Selection of First Dive Computer

[propnut30]

Thanks guys. I apprecate the input. Jax the link to the DCT is gonna be helpful. I am having a little trouble with it since the connectivity here sux at best but it will keep working at it. It will at least let me get a better view of what is out there and what to do with it. I am wondering if I should hold off and take the Computer class that SSI has first. I'm pretty sure that going into it with more knowledge will help.

Dive Nav I was thinking about the service/support related problems I might face with the Umis. I hate that they went belly up. It looked like they were on to something there.

I really do apprecate the input here. Ialready liked the UWATEC I think its looking a lot better now. Ill go check out the SOL and Atomic also. TH
Thanks guys

 

[buddhasummer]

Have a wee look at the Liquivision Lynx, looks nice and not too spendy.

 

[ajduplessis]

The OCS is around $700. If you are prepared to spend that amount of cash I would rather safe some more and buy a Shearwater Predator ($1145). You will never have to get anything else and you cover all possible fueture requirements.

 

[DiveNav]

....... I am wondering if I should hold off and take the Computer class .....

Here you go:

How to Choose a Dive Computer online class - Free

Introduction to Dive Computers online class - Special for March $0.99

and if you want to dig a bit deeper into how the Buhlmann decompression algorithm works

Introduction to Nitrox online class - Special for March $1.99

Plenty of material to keep you entertained for few days

Alberto (aka eDiver)

 

[propnut30]

Alberto, I got to look deeper into DCT. The Online classes are an awesome idea. Thanks to pointin me toward um. The will keep me busy tonite. Thanks guys. I shot an email to my LDS, to get some prices. They dont have any but will order whatever i want. So thats good. Another goot thing about them is they will let me make payments so that opens up the whole price envelope. That OC1 and OC1 Pioneer are lookin pretty good. But as small as it is It could be hard to find if dropped. Forgiv me if my trying is horrible, im almost snow blind for the moment. I really hate this place.

 

[propnut30]

Just looked at the Lynx and Predator. I like um, will send those two nuggets to the LDS also. Thanks!

BTW does the Predator Line Up use a transmitter? I dont know if its air intigrated at all.

 

[electrix]

A dive computer class is not going to be as helpful as a " Dive Computer Training " class will be on a specific dive computer.

 

[boulderjohn]

I am probably going to be a bit out of the mainstream in my advice.

If you are thinking of going tech in the future, then you are looking at a temporary device. Do not buy a computer with the intention of using it for tech diving. One reason is that it is very possible that you will train with an agency or individual instructor who does not use one, and you could end up having spent a lot of money for what will be essentially a simple bottom timer. A second reason is that if you do use a computer for tech, but the time you get to that point in your training, a whole new generation of computers will be out there, and anything you buy now will be obsolete.

So what should you look for in a computer?

One thing people will push on you is the ability to switch gases. You probably don't have any idea why yo would want to use multiple gases during a dive right now, but that is needed for introductory level tech diving and for some cave diving. that means, again, you won't need it for a long time. If you do go into tech, you will eventually want to switch to a gas mix that includes helium, and you will find that many of the multi-gas computers do not use helium. So ask yourself when you would ever use a multi-gas function before deciding you want that.

The next issue is whether or not to have an air-integrated computer. That is a legitimate question, and I will only suggest that you weigh the pros and cons carefully for that.

I think pretty much all computers do nitrox now, so you don't have to think about that.

One feature I do recommend if you think you may want to go into tech is the ability go into what is called gauge mode. If your computer has that ability, you will be able to use it effectively with decompression dives without having to worry about it saying you are bent all the time. Not all basic computers can do this.

A suggestion has been made about being able to use a heart rate monitor feature on some computers. I have no idea why anyone would need that. Heart rate has no established effect on decompression rates, so any attempt to tie it into the computer algorithm is speculative at best, and I am told that in the computers that do it, the differences are pretty minimal.

 

[ajduplessis]

Nope, no AI

 

[Hatul]

I'm on the other side. Now that I use an AI computer I'd not go back. It's nice to see the remaining air time and to have the tank pressure in one place.