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

[Jax]

A few people complain about Suunto and UWATEC computers keep losing transmissions underwater. Not too many people complain about Oceanic/Aeris computers losing transmissions.

Take that for what it is. It's not like there's a true set of statistics to go by.

I have two Uwatecs - a SmartTEC and a Galileo Sol. I also have a friend who's had his for a year.

Uwatec rarely actually loses the transmission . . . in fact, it hasn't happened to me at all . . . If "losing" is where the computer displays "---" instead of the psi.

What it does do is lose connectivity for a second or two . . . and it complains. I've only had that happen when the transmitter battery is nearing its end . . . the "replace trans battery" warning came on after that dive. The audible warning is annoying. However, easily fixed by replacing the transmitter battery.

 

[Jax]

Hey, Johnny, have you thought about going used? There's good deals on ebay, and you can get what you want with just a little wear and tear.

 

[Akimbo]

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?)...

Not quite accurate:
Vintage Scuba Diving Accessories Collection

I still have one of these in my gear pile and used it for recreational dives for about 25 years. It was basically a bourdon tube pressure gauge with an air bag attached. A porous material allowed gas to pass approximating European decompression tables of the time. I always had a pretty good idea from tables what decompression was reasonable, but it was the only option to credit for dives with a lot of depth variations.

Everybody called them Bend-o-Matics, but I never heard of anyone using one that actually required treatment. It's a big honker, about 5¼ x 3½ x 1½". I think ScubaPro imported and sold most of them.

 

[DiveMaven]

Suuntos are known to be one of the most conservative brands of computers, Cochrans are the least, Oceanic/Aeris are in between, which is why I choose to dive with Oceanic computers. They're all within the NDL limits and there is no evidence (real or anecdotal) that even hints that fewer divers are bent diving with more conservative computers.

Do your own homework and decide for yourself. IMO Oceanic/Aeris and Suunto are both great brands, so you won't go wrong with either.

 

[fnfalman]

Not quite accurate:
Vintage Scuba Diving Accessories Collection

I still have one of these in my gear pile and used it for recreational dives for about 25 years. It was basically a bourdon tube pressure gauge with an air bag attached. A porous material allowed gas to pass approximating European decompression tables of the time. I always had a pretty good idea from tables what decompression was reasonable, but it was the only option to credit for dives with a lot of depth variations.

Everybody called them Bend-o-Matics, but I never heard of anyone using one that actually required treatment. It's a big honker, about 5¼ x 3½ x 1½". I think ScubaPro imported and sold most of them.

Were those around when computers were IBM's vacuum tubed and hole cards fed?:shocked2:

 

[Akimbo]

Were those around when computers were IBM's vacuum tubed and hole cards fed?:shocked2:

I think they were introduced in the late 1950s in Italy. So that would be when vacuum tube computers were pretty well replaced by transistors, but long before integrated circuits.

Those damned great piles of punch cards were around well into the 1980s. The famous hanging chads used in the 2000 election were little more than the cards developed when the Computing Tabulating Recording Corporation was joined by Thomas Watson in 1914, later renamed International Business Machines. Watson wanted an all-around grander name than National Cash Register who fired him before joining the company. BTW, great book: Amazon.com: Father, Son & Co.: My Life at IBM and Beyond

 

[DevonDiver]

I'd recommend opting for a wrist mounted computer that you can upgrade to AI at a later stage. Suunto Vytec 2 is a good option. When you have the extra money, just buy the transmitter.

 

[johnnyscience]

Ok which Oceanic computers do wireless AI?

What other companies should I consider? I know there are other ones out there. Galileo? How do they compare?

Any idea if the Atom 3.0 is wrist mounted with a new UI?

 

[johnnyscience]

So I took a closer look at the Oceanics.

What are the differences between the VT3 and the Atom 2.0?

They seem almost identical except for the Atom being a bit more expensive.

Both of these computers seem to have all the functions I'm looking for as a recreational warm water reef diver.

Does the VT3 also act like a normal watch like the Atom 2.0 does? On their comparison chart the VT3 actually had N/A for date/time where as the Atom said Yes.

That would be a deal killer on the Vt3 and make the Atom the easy choice.

 

[johnnyscience]

So I took a closer look at the Oceanics.

What are the differences between the VT3 and the Atom 2.0?

They seem almost identical except for the Atom being a bit more expensive.

Both of these computers seem to have all the functions I'm looking for as a recreational warm water reef diver.

Does the VT3 also act like a normal watch like the Atom 2.0 does? On their comparison chart the VT3 actually had N/A for date/time where as the Atom said Yes.

That would be a deal killer on the Vt3 and make the Atom the easy choice.

The Mares Icon HD is what all dive computers should look like for the prices they are.

The Icon is an amazing DC, but well out of my budget i think. I do also like the look of the Nemo Excel. But does it support wireless AI? I couldn't find info if it did.