newbie ? re: Suunto Vyper purchase

[large_diver]

Vyper over the web -- I bought mine at simplyscuba.com in the UK -- very happy I did.

LDS was about $200 more

I would use a reputable on-line shop

Biggest negative is the warranty issue, but you still get a warranty, it's just that it may not be honored by your LDS. More hassle if work covered by warranty is required, but IMHO this was a risk worth taking based on the savings.

If you have already done your research, an LDS does not add a lot of value to a computer transaction...especially if you are buying a model that does not require set-up (console, etc.).

My $0.02

 

[RPanick]

Okay, I'm still new to this, so bare with me.

My LDS told me that dive instruments had to be inspected and tested each year, and of course certified. Since the computer is pressure and depth guage (Cobra in my case) that means the computer too.

A side discussion that this will probably start is do the digital systems require as much attention as mechanical guages, which do go out of wack and need testing.

Since I actually dive with the people that work (instructors, dive cons, etc) at the LDS (if you call that work) there is some advantage in less hassile buying from them.

Also, they can get a bit snooty about even touching equipment that you didn't buy from them. So for me buying from the LDS actually has worked out well.

In the case of a camera I bought from them when it flooded they got it taken care of no problems. I'm not sure if it would have been that easy if I had bought it on the net.

 

[Genesis]

Perhaps a good idea.

Now show me a dive shop with a hyperbaric pot in their building to do the test with of sufficient size to make the test of a depth gauge possible.

I've never seen one. I'm sure there are facilities with them, but I personally have never seen one in any LDS I've been in.

Checking a digital tank pressure gauge isn't hard. If your LDS has a certified pressure gauge on their fill equipment (they should!) and a set of doubles laying around (or if you have one handy) its trivial. Put your reg with the pressure gauge on one post. Put their fill whip on the other. Open the two posts, leaving the fill valve upstream from their whip (so their pressure gauge "sees" the pressure in the tank set) closed. Read their certified gauge. Compare against yours. Close valves, bleed, all done.

 

[Aquamaniac]

Dive Shop IV
950 Cobb Parkway S.E.
Suite #160
Marietta, Georgia 30060

I Take My Canister light there for Testing when ever I do anything to it.

 

[rickalaska]

Just bought a Viper from LeisurePro for $299.00 for the old style console (they have the new style for $379.00). They shipped quickly with no problems. I have not had a chance to try it out yet, but will take it to the pool tonight to take it for a mini spin.

 

[Ari]

It is the wrist version and was at around $280.

Never had any problem with it. It's a great unit, at a great price and LeisurePro, in my experience, is a good source for equipment (there were many discussions about LP around the board).

If you are not going with air integration, than the Vyper is one of the better altrernatives.

Ari

 

[pops]

I bought a wrist Vyper FOR 280 at lp. With a Uwatec compass on the right wrist and the computer on the left, I get a great wetsuit seal. I got a knife on the right calf and still wondering about the left, but water hasn't come in yet.
I'm going to keep an analogue console hooked up as backup and to check the computer pressure against. As long as they agree, I'll probably not get the Vyper serviced.