Rookie diver, Checkout dive next weekend.

[Dzydvl]

Good Evening all!!!

My wife bought me open water SCUBA training for my birthday and I love it!!! Well until I jump into the 58 degree lake next weekend. I’m also doing NITROX in conjunction with the course to get it knocked out. I want to get advanced certified before June when we go to Belize and Cozumel. I’ll be honest I’m an IT person and already looking at basic dive computers, but I’m struggling on what I need/Don’t need. I would love to hear advice from all the experts out there. All comments are welcome.

 

[Zef]

Good Evening all!!!

My wife bought me open water SCUBA training for my birthday and I love it!!! Well until I jump into the 58 degree lake next weekend. I’m also doing NITROX in conjunction with the course to get it knocked out. I want to get advanced certified before June when we go to Belize and Cozumel. I’ll be honest I’m an IT person and already looking at basic dive computers, but I’m struggling on what I need/Don’t need. I would love to hear advice from all the experts out there. All comments are welcome.

For a computer, just about anything on the market will do. I am not a fan of single button computers, but there are folks out there that love them. Most all computers nowadays are Nitrox capable.

I would highly recommend making sure that whatever computer you buy has user replaceable batteries.

An air integrated (AI) computer is nice but you will have the added cost of purchasing a transmitter to make it work. Combined, the computer will indicate your tank pressure and calculate your remaining air time given your current respiratory rate. While this is good info, having it displayed on the computer for recreational diving is more novel than it is necessary, and may be more of a distraction than helpful for a new diver.

A computer with a backlight or one that glows after shining a light on it is a good feature to have.

If money is not an issue, then I would suggest go simple and less expensive out the gate, and upgrade as you gain experience to a computer that has increased capability....this way you are not distracted and overly focused on your computer when you should be focused on buoyancy and enjoying the environment you are diving in....it is really easy as a novice diver to have tunnel vision and be info and task overloaded. Don't get too sucked in to the technology of Scuba and just enjoy the diving.

-Z

 

[Dzydvl]

Zef, thank you for your informed post. To be honest, initially money is an object, but as I get more experience, I will use my initial computer as a backup. Army/Navy/Marines 3 is 2, 2 is 1, and 1 is none. Eventually my initial computer will become my backup. Then gauges will by my 3rd. I appreciate everything you have posted, I’m one who enjoys learning from others, but I am a hands on learner so it gets discombobulated, lol.

 

[happy-diver]

ScubaBoard is a world wide medium also where people jump on twenty four hours a day

 

[Dzydvl]

ScubaBoard is a world wide medium also where people jump on twenty four hours a day

Thank you Happy-Diver. I’m excited to start learning a lot more.

 

[Eric_K]

Good Evening all!!!

My wife bought me open water SCUBA training for my birthday and I love it!!! Well until I jump into the 58 degree lake next weekend. I’m also doing NITROX in conjunction with the course to get it knocked out. I want to get advanced certified before June when we go to Belize and Cozumel. I’ll be honest I’m an IT person and already looking at basic dive computers, but I’m struggling on what I need/Don’t need. I would love to hear advice from all the experts out there. All comments are welcome.

Congratulations! My initial diving was done in Bay Area NorCal, so I hear you on the cold water. Good fitting wetsuits (hoods, farmerjohns, etc are your friend), also an IT guy here. Lots of good advice for new users on this board.

I've just recently upped my game on dive computers so I'll share what I found. Each brand seems to offer the basic components, most share common algorithms, but look for one that has some adjustment on thresholds, you can decrease those as your confidence increases. To my mind readability and device navigation were basic, especially in 2 button computers, but you'll learn. Make sure you UNDERSTAND and can Read the Information that's important to you! I'd suggest you understand how your computer activates (manually or at depth, most have an option).

I'd strongly recommend you rent a tank and go drain it in a pool before you dive so you are very comfortable with whatever you get.

I've done a lot of diving in Belize and the use of computers has slowly increased. I'd guess, just at or over 50%. So it's NOT required, but everyone has their own safety threshold.

My first computer was a Mares SmartAir with transmitter. Very adequate for a new diver to my mind. I've just bought a TernTX and transmitter and looking forward to that this year. I did the upgrade for readability and more information that was a bit easier to access.

 

[Dzydvl]

Eric,

I appreciate the thoughtful response. Fortunately, I have access to both a pool, as well as a dive ranch in the area, so your recommendation of getting used to it before your big trip is great advice.

 

[34109411]

Good Evening all!!!

My wife bought me open water SCUBA training for my birthday and I love it!!! Well until I jump into the 58 degree lake next weekend. I’m also doing NITROX in conjunction with the course to get it knocked out. I want to get advanced certified before June when we go to Belize and Cozumel. I’ll be honest I’m an IT person and already looking at basic dive computers, but I’m struggling on what I need/Don’t need. I would love to hear advice from all the experts out there. All comments are welcome.

most important breath.

 

[schuylerclark]

Having a computer that I can easily sync to a digital dive log has been a key feature that I appreciate and isn't always a primary selling point for dealers.

I use a console style Aqualung 550 with air integration (no transmitter, just a hose), and an Apple Watch Ultra for backup/easy glance depth and time. Its an unusual setup, but it works for me.

 

[happy-diver]

a dive ranch in the area

Dude, do they have sea-horses, you can ride

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!