Regulator vs Computer

New Regulator or New Computer

  • Regulator

    Votes: 72 63.7%
  • Dive Computer

    Votes: 41 36.3%

  • Total voters
    113
  • Poll closed .

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Wolfdiver

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Messages
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Location
Roanoke, VA
# of dives
25 - 49
I am in the process of purchasing some new equipment and would like to see a showing of hands as to what people think.

If you could purchase one piece of equipement and it was going to either a new regulator (1st and 2nd Stage) or a dive computer which would it be. Taking into account that you currently own niether and would have to rent the other for awhile. Also if you cold state why you made your choice I would love to read it.

Let me also add that the diving will be done both locally and at remote locations out of the country (traveling).

Thank you for your opinion.

Another option that I did not consider was option of the combined
 
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I'd personally take the reg because I can dive tables without a computer but I can't dive without a reg.
 
I chose the computer, although both are very important. I think if I had to pick the top three things to buy instead of renting it would be computer, reg, and wetsuit (people pee in those things ya know).

The reason I chose to buy a computer as my first purchase was this: As a new diver I liked the comfort of having a computer to track No Deco Limits AND I liked the feature on the computer that alerted me if I was ascending too quickly. As a new diver, I had trouble with that follow your smallest bubble thing, and as a new diver it's hard to just "feel" the propper ascent rate (like many of the experienced divers can).

A regulator is very important too of course, and should be purchased as soon as possible...but in my personal opinion the computer just offers a few more benefits to new divers especially.
 
If you can only afford one or the other, I'd suggest getting neither. If you are renting, you won't be saving much on the cost of a kit if you provide your own reg. I think you would be better served by using the money to dive more.

It's a tough question to answer, as there are many variables. Which models of reg and computer are you considering? What is your time frame for purchasing the rest of the gear?
 
+1 on the regulator. After I got certified many moons ago, I decided that at a minimum I would own my own regulators. Mostly because I did not want to trust rentals, especially out of the country (although I'm sure they are fine). Personally, I just like the fact that I know my regs work and are properly maintained. Also, you can plan with tables and bottom timer/depth guage.

Don't disagree with the computer, but I do believe that everyone should know how to use the tables, especially new divers. Because if you don't know the tables, how can you completely understand what your computer is telling you? I hear lately that PADI is not teaching tables anymore (check me if I'm wrong)? To depend completely on the computer is not terribly wise...I do use one, but I have a backup + guage/bottom timer.

Just some thoughts. Good luck with your choice and happy diving!
 
If I was only going to carry one bit of kit on me to a dive destination it would be a computer. So that would inform my answer as to which bit of kit I would purchase.
 
I'd get the computer so I can log my dive profiles on my PC. Also it is handy to have a dive computer so you don't have to learn how to use new ones all the time. But if you are happy to just use tables and/or don't care about seeing your dive profiles then regs are a better purchase imho.

Pretty much these days if I had to pick only one piece of gear to take with me out of all my gear, it would be my computer but I am OCD about dive logging ;)
 
I get the regs with a guage. If you wanted to get an air integrated computer that would require attaching and removing them from a rental reg, and also limit its use if you used it just for depth. You can always dive tables without the computer. Your best bet would be to wait and get it all at the same time.
 
I would go with the regulator. Most travel diving and for that matter newbie diving is pretty easy- fairly shallow and it's easy to stay within the NDLs with the tables so the computer really adds little value. Having my own reg that I know and trust is another matter.
 

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