Oceanic geo 2 vs Mares Smart vs Aeries A300

[Nakitraveller]

Hi all,

too much choice theses days! Need some help deciding which dive computer to purchase. Am a recreational diver but going for my Divemaster next week and want a reliable DC for that. May take my qualifications further but not at this stage.

any pros/cons on the following three dive computers that I can't seem to choose between?

Aeries A300 (merged with Oceanic...any issues with this in terms of warranty?)
oceanic Geo 2
Mares Smart

thanks!

 

[buddhasummer]

You'll have no warranty issues, Oceanic being the parent company will honor Aeris branded gear. Of those you've listed I'd choose the Geo.

 

[scubadada]

The Oceanic Geo 2 and the Aeris A300 are both dual algorithm and run DSAT and Buhlmann. They currently cost about the same, I found $300 and $290 respectfully and both would need a download cable, about $90. The Aeris brand has been discontinued by American Underwater Products, who also owns Oceanic. I would not expect problems with support. I have dived a Geo 2 along with a SPG as backup to my primary VT3 for 4 years/nearly 500 dives. It's a fine computer, no problems, on my 3rd battery.

The Mares Smart runs a proprietary version of RGBM and is considered more conservative. Appears it is a bit more expensive, I found $399 plus a $75 download cable.

Good luck on your computer decision.

 

[dmaziuk]

The Oceanic Geo 2 and the Aeris A300 are both dual algorithm and run DSAT and Buhlmann. They currently cost about the same, I found $300 and $290 ...

Where'd you look? -- amazon has a300 for $199.99, if I were buying a dc on a budget today that's what I'd get. (Of course, prices can be different where OP is.)

 

[Water Boy76]

I don't think you can go wrong with the Oceanic or Aeris. My Geo 2 has served me well.

 

[Asteve]

I went with the Aeris A300 due to price but had been looking at the Geo 2 because of 3 lines of information display, only 2 lines for the Aeris A300.

 

[dmaziuk]

I went with the Aeris A300 due to price but had been looking at the Geo 2 because of 3 lines of information display, only 2 lines for the Aeris A300.

Some of us consider only 2 lines on a watch-sized screen a plus...

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I have the Aeris CS A300. All the bugs haven't been worked out. I've had 4 failures so far. When it works, it is great. I love the OLED screen. Just the reliability isn't great and neither is the battery life.

 

[morey000]

the A300- isn't that a larger, puck sized unit? the Geo2 and the Mares Smart are watch sized. So- I am presuming that you're looking for one that you can wear as a watch. if you're young and your eyes are good- I prefer these for a simple dive computer. As- it's one less thing to take with you... it's already on your wrist. Plus- they're more rugged than the plastic puck sized basic computers, as they have glass or crystal screens and metal bezels.

Anyway- I picked up a Mares Smart this spring and have used it a few times. It's pretty straightforward to use, easy to figure out what's going on. it does have 3 levels of conservatism. I have simple needs tho'. Just a vacation diver. the geo2 looks equally as nice.

you basically pay $100 more for the watch sized packaging... but you get more rugged packaging than the various pucks that are out there.

 

[Nakitraveller]

Thanks everyone for your input, much appreciated!

Am young so eyesight is not an issue, however I don't usually wear watches so not too worried about the look...will probably be strictly for diving. I just don't want to have to go through the cost of replacing the DC again in a years time if I decide to invest more in my diving career and not having a DC suffice for that.

Asteve, have you had any issues with your A300?

wetb4igetinthewater, what kind of bugs? And is there any reason why they can't fix them?