New computer

[razorbackdiver]

I currently have a Sunnto Zoop. It has been fine for recreational diving, but I'm plan on starting to Tec training in late spring. I've acquired most of the gear I will be needing except for a dive computer that will handle gas switching. I know that there are those on here that are anti-dive computer and I do plan to make extensive use of the tables, but I see a dive computer as reduntacy for my onboard grey matter computer.


When discussing this with a potential GUE fundie instructor he stated that one of the big drawbacks to computers is you cannot adjust the dive plan on the computer on the fly. For instance if you lost a deco gas your computer would not be able to handle the fact that you are now using your reserve backgas for deco. At least I think that is what he was saying. I was under the impresson that both the X1 and the predator had this functionality. Am I incorrect about this?

 

[smorneau]

I just got a Petrel yesterday and read the manual. It will allow you to enter new gasses during the dive and adjust accordingly.

 

[rongoodman]

As you continue to look into what computer you want, keep in mind that what you're really buying is some deco software running on a piece of hardware. You should give some thought as to what you want, VPM-B, Buhlmann GF, or something else. "Deco for Divers" by Mark Powell is a good place to start. Companies like Suunto run their own proprietary deco schemes on their computers, and while they might be fine for getting you out of the water un-bent, you could have hard time getting them to match your buddy's computer or your desk-top planning software, just because the details of how they work isn't available. I've had an X1 running V-Planner for a number of years, but the new Petrel is nice too.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

Look hard at a Petrel. Supports gradient factors and VPM, you can add/edit deco mixes and conservatism on the fly, and it provides other information useful in dealing with changes to the plan (e.g., actual ceiling and current gradient factor). It's also has a gauge mode for those who refuse to let you dive it as a computer.

 

[cephasiii]

I just got a Petrel yesterday and read the manual. It will allow you to enter new gasses during the dive and adjust accordingly.

I have a Petrel and you can adjust gases while in mid dive. I like the DIR/GUE concept but don't agree with all their philosophies, like not using a computer. One should know their deco plan in their head and have a back up, but computers are very reliable and Shearwater makes an Excellent DC.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GrimSleeper]

When discussing this with a potential GUE fundie instructor he stated that one of the big drawbacks to computers is you cannot adjust the dive plan on the computer on the fly. For instance if you lost a deco gas your computer would not be able to handle the fact that you are now using your reserve backgas for deco. At least I think that is what he was saying. I was under the impresson that both the X1 and the predator had this functionality. Am I incorrect about this?

I'd hope you've misunderstood what the instructor was saying. Even the VR3 I tossed off the edge of a drop-off at 160 feet (the day I finally decided that computers and technical diving don't really mix...) could do on-the-fly changes and would recalculate the deco schedule if you removed one of your planned deco gasses from the available gas list during a dive, for example.

I'm firmly in the bottom-timer/run-time table camp these days (unless someone wants to lend me an X1 or a Predator to use for long enough to convince myself that it's not an unreliable waste of money... ), but of all the reasons not to use a gas-switching computer, the one you've been given doesn't even exist.

 

[razorbackdiver]

I'd hope you've misunderstood what the instructor was saying. Even the VR3 I tossed off the edge of a drop-off at 160 feet (the day I finally decided that computers and technical diving don't really mix...) could do on-the-fly changes and would recalculate the deco schedule if you removed one of your planned deco gasses from the available gas list during a dive, for example.

I'm firmly in the bottom-timer/run-time table camp these days (unless someone wants to lend me an X1 or a Predator to use for long enough to convince myself that it's not an unreliable waste of money... ), but of all the reasons not to use a gas-switching computer, the one you've been given doesn't even exist.

I very well could have misunderstood. This is my busy season and he returned my phone call, while I was already multitasking. To his credit when I questioned him about the X1 and the Predator he did say that he dives and teaches bottom timers and table so he hasn't really keep up with the advances in Dive Computers for awhile. He also he was not an anti computer zealot, just he preferred not to use them. I can also say that he comes highly recommended. He was recommended by a SB member and I have seen his name mention on here a time or two. In case your wondering why I am not talking to a local instuctor. I will be doing tec training with a local Padi instructor, but I've heard nothing but good things about the GUE Fundies course. I've been told even if I never adopt the GUE philosophy, I'll benefit from taking the Fundies course .

---------- Post added January 31st, 2013 at 07:24 PM ----------

As you continue to look into what computer you want, keep in mind that what you're really buying is some deco software running on a piece of hardware. You should give some thought as to what you want, VPM-B, Buhlmann GF, or something else. "Deco for Divers" by Mark Powell is a good place to start. Companies like Suunto run their own proprietary deco schemes on their computers, and while they might be fine for getting you out of the water un-bent, you could have hard time getting them to match your buddy's computer or your desk-top planning software, just because the details of how they work isn't available. I've had an X1 running V-Planner for a number of years, but the new Petrel is nice too.

Thanks for the advice. Which software to run was soon to be my next question. I've tried to figure out what I might want by reading this board but to be honest, sometimes you tech guys are speaking greek as far I can tell.

 

[kierentec]

A bit of advice on buying a new computer for Tec training. Make sure you know how to use it BEFORE starting class. know where all the functions are and what they do, backwards and forwards. There's going be a very abrupt learning curve already and a lot to get done (especially in Tec 40). you want to make things as simple as possible, this does not include trying to figure out how to switch gasses on your computer while your instructor is blasting you with drills.

with that said, you probably misunderstood the instructor you were speaking with. although, a tech instructor that openly admits not being up to date on relatively current equipment (the x1 has been around for 4 years or so), he may actually be clueless enough to think computers wont recalculate deco in lost gas scenarios.

I strongly suggest using bottom timers for Tec 40, play with a few different desktop planners, and then choose a computer that runs an algorithm your comfortable with.

 

[rjack321]

Are you taking GUE Fundementals and eventually GUE Tech1? Or some other tech course?

 

[Randy g]

Get a Petrel and be done with it.