SPG, Computer....?

[capercanuck]

Hi,
My son and I are new to diving and just completed our OWD last fall.

My next step is to get us geared up. We've got our BC's ordered and now I'm moving onto Regs.

I think we've decided on the regulators.

I've got a couple of questions......

-Are SPG's interchangable or are they matched to regulators? Can I pick and choose different manufacturers?

-While I would like to go right out and buy everything at once, I'd like to bypass the computer right now and put the money into a good regulator. Is the computer a "must" for a recreational diver or can this be a purchase I make down the road?

These forums have been really helpful so far, and a big Thank You!

 

[ajtoady]

I would have to say a computer is not a must at this time. As long as you have a watch and depth gauge you are able to dive the tables and do it safely. From your location I would say a warm wet suit is more of a priority. Dive safe!

 

[doctormike]

Hi..! Congratulations to you and your son. My sons are my favorite dive buddies...

-Are SPG's interchangable or are they matched to regulators? Can I pick and choose different manufacturers?

SPG's are attached to the high pressure ports in your first stage, which are (as far as I know) an industry standard size. You can just buy an SPG and screw it into an HP port.

-While I would like to go right out and buy everything at once, I'd like to bypass the computer right now and put the money into a good regulator. Is the computer a "must" for a recreational diver or can this be a purchase I make down the road?

Certainly not a "must" - you can dive tables like you learned in your OW class. It's hard to make budget calls for someone else, but make sure that you have a good handle on what you are buying before spending money.

Most companies that manufacture modern regulators make fairly reliable gear, but there is a wide range of cost, and you may not need to put all that much money into this item. What you need is determined by where you will be diving and what sort of diving you will be doing, so a very expensive, environmentally sealed regulator might be needed for extremely cold water diving, but not if you will mainly be doing shallow warm water diving.

Also, remember that an SPG and a computer can be combined into one relatively inexpensive package (especially if you buy used), so you might want to look into that option as well. If you buy used (especially if you buy a used regulator), have it checked / serviced immediately by a qualified technician...

While it is great to have your own regulator, don't forget that owning one means that you now have to service it - typically once a year. This is not cheap either. So if you are not doing that much diving, it might make more sense to just rent your regulators when you need them and get the computer now (if it is really a question of one or the other).

Another advantage of having your own computer (if you like tech-y stuff) is that you can download dive data to your own digital computer logbook and have a lot of the details at hand which may be useful to you latter as you continue your dive education...

Just my 2 PSI..!



Mike

 

[weitodive]

Spg's are interchangeable. You don't have to buy any matching equipment. As far as computer go, you don't have to have one but you need to know and understand how to use the tables. What you have to consider is that it is your safety. The computer also allows for more bottom time when you do repetitive diving. just remember that either way you go you should stay within your limits and you should be fine.

 

[Majickyl]

SPGs are interchangeable. An inexpensive brass pressure gauge and a high pressure hose is all you need in an SPG. Hoses are standard and should fit your first stage, whatever you end up with.

I agree that a computer is not necessary from the start, but will add that it depends on the type of diving you will be doing. The squarer the profile, the less advantageous a computer is. If your diving is multi-level, your bottom time will be much greater with a computer.

If you do not have a computer you will also need a watch and a depth gauge, and an understanding of the tables. Granted you should also have all that even with a computer!

If you do plan on getting a (non-air-integrated) computer and having it as a console (as opposed to wrist mounted), you may want to consider your pressure gauge and computer combo... it might be hard to find a boot to fit both together, depending on their sizes.

 

[Charlie99]

The squarer the profile, the less advantageous a computer is. If your diving is multi-level, your bottom time will be much greater with a computer.

Computers also do a better job of calculating repetitive dive times. The tables track only one compartment for repetitive calculations. This artificially lowers NDLs for repetitive dives that are deeper than 40' or 50'.

-------------------------------------------

Non-air-integrated computers are pretty cheap, and you may find that your most cost effective route is to make your first purchase a low end nitrox compatible computer rather than buying a depth gauge that you will only use for a while.

Example of reasonably priced pressure gauge + nitrox computer package: Oceanic Veo 180 Console Scuba Diving Computer

 

[doctormike]

Non-air-integrated computers are pretty cheap, and you may find that your most cost effective route is to make your first purchase a low end nitrox compatible computer rather than buying a depth gauge that you will only use for a while.

Example of reasonably priced pressure gauge + nitrox computer package: Oceanic Veo 180 Console Scuba Diving Computer

Yup, and if you consider the cost of a good quality SPG with hose and boot (~$100), a depth gauge (~$50) and a bottom timer, an air integrated computer might make even more financial sense. I used one of these for many years and it worked great...

 

[Puffer Fish]

Hi,
My son and I are new to diving and just completed our OWD last fall.

My next step is to get us geared up. We've got our BC's ordered and now I'm moving onto Regs.

I think we've decided on the regulators.

I've got a couple of questions......

-Are SPG's interchangable or are they matched to regulators? Can I pick and choose different manufacturers?

-While I would like to go right out and buy everything at once, I'd like to bypass the computer right now and put the money into a good regulator. Is the computer a "must" for a recreational diver or can this be a purchase I make down the road?

These forums have been really helpful so far, and a big Thank You!

You have some excellent advise here regarding the SPG..., and on the computer. Waiting has some advantages, in that you can decide on wrist versus attached computer, and how fancy. Only recommendation for sure is that you should get a Nitrox computer when you do get one, even if today you are not.

Having your own reg and BC is a major improvement in your comfort while diving.

 

[capercanuck]

Lots of great information.....

Since we are so new to diving, I'm pretty sure our first batch of dives will be very basic.

I know the basic gear we would like to have to begin the journey, (bcd, regs, spg), and I think now from reading this thread and others the computer might be able to wait. I think it might be a good idea to try the integrated computer, and the wrist style. It seems to be a matter of taste.

We will be doing our first "post certification" dives in Cancun next month. The anticipation is pretty high!

Thanks again!

 

[CAVDVR93538]

Most computers now are nitrox. The hose vs wrist is more of a personal preference. Some hose models are air integrated meaning the computer reads everything including the amount of air (but not the oxygen percentage, only pressure of the gas) in your tank. The wrist versions can do the same thing, but the information is transmitted wirelessly to the computer on your wrist. If it is not a wireless type then it only monitors your depth and other information based on the depth and gas oxygen percentage that was entered in the computer at the beginning of the dive.
In my opinion, the regulator is the first logical purchase due to the fact that it is a personal item and it is your life source.