Novice Buyer - Dive Computers/Watches
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Theunis
Contributor
I am diving with a Dacor Darwin wrist computer. You can replace the batteries yourself and it has Nitrox settings as well. It is accurate and cost about $300.
For a diving watch I recommend the Poseidon Professional 500m watch. It has a yellow face and it is rugged. It cost about $150.
For a diving watch I recommend the Poseidon Professional 500m watch. It has a yellow face and it is rugged. It cost about $150.
The actual "computer" part are made by only a few companies and then these are integrated into various scuba manufacturers watch.
Suunto is a major player and has been described to have a "conservative" algorithm. "Better safe than sorry" applies here. Conservative or not, I have been able to safely make 50-60 minute dives with depth down to 40meters(not staying at that depth long, of course) within the computers limits.(Blue Hole in Guam) I think that is more than adequate for recreational divers.
Many others use a Seiko computer model. These include TUSA IQ-700, Dive-Rite Nitek Duo, APEk Quantum, Cressi Archimedes. These computers are all identical with different brand names. Check it out if you don't believe me.
I have two computers- Suunto Mosquito and Tusa IQ-700. I like them both. They both have backlights(for night diving or diving in caves/wrecks), user replacable batteries, and support nitrox diving(you may not need it now, but nice option for the future). They also both have an option for synching data to a PC. Difference is Mosquito is small enough to pass for a daily watch and IQ-700 has a large screen(I like it better for diving). Both are under $400(I bought both of mine new for $300 in Japan). Mosquito was recently discontinued, but you can still find some on the market.
I have both for a few reasons. One is to save a dive if one fails. Other reason is that it is good to have the same computer type as your buddy due to the different algorithms. But if you don't, you should always dive according to the more conservative computer between you and your buddy.
Someone mentioned Gekko. That is a good computer, but has no backlight. Otherwise it is basically the same as other Suuntos without the pc-interface. If you don't need a light that would be fine.
Suunto is a major player and has been described to have a "conservative" algorithm. "Better safe than sorry" applies here. Conservative or not, I have been able to safely make 50-60 minute dives with depth down to 40meters(not staying at that depth long, of course) within the computers limits.(Blue Hole in Guam) I think that is more than adequate for recreational divers.
Many others use a Seiko computer model. These include TUSA IQ-700, Dive-Rite Nitek Duo, APEk Quantum, Cressi Archimedes. These computers are all identical with different brand names. Check it out if you don't believe me.
I have two computers- Suunto Mosquito and Tusa IQ-700. I like them both. They both have backlights(for night diving or diving in caves/wrecks), user replacable batteries, and support nitrox diving(you may not need it now, but nice option for the future). They also both have an option for synching data to a PC. Difference is Mosquito is small enough to pass for a daily watch and IQ-700 has a large screen(I like it better for diving). Both are under $400(I bought both of mine new for $300 in Japan). Mosquito was recently discontinued, but you can still find some on the market.
I have both for a few reasons. One is to save a dive if one fails. Other reason is that it is good to have the same computer type as your buddy due to the different algorithms. But if you don't, you should always dive according to the more conservative computer between you and your buddy.
Someone mentioned Gekko. That is a good computer, but has no backlight. Otherwise it is basically the same as other Suuntos without the pc-interface. If you don't need a light that would be fine.
Bratface
Contributor
As far as watches go, buy a Citizens. I recently had to have mine serviced and the watch repair guy (master jeweler) said that Citizens are superior to the others. Mine has been reliable, just needed the crown screw replaced.
For computers, you've gotten a lot of good advice. I dive with two computers, both Nitrox capable. One is kept on a retractor in a small pocket on my BC, and my primary one is wrist mounted. I wear my watch on my left wrist and my computer on the right.
Go to your local dive shop and ask questions about the computers, try them on, be sure you are able to easily read the numbers and make sure you understand how it operates.
For computers, you've gotten a lot of good advice. I dive with two computers, both Nitrox capable. One is kept on a retractor in a small pocket on my BC, and my primary one is wrist mounted. I wear my watch on my left wrist and my computer on the right.
