Oceanic OCi vs Suuntu D4i - and some general questions

[Grilanda]

Heya divers!

I'll begin by saying that I pretty much went through every similar question in the forums before posting this.

So - the Oceanici and Suunto D4i are pretty much around the same price range at LeisurePro.
The main thing I can see going to the Oceanic is the built in compass (something I value). The Suuntu is available at a lower price and is generally very popular among divers I know (both that model and as a company).
The main thing Suuntu has going against it is the "conservative algorithm" issue. From my readings it seems that some people say it's not a real issue, while others claim it's a big pain on liveaboards/dive-safaris. The Suuntu also has the advantage that my local SCUBA gear shop sells it at a very similar price and I can go pick it up today rather than wait.

On another topic; Initially I was also very curious about the Atom 3.1 and Geo 2.0. They seem like a very good bang/buck ratio.
To be frank, I wasn't able to make out the differences between them (other than the Atom supporting three independent AI connections). Unlike Suuntu, Oceanic hasn't discovered the very useful product comparison feature

So, opinions?

Thanks!

 

[cashew]

Oceanic GEO 2.0 is a great dive computer if you do not need air-integrated. Lots of people have them and they are priced reasonably and look nice. I believe the face of the Atom 3.1 is significantly larger and/or has a higher profile than the GEO 2.0.

The OCi is a little "sleeker" looking in the interface (it has a dot matrix LCD that's easier to read) and is air-integrated compatible.

As for the built-in compass, it's helpful if you are just trying to get a general bearing, but I don't think I would try to use it for "real" navigation (unless you're willing to take off your computer and hold it out in front of you so it's in line with your body, and even then you might have trouble reading the screen). I tried using the built-in compass on my OCS (predecessor to OCi) recently and just found it to be really hard to follow while swimming since I had to constantly look down instead of "over" the top (as you can with a dedicated compass such as an SK8).

 

[Grilanda]

Oceanic GEO 2.0 is a great dive computer if you do not need air-integrated. Lots of people have them and they are priced reasonably and look nice. I believe the face of the Atom 3.1 is significantly larger and/or has a higher profile than the GEO 2.0.

The OCi is a little "sleeker" looking in the interface (it has a dot matrix LCD that's easier to read) and is air-integrated compatible.

As for the built-in compass, it's helpful if you are just trying to get a general bearing, but I don't think I would try to use it for "real" navigation (unless you're willing to take off your computer and hold it out in front of you so it's in line with your body, and even then you might have trouble reading the screen). I tried using the built-in compass on my OCS (predecessor to OCi) recently and just found it to be really hard to follow while swimming since I had to constantly look down instead of "over" the top (as you can with a dedicated compass such as an SK8).

Those are good tips.
I'd love to hear from other people regarding the OCi vs D4i question!

Thanks,
Nir

 

[scubadada]

Hi Grilanda,

I dive an Oceanic VT3 primary (5 yrs, >600 dives) and a Geo 2 backup (4 yrs, >500 dives), along with a SPG and a wrist compass. Both of these computers has performed flawlessly, battery changes are a cinch.

Your comparison between the OCi and the Suunto D4i makes me believe you want AI. Personally, I could not tolerate the Suunto proprietary RGBM decompression algorithm. Oceanic gives you the choice of DSAT and PZ+ (Buhlmann ZHL-16c). I dive DSAT for my no-stop dives. I am not a fan of digital compass (I also own a VT 4.1 my son mostly dives). The display of the 4.1 is marginally better than than my VT 3.

The Geo 2 is a great computer if you don't need AI, it would cost you $315 from LP with download cable. I would spend the extra $70 for the OCi complete at $750 over the Atom 3.1. The Suunto D4i would cost you $865 with transmitter and download cable. One caveat is that the OCi uses a 4 screw closure vs. the twist closure of the Atom 3.1 or Geo 2 and it is suggested that battery changes be done by dealer or factory, a negative in my book. I would likely still do the battery changes myself.

Best of luck in your computer purchase.

Good diving, Craig

 

[cashew]

Those are good tips.
I'd love to hear from other people regarding the OCi vs D4i question!

Thanks,
Nir

As I understand it, where you will see the real "conservatism" difference appear is on multiple dives across multiple days (for example a liveaboard trip). It is generally well-accepted that Suuntos (RGBM algorithm) are much more conservative than DSAT-based counterparts. Remember, when you are diving, you are always going to be diving to the most conservative computer. So while you may not see significant differences in one or two dives, you will see the differences if you are doing 3 or 4 dives over 3-5 days. Here is a helpful article that has a comparison graph you might find useful: Oceanic Dual Algorithm | Simply Scuba Blog

 

[scubadada]

If you are not in a hurry, you may want to wait for the new line of Aqua Lung computers for 2016. Aqua Lung bought Pelagic Pressure Systems from American Underwater Products (parent of Oceanic, Hollis...) and split from Suunto. The new computers will be from PPS, same OEM as Oceanic, .et. al.

 

[DewTheDewDude]

If you are not in a hurry, you may want to wait for the new line of Aqua Lung computers for 2016. Aqua Lung bought Pelagic Pressure Systems from American Underwater Products (parent of Oceanic, Hollis...) and split from Suunto. The new computers will be from PPS, same OEM as Oceanic, .et. al.

When do they typically release the 2016 models? January? Was hoping to pick up a computer for cyber monday, but am willing to wait to see the next gen.

 

[scubadada]

When do they typically release the 2016 models? January? Was hoping to pick up a computer for cyber monday, but am willing to wait to see the next gen.

Wish I knew. In the Aqua Lung announcement, they stated they would be sharing details with their dealers in the "fall'' Announcements I'm hoping to hear something from DEMA

 

[dmaziuk]

When do they typically release the 2016 models? January? Was hoping to pick up a computer for cyber monday, but am willing to wait to see the next gen.

I doubt you'll see much more than what you can do already with a cellphone with UW case and DiveNav's app. At a price tag of iPon 7X. It might prompt the liquidation sale on "last gen" models, though, with better than Black Friday prices.

 

[TT_Vert]

I can tell you with 100% certainty the suunto algorithm will be a pain on back to back days of deep dives. I have run into it just this week as this location (Puerto Rico) has some deeper dives (80-100'). So we would do a dive to about 105' max (average around 60) for about 60 minutes and after an hour or so on the surface I found myself always having to ascend to stay out of deco. I could drop to 50' for about 20 minutes then I'd have a deco obligation. So with this i was forced to stay up quite a bit higher than everyone else who had oceanic computers. In comparison I'd be 1 minute from deco and the oceanic computers would have over 25 minutes of no deco time. The second dive day got even worse to the point where I'd have to sit on the surface for over an hour and a half to even have 60 minutes at 60' for a second dive (Based on a 80-90' 1st dive for 50 minutes). What I found odd was 2' literally gave me 20-30 minutes of no deco time. IE I'd be at 42' and have 2 minutes of no deco time then I'd go up to 35' and i'd have 23 minutes. These guides are using the oceanic and diving quite a bit more than me and they're still alive and kicking so I think it's safe to say for us rec divers their algorithms won't kill me and I'll be able to enjoy more of my dive rather than watching everyone else from above.