I need help! (more than u can imagine)

[badger729]

I've spent about 2 days reading through all the topics on dive computers. I got an idea of a few brands to look at and I started pricing them. Now I was trained on air integrated and I felt pretty comfortable with that set up and I liked the fact of having the compass connected also. But I'm not apposed to having the computer on my wrist. One question is if I get a wrist computer is the transmitter extra for all computers? Another question is which computers give the average depth? (meaning if I drop down to 60 ft and spend 90% of my time at 30 ft is it only going to give me a depth of 60 ft or is it going to give me an average) The last question for now is what are the most important features to look for? Thanks for any help. As you can probably tell by my questions I need alot.

 

[scubatoys]

I'd say the features you want are - easy to use, big numbers, audibles that you can turn off or on, water activation, safety stop count down timer. And yes, all computers are taking into account the fact that the dive is not all at one depth, they are tracking your times and depth and based on actual time at any given depth (not just an average) they use a mathematical algorithm to determine remaining bottom time.

As far as the transmitter being extra... I've seen web sites price them that way to trick the viewer into thinking they have cheaper prices.

If you've got any more questions - feel free to email or give me a call.

 

[TLada]

ScubaToys makes the good points: ease of programming, good backlighting, large numbers, adjustable conservatism. If you looking an air computer then your choices are easy, I'd say, get a Nitrox computer for if and when you go that route. The cost will be incrementally greater, but you'll have the capacity.

As far as 'Average Depth' - I cant imagine why you would ever need to know that.
All of the computers now have all of the most important data. Dive computers now are in their 2ed generation of evolution, so the are getting alot better. It's hard to find a bad one.

As far as air integrated, - I say dont bother. Especially wireless. Wireless is prone to losing signal, reliant on more batteries, and with the transmitter poking out of your HP first stage port - can be very dangerous in an overhead invironment.
You'll need a backup SPG - so dont pay the extra bucks for something thats that unreliable.

 

[cortez]

As far as air integrated, - I say dont bother. Especially wireless. Wireless is prone to losing signal, reliant on more batteries, and with the transmitter poking out of your HP first stage port - can be very dangerous in an overhead invironment.
You'll need a backup SPG - so dont pay the extra bucks for something thats that unreliable.

I don't necessarily agree that hoseless are prone to losing the signal. Most of the instructors and divemasters that I work with dive the Air Z Nitrox (UWATEC) and not once has any lost a signal.

Now, UWATEC does warn in their manual that close proximity to high powered strobes can temporarily interupt the signal. That being said, none of our staff nor our clients who shoot underwater have ever had a problem.

 

[RICHinNC]

If you like hoseless...cool...but not for me. You always hear so much about points of failure....thats one ready to happen. I have dived with so many people that are hoseless and i think they are giving some kind of weird hand signal and they are just trying to reestablish reception again.

Then,,I read here on the board about all the problems downloading info from the pc's. I would just stick with something simple and dependable and spend my money on some other do dad.

 

[Dennis Mc]

I dive with an Oceanic DataMax Pro Plus which is air intergrated. I really like it. Simple, easy to read, lots of info, etc. I do, however, carry a SPG as a backup.

 

[dnhill]

I have the Oceanic VT Pro and it has been trouble free. I also use a pony bottle SPG on my first stage just in case I lose signal (has not happened yet). Because I can't see the extra SPG on the first stage, I request that my buddy be aware of it in case I need him/her to look at it.

dnhill

 

[klausbh]

The last question for now is what are the most important features to look for? Thanks for any help. As you can probably tell by my questions I need alot.

The most important, in fact, the ONLY important features are current depth, bottom time, and ascent rate. You can get an instrument that does that for $150 and safely do everything else in your head. Alternatively, you can spend much much more money on an instrument with all sorts of bells and whistles, but still do everything in your head for safety. Or, you can buy the expensive instrument, not do much wih your head at all, and be in big big trouble when something goes wrong.

-Klaus

 

[badger729]

As far as air integrated, - I say dont bother. Especially wireless.
You'll need a backup SPG - so dont pay the extra bucks for something thats that unreliable.

The more I read the more confused I'm getting. The way I understand is if it's air integrated you still have the hose connecting to the first stage and if it's wireless it uses a transmitter not a hose. The way I'm understanding this quote air integrated can be wireless ? And does this mean I still need a back up SPG ? As you can tell I'm confused.

 

[RICHinNC]

well badger look at it this way. the more complicated the system...the more likely for problems...it is just that simple. Go for an Oceanic or a Genesis wrist mount and you cant go wrong. Thats just MHO...good luck
rich