No idea on how to decide on a Dive Computer

[tridacna]

I would get a Ratio iX3m 2 Pro computer. It is an air/nitrox/gauge computer. When you are ready to up grade, you don't have to buy a whole new computer, you just have to upgrade the sofware. This makes it cheaper in the long run. Ratio iX3M 2 Pro Dive Computer | Air Integrated
@BoltSnap is the resident ratio expert.

Isn’t that significantly above the OP’s price point?

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

Isn’t that significantly above the OP’s price point?

not by much and consider that he will never have to buy a another new computer to upgrade. Ratio iX3M 2 Dive Computer

 

[tridacna]

not by much and consider that he will never have to buy a another new computer to upgrade. Ratio iX3M 2 Dive Computer

“ My budget is squarely $450 and below, no upward flex. $350 or below is better”

That Ratio is $700. How is that not significantly more? Is there a cheaper model?

 

[GiraffeMarineSalvage]

As others have said a used shearwater in good condition may manage to fit your price point, but Suunto Zoop will meet your needs for awhile (it's also a very common rental computer so might be able to come well under your price point used...). The thing that really pissed me off on the Zoop was the 24hr lockout if you slightly stray from the computer's extremely conservative settings, not that you should go against what your computer says of course..
The only other computer I've owned is the ScubaPro Mantis M1, which has big pro for me if apnea mode and used might fit your budget (it also has 24 hour lockout, even if simply accidentally had in SCUBA mode when taking a warmup freedive it's likely going to require looking through the directions to be able to reset and use it on that freedive outing...)

 

[Tracy]

I have been diving a Suunto Cobra 1 for about 23 years and it is still going strong and Ihave never had any issues with it.

There it is, I always wondered how they got the failure rate down to 99%.

 

[MidOH]

Shearwater Perdix or Terric. To heck with budget.

 

[Robert H. Diver]

Shearwater Perdix or Terric. To heck with budget.

Put it on the credit card like a REAL MAN.

 

[BoltSnap]

“ My budget is squarely $450 and below, no upward flex. $350 or below is better”

That Ratio is $700. How is that not significantly more? Is there a cheaper model?

And so what? The OP should know their choices. Isn't this similar to the BP/W Squad who immediately clobber anyone who dares to ask about BCD's or somebody that dares to suggest anything other than a BP/W? What about the Shearwater freaks who always ram a >$1000 Perdix down people's throats who just got certified and looking for an entry level dive computer?

 

[BoltSnap]

Put it on the credit card like a REAL MAN.

And you are the same "budget minded" guy who pushes the cheap BC's to people?

 

[Robert H. Diver]

And you are the same "budget minded" guy who pushes the cheap BC's to people?

Sarcasm is hard to convey through text….and a great value is completely different than “cheap.”