Rec Diver splurge? Cheapo, Petrel 2, or OSTC Sport

[lexvil]

If you want good and low cost, pick up a Luna/sol from the sales board from someone going for an l e d type, I got one for $425 with the transmitter. It would make more sense if going new to get the perdix AI, you can get a battery anyplace you are likely to ever dive.

 

[stuartv]

The easiest way to get an OSTC is to buy direct and get it shipped. That's what I did with mine and arrived in Australia within a week.

Incorrect. There are 3 preset GFs that you can easily select (I can't remember off the top of my head what they are) but you can also set a custom GF to anything you like.

That's not really a problem, I find the buttons very usable. They have quite a strong spring, and need a solid push all the way down. I have never pressed on inadvertently.

I am still unsure whether I would consider an upgrade to the Plus, or even if given my choice again whether I would choose the plus over the Sport. I think I like the non-rechargeable battery of the Sport, which also allows the option of a NiMH cell, albeit with considerably shorter life.

You have included a lot of misinformation. Maybe it is better to keep your comments and advice for equipment that you actually know about.

I have no regrets with my OSTC Sport. I love the form factor and the usability, and the purchase, shipping, forum support, BT down load and firmware upgrades have all been seamless.

Thanks for the info! It's good hear from someone who actually uses one.

One thing you might not be aware of is that HW did not used to sell their computers in the U.S.. Meaning, when I've tried in the past, I could not even order one online and have it shipped here. They would ship one to Canada, I believe, and anywhere in Europe, of course, but not the U.S.. Or so it was last year. Thus, my comment in my earlier post. It does look like now you can buy one online and have it shipped to the U.S..

Also, according to this page, the OSTC Plus has the built-in rechargeable, but it will also work with an AA battery:

OSTC Plus

Just FYI.

Sadly (to me), after checking up on the latest in their user forums, it appears that they do not have full support for Imperial units (in the OSTC 4, anyway) and they are no longer open source. The last source code they made available was for the OSTC 2. The OSTC 3 was implemented mostly in ASM (apparently), but the OSTC 4 is (supposedly) written all in C. Being open source was a big draw, to me, in my desire to get an OSTC. If they are no longer going to make the source code available, that pretty much takes the OSTC computers off the table, as far as MY interest would go.

 

[rongoodman]

With the introduction of the Perdix AI, there are a lot of older Shearwaters on the market. Nice displays, straight forward recreational mode, and well-known deco algorithms.

 

[Lorenzoid]

- Customizable gradient factors seem nice - I think I want to run around 40/80 or 40/85 if possible
- Definitely prefer to run Buhlman, or very close to it. I care more about safety than time underwater. (DSAT seems risky to me given that ~ 50% of people bend within NDL limits, so pushing surface values to 95% of the m-value seems rather dumb to me)

Would you splurge on something like a Petrel 2 / OSTC Sport to get the better screen, or just go with a cheapo DC?

I get the impression that you already know what you want and are just looking for validation from the Scubanati (TM of stuartv). These aren't the kinds of features that are relevant to most once-a-year vacation divers. I think the typical once-a-year vacation diver just wants a computer that will keep him safe and is easy to use--and those criteria apply to much of what's available today. Most have no idea what algorithm their computer is running, let alone what gradient factors are, or what GFs they would choose if their computer had GFs and Buhlmann. All computers available today will keep a diver safe, and as far as I know, all have some feature by which a diver can adjust their conservatism level. However, if the features you list are relevant to YOU, then by all means go with your gut and "splurge" on a $400+ computer. I think it will make you happy. You have my blessing.

The most important thing, in my opinion, is that whatever computer you get, learn its features. Yes, read the manual. You sound like the kind of person--technology minded--for whom that will not be an issue. The only option in your list I would NOT recommend is renting a computer, since you will not have a chance to really become familiar with it.

 

[C Dub]

I'm a big fan of Deep6, but I'm surprised so many people picked it. At this point, it is vaporware with no shipping date given (and Chris has good reason for no specific date). When it does ship, there may be some teething pain from a first generation product. Clearly the Petrel 2 is the better choice if a computer is needed in the near term.

