New Diver Looking At Suunto Zoop Or Geo 2.0

[uncfnp]

I'm a new diver with 20 dives under my belt and am looking to get my first real piece of dive equipment, a dive computer.

I'm looking at both the suunto zoop and the oceanic geo 2.0. My main question is about the conservativeness of the zoop. As a purely rec diver who's time is limited mainly by my air at this point, will the zoop negatively affect my dives. I do plan on going on liveaboards with a few dives per day but my profiles are usually square and not that deep, 60ft max.

I'm not nitrox certified yet but that is a possibility down the line. Any suggestions between the two watches would be appreciated. Open to other suggestions as well but would like to stay below $400.

The zoop is more then adequate for your needs. The Geo 2.0 is a great computer but has way more then you need and at a higher price.

 

[Water Boy76]

If you continue diving you will likely regret getting a Zoop due to it's conservatism and single algorithm.
Geo is a good price point for the features you get.

 

[stuartv]

The zoop is more then adequate for your needs. The Geo 2.0 is a great computer but has way more then you need and at a higher price.

Maybe true today. And I think only maybe. I mean what does the Geo have that the Zoop doesn't, except for a more liberal algorithm? There's a rumor that the latest Zoop even has Gauge mode. IOW, I don't know that the Geo has more than he needs, as I think it offers just the same as the Zoop. It seems like they both have just what he would need, no more, no less.

Regardless, still true in a year? If the algorithm would probably make a difference a year from now, should he ignore that aspect of the purchasing decision?

I am glad I didn't buy a Zoop for my first computer. I would have wanted to replace it with something better (i.e. more liberal and non-proprietary in its algorithm) in less than a year. Instead, I bought an Atom, which is the Geo plus air integration, and I am still very happy with it.

 

[docmartin]

You say you want to go on liveaboard trips. Get the Geo. Suunto is very conservative. I own both and it is no contest IMO. When I do multiple dives with my Suunto I end up in deco when other divers have 10+ minutes of dive time left. Geo is more generous without being unsafe.

 

[uncfnp]

Maybe true today. And I think only maybe. I mean what does the Geo have that the Zoop doesn't, except for a more liberal algorithm? There's a rumor that the latest Zoop even has Gauge mode. IOW, I don't know that the Geo has more than he needs, as I think it offers just the same as the Zoop. It seems like they both have just what he would need, no more, no less.

Regardless, still true in a year? If the algorithm would probably make a difference a year from now, should he ignore that aspect of the purchasing decision?

I am glad I didn't buy a Zoop for my first computer. I would have wanted to replace it with something better (i.e. more liberal and non-proprietary in its algorithm) in less than a year. Instead, I bought an Atom, which is the Geo plus air integration, and I am still very happy with it.

Its an old arguement, the liberal vs conservative algorithms and if he searches the forum he will find its pretty much all been said. Despite the fact that there is a large anti-RGBM segment on SB, divers the world over successfully dive these computers, I noticed on the boat today about half the group of 12 divers had some version of a Suunto or Mares DC and a absolutely no one ended their dives early or went into deco and the first dive maxed at 107 feet. I have done several Bonaire trips on a similar computer. Thats typically 20 dives over 6 days and never once hit deco.

As for the difference in features. The Geo has 2 algorithms, each with conservative factors, multigas capable, a slew of diver adjustable alarms but the biggest difference is the watch features giving it a fairly significant learning curve and somewhat more complex to operate, especially for a "vacation" diver. At least imo.

As for price, he will be paying for thoses extra features, roughly double unless he has found a special deal. I say save your money now and if in the years to come he wants or needs more, then get the latest Shearwater at that time.

I guess my point is if you are thinking of the future then pick SW or an AI. If you just want a good cheap DC that will do the job, get the Zoop.

Now if the OP throws a cheap Oceanic into the mix my opinion may change.

 

[dmaziuk]

Fmerkel does make a pretty good point.

ITYM pretty questionable point: it is true only if you dive a couple of square profiles a week. If you go on a multi-day multi-tank trip, like a liveaboard, definitely get a computer. As a side bonus, it's much easier on your luggage. (If you want both, you might want to rethink your budget

My recommendation would be Veo 180 if you're after DSAT (aka "liberal") algorithm and don't want to pay the premium for Geo 2's size factor. Unless you can get the zoop for like $100 -- personally I don't think the old "not novo" zoop's worth more than that.

