POLL: What was your first dive computer and would you buy it again?

[StefinSB]

1. Suunto Zoop
2. No, due to poor software and non existent customer support.

 

[scubadada]

I was given a Genesis React Pro I think? Was in a dive shops junk bin, definitely wouldn't recommend, GUI wasn't bad, computer worked very well, but wouldn't recommend a computer that doesn't do decompression. It does have gauge mode though which puts it above the Zoop and some other recreational computer. Any computer without Gauge mode is not worth even considering. I've put many hours on Zoops to have the same profile as students I was working with and it is an abysmal computer

Next was a Cressi Archimede II which is the same as the Nitek Duo, Apeks Quantum, Tusa IQ and a slew of others made by Seiko. Was a wonderful little computer and took me through full cave training. Still recommend people one of those used since you can grab them for $100 or so, gets mixed gas/deco and can be used in gauge mode. Only downfall is you have to hit the backlight to get it to be seen in the dark. Not a huge deal, but something to consider. There's a Nitek Duo on ebay with bungee mount for $100 right now, killer deal for anyone looking.

Using a Petrel now.

Recommendation would be as follows for new divers
Avoid consoles, avoid anything without Gauge mode, avoid anything without decompression/2 gas, avoid AI. Make sure it hits the first two minimu and there is no diving you could do that would render that computer a paperweight. If it does the first three, wrist mount, and gauge mode, with 2 gas decompression, it will do 98% of the dives being done throughout the world including most technical diving. 2 gas deco is most of what is being done, and in gauge mode you can use it as a sanity check for trimix/CCR diving.
If you are doing a lot of travel diving, then I would recommend a true watch style computer that hits the above criteria. Going to be a bit more expensive than some of the larger "puck styles" and potentially a bit harder to read if you need cheaters to read a normal watch, but when you're travelling it allows you to keep the easiest piece of gear to have stolen on your body through the whole trip. Oceanic Geo 2.0 would fit quite nicely into this category. The old Nitek Plus was great as well, but has been discontinued for a while now

+1 for the Geo2. Was recently on sale for $300, a great deal, now back to usual $400, still pretty competitive though you must buy a download cable for $80-90

 

[DiveNav]

1. What was your first dive computer? (brand/model)..

Oceanic Prodigy

2. Would you have bought it again as your first? ...

They don't make it anymore.
But, if I could go back 20 years (and become much younger ) I would buy it again as a "first computer".

Whatever brand/model you end up purchasing, make sure you learn how to properly use it.

 

[DiveNav]

The Orca EDGE, about 1984- I wish I still had it, .....

If you want you can do a virtual dive with an Orca EDGE using our eDiving simulator

​

 

[Diver0001]

1. What was your first dive computer? (brand/model)

It was one from Genesis. I don't remember the model exactly. It might have been called "escort". It was one of those square bricks that they don't sell anymore. I believe Oceanic may have been the OEM. It was air integrated.

2. Would you have bought it again as your first?

If you mean would I buy THAT particular computer given the options available to me today? No.

If you mean given the same circumstances would I buy the same computer today knowing what I know now? No. I don't have anything against Genesis and/or Oceanic but where I live now I can't get them serviced easily. That would be a big consideration for me today. Moreover, in having had an air integrated computer, I don't believe that air integration is good value for money. This is, of course a matter of personal preference and opinions about this differ. Finally, my diving is different. I sold the Genesis because it was an air-only computer and I wanted to buy a mixed gas computer. The one I chose was Suunto and I as long as it keeps working I don't think I'll ever sell it. At the point I'm at now I would like to buy a computer with an OLED screen and functionality for trimix but I'm hesitating due to the cost.

R..

 

[drbill]

ORCA Skinny Dipper... and I still have it but it is ancient! Don't use it since batteries are not easy to come by and I have far more modern ones!

Next one was a Uwatec Aladin Pro. Loved the display (very readable for this old geezer) but the battery had to be factory replaced and the first battery failed when the battery life indicator said 38% left.

I think the next one was a Uwatec Aladin Tec 2G followed quickly by a Dive Rite Nitek Duo. After the failure of the previous computer (on a 28 min deco stop), I started wearing two for redundancy. Loved both of them but they were both stolen.

Got a Uwatec Aladin 2G and a Dive Rite Nitek Trio after they were stolen. Still use the Aladin 2G although it is more difficult to read the screen. Went through two Nitek Trios and another Nitek Duo. Wouldn't recommend any dive computer made by Seiko after that experience (not just the Dive Rite versions, but all the others). Three out of four of my Seiko-made Niteks failed on me. Fortunately Seiko is no longer in the dive computer business.

 

[ThePetiteRunner]

Thank you so much to all that have posted so far! It's really great information and I appreciate everyone's insights. As many of you have said, the field of dive computers out there is SO huge and variable, so hearing what has worked for people and what was a total waste, has been enormously helpful.

Thanks and keep 'em coming!

 

[Diver0001]

Thank you so much to all that have posted so far! It's really great information and I appreciate everyone's insights. As many of you have said, the field of dive computers out there is SO huge and variable, so hearing what has worked for people and what was a total waste, has been enormously helpful.

Thanks and keep 'em coming!

Ok, now your turn.

Most new (active) divers buy a computer but few think it through like you are. What's up with that?

R..

 

[ThePetiteRunner]

Ok, now your turn.

Most new (active) divers buy a computer but few think it through like you are. What's up with that?

R..

Hah! Well. It's mostly because I know what I don't know and I'm not ashamed to admit it. And if I had an unlimited supply of money to throw at the problem, I'd probably just go buy the flashiest, prettiest looking thing I could find at my local dive store. Since I don't, I'd rather make an educated decision now and save myself the financial pains later.

Besides, the divers here on Scuba board have always been SO generous and enormously helpful, I thought it would be better to just ask and see what people's experiences were/are. This method has yet to fail me.

 

[tkdgodess]

Oceanic data max sport. One button. Forget to press the button and turn it on before you splash, no computer. It was used, $100 in 1996. Thats all the money i could afford.

I was envious of my friend who had a suunto solution or favor iirc.


The oceanic still works.