Second Hand Dive Computers.

[scubadada]

To clarify, I haven't purchased the transmitter alone for $75. I'm referring to the Vt Pro, and I've picked up a couple of wrist units with transmitters for $150 for both and have purchased a few wrist units alone for well under $100 which is how I came up with that transmitter cost which as you probably know is the same one sold with the newer Oceanic computers for as much as $400, but it's a matter of timing and you don't see them for sale very often anymore.

You fooled me with the circa 2006, the VT Pro came out in 2002 and was replaced by the VT 3 in 2006

 

[caruso]

You fooled me with the circa 2006, the VT Pro came out in 2002 and was repplaced by the VT 3 in 2006

Sorry I didn't realize it was that old.

 

[scubadada]

Sorry I didn't realize it was that old.

VT Pro 1 gas, 2 button VT3 3 gas, 3 button, quite similar

 

[caruso]

VT Pro 1 gas, 2 button VT3 3 gas, 3 button, quite similar

I tried the VT3 didn't like it as much as the VT Pro because it has something like 5 submenus as compared to the 2 submenus of the VT Pro which are much easier to navigate especially with my lousy memory and the spartan display of the VT Pro with it's large numbers and icons is really easy to read.

 

[scubadada]

I tried the VT3 didn't like it as much as the VT Pro because it has something like 5 submenus as compared to the 2 submenus of the VT Pro which are much easier to navigate especially with my lousy memory and the spartan display of the VT Pro with it's large numbers and icons is really easy to read.

I'm currently diving an 8 year old VT 3 with 1150 dives and a little over 1200 hours on it

 

[diversteve]

The one feature that is great to have that won't come with a puck, or a leonardo is you will not get an ATR/GTR (air/gas time remaining) value.

With a console, or wireless transmitter, you get that value. I think its so important personally, especially for newer divers. I have a lot less to think about on a dive because I get that value.

I have a $60 gauge on a hose. If you're only trusting an AI transmitter to always work - that's a mistake IMO.

Plus the OP seems to be looking for an affordable option - anything with a transmitter is $100's more.

An AI computer on a hose is an option - or even a non-ai computer in a console with a spg. Again more money unless they go used. I think there's a fairly inexpensive Sherwood console that runs about $400?

 

[IncreaseMyT]

You can get a Cobra new for 360 air integrated. Used I am sure you can get one a lot cheaper. Like I said earlier 155 I got a Oceanic Pro Plus 2 and its air integrated and works great.

I am not sure having a SPG is important, I have never seen the air go out on a computer. I have seen the depth go crazy and NDL, but never an air failure so far. Seen some O rings blow.

You could say I have't been diving long enough but the guys I dive with, a lot of them have consoles they have been diving for years and they have never had an air reading failure. Its so rare that I just keep a SPG with hose in my bag and can swap it out if need be.

So I have to disagree there, I only have 2 hoses on my reg, my primary and a LPI. I would rather less hoses over worrying about wrist or console, personally.

PS when my sons suunto was showing 459 ft on the surface the air reading still worked.

 

[IncreaseMyT]

Not to mention when you have a wrist computer and a SPG you have to get information from 2 different places. Not ideal IMO

 

[diversteve]

I personally dive with a mini-2 gauge console (depth/spg) on a hose and a Gekko on my wrist. I may be upgrading the Gekko to a Teric but I don't need that much computer - just like the form factor and legibility in photos I've seen. I have yet to see one in person but will say the VTX was a disappointment when I finally saw one - glare in the store made it hard to read.

My buddy had a wireless Oceanic - I could tell when he'd lose the transmitter occasionally - not for long during a dive.

He now has a Cobalt which I also like for the display but not the size.

 

[Barmaglot]

I bought a used Aeris Elite T3 (a.k.a Oceanic VT4, Hollis DG03, probably other names) with transmitter for 226 euros. It had 110 dives on it when I got it, haven't had any issues worth mentioning with it so far. It does lose the transmitter occasionally, but always recovers within a few seconds. I do carry an SPG as a backup, but only check it when setting up the tank. The 'estimated dive time remaining' feature is exceedingly useful.