New to dive computers

[Dynasty]

I'm very new to diving. Finishing up my ow certification this week and my checkout dive this coming weekend. I'm going to cozumel very soon and would like to get some good gear to make the dive more enjoyable. I like how the dive computer has everything you need to look at in one place. However, there are just so many choices and options for dive computers that I'm just really confused as to which one to look at. What are some good entry level dive computers that I should look at? Something that is good for a beginner, but, something that I will be able to still use as my experience grows. Thanks

 

[wunat]

You will probably get all kinds of answer. May be try with a few big names such as Suunto, UWATEC, Oceanic, and etc. Check out the various models the brands carry. You might like the way some of them are build eg. watch-size, console, and etc. It might help you filter your alternatives. Look around what divers around you use and have their feedbacks. Also check out what your LDS carries as computers do fail (both software and hardware-wise), services may be a problem.

I started with UWATEC Aladin Pro which is a very basic dive computer but very reliable (probably coz they have been in the market for quite some time where all problems has been taken care of). I just went out and get an Oceanic ATOM (without the transmitter) as I have decided to go Nitrox soon.

Hope this gives you some idea.

 

[Gamecock]

A good air computer should be
1. easy to read
2. easy to comprehend quickly

The biggies are:
1. how deep am i
2. how much time do I have left at this depth
3. what is my "ceiling" - don't go any higher than x ft.
4. am I going up to fast

Since I'm an old diver, the biggest display is the best for me!

 

[KrisB]

A good air computer should be
1. easy to read
2. easy to comprehend quickly

The biggies are:
1. how deep am i
2. how much time do I have left at this depth
3. what is my "ceiling" - don't go any higher than x ft.
4. am I going up to fast

Since I'm an old diver, the biggest display is the best for me!

With that in mind, you can't go wrong with the Suunto Cobra, Vyper, Gecko, or Vytec. They all have a very similar readout, and show the necessary information without having to press any buttons.

An added feature of the Cobra, Vyper and Vytec is that they can be downloaded to your PC... and personally that's the main reason I wanted a dive computer anyways...

I have the Suunto Cobra and really like it. It's hard to keep from playing with it when I'm not in the water!

 

[mossym]

With that in mind, you can't go wrong with the Suunto Cobra, Vyper, Gecko, or Vytec. They all have a very similar readout, and show the necessary information without having to press any buttons.

i have the vyper, and this is one of it's best features...everything you need, one one screen, in big numbers, and you don't have to press anything...once you turn it on at the start of the dive, you don't need to touch it again...

 

[Willar]

I'm a fairly new diver and love my Suunto Cobra. This is air integrated to my regs. If you aren't buying regs then go for the Mosquito which is the same thing just a small wrist model. Everyone who has it loves it.

Oh, and buy from a local dive shop. Building a valuable relationship and getting good advice is priceless.

 

[rainmaker]

I was certified in Feb. and I purchased an Aeris Atmos2 console from ScubaToys.com. I feel I got a very good deal from Larry.

In addition to the computer, it has a mechanical compass and analog pressure gauge. It also has a quick-disconnect hose (ideal for downloading dives to my PC) and downloader cable, and the console has a small knife on the back.

It has performed above my expectations, and I've used it on every dive I've made since I was certified. It has really been an advantage having all my gauges in one place. And after 25 dives, the battery is still going strong. I don't expect to outgrow it anytime soon.

 

[O'Malley]

I, too, am new to diving and have been thoroughly satisfied with my Uwatec SmartCom...large display easily readable, user-freindly operation and I like having a compass readily viewable when assessing dive data...500+ dive battery life with free replacement...just returned from week of diving in Coz and made diving SO easy.

 

[mossym]

I was certified in Feb. and I purchased an Aeris Atmos2 console from ScubaToys.com. I feel I got a very good deal from Larry.

In addition to the computer, it has a mechanical compass and analog pressure gauge. It also has a quick-disconnect hose (ideal for downloading dives to my PC) and downloader cable, and the console has a small knife on the back.

It has performed above my expectations, and I've used it on every dive I've made since I was certified. It has really been an advantage having all my gauges in one place. And after 25 dives, the battery is still going strong. I don't expect to outgrow it anytime soon.

i'd be worried about any computer that didn't get 25 dives without needing a battery..

 

[rainmaker]

Well, I've heard of a few that didn't.......