reason for two computers??

[ShakaZulu]

Yes, just in case your brain stop working........

 

[BigJetDriver]

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[Kestrell]

OK - tell me - you're on a dive, and you look down at your wrist to check your depth. One computer says 88 feet, the other says 109 feet.

What are you checking as a reference to figure out which one right?

In my case, my SPG. Not that I dive with two computers. I might consider it on vacation with a week of multiple dive days though, just to have a back up. I'd be sure to get similar models though; like now I have an Aeris Elite, so I could pick up an Atmos2 and I will have a primary and a back up with the same progam, limits, and basic functions.

Additionally I think there needs to be some understanding that there really isn't a better way to dive, when you are talking about general recreational diving; computer vs bottom timer. It all depends on the diver and his behavior. If you know yourself, know your equipment, follow your training, and use common sense both are just as safe.

 

[Wristshot]

Not going to get into the above listed arguments. How about a slightly different perspective?

I have two computers, but I only use one at a time. Normally one is just fine for me and my recreational dives. However, if I am ever somewhere far from home and my computer dies, I can do more dives later with the backup. Sure, I end the dive I am on, and cancel any more until I can get to the backup, but I lose the dive (or two) not the rest of the trip. Part of my thinking is that if I am in BFE or on a liveaboard, I have an adequate backup.

Since both of my computer (consoles) have the same quick disconnect, I can switch easily from one to the other. In addition, my buddy has a higher end model from the same manufacturer with the same QD, so my spare computer is also his spare computer. In fact he left for PNG 2 says ago and took one of my consoles with him "just in case".

I don't currently have a second regulator setup (yet), but my buddy does. So we have three computers and three regulators with us when we travel.

That's just my two cents,


Wristshot

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Hmmm....if you don't have the second computer with you in the water all the time, it will not have the proper N2 loading and will be overly liberal with you when you switch to it mid dive day or mid dive week when the primary computer fails. At a minimum, you would have to stay out of the water for 12 hours before diving with the backup computer.

If I am using a backup computer on a trip, I will carry it along with me in a pocket so it at least makes the sames dives as I do.

 

[Uncle Pug]

But I have no idea how to guess my depth. Depending on where you are, 20m looks the same as 80+m.

But it isn't just the visual: I am use to diving in the cold, dark, bio-rich waters of the PNW using a drysuit. There are quite a few clues that are processed at a subliminal level.

In warm clear water wearing a skin or 3 mil I'm sure I will need to reference my depth gauge and see if I can pick up the fewer sublte clues that tell me where I am in the water column.

 

[Rick Inman]

In warm clear water wearing a skin or 3 mil I'm sure I will need to refernce my depth gauge and see if I can pick up the fewer sublte clues that tell me where I am in the water column.

Look up.

 

[The Chairman]

Hmnnn, I think Pug needs a trip to Fiji to test his theories!

Since I joined this board I have heard the debate over computer vs tables. But that's not the question that Miller asked. He asked:

Is there a good reason to have two dive computers? Should they bought be of the same brand? The one I dive with now has acted like. It didn’t want to work just one time. Its about three years old and I had just replaced the batteries. Except for that no problem.

So to un-hijack the thread... there are merits to using two computers over just one under certain circumstances. When there is a need for redundancy. Penetration dives, deco dives, and important vacation dives.

For the normal reef, two tank dives that we do here in Florida, there is very little at stake if your computer dies during the first dive. If you can accurately determine depth and time, you simply revert back to your tables. No biggie. Can you use your buddies computer? Only for time and max depth. The tables dial in some contingencies for variations that a computer can not. It is good only for the one diving it.

For any penetration and/or wreck dives two computers are the norm. Welcome to the department of redundancy department. This especially true if you do any deco, and it's important to not violate either one.

For that vacation scenario where you are doing multiple dives over multiple days, its best to have that back up so you don't have to sit out a day if your computer dies. This is especially important if you are using it to track your oxygen exposure while dving NitrOx.

As to whether they should be similer... who cares. Just abide by the most conservative one that you are wearing.

 

[Miller]

Thanks Netdoc. This has been interesting. I know I need to learn how to use the tables. But most of my dives are in a lake. No real dive plan. But I plan on going on a live aboard next summer. That was the reason for asking. Thanks to all for the great input.

 

[jstuart1]

I have the Atmos 1 that I purchased back in August this year and because I wanted more information, abitlity to download to pc etc... when I figured out how much I was into diving I bought a Cressi-Sub Archimedies. I love my Atmos 1 because under water it's incredibly easy to read depth, time, and ascent rate. That's about all is displayed and all I really need under water. The Archimedies has much more info and I find it hard to read underwater. Both are wrist computers. I wear the Atmos during the dive and the Archimedies in stowed in my BC pocket. This way I still get out of it what I got it for. The Archimedies also has an audible alert tone for ascents and I think for going deeper than planed. The Atmos doesn't. I also have the good old fashioned watch and depth gauge but since I invariably forget to set the watch bezel, I find having 2 computers works for me.

I guess my point is that if you are considering two computers, I would find two that offer you everything you want between them since no 1 electronic device seems to have everything.