Need gauges?

[chauncy19]

Looking for some guidance. Just got back from dive trip. I replaced my dive console with gauges i got off of ebay. okay a loser, I bought suunto compass,depth and pressure gauges. turned out only the pressure gauge worked and even the hose was a dog.
I dive with a favor wrist computer which gives me the depth info etc. I looking at getting a compass although I admit I am just learning how to use it. I dive only in the Caribbean ie warm water. Just got back from Curacao after going to Bonaire for last 8 years or so.

I did acquire a Suunto Gekko although have not used it yet. Might do the nitrox thing.

anyway i am thinking of getting new hose,replacing compass (suunto sk7) and taking out depth gauge. good idea ?, is there better ways to go? buy all new gauges? if so which ones do i really need? thinking i'd do this through a LDS.
I dive two to three weeks a year.
thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[Lone Frogman]

Is returning it an option? I'd go with a wrist mount compass. You have a computer with depth info. Add a single pressure gauge or use the one you have (if you can't return) and new HP hose.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Both the Gekko and SK-7 compass can be mounted in a console or wrist-mounted using Suunto's wrist strap or the Deep Sea Supply (DSS) elastomeric bungee mount. The Favor also has Suunto wrist straps available. I'm not sure whether the Vyper/Gekko DSS mount fits the Favor.

Both the Favor and Gekko are great computers. The Gekko is better since it has a wonderful phosphorescent display and is nitrox-capable.

The older Suunto consoles aren't very configurable. The newer ones are more modular; each new "piece" hooks onto a proximal module. I configured my newer Suunto console to only hold the SPG. The other instruments are wrist-mounted. That's my preference. Try different configurations out and see which one works best for you.

My recommendations:

• Configure the Gekko or Favor for wrist-mount.
• Purchase the Suunto SK-7 in wrist-mount or re-mount it in the DSS wrist boot.
• Set up a standalone analog SPG. A simple brass-and-glass one (approx. $50) will work. Or, if possible, configure the Suunto module to hold only the SPG.
• If your current SPG still works, just buy a new HP hose (approx. $20) for it.

Good luck.

 

[chauncy19]

Bubbletrubble,
thanks for info. both the favor and gekko are already wrist mounted. i was thinking about a new suunto console to put gekko,new compass and pressure gauge in. not sure thats all worth it so current thinking new hose,new compass,old pressure gauge in old console. either wrist computer works as depth gauge so thinking just pass on that.
buyer beware on ebay, not possible to return and I'll try an remember the person who sold me this crap. plus i am a bit annoyed at my LDS for not picking up that this was crap as I had them check everything before my trip or so I thought.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Bubbletrubble,
thanks for info. both the favor and gekko are already wrist mounted. i was thinking about a new suunto console to put gekko,new compass and pressure gauge in. not sure thats all worth it so current thinking new hose,new compass,old pressure gauge in old console. either wrist computer works as depth gauge so thinking just pass on that.
buyer beware on ebay, not possible to return and I'll try an remember the person who sold me this crap. plus i am a bit annoyed at my LDS for not picking up that this was crap as I had them check everything before my trip or so I thought.

@chauncy19:
It sounds like you should find a new place to get gear serviced. For a competent reg tech, checking out an SPG and depth gauge isn't that big of a deal. The accuracy of the SPG can be tested against other properly functioning SPGs in the shop. The tech could have just placed the depth gauge in a pressure pot to simulate dive. That test would have revealed any inaccuracies in depth readings. Connecting the first stage to a tank and submerging it in water would have revealed any leaks coming from the first stage, HP hose, or SPG. It shouldn't have taken that long to do a fairly comprehensive check.

Getting a new HP hose is a no-brainer.

Purchasing stuff on Ebay can be a crapshoot, particularly if the item was advertised "As Is"/untested and the seller is not willing to accept returns. I exercise some caution with auctions for items that have been sitting in storage for a long time. Storage conditions can be good or bad. Bad conditions or long storage times increase the likelihood that the gear will require servicing (o-rings, lube, replacement parts), and such costs needs to be considered before bidding.