Old guy needs an air integrated computer that he can READ!

[JohnN]

I haven't had any issue with my Ratio computer at all so far. Way back when they first started few years ago, there may have been issues (I only seen a couple of complaints here), but nothing I know about now. I say this based on my own experience and what some friends who own it told me.

You may be right about some of the Italian cars, but remember that many of the top brands in scuba diving have their regulators, gauges, BC's, cylinders, MFS's made in Italy and they are the best in what they do.

Thanks. Checking with the local Ratio distributor when they open later today

 

[John Bantin]

Scubapro Galileo with the right screen option can be read by anyone provided they don't have a seeing-eye dog!

 

[Carlos Danger]

My vision is not that bad and yes I have prescription masks. I just don’t like any of the dive computers that Pete @The Chairman has given me to try through the years. I would like it to be air integrated. I looked at the Oceanic Pro that Meg @aquacat8 had at the Mega Dive this weekend. Who else makes something with a large display like that I should consider?

Agree with John,

I currently dive the Galileo, which has a number of display modes (detailed to basic). I leave mine in Basic Mode mostly because of the big easy-to-read graphics, and also because I only do recreational diving and don't really need/want to see all the other busy stuff it is capable of displaying. Love the algorithm as well.

If I were in the market for a new wireless AI computer, I would probably go with the Shearwater Perdix which has a nice Nitrox Recreational Mode that looks pretty easy to read, or maybe the new Scubapro G2.


Hope this helps!

 

[Moose]

Thanks for the info. I am looking at all of the suggestions. I really like the AI integration idea and not having anything on my wrist.

 

[arew+4]

Oceanic PP3, you will not regret it.

 

[Kharon]

I say this having had some experience with Italian cars. Beautiful to look at, wonderful to drive (when they run), crap for reliability

I have found the Mares Icon (Italian made) to be completely reliable. My old Fiat - not so much.

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

My 2 cents. I am 60 years old and have aging eyes. I am a recreational active diver (25 to 60 dives per year).

I saw just now you had a prescription mask. If you still want a large screen, then a big +1 for the Galileo Sol or Luna for a wrist mount, and the Oceanic Pro Plus for a hose mount. Personally I dive the Sol (I like wrist mount) and it is easily readable even without my prescription mask.

I find color screens to be smaller in size, and so their fonts are also smaller and harder to read in sharp focus even with the advantage of brightness and contrast. One of the best is the new Galileo 2 in 'light" mode, where it only shows depth, time, tank pressure, and time remaining. Easy to understand at a glance even with the smaller format. Not sure I could read even that without the prescription, however, where I can with the "older" Galileos (which, by the way, are perfectly fine and up to date computers).

The Shearwater is not quite as good as far as readability. Even in "rec" mode it displays more information than needed and so the fonts shrink accordingly and it is not so understandable "at a glance" as the G2. Definitely need a prescription mask for it, as it seems you have found out. As an aside, the Shearwater AI is not quite up to Scubapro or Oceanic standards, as it does not account for your safety stop in the gas time remaining calculation.

I have no experience with the Mares Icon, but the battery life seems quite poor and they are not widely used here in S. Fla. even thought they are widely available.

This is just my experience comparing readabiliity. I won't get into discussions about the "best" algorithm, user changeable versus rechargeable batteries, etc. All of these can be adapted to once you have the computer. As for algorithms, all are safe, and whether you want a more or less conservative one is up to you.

 

[undrwater]

@Moose has stated he has prescription masks and is still having difficulties.

Vision can be a tricky thing. Magnification may not be the answer.

@Moose, can you be a bit more descriptive with how your vision works (how you see), and what specifically is making it difficult to see the computer screen (blurry, contrast, small). If you have analogous experiences outside scuba, that might help.

 

[Johanan]

I used to have a Mares Icon HD, and I considered getting a prescription mask. Now I use a Perdix AI and don't need such mask. Somehow the bright digits on a black screen reed beter than vice versa.

 

[Kharon]

I used to have a Mares Icon HD, and I considered getting a prescription mask. Now I use a Perdix AI and don't need such mask. Somehow the bright digits on a black screen reed beter than vice versa.

The Icon in "night mode" has white digits on a black background. Alerts and tank level are color and that shows up very well against black.