Looking to get my first dive comp... Any advise?

[phoenix31tt]

My only recommendations are:



Make make it supports nitrox

Make sure there are no view ability issues (reviews will tell you that)

Seriously put some thought into wrist vs console.. I myself went console for me and my wife and ive since switched to wrist, last dive she asked me if I could get hers on her wrist as well..

Its just much easier and allows your hands to be free to do other things while still monitoring your computer...



Dont overspend... Most any computer would suffice for what you need, there is no need to spend on an expensive computer unless you need air integration or something like that


Sent from my Nokia Lumia 920

 

[buddhasummer]

+1 for a Zoop, cheap, very reliable, simple to use, user replaceable battery, nitrox compatible, battery lasts forever and can be commonly found and added bonus fits a DSS bungee mount.

https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?category=instruments

 

[JBFG]

Mares Puck.
1 button, under$200. Nitrox ready too

 

[Goodtime Adventures]

Sounds like any computer will enhance your diving experiences. I tend to favour Suunto when it comes to computers. If you dont want/need anything flash something like a Zoop is perfect. Its very easy to use, good value for money and is both air and EANx compatible. There is very little difference between the Zoop and the D4i (the next grade up) other than additional freedive mode,graphical dive profile and a couple of other minor functions which don't sound at all relevant to you. The d4i - and other models higher up on the price scale - are just more aesthetically pleasing as they can be worn as regular watches outside of diving.

 

[buddhasummer]

Sounds like any computer will enhance your diving experiences. I tend to favour Suunto when it comes to computers. If you dont want/need anything flash something like a Zoop is perfect. Its very easy to use, good value for money and is both air and EANx compatible. There is very little difference between the Zoop and the D4i (the next grade up) other than additional freedive mode,graphical dive profile and a couple of other minor functions which don't sound at all relevant to you. The d4i - and other models higher up on the price scale - are just more aesthetically pleasing as they can be worn as regular watches outside of diving.

The size. The Zoop is much easier for me to read with my aging eyes and has a user replaceable battery.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

I tend to favour Suunto when it comes to computers.

I tend to favor avoiding companies with customer service like that displayed by the Suunto rep quoted in my signature, but if the OP just needs a cheap, all but disposable computer to last for a year or two, the Zoop would be fine. Sinking more money into something as poorly supported as a Suunto is just silly.

 

[buddhasummer]

Deleted

 

[diveprof]

Seiko stopped making my two favorite reasonably priced wrist computers - Dive Rite Duo and Trio. That said, others will work. Check out the Aeris Manta or Oceanic Veo line. Nitrox capable (always get that) and numbers that can be read. Not as conservative as the Zoop on the most common setting, but can be set to be more conservative. Zoop takes a bit to learn and cannot be made more liberal. Still both are good computers - just need to decide how conservative an algorithm you want.

 

[Akimbo]

Another approach is to get a used computer, even if it is air-only. Lots of people are upgrading and used computers are very reasonable. This will give you a change to learn what features are important to you. You can then sell your first computer or use it as a backup.

There are a lot of choices and just reading catalogs and opinions on the Internet will not tell you what matters to you. Besides, what matters to you is a moving target as you gain experience and computers are improving all the time.