Question Should I replace my SPG with my new Shearwater Transmitter?

[Znorux]

Hello everyone! First post in the forums btw!

I have my 1st stage which has only one HIGH PRESSURE and I am really hesitant about replacing my SPG totally with the transmitter I got (swift).

What do you think about this? Is it safe? I am absolutely crazy or it is an understandable risk? Thanks!

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Various threads on here on the topic of whether to dive with just a transmitter. There are pros and cons both ways. It is a personal choice.

Start with these:

Spg, AI, both

Had a discussion with my instructor wether AI alone is safe enough or not I believe they are enough in them self he believes you have to have a spg and a transmitter. Got my curious what a peoples preference and why

scubaboard.com

Shearwater Owners with AI, do you dive with a SPG?

I've had my an AI Shearwater computer, for a few years now (I'm knocking on wood), but have not really had any issues and am really considering ditching my SPG. I really like a very minimalistic kit and would love to get rid of it. How many Shearwater users have ditched the SPG? Thanks, Pete

scubaboard.com

 

[scubadada]

Or, get yourself a HP port splitter and have both

 

[tursiops]

Hello everyone! First post in the forums btw!

I have my 1st stage which has only one HIGH PRESSURE and I am really hesitant about replacing my SPG totally with the transmitter I got (swift).

What do you think about this? Is it safe? I am absolutely crazy or it is an understandable risk? Thanks!

I trust my MH8A transmitter more than I trust my SPG.

 

[scubadada]

I trust my MH8A transmitter more than I trust my SPG.

I've had 2 transmitter failures in 14 years, >1,900 dives. In the same period, I've had a couple of leaky SPGs, fixed with a spool replacement, no failures.

Two transmitter pods on one tank??

This might be a silly or naive question. I recently got my first dive computer with a remote AI tank transmitter pod. I love the functionality though as I’m aware that it makes me reliant on 2 batteries (in the watch and in the transmitter) I do run a backup computer that gives me air pressure...

scubaboard.com

 

[MyBuddy]

I have a 20 year old Oceanic transmitter, made by PPS, and compatible with my Shearwater that I have had near zero issues with. The only issue I have had with it was my fault when I put a new in package but 15 year old battery in it. After a few dives it still gave me the tank pressure was dropping in and out causing the GTR and SAC to give wild numbers. Turned the dive and all was good.

I have no reservations diving only the Oceanic/Shearwater transmitter even on tech dives. Just change the battery every couple years or couple hundred hours of use.

That being said I do keep an SPG and hose in the reg bag but have never needed it.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

For me, my transmitters have been reliable enough that I am fine now diving without an SPG. I've had ONE AI failure, and it was due to the computer losing the AI permanently (circuit board failure) and not due to the transmitter itself failing. I still had my gas pressure on my backup (2nd) dive computer.

With that said, I dive nothing but recreationally and have a very solid understanding of my gas consumption and anticipated gas reserves. If it were to ever happen, I feel very comfortable safely completing any of the dives I do without knowing my exact pressure at the end of a dive.

 

[wlecyt40]

I have had one computer failure (Suunto Eon Core) and WISHED I had an SPG. I have a Garmin that I have had zero issues with but still use my SPG as back-up.

 

[rongoodman]

Keep the SPG in your car/luggage/wherever on the off chance that you need it, which you probably won’t.

(You should ask the mods to move this thread to a more appropriate location too.)

 

[tursiops]

I've had 2 transmitter failures in 14 years, >1,900 dives. In the same period, I've had a couple of leaky SPGs, fixed with a spool replacement, no failures.

Two transmitter pods on one tank??

This might be a silly or naive question. I recently got my first dive computer with a remote AI tank transmitter pod. I love the functionality though as I’m aware that it makes me reliant on 2 batteries (in the watch and in the transmitter) I do run a backup computer that gives me air pressure...

scubaboard.com

I'm not talking about MY experience; that means nothing.

I'm talking about the possible failure modes and what it means to my diving: (a) If the SPG fails, I might not even know it....it might show the same reading no matter the pressure (ie., be stuck), it might show gas when there is none, etc. (b) If he transmitter fails, I just get no reading on either of my computers. Clear failure, and I abort my dive. It has never happened to me, by the way, in the 12 years I've been using AI, about 1700 dives.