Mares Airlab

[Mortlock]

I'm considering the purchase of a Mares Airlab.

Does anyone here own one? How is it?

I'm planning to use this as my only SPG and air gauge. Is this advisable?
As I don't have any equipment at the moment, I can buy it for the same price as a normal analouge SPG/air gauge + cheapo computer. With the airlab it seems I get the functions of some pretty advanced computers plus cool info on air consumption too.

Thanks for your help,

Morty

 

[pt40fathoms]

I've seen two in operation, and they seem like good units. I don't have one, as my interests are in technical diving and it does not fit with my personal philosophy and goals. However, that being said, for recreational diving it seems like the people who are using them, like them for the same reasons you have pointed out.

 

[Mortlock]

Thanks for the info pt40fathoms.

What do others feel about having a computer as your primary SPG and tank pressure instrumentation?

Thank you,

Morty

 

[jonnythan]

As long as you're just doing rec diving, I don't see a problem with it. If it fails, you call the dive, you should know you have enough to surface.

Only issue would be repetetive diving - if the computer is keeping track of your nitrogen loading and it dies, you're done unless you've been running tables.

 

[fringefan]

I bought one when I got started from scuba toys and for some reason it was reading the pressure low by about 500lbs but they sent me a knew one and it works great. They offered to upgrade me but talking to them and doing some research I found out that the airlab is one of the smartest computers on the market but it is more complicated to use. It does not have the newer easy to read/use screen and funtions and is most likley why they are so cheap but just because it does not look as good does not mean it isn't.

For the money I would buy one in a heart beat but just make sure you remember the owners manual and bring it with you when you dive. I made the mistake of thinking I could wing it and it is just not that simple.

 

[BIGG_BUDD]

I owned one. Just sold it on eBay in fact. It was a good computer, but as I dove more, I decided to move away from a console. I'm going to a wrist computer (Oceanic Atom 2.0), with a backup SPG.

During the dive, the airlab is awesome. It goes into dive mode once you break 3ft, and is literally hands-off the whole time underwater. Two displays give you all the information you'll ever need during your dive.

The only drawback(s) to the Airlab had to do with after the dive. It's big and heavy (with the compass kit), the buttons can be hard to push, and getting to your info post dive can be complicated. However, get to know your manual, and you will be able to get around OK.

That being said, I don't think you'll find a Nitrox/Air console for anywhere near the price of this bad boy. It's a good buy.

Good luck!