noob with Q's on buying a computer/other

[harveywireman]

All -
Great forum, lots of help so far, and will be daily visit from now on. I apologize if these have been answered, but have done some looking, and struck out...

2nd dive trip ever coming in DR this June. Of: suit, regs, computer, fins/mask/snorkel, will probably only get two of the four (this trip, anyway). From hitting every dive shop i come across around the country, most say "get f/m/s, and computer first". (reasoning being the computer helps maximize dive time & safety). Sounds compelling, but don't have the knowledge to agree or not - (but being a gadget *****, I love the answer!)

*If* that's the route, it begs a few questions I haven't seen answered:

1) if I buy hoseless AI (and don't buy my own regs), how are dive shops about ppl putting their own stuff on for each dive? ( I guess not just for hoseless, console too: are they cool with that?)
2) really dumb question: does the transmitter or console attach on the hose, or directly to the 1st stage?).
3) Are there any inherent problems with attaching/reattaching these 4-5 dives this trip? (probably just this trip, will likely buy regs later in the year)

I just started thinking, perhaps my plan to get an AI comp but not regs yet isn't doable/wise.

Any help is appreciated!

Dave

 

[CT Sean]

On the assumption your certified, how did you manage to get through certification without purchasing? mask/fins/snorkel? i thought it was nearly universal that they were required (were for me) If you don't have those yet I say get them!

regarding your other questions:

1) if I buy hoseless AI (and don't buy my own regs), how are dive shops about ppl putting their own stuff on for each dive? ( I guess not just for hoseless, console too: are they cool with that?)

That will be up to the shop - you will definitely want to call first before buying a console / and finding out you can't use it when you show up. Even though I already recommended getting M/F/S first you could always get a wireless AI and just not use the AI part of it for this trip. The rental reg will have an SPG attached

2) really dumb question: does the transmitter or console attach on the hose, or directly to the 1st stage?).

Depends what you get - if it's wireless AI, the transmitter attaches to the 1st stage and the computer doesn't attach to anything (well, besides you). Non-wireless AI (such as the Oceanic Pro Plus) usually it's the hose that you'd attach to the 1st stage. Technically there are attachments at both ends but usually the console "hides" the "hose-to-console" connection and often comes pre-assembled.

3) Are there any inherent problems with attaching/reattaching these 4-5 dives this trip? (probably just this trip, will likely buy regs later in the year)

Sorry can't help with this but personally I think you should just wait until you have a reg set as well. If nothing else, I would assume this trip would be your first chance to test out the AI funtion of your computer unless you plan on diving locally to give it a test run. I personally avoid vacations being the first time I'm actually using a new piece of gear.

 

[tbone1004]

You need MFS. Or at least a good mask... If you are always travelling, you can get away without fins, but not having your own mask is stupid...
Masks
those are all good masks and stupidly cheap. I dive them in caves and what not no problem.
Snorkels
those are all good ish snorkels. More than I would want out of a snorkel, but if you spend more than $15 on a snorkel you got robbed

So $35 is negligible in the grand scheme of scuba...

I say get wetsuit first, regs second, bc third, and if you want to spend lord only knows how much on an AI computer, go ahead, but it's a waste of money IMHO.
If you are not diving the same location regularly, then wetsuit gets pushed to the back of the list. Regs are nice to have. Convenience, knowing they work, comfortable with them, hygiene, etc etc are all nice comfort features to have. Then if you want to add an AI computer on LATER, you can with no problems at all.
Don't buy new big ticket stuff from most dive shops. They will rape you. It's their job, and it's not entirely their fault. Those shops that do try to help will generally not be dealers of the big names, i.e. scubapro, aqualung/apeks, atomic, etc because they are not allowed to mark down from msrp, and sales have to be preapproved I think... Bogus.
So come in here, decide what you want to buy, know what you want to spend, and ask for them...
actually, will send a PM in a second with an offer that should work pretty well for you, especially for these types of trips

 

[harveywireman]

Perfect - thanks.

Resort cert in Puerto Plata, so all rental.

If I understand: for wireless AI, you'd simply unscrew the SPG from the first stage and screw in the transmitter - if they let you. (leaning more towards not doing this yet, perhaps buy wireless capable and add later) These will only be dives 6-10 or so, so will probably have DM babysit still.

Didn't think of that - sounds like consoles come with the hose? Then, same thing: unscrew SPG, screw in your console? (again, if they're cool with it, I know....I might just be at the same dive shop, and if same couple guys are there, shouldn't be a problem)

Will get f/s/m for sure. I'll take a refresher locally before I go, but I'm still <10 dives, as I said, I'll make sure the DM is still managing things...that way, I'll be experimenting with/learning about the computer, but not relying on it just yet.

Thanks again!

Just saw yours, Sax. My diving will be 1-2/yr around equator, and if any other, possibly Lake Superior/MN. I'm not that bright, but would guess those are two different suits?

Kind of thinking I'll 'slum it' this trip, and be better equipped for next one (winter/spring?)

(would gladly check out PM, though)

Thanks folks.....

 

[DiveNav]

I should not say this ..... but, I suggest you buy a first stage/regulator kit BEFORE you buy an AI dive computer.
Alternatively, buy a watch/wrist - non AI - one. Most likely if you rent a first stage/regulator it will come with a pressure gauge anyway

Alberto (aka eDiver)

 

[ColinCB]

The AI systems attach to the first stage via a HP port.

 

[CT Sean]

Perfect - thanks.

Resort cert in Puerto Plata, so all rental.

If I understand: for wireless AI, you'd simply unscrew the SPG from the first stage and screw in the transmitter - if they let you. (leaning more towards not doing this yet, perhaps buy wireless capable and add later) These will only be dives 6-10 or so, so will probably have DM babysit still.

Technically Yes, either remove SPG and replace it with transmitter OR add transmitter to an additional HP port (only if one's available of course). No offense but you shouldn't be expecting your DM to "babysit" you

Didn't think of that - sounds like consoles come with the hose? Then, same thing: unscrew SPG, screw in your console? (again, if they're cool with it, I know....I might just be at the same dive shop, and if same couple guys are there, shouldn't be a problem)

Yes a console will come with a hose attached

Will get f/s/m for sure. I'll take a refresher locally before I go, but I'm still <10 dives, as I said, I'll make sure the DM is still managing things...that way, I'll be experimenting with/learning about the computer, but not relying on it just yet.

Again, really not trying to be preachy but you should be responsible for your own dives

Here's a thread from a few months ago with some similar discussions regarding AI vs non and attaching to rental reg sets.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/co...irst-computer-insight-wanted.html#post5754403

 

[tbone1004]

I'd hold off on an exposure suit, but a regulator is really the only essential piece of diving kit. Sure you can bare tank breathe, but not going there. So you can dive without a BC, and all bc's are essentially the same anyway, and they will vary, and have changed a lot over the years. Computers are not needed, but make repetitive dives easier. Exposure suits vary a lot depending on condition so if you only do a small amount of dives every year, and in varied locations it makes more sense to rent those. They also are rather expensive for the good ones.
Reg technology hasn't really changed in the last 30 years, but any experienced diver will tell you that breathing on a good working reg can make or break a dive. Knowing that you don't have to deal with leaking hoses or hose lengths that are off, or regs that are breathing really wet, etc make the dive much more comfortable for you. They are the one thing that can really last you the rest of your diving career. I have some regs that are twice as old as I am. If I had to pick two pieces of equipment to own, hands down, it would be a good mask, and a good reg set.
With the price I sent you for the XTX reg set, with the react pro, as well as the mask, is still under what most hosed AI computers are, and about half of what the wireless ones are...