lawtyger
Guest
Hi all, Im somewhat on information overload at this point trying to decide what my first dive computer should be based on a budget of $400 to $600 (could stretch it if there was value in doing so). Ive done a lot of reading on the forum, been watching the forums classifieds, looked to see what things sold for in the past, been watching various Ebay auctions, etc. All that has resulted in my desire to try to get the purchase right the first time as opposed to looking back and saying I wish I would have done this instead.
With that as a backdrop, I was hoping that some of you may be willing to share your if I had to do it again, I would have got this in the beginning stories and share your opinions as to which way youd suggest I go.
I know the answer to what computer may be best for me depends on what type of diving I plan to do so I can tell you I was certified about 1 year ago and have probably down about 10 dives. Im probably going to be only a recreational diver for some time diving mostly on cruise ship excursions, in the Florida springs occasionally, and occasionally from our boar (or maybe a charter) in the Gulf of Mexico out of Tarpon Springs.
I was initially looking at Suunto products like the Cobra and Cobra 3 and then added the Oceanic Pro Plus to my list. Both were air integrated which I thought was a good thing and figured it may be something 5 years down the road I would be glad I got. But then the more I read it seemed a lot of people went from console computers to wrist mounted computers and I got to thinking I didnt want to be wishing I had gotten a wrist mounted computer 5 years down the road (or even a transmitter which I know pushes things way out of my budget). The second guessing continued with quick disconnect or no-quick disconnect if I did get a console, etc., then new or used, then from the manufacturer for full price or from Ebay where there may not be a warranty from the authorized dealer. Now I'm sort of at the state that I don't even know what to pull the trigger on.
So, I was hoping that some of you with more experience would be willing to share your opinion by putting yourself in the shoes of someone who will be doing recreational diving with $400 to $600 to spend on a dive computer. To keep within that budget, what do you get as your first dive computer and what options do you forego given that budget?
With that as a backdrop, I was hoping that some of you may be willing to share your if I had to do it again, I would have got this in the beginning stories and share your opinions as to which way youd suggest I go.
I know the answer to what computer may be best for me depends on what type of diving I plan to do so I can tell you I was certified about 1 year ago and have probably down about 10 dives. Im probably going to be only a recreational diver for some time diving mostly on cruise ship excursions, in the Florida springs occasionally, and occasionally from our boar (or maybe a charter) in the Gulf of Mexico out of Tarpon Springs.
I was initially looking at Suunto products like the Cobra and Cobra 3 and then added the Oceanic Pro Plus to my list. Both were air integrated which I thought was a good thing and figured it may be something 5 years down the road I would be glad I got. But then the more I read it seemed a lot of people went from console computers to wrist mounted computers and I got to thinking I didnt want to be wishing I had gotten a wrist mounted computer 5 years down the road (or even a transmitter which I know pushes things way out of my budget). The second guessing continued with quick disconnect or no-quick disconnect if I did get a console, etc., then new or used, then from the manufacturer for full price or from Ebay where there may not be a warranty from the authorized dealer. Now I'm sort of at the state that I don't even know what to pull the trigger on.
So, I was hoping that some of you with more experience would be willing to share your opinion by putting yourself in the shoes of someone who will be doing recreational diving with $400 to $600 to spend on a dive computer. To keep within that budget, what do you get as your first dive computer and what options do you forego given that budget?
