Should I buy a dive computer?

[ckjacques53198]

I just completed my checkout dives a couple of months ago. Aside from the personal gear required I used all rental gear including a wetsuit. I passed just fine but soon started thinking about who used the gear last. I'm not a neat freak or Howard Hughes but I knew what people did in the suit and knew a wetsuit and hood were my first purchases.

I was lucky when I took my class. Aside from being the only student in my OW class, all the rental gear was new for the season and had only been used a couple of times. As much as tried to treat the regulator and gauges well they managed to suffer a little trauma such as hitting the ground and getting dirt over the mouthpiece. Not the mention my mouth and spit were all over it for hours. I think the regulator is my next purchase.

I'm going to wait a little while for my computer because most of my upcoming dives will be pretty shallow and couldn't really get the benefits of one.

 

[spectrum]

The computer IMO is nowhere near the top of the list. That being said give yourself time to understand your diving. Big $ buys dubious features like wireless integration, not quality or safety. Yes, you can get a perfectly good nitrox capable computer for under or right around $300. depending on your choice. Give this one time until you understand the whys and where for's of the sport.

My standard answer of what to buy first begins with buying what is hardest for you to rent. Regarding the computer, it is not at all needed for novice dives. A $20 watch and tables for planning purposes will suffice and build basic skills.

Assuming you are an easy fit in rental stuff buy in this order:
1. Exposure protection, wetsuit, gloves, hoor or hooded vest, you probably have the booties as part of your basic gear.
2. Buoyancy Compensator
3. Regulator set with analog instruments
4. Computer.

My list is based on comfort, hygiene and what will contribute to stabilizing and growing your skills as a diver.

Pete

 

[Charlie99]

Safety gear such as knife, EMT shears, mirror, whistle, slate, and surface marker buoy are not usually easy to rent, so those should be high up on your list.

Once you get all that stuff, then you have to load it and remove it from the rental BCDs each day. It also helps your diving to be very familiar with the operation of your BCD. So I recommend BCD next after wetsuits and safety gear.

Whether the regulator or computer is next depends upon what sort of dive sites you frequent. You get little benefit from a computer if you run out of air before NDL, as will happen for shallow dives. You also get little benefit over tables if you are diving relatively square profiles (most time is spent near the max depth, and then you ascend).

Diving at sites that lend themselves to multilevel diving moves the computer up on the priority list, since you are more likely to run out of "bottom time" before using up your air. Getting a basic computer also saves you the duplicate cost of getting a depth gauge with your reg set, and then later replacing it.

 

[Lost_At_Sea]

My suggestion is just to wait. Learn on the tables first, and then check out all of the different comps. I would certainly but my reg and bc first, because rental regs suck. But, learn the tables, because dive comps. are based on the tables. Learn them first. It will make you a better diver.

 

[mfalco]

Do your first 25 dives without a computer. You'll be far better off.

I would agree for several reasons

1) You'll get allot better at using the tables and planning dives
2) Computers are nice, but not a necesary expense
3) you can save more money for a nicer computer if you wait longer before you buy one.
4) You'll know what features you need better.

5) (The one that nobody buying equipment wants to hear) You obviously plan on using your equipment allot if you are planning on spending the moiney on it. In all actuallity allot of people that buy all their stuff after taking the OW cert. don't end up diving as much as they plan to. think about how many rentals it takes to add up to the cost of your own gear.

 

[ItsBruce]

First, wait to see what it is you really need. Then consider what your really want. Remember, you want to buy only once.

Decide where you want your computer: On your regulator or on your wrist. I fear that if I have a wrist mount, I'll lose or break it the first time I have to take it off to put on a wetsuit or when I take it off. On the regulator seems much more secure to me. I know others will disagree. I also REALLY like having it air integrated.

 

[PerroneFord]

Decide where you want your computer: On your regulator or on your wrist. I fear that if I have a wrist mount, I'll lose or break it the first time I have to take it off to put on a wetsuit or when I take it off. On the regulator seems much more secure to me. I know others will disagree. I also REALLY like having it air integrated.

Have you looked at the wrist mounts from DSS? Bungee is your friend. The bungie is redundant so in the highly unlikely event one breaks, you still don't lose the wrist unit.

No doubt screwing your computer into the first stage is a more secure connection. Most people seem to do it that way.

 

[halocline]

There is actually a real advantage for a new diver to use a computer; the ascent rate alarm. New divers are much more likely, I suspect, to get DCS from uncontrolled or too rapid ascents than from excessive bottom time, especially with typically higher air consumption and the limits of an AL80. Using a computer (or a bottom timer with ascent rate indicator) can really help teach divers to control their ascents and have a better awareness of their buoyancy control.

Sure, sure, we should all learn the incredibly demanding task of looking up time/depth calculations on a table... (yawn)

So, I would say, if you want a computer, get one. I don't think it really matters that much which one you get, although there are striking differences in the way computers figure NDL.

 

[divermike1989]

I have been diving for almost a year now and have not yet found a use for a computer. You should buy the rest of your gear and get comfortable with it first. Once you get more invilved in diving or find a need for it then get a computer. Instead of the comp I plan all my dives before entering the water and write them on the slate I include NDLs and PP's for nitrox and all that stuff. All you need is a slate, RDP, and a watch! Plan your dive, dive your plan. Relying on a computer too much could leave you helpless in an emergency situation.

 

[Ice9]

I just started my OW classes this weekend and will be certified by next weekend!! I cant wait! I guess I am also getting the urge to buy gear (maybe a little to soon) but I heard that the first piece of equipment I should buy is a dive computer.

Oh dude. Reg should be really high up on the list. After you get your mask/snorkel/fins, its all about the reg, BC, and wetsuit.

Because:

1. You don't want to put something in your mouth that Toothless Slappy was just gnawing on.
2. You don't want to wear something that someone else just (probably) pissed in.
3. Its good to start with your own BC so you can get used to where everything goes and how it works.

After all that (and it will be expensive), you can start adding goodies...

--Ice9