Pondering different console configurations

[freedc]

What experiences do people have with mini-gauge consoles, consoles with instruments on front and back (instead of in-line), and wrist-mounted or retractor-mounted compass configurations?

I have a watch computer (not AI) and a really old 3-gauge inline console that needs to be replaced. Should I go with a low-profile, two-gauge console?

I'm thinking that it would be good to have a backup depth gauge in addition to my watch. Would others dive iwth just the depth on the watch and no analog indicator?

Would you recommend taking the compass off the console? I figure that I'll rarely rely on my compass on vacation dives with a group & DM and heavily rely on it for my quarry dives.

How do people who use retractable or wrist compasses like them?

 

[Bossman]

I'm sure there are people that dive without an analog backup, and some will tell you it's fine. I believe in the philosophy of redundancy, and dive with a wrist computer and analog console backup. My console is a Zeagle Co-Pilot slimline, it has the pressure and depth gauge on the front and swivels for the compass on the back. Another option is the two gauge console with a hose mounted or retractable compass. Unless you are doing a dive where you know compass nav is necessary, I wouldn't recommend the wrist mounted compass when you already have a dive watch. I don't like the consoles with the inline compass, they are too bulky IMO.

I wear my dive watch on my right hand, and I think that using the console compass with my left hand is easier than wrist mount because I'm already using the console to check air etc.

 

[*dave*]

What experiences do people have with mini-gauge consoles, consoles with instruments on front and back (instead of in-line), and wrist-mounted or retractor-mounted compass configurations?

I have a watch computer (not AI) and a really old 3-gauge inline console that needs to be replaced. Should I go with a low-profile, two-gauge console?

I'm thinking that it would be good to have a backup depth gauge in addition to my watch. Would others dive iwth just the depth on the watch and no analog indicator?

Would you recommend taking the compass off the console? I figure that I'll rarely rely on my compass on vacation dives with a group & DM and heavily rely on it for my quarry dives.

How do people who use retractable or wrist compasses like them?

Are you really set on a console? I ask because I used a console for years before switching to wrist mounts and would never go back. With wrist mount, your dive data is right in front of you and allows you to maintain focus on what's going on.

At the very least, I'd move the compass off the console and onto your left wrist. Many people drift off course when navigating with a console, because there can be a pull to the left caused by the HP hose.

 

[ONESPEED]

i ask because i used a console for years before switching to wrist mounts and would never go back.

+1 ...

 

[rongoodman]

Compass on left arm, computer/bottom timer on right, and a naked SPG on your HP hose, clipped off someplace where it won't dangle(usually a D-ring on the left side of the waist belt).

 

[elan]

What experiences do people have with mini-gauge consoles, consoles with instruments on front and back (instead of in-line), and wrist-mounted or retractor-mounted compass configurations?

I have a watch computer (not AI) and a really old 3-gauge inline console that needs to be replaced. Should I go with a low-profile, two-gauge console?

I'm thinking that it would be good to have a backup depth gauge in addition to my watch. Would others dive iwth just the depth on the watch and no analog indicator?

Would you recommend taking the compass off the console? I figure that I'll rarely rely on my compass on vacation dives with a group & DM and heavily rely on it for my quarry dives.

How do people who use retractable or wrist compasses like them?

IMHO you do not need a backup depth gauge. In the unlikely event your primary dies you have your buddy who has another gauge, and you will be going up anyways. You do not need the gauge to surface, you can judge the ascend rate w/o the gauge. You are doing recreational diving so the safety stop is not mandatory, you can even hold the stop if necessary and determine the depth by looking at the surface visibility permitting

 

[TSandM]

I also use wrist-mounted gauges. Using a compass on your wrist has advantages and disadvantages. It's easy to get to and to see, but it's more difficult to get it precisely lined up in front of you. The good news is that I have never in the last five years done a dive where that kind of accuracy is required. A general heading has always been enough, and five degrees off just hasn't been an issue.

If I did some kind of diving where I needed that kind of accuracy, I'd put the compass on a retractor and clip it to me, so that it could be brought out and held directly in front of me.

I really dislike depth gauges on a console, because I like my depth gauge on my wrist in front of me when I'm ascending. Having a console means I either have to figure out how to clip it where I can see it, or I have to hold it, making use of the inflator to dump more difficult. Of course, most people use a computer for a depth gauge, and like air integration -- which, in a wrist mounted gauge, means a transmitter and significantly increases the cost. One solution is to wear a depth gauge on the wrist, and a console-type computer to read air (which is what my husband does). But you still have to pull the console up to check your gas, so why not use a much more inexpensive SPG, and put your depth and decompression information on your wrist?

 

[Teamcasa]

What experiences do people have with mini-gauge consoles, consoles with instruments on front and back (instead of in-line), and wrist-mounted or retractor-mounted compass configurations?

I use a Oceanic ProPlus 2 console. No compass. It is fine for my diving needs and has large, easy to read numbers. It's clipped off close and does not dangle. I use a wrist mounted compass.

I have a watch computer (not AI) and a really old 3-gauge inline console that needs to be replaced. Should I go with a low-profile, two-gauge console?

If you already have a wrist computer, just get a simple SPG and be done with it.

I'm thinking that it would be good to have a backup depth gauge in addition to my watch. Would others dive iwth just the depth on the watch and no analog indicator?

I also use a Citizen Agualand as a backup depth gauge and dive log. Perfect!

Would you recommend taking the compass off the console? I figure that I'll rarely rely on my compass on vacation dives with a group & DM and heavily rely on it for my quarry dives.

Yes.

How do people who use retractable or wrist compasses like them?

Wrist is much simpler to use and takes up less space in the dive bag.

 

[scjoe]

I don't use a console, but I see some people with them that mount them on retractors on their right shoulder. It places a hose across their chest, but it seems to work for them. I am not sure whether they can glance at the console without pulling it out, but they can use their right hand to pull it out leaving their left hand free to control their b/c.

 

[on_two_wheels]

Here's my take:

I don't see the need redundant depth gauges. If I have a gauge failure, I'll end the dive. If I have a failure and no buddy (highly unlikely), I'll still do a stop at least very close to 15 feet. I'd probably wait longer just to be safe if it was originally a deeper dive. If you have two depth gauges and one fails, will you end the dive? If not, then you're obviously comfy diving with only one. So just start with one and IF a gauge fails just end the dive, fix the problem and dive another day. Not a big deal.

One thing I absolutely will always have is an analog SPG. If I have a failure I still want to know how much gas I have available. I'll still end the dive but will surface/safety stop in a nice, relaxed way knowing I've got the gas to do so.

Personally, I love my hoseless computer on the right wrist, compass on the left and SPG clipped to my harness. I used to have a console attached to a retractor. I admit, I did love that set up but realized I watch my gauges more now that they're on my wrist and in front of me the whole time. No movements needed to check them.