Solid Dependable Inexpensive No Thrills

[jar546]

Step son just got certified (25) and needs to start accumulating some gear. Computer would be great but want something inexpensive, dependable, accurate without all the bells and whistles.

What are your opinions?

 

[tbone1004]

new or used?
Genesis React Pro is good, I have one and use it for most open water stuff. Pretty minimalistic. Depth, temperature, no deco, nitrox, user replaceable batteries
Sherwood "the source" is even simpler, and what I keep in my console if I have to use one

 

[DevonDiver]

Suunto Zoop. Cheap, proven, reliable and provides everything he will need.

Suunto Gekko. The predecessor to the Zoop. Many shops are still selling stocks of these. The perfect entry-level recreational computer...cheaper now the Zoop is released

 

[diversteve]

Computer would be great but want something inexpensive, dependable, accurate without all the bells and whistles.

Scubatoys has the Oceanic Veo 100 for $140.
or the Aeros XR1 for $145.

Either one with a pressure gauge in a console for $200 - add a compass for $35 more.
Aeris XR1 Dive Computer Console reviews and discounts, Aeris
Oceanic Veo 100 Dive Computer Console reviews and discounts, Oceanic

I believe both are discontinued. Afaik you'll still get full warranties from Scubatoys.

I like the Gekko, I've had one for a couple of years. Easy to read, easy to hear u/w. Nitrox compatible. It has a safety-stop countdown. The only thing I wish it had was a backlight. You can "charge" it with a dive light and it will glow for several hours. It uses what is considered one of the more conservative algorithms.
It is downloadable despite what they claim also.

 

[DevonDiver]

Yeah..the restriction on 'downloading' a Gekko onto the Suunto Divelog is simply a deliberate port-error. There's an easy patch for the software that allows full functionality

 

[MarcHerm]

another vote for the Suunto Gekko. Fits your needs perfectly

 

[pixiefish]

I have a Suunto Vyper.....it was only £20 more than the Zoop. Does everything I wanted without any fancy bits.

 

[Damselfish]

if you compare the zoop and the gekko on the suunto website, it looks like the only difference other than the appearance is the download capability (that was already there)