Should I have a backup computer?

[PfcAJ]

And buddying with a complete stranger will help me save my current and subsequent dives exactly how? Am I supposed to just keep diving and estimate my NDL from a stranger who might not have been diving 2-4 times a day for the 5 days prior like I was? Am I to drag that poor diver to the surface cutting their dive short when I decide to make a safe ascent? How does a buddy help me make the second boat dive when I don't have a functional computer? It doesn't - but a backup computer eliminates all of those potential issues. Not necessary, but a nice way to avoid any hassles for me (and other divers).

Geez - I hate the way some folks here want to squelch alternate (and factually valid) points of view with the typical, lame quips like "use the tables" or "gear solution to a skills problem". Open up your minds a little.

Ask them. Make a friend. Come up with a dive plan.

Wasn’t “plan your dive” part of your OW class?

 

[Joneill]

Ask them. Make a friend. Come up with a dive plan.

Wasn’t “plan your dive” part of your OW class?

Forget it - you completely miss the point and ignore my valid observations on how having an insta-buddy will in no way salvage your current or subsequent dives like having a backup computer can do. Carry on, I've made my point and don't care to have further irrelevant dialogue with you!

 

[PfcAJ]

Forget it - you completely miss the point and ignore my valid observations on how having an insta-buddy will in no way salvage your current or subsequent dives like having a backup computer can do. Carry on, I've made my point and don't care to have further irrelevant dialogue with you!

Better buy a spare reg then. And a spare bc. Spare flippers? Spare mask? Extra tank?

Where does it stop?

 

[Joneill]

Better buy a spare reg then. And a spare bc. Spare flippers? Spare mask? Extra tank?

Where does it stop?

Thanks for proving my point...

 

[tursiops]

A) $1500 is what the newest Oceanic air integrated dive computer sells for. I used it as the example because I dive with the older version which is a fraction of the cost and for all practical purposes does the same thing. The few additional features including dual algorithm, larger logbook storage capacity, and ability to monitor more than one gas won't matter to the vast majority of recreational divers. Sure there are brand new computers that sell for under $1000, they are still much more expensive than a good used computer such as the one I use.

b) @CT-Rich do you see what you did there? I'm a new member therefore my argument cannot be as valid as yours. That's called "ad-hominem" faulty logic, whereby a person directs their argument towards their opponent's credentials rather than address the actual facts at hand and is always a sign that they have no argument. By the way my first post on this forum (using an old inactive account) most likely pre-dates yours.

c) Gear solution for skills problem? No clue what you mean as far as that relates to a backup dive computer unless you are referring to the skill required to properly replace a battery which brings up another important point. When you discard a perfectly good computer battery every year you are also disturbing the O-ring seal which increases the chance of the computer flooding.

Your constant repetition and insistence on having the last word are bordering on tiresome.

 

[scubafanatic]

This problem can be avoided by carrying an analog SPG. It can be a mini (the size of a half dollar) on an extra thin hose routed behind the BCD and clipped off to a D ring since it won't be used much if at all. Also makes the pre-dive check easier when you open the tank valve to check the pressure- you don't have to wait for the AI computer to fire up and synch with the transmitter.

We carry a primary air integrated wrist computer, the identical computer as a backup on a retractor inside a BCD pocket and a mini spg. Plus an extra computer and transmitter should any of the 3 of us lose a computer on a long dive trip, we have a backup to our backup.



Every open water scuba diving manual says you're wrong.

On my trips I bring:
2 complete reg sets, EACH equipped with: (1) hosed SPG, (2) AI wireless computers.
PLUS save-a-dive kit contains (1) spare hosed SPG, (1) spare non-AI wrist computer.
All computers are Nitrox compatible.

...so that's a total of (5) computers and (3) SPGs.

 

[scubafanatic]

@Jonelli

Please don't let the attitude and flawed logic of others prevent you from continuing to make valid helpful points. And don't take it personally, they aren't doing it to attack you, they believe they're way of doing things is correct and reasonable.

...I think he realized he's just been feeding the trolls.

 

[oly5050user]

I’d work on buddymanship skills before wasting money on a piece of kit.

As you have learned in a ow class, if one person in a buddy team has a computer and the other does not , then both are on the tables. Any reputable operator would insist on this.

 

[Tom_Ivan]

You will not find a computer much less inexpensive than the Genesis Resource Pro.

Mares Puk Pro maybe?

And reckless irresponsible advice that a new diver will hopefully disregard.

And yet every guided dive I’ve ever been on (all be it only 38) has had divers following the guide with no computer of their own.

I have a new Genesis Resource Pro Computer and was wondering if I should also wear a wrist computer. Thx

Your use of the word “should” has, I think, been the cause such a heated debate.
While there are many reasons why you may want a backup computer, you do not need a backup computer.
If your computer fails you should have the skills to perform a safe ascent and end the dive. In some situations you may be able to additional conservative dives without it.
Remember that a recreational dive computer is not a life saving device. If your on a budget and your still in the process of accumulating gear I’d check you have all the safety devices first ie safety sausage, cutting tool, whistle. Maybe even a gas analizer.
I only have one computer and I’m happy to take the risk of having to end my dive early one day. The next thing on my shopping list is a good compass and a torch.

 

[scubafanatic]

They're not trolling. They're attempting to argue indefensible points with faulty logic and failing miserably.

Nothing more.

I still smell the scent of a troll.