes
1 hour 5 min surface interval
59 feet for 45 minutes
My computer allowed this as a no deco dive.
The tables only allow 35 minutes at 76 feet. I had a 17 minute deco obligation from the tables for just the first dive. Forget even attempting the second.

And to Zept:
If you get the right computer, it CAN show you gas loading. Mine has a bar graph for N2 and for O2 loading. It is very helpful to see the graph and know your loading.

 

[ScubaStan]

sharpenu,

What brand/model of computer do you utilize? Sounds like a really humdinger of a kick in the pocketbook.

 

[sharpenu]

Actually, there are quite a few computers that use bat graphs and use the same algorithm. The ones made by Pelagic, such as the Oceanic and Aeris computers, for example.

Air Computers that can be had for less than $200 (if you shop around) with the bar graph: TUSA Imprex II, Suunto Favor and the Matrix (can't remember the manufacturer)

I personally use the Aeris 500AI, but that is a gas integrated Nitrox computer. It has the bar graph, but it also is not a cheap computer. MSRP on this computer is $839, but I was able to get one new with the QD for $590.

There is also the Oceanic DataMax Pro Plus, which is almost identical in function to the 500AI, and has an MSRP of $799. My GF uses that computer and it is great. One of our LDS here has it for only $399 on sale and regular at $499.

 

[Fishkiller]

but own one like Sharpenu... I decided to invest the money all up front, though I paid $635 for my complete unit... and it is very nice to see the graphs...I still check my dives with the Wheel that I learned on and haven't dove out of the limit....