One additional factor is the financial situation. If ~$500 isn't a huge issue for the buyer, then might as well step up to the Petrel. No matter how good the D6 is, it will never have that sexy high def color screen with the best interface is the business.

Disclaimer, I'm planning on buying a Deep6 as a back up to my Perdix and Petrel whenever it is available.

 

[ls1dreams]

I'm a big fan of Deep6, but I'm surprised so many people picked it. At this point, it is vaporware with no shipping date given (and Chris has good reason for no specific date). When it does ship, there may be some teething pain from a first generation product. Clearly the Petrel 2 is the better choice if a computer is needed in the near term.

One additional factor is the financial situation. If ~$500 isn't a huge issue for the buyer, then might as well step up to the Petrel. No matter how good the D6 is, it will never have that sexy high def color screen with the best interface is the business.

Disclaimer, I'm planning on buying a Deep6 as a back up to my Perdix and Petrel whenever it is available.

The date doesn't bother me so much. If I dive at all before the end of the year, it would only be once and can just use a rental. My bigger fears are around the 1st generation products. As someone who works in software, I definitely know how buggy first releases go, so that gives me some pause. (Though if it has updatable firmware, that helps).

I'm tempted to splurge, but am also a minimalist at heart, so a +$400 jump def doesn't make a lot of sense. (FWIW, I have friends in Germany that could order one for me and ship to me)

 

[stuartv]

If you don't really need anything before the end of the year, I would definitely just wait and see what's available when time gets closer.

Also, Black Friday tends to be a really good day to get extra big discounts on scuba stuff.

I would take a used Petrel 2 for $500 over any OSTC computer that is near that price. If nothing else, if you decide you don't want it any more, you can sell a Petrel 2 later and almost certainly still get somewhere close to $500 for it.

 

[elgoog]

Another cheap option would be the Tec 2G (there's one in the Classifieds right now). It runs Buhlmann ZHL-8 with the ability to make it more conservative but you can't specify GFs.

I'd say the display is average but I've never had any issues with it in all kinds of viz. It also has a backlight which is nice for night dives. If you ever decide to get the fancy Shearwater, this one becomes a good backup (the gauge mode has a resettable stop watch and average depth which is really nice if you ever end up needing those features)

 

[ls1dreams]

If you don't really need anything before the end of the year, I would definitely just wait and see what's available when time gets closer.

Also, Black Friday tends to be a really good day to get extra big discounts on scuba stuff.

I would take a used Petrel 2 for $500 over any OSTC computer that is near that price. If nothing else, if you decide you don't want it any more, you can sell a Petrel 2 later and almost certainly still get somewhere close to $500 for it.

I've definitely considered the resale option. That's one great thing about electronics - generally if you buy used, you can resell it later for virtually what you paid for it up front.

 

[stiebs]

Also, according to this page, the OSTC Plus has the built-in rechargeable, but it will also work with an AA battery:

Yes, that is correct, but I'm not sure that along with the other improvement over the Sport is enough for me to justify the extra dollars. It is unlikely I will ever use OC trimix or more than 2 deco gases.

Sadly (to me), after checking up on the latest in their user forums, it appears that they do not have full support for Imperial units (in the OSTC 4, anyway) and they are no longer open source. The last source code they made available was for the OSTC 2. The OSTC 3 was implemented mostly in ASM (apparently), but the OSTC 4 is (supposedly) written all in C. Being open source was a big draw, to me, in my desire to get an OSTC. If they are no longer going to make the source code available, that pretty much takes the OSTC computers off the table, as far as MY interest would go.

Agreed, it is unfortunate that they believe there is no longer enough benefit to open source their newer computers. But I'm interested in why that takes the OSTC off the table for you? As far as I know the Shearwater lineup isn't open source either. Happy to be corrected on that.

I really don't buy the argument that buying an OC/CC capable computer will be the last one you ever need. If I ever go down the CC path, a new computer is going to be only a small expense compared to the rest of the required investment,