Go to your local dive shop and ask questions about the computers, try them on, be sure you are able to easily read the numbers and make sure you understand how it operates.
alchemist117
Contributor
I do like my Suunto Mosquito. Undated now to the D4
imasinker
Contributor
Alot of pro's and con's. Firstly you may want to get a computer you can grow with your diving. I suggest a nitrox capable computer. Air integrated is nice but maybe a bit out of your price range at about 500.00 to 700.00. An analog spg and wrist computer would be a bit cheaper and easier. Again it depends on your type of diving. You will recieve many recommendations as to name brands, but as I have stated in simular posts, some people drive G.M some Nissan, some Crysler it all comes down to your preference. Get a computer thats easy to use and read. My first computer was an air integrated Suunto Cobra 2. I love it. It has diver profiles, history, logs, simulator, nitrox switching and two mix settings, tank pressure, depth, dive time, date and time, compass, a back light screen, no fly time, ascent and decsent rate and downloadable to your computer. I pretty much use everything. It is a very conservative computer but you can make it less conservative if you choose to. I hardly had to read the manual to learn it's functions and at a price of $700.00 Canadian It was worth it. Now saying that I also have a wrist mount Gekko also made by Suunto. Other than a back light tank pressure and compass it has everything else the Cobra 2 has at a much cheaper price of 250.00 Canadian. Both are very easy to read. Take your time look around ask and have fun shopping.
Good luck and enjoy diving!
Good luck and enjoy diving!
I recently have had a chance to look more closely at a number of wrist mounted computers.
As a good, easy to use "entry level" wrist mounted Nitrox capable computer I would recommend the Aeris XR1NX. I would say that it competes almost face to face with the Gekko but is a much more modern design and has interesting user friendly specs that the gekko does not have.
At the top end of the line you have the Epic but also the Elite T3 for somebody who wants a bigger read display.
On the subject of conservative dive computers, the Oceanic Atom 2.0 and VT3 and the Aeris Epic and Elite T3 allow you turn on or off that feature "the Conservative Factor" which reduces the NDL limits to those available at the next 3000ft, 915 meter altitudes. So these are computers that you can grow into, that allow you to be consevative for now and perhaps less conservative further on.
A lot of this comes down to whether you are "tekkie" or just want to jump into the water and go. If you like technical gear and reading manuals and getting the most out of a computer then the high range Aeris/Oceanic is the way to go. Otherwise stick to smoething easy like a Gekko or an XR1NX. for most recreational divers they do more than enough.
As a good, easy to use "entry level" wrist mounted Nitrox capable computer I would recommend the Aeris XR1NX. I would say that it competes almost face to face with the Gekko but is a much more modern design and has interesting user friendly specs that the gekko does not have.
At the top end of the line you have the Epic but also the Elite T3 for somebody who wants a bigger read display.
On the subject of conservative dive computers, the Oceanic Atom 2.0 and VT3 and the Aeris Epic and Elite T3 allow you turn on or off that feature "the Conservative Factor" which reduces the NDL limits to those available at the next 3000ft, 915 meter altitudes. So these are computers that you can grow into, that allow you to be consevative for now and perhaps less conservative further on.
A lot of this comes down to whether you are "tekkie" or just want to jump into the water and go. If you like technical gear and reading manuals and getting the most out of a computer then the high range Aeris/Oceanic is the way to go. Otherwise stick to smoething easy like a Gekko or an XR1NX. for most recreational divers they do more than enough.
imasinker
Contributor
Well said.. I agree, but! Being a new diver in my opinion a conservative computer may be the best for beginners who are likely to make mistakes planning or using the NDL or not properly implimenting safety stops. I agree with leapfrog that perhaps in time if you desire to become more technical with TRAINNING adjusting these conservative settings is something you can do. All the above computers he has mentioned are great computers I can only speak on mine because they are all I have used, and have worked well.
The Seiko based computers are solid performers and Zeagle should be added to the list. Here's a link to Cressi's online demo for the Archimedes which is a Seiko based unit, so it's very similar to the others just some minor visual differences. This is what I use and feel it is a good, easy to use, inexpensive, and able to grow with computer. Multimedia
As for liberal or conservative, it appears most manufacturers are conservative. If you go by the Scuba Diving Mag reviews most that are conservative are all very close to one another and the liberals are all very similar. Everyone likes what they have so they all must work fairly well.
As for watches, I am very happy with my St Moritz. Well made watches. They will also extend the warranty if you send them in every 2 years to be serviced. They will do this twice. Sending it in gets the battery changed and seals replaced plus they will check it to make sure it'll hold up at depth. Great looking watches too. I went with the Aquamatic as a treat for myself with everything that had been going on at the time.
As for liberal or conservative, it appears most manufacturers are conservative. If you go by the Scuba Diving Mag reviews most that are conservative are all very close to one another and the liberals are all very similar. Everyone likes what they have so they all must work fairly well.
As for watches, I am very happy with my St Moritz. Well made watches. They will also extend the warranty if you send them in every 2 years to be serviced. They will do this twice. Sending it in gets the battery changed and seals replaced plus they will check it to make sure it'll hold up at depth. Great looking watches too. I went with the Aquamatic as a treat for myself with everything that had been going on at the time.
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