I would prefer wireless with AI, but cant afford it. Help me decide on wired.

[johnnyscience]

I'm a techie and love gadgets and would love to get a wireless computer with AI, but the budget just isnt there for it this time around. Maybe next year.

So I still need to get a dive computer for now.

Things that I would prefer:

Digital
Indiglo light or LED for illumination or something to the sort
Possibly one that can move/be upgraded from wired case to a wireless setup in the future? (although this isnt a solid requirement)

I would like a single computer to do air & water pressure and anything else all in one.

Suggestions? I realize Oceanic & Suunto are both regarded as high quality, so which ever one has the features I'm looking for & is priced reasonably.

suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[fnfalman]

First of all, all dive computers are "digital" An analog dive computer would be your set of gauges and your brain...though nobody knows the nature of the brain's modus operandi (digital, quantum?).

And yes, they all have lighted screens for night diving.

Secondly, you want a hosed AI computer. I like the Sherwood Wisdom 2. Very easy to use. Unless you prefer something that's more complex to use then I'd recommend the Suunto Cobra 3. It even has digital compass built into the dive computer AND monitors up to three different gases in one dive (though when you do that as a rec diver, I have no idea).

 

[johnnyscience]

First of all, all dive computers are "digital" An analog dive computer would be your set of gauges and your brain...though nobody knows the nature of the brain's modus operandi (digital, quantum?).

And yes, they all have lighted screens for night diving.

Secondly, you want a hosed AI computer. I like the Sherwood Wisdom 2. Very easy to use. Unless you prefer something that's more complex to use then I'd recommend the Suunto Cobra 3. It even has digital compass built into the dive computer AND monitors up to three different gases in one dive (though when you do that as a rec diver, I have no idea).

Haha yeah I guess all computers are digital now arent they? Lol

Ok I'll check into the Cobra 3

And yes I like the fact that it has a compass & also will do Nitrox I assume. Whats the best price you've seen floating around on the Cobra 3's?

 

[johnnyscience]

Taking a look at the Cobra & Cobra 3 comparison charts, other than the compass, the only real difference I can see is that the Cobra doesnt allow you to switch gases during dive.

Now I plan on eventually diving with Nitrox, but you dont "switch" to this while youre diving do you? You just start out on the surface with the nitrox tank correct?

So this whole switching gases on the fly with the Cobra 3 is almost something that isnt needed? Or is it?

I'm trying to get a nice computer as cost effective as I can & I'll watch ebay for deals, but if the Cobra is a couple hundred dollars cheaper than the Cobra 3 because of the compass & this on the fly gas switching, I'd opt to save the money and go with the Cobra.

I should also note that I only plan on warm water reef diving a few times a year for recreation.

Thoughts?

 

[diversteve]

If you're switching gases, you're also switching tanks/regs. Like in a deco situation. You'll never do that rec diving.
The only switch you'll make is to set it for air or nitrox at the surface b4 you splash.

 

[johnnyscience]

If you're switching gases, you're also switching tanks/regs. Like in a deco situation. You'll never do that rec diving.
The only switch you'll make is to set it for air or nitrox at the surface b4 you splash.

So unless I'm super pumped to pay an extra $250 for a digital compass, I think maybe the Suunto Cobra is a good choice.

Isnt there a Cobra 2?

I'm going to take a look at Oceanic now too

What model of theirs would compare to the Cobra line still having all of the same similar features?

Are these the two companies to really consider?

 

[diversteve]

Some digital compasses don't work as well u/w as their analog counterparts. They're fussier about orientation.

Oceanic/Aeris (same company - different models) - some are identical.
ScubaPro/Uwatec
Tusa
Sherwood
Mares
Zeagle

all make well respected computers.

I own a Suunto. When it breaks I'll probably get another one. One thing I like about it is that the menu system is so intuitive that I can figure out any changes I need to make on the boat ride out to the divesite - without the manual. Before that I owned a Uwatec and never travelled without the manual.

At the end of your dive you'll do a 3min. safety stop at 15'. One handy feature on mine is that it starts to count that down automatically once I break 19'. Most computers in the price range you're looking at do also. I also prefer bigger numbers since I have a wrist model and often have a video housing in that hand.

Cobras are good computers with solid reputations. I don't know their feature set offhand for comparison. fwiw, Suunto is sold/distributed in the U.S. by Aqualung.

 

[Scott]

I'm a techie and love gadgets and would love to get a wireless computer with AI, but the budget just isnt there for it this time around. Maybe next year.

Buy a wrist mount ie: Sunnto Vyper Air without the transmitter along with a SPG and hose. Then when you can afford it buy the transmitter.

 

[johnnyscience]

Some digital compasses don't work as well u/w as their analog counterparts. They're fussier about orientation.

Oceanic/Aeris (same company - different models) - some are identical.
ScubaPro/Uwatec
Tusa
Sherwood
Mares
Zeagle

all make well respected computers.

I own a Suunto. When it breaks I'll probably get another one. One thing I like about it is that the menu system is so intuitive that I can figure out any changes I need to make on the boat ride out to the divesite - without the manual. Before that I owned a Uwatec and never travelled without the manual.

At the end of your dive you'll do a 3min. safety stop at 15'. One handy feature on mine is that it starts to count that down automatically once I break 15'. Most computers in the price range you're looking at do also. I also prefer bigger numbers since I have a wrist model. It's less important with a console as you can put it on a retractor and move it closer as needed.

Cobras are good computers with solid reputations. I don't know their feature set offhand for comparison. fwiw, Suunto is sold/distributed in the U.S. by Aqualung.

I really like auto features like that. What model Suunto do you have?

Does the Vyper Air also do this feature?

Buy a wrist mount ie: Sunnto Vyper Air without the transmitter along with a SPG and hose. Then when you can afford it buy the transmitter.

Thats actually a good idea because I would prefer to go with the wireless AI. So it makes sense to buy part of it now.

How much would the Vyper Air wrist mount run me though?

And how much extra would the SPG be? (what does SPG stand for?)

 

[johnnyscience]

Buy a wrist mount ie: Sunnto Vyper Air without the transmitter along with a SPG and hose. Then when you can afford it buy the transmitter.

Seems these can be had off ebay for $500 brand new.

Hmm. If I could get that down a hundo or so that would be nice

I think these dive watches need a serious UI overhaul. Especially with the amount of money being spent... geez.

I mean this is 2011 almost, there is plenty of software out there...