Oceanic XTC100 Or Sunnto Vyper

[Honkeye]

Hello All.
Is there any one out there that has any advice on wich computer to buy the XTC100 or Vyper, i can get both at the same price so cost is not the issue. I dive UK waters so cold normally in Dry suit, also dive at night some times. I know there is a lot of computer stuff already posted but to a newbie its all a bit to much information. I already have a Oceanic prodigy and like it but there is not back light or PC link. The local Oceanic dealer in the area seems to have a bit of a bad reputation as well this swings me more to the Sunnto dealer, But some of the posts about the Sunnto put me of.

I JUST DONT KNOW.

Help.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Diverl]

Honkeye

I have an Oceanic XTC100 and I really like it.

Positives:
The display is very easy to read, large icons.
Backlight is very good at night.
The nitrogen and oxygen loading graphs are separate (I really like this for repetitive Nitrox dives).
Will give no decompression times even at shallow depths.
User adjustable alarms.
PC Download works well.
Large push buttons are easy to use even with thick gloves on.
Has built in limited decompression mode. (Should not have to use but accidents seem to happen!) You must really exceed the decompression limits and ignore the decompression advice given by the computer to go have the computer pass into gauge mode.

Negatives:
Only comes in a wrist mount configuration. (I prefer this but some people do not).
Computer log will only hold ten dives; however will keep track of 100 in memory to download. I have found that ten dives is more than enough freedom to make many several dives before I to log the dives.

I looked at several computers before I decided on the Oceanic XTC-100 and some of the deciding factors for me were; large well planned display, easy to use push buttons, the excellent backlight and the wrist mount. For me there was no down side to the Oceanic XTC-100!

If you are looking for more information on the Sunnoto Vyper computer there is a good article on the Rhodales Scuba Diving Web Site:

http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/compshootout/#review

Hope this Helps!

 

[large_diver]

I'll give one vote for the Vyper:

Try this thread -- it includes some good discussion on the Suunto Vyper and Cobra as well as links to other recent Vyper discussions on scubadiving.com:
http://www.scubadiving.com/talk/read.php?f=1&i=340377&t=340377

I wrote a brief Vyper review on this thread as follows:
-----------------------------------------------------------
First of all, for anyone looking for technical data on Suunto computers, you can download the manuals at sea-quest.com. Here is the link:

http://www.sea-quest.com

There is also a nice feature on this site that allows you to run a demo right on the screen of your PC -- look about halfway down this page for the "Download a demo" link:

http://www.sea-quest.com/pages/dcomp/dc_vyper.html

I own a Vyper, although I only have about 10 dives on it. I wear it via a wrist mount. Here is my brief assessment:

THINGS I LIKE:
- Large, easy to read display -- main screen features current depth, max depth, elapsed dive time, temp and consumed bottom time (as % of remainaing NDL). Also has a graphic/bar chart display for % of NDL time "used" and ascent rate
- Automatically turns on when you enter the water
- User-changeable batteries
- Low battery warning signal
- Back-lighting feature on display -- can be set to 5 or 30 second duration
- Conservative -- Suunto computers are consistently rated as one of the more conservative (regarding NDLs and ascent rates) dive computers -- I LIKE THIS (some folks find it bothersome). Ascent rate monitor wants you to adhere to a 30 feet or less per minute asent rate or it will start to "get mad" at you. Again -- conservatism like this is GOOD IMHO. More aggressive divers trying to squeeze every last minute of NDL out of their dives may find in too restrictive.
- User defineable conservatism ("standard" setting is conservative vs. most other computers, but you can make it even more so if desired)
- Imperial or metric
- PC downloadable
- Dive log feature that lets you review past dives without having to screw around with a PC download -- gives you max depth, avg. depth, time, temp at max depth, surface interval on multiple dives as well as the ability to run a "speeded-up" look at how your depth profile was curing the entire dive
- Built in safety stop feature
- Flashing warning light if you ascend too fast
- Air, Nitrox or Gauge modes

THINGS I DON'T LIKE
- Menus for choosing settings are sometimes slightly confusing, but this is not an issue when you are diving, and if you have the manual or the "cheat sheet" with you, it's no problem.
- Plastic face guard sometimes makes reading it at night difficult if you shine a light directly at it....this is not a big deal, just takes a little getting used to (and may not be unique to Suunto). It's just a matter of having the computer on the outside fringe of the flashlight's beam when you look at it.

All in all, I give it a thumbs up -- definitely worth a look.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[rjchandler]

Have one of each betwenme and my buddy. The differences as I see it:

1. Vyper is more conservative. You can get a 10 min NDL difference for repetitive dives.

2. Vyper gives more info in log mode on the computer. The log software is much better than the Oceanic. IMHO

3. XTC is easier to read.

4. XTC defaults to 50% O2after each dive. Or it did . This may have been changed. The Vyper does not.

 

[wheezy]

Hummmm???

Eeenie meenie miney moe... I don't think you could go wrong with either one. HOWEVER... I'm a big COBRA fan (one of these day's I'll actually own one for myself $$$ damn budget)

Seriously though,,, don't really know much about the XTC but the Vyper is a great unit (lots of people use them at my LDS... that and the Cobra like I said)

Good Luck