 

[docmartin]

Its an old arguement, the liberal vs conservative algorithms and if he searches the forum he will find its pretty much all been said. Despite the fact that there is a large anti-RGBM segment on SB, divers the world over successfully dive these computers, I noticed on the boat today about half the group of 12 divers had some version of a Suunto or Mares DC and a absolutely no one ended their dives early or went into deco and the first dive maxed at 107 feet. I have done several Bonaire trips on a similar computer. Thats typically 20 dives over 6 days and never once hit deco.

Good for you that your dive profiles don't get you into deco on a Suunto. You probably dove nitrox and made sure to have a long surface interval. It's indeed an old argument and it is indisputable that Suunto will give you shorter dives than a Geo. And if your surface interval is anything shorter than 1 hour, as is the case with plenty of operators, the Suunto will punish you severely - even if you cut the SI short by only 5 minutes. It is also true that tons of people dive Suuntos. That cannot be said of dive professionals who have to get in the water several times a day. Few DMs dive Suuntos and look around if you can find a DM on a liveaboard with a Suunto. There is just no question that Suuntos get you into deco way before an Oceanic does and it does not take a crazy dive schedule. It is of course debatable if that is a bad thing. The Suuntos clearly have a higher margin of safety. Then again, it does not seem that DSAT divers are getting bend more than anyone else. If you want to buy a Suunto make sure you dive nitrox if you plan on several dives a day. And as dmaziuk said above there are cheaper DSAT options than a Geo e.g. the Veo 180.

 

[stuartv]

Its an old arguement, the liberal vs conservative algorithms and if he searches the forum he will find its pretty much all been said. Despite the fact that there is a large anti-RGBM segment on SB, divers the world over successfully dive these computers, I noticed on the boat today about half the group of 12 divers had some version of a Suunto or Mares DC and a absolutely no one ended their dives early or went into deco and the first dive maxed at 107 feet. I have done several Bonaire trips on a similar computer. Thats typically 20 dives over 6 days and never once hit deco.

Yeah... there are more people than yourself that report anecdotal info like that.

Then there are anecdotes like this one. And I have my own from diving previously with someone using a Cressi Giotto (which is often the subject of the same "conservative" accusations and subsequent debate).

You say you want to go on liveaboard trips. Get the Geo. Suunto is very conservative. I own both and it is no contest IMO. When I do multiple dives with my Suunto I end up in deco when other divers have 10+ minutes of dive time left. Geo is more generous without being unsafe.

I wonder if the anecdotes on both sides wouldn't be revealed to simply be examples of how different dive profiles really matter. If you did one dive to 107 and then subsequent dives were typically under 60', what you report would make sense and still be consistent with the general notion that Suunto and Cressi computers are generally more conservative than Oceanic. I don't know what typical depths are for diving Bonaire. If most dives are 60' or less, then ditto.

Where I would expect the differences between all those computers to really become significant is when someone is doing multiple dives in a day and all the dives are deep. Initial dives past 100'. Subsequent dives in the 80+ range. That is a typical day diving the NC wrecks and that is where I've seen my dive buddy's Cressi send us to the surface when my Oceanic would have let me stay longer - and I still had plenty of air.

 

[SF Brent]

Thanks everyone, seems like there are two sides of this debate and will continue to be for quite some time. Appreciate everyone's advice about the watches and gear in general.

Ultimately, I have decided on the Zoop. Giving the diving profiles I plan to do, I'm hoping I don't notice the conservatism of the Zoop but if I have to cut a dive short, so be it. If it is a persistent problem, I'll upgrade.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Ultimately, I have decided on the Zoop. Giving the diving profiles I plan to do, I'm hoping I don't notice the conservatism of the Zoop but if I have to cut a dive short, so be it. If it is a persistent problem, I'll upgrade.

For what it's worth, I'm totally okay having a more conservative computer. I'm a worst case scenario person and I like having a bit of margin of error. I don't think there is any right or wrong decision here. Enjoy your new computer!

A note about the nitrox...I still like to dive it whenever I can because I feel better after a day of diving with it vs. air, especially after 3-4 tanks in a day. It beats me down. I have had the unfortunate experience of having to work while on "vacation" meaning 6AM wakeup, diving all day, then coming back after dinner and working from 9PM - 1AM and then doing it all over again for 3-4 days in a row. I managed it on nitrox but doing the same dives on air wipes me out. Not sure if it's just psychological...