SPG or Console?

[DevonDiver]

When not diving, I wear my watch on my wrist. Why? Because it is convenient and easy to view. The same applies to my dive computer. It's an instinctive place to have it...and it encourages constant monitoring. I can see most of my critical information at a glance, even when using that hand to deploy/ascend a DSMB or shot line.

The concept of redundancy has migrated primarily from the tech diving world. As with many tech diving 'best practices' it is a very useful concept - but has to be applied using common sense.

There is nothing wrong with superflous redundancy for recreational diving, but it isn't necessarily correct, efficient or cost-effective. It is important to critically analyise the likely failures that you might experience on a recreational dive in the context of the impact that they will have upon you.

The whole point of recreational diving is that you should have constant and unimpeded access to the surface at any time. That provides you with the option to abort and ascend in the event of any equipment failure or loss. As such, it renders the need for redundant kit to be mostly unnecessary.

For recreational diving, I use the following:

Dive computer - strapped to wrist
Compass - button compass and/or electronic compass in my pdc.
SPG - simple spg on lpi hose

When doing complex nav, I have a compass attached to a bolt snap, which lives in my wet/drysuit pocket.

 

[h90]

Hi everyone,

I'm curious to find out the best option for setting up your gauges. Do you use a console with SPG, depth gauge and compass. Or just and SPG on its own, relying on you computer to give you depth and a compass clipped off to your BCD (or wrist mounted)?

I know it would be nice to have a redundant depth gauge but I'd thumb the dive if my computer fails anyway so is it really necessary?

I can get a good deal on a Mares abyss 42 from my LDS and am thinking about keeping it light and cheap with just the SPG and having a compass on a retractor clipped to my BC, but would like to hear others thoughts/opinions.

Thanks,
Pat

Well, my opinion...some may not agree:
You dive with buddy, no deco dive, no dives over 40 meter
What I use: Computer with transmitter compass on the hand (watch like).
BUT I check the computer often, I check with the buddy if I have doubts on something. If anything would look strange I would abort the dive.

My new setup fuer solo: 2 first stages (1 bottle, TAG valve) 1 SPG, 1 Computer transmitter. deep gouge (watch like) 1 compass. Still looking for a watch.
So basically everything double.

 

[nikos81]

ferris213, as you can see there are lots of opinions for this matter. I personally am like Bhtmec2 guy. I have an analogue console and I'm planningto buy a wrist computer. There is always a chance of electronic failure and it will be at the worst moment when it happens. You don't want to ruin a dive due to this...

 

[ferris213]

Thanks for all the responses.

I already have my computer (veo 180) on my wrist, so I think an analogue SPG with the compass on a clip in the BC pocket is the way to go for me. Almost all of our diving has been with a DM so for the moment I don't think it will get much use.

Thanks again,
Pat

 

[cloudflint]

I have an SPG, suunto vyper and compass built into a console. I then have a suunto d6 on my right wrist and an analog depth gauges on my left wrist.

The good things about this setup are that I have a redundant computer on my console that i never look at but can if i need to, and with a computer on one wrist and an analog depth gauge on the outher it means that if i am using one hand for something i still have a gauge i can look at on the other wrist. Also this setup helps keep water from getting up my arms

The bad things ive noticed about this setup is that its really annoying having your compass on your console when you are trying to take bearings on the boat or shore before a dive. Also the console is quite bulky.

I think if money was no object i would have just an spg with no console and have a computer and compass on my right wrist and an analog depth gauge and watch on my left wrist. That way i have some means of monitoring depth and time on both wrists and in the even of a a gauge breaking i would have a backup.

 

[ozziworld]

If your going to be redundant anyway, why not have another computer on your console vs. analog?

I would just go with another computer as back up and a small compass clipped on where you like.

 

[cloudflint]

If your going to be redundant anyway, why not have another computer on your console vs. analog?

I would just go with another computer as back up and a small compass clipped on where you like.

Thats the setup i have at the moment with a backup computer on my console. I find it a bit bulky having it on the console though and find i prefer stuff on my wrists. Since i only really use the computer as a bottom timer anyway a watch is nice and discreet and dosent have much bulk for wearing on my wrist, plus its nice and cheap compared to a computer.

Theres a few of the guys i dive with who have their compass clipped to their bcd, i find i like being able to glance at my compass without having to reach for it though.

 

[dixiedan]

I say SPG all the way..a wrist mount is always a nice add on but the SPG is tried and true

 

[dpaustex]

I would have to ask what kind of diving you are planning on doing. Also, are you planning any camera equipment?

The reason I ask is I like to be as streamlined as possible - and also keep my hands free. I have every kind of setup (I know, too many toys), but I also am a photographer. So, I like to keep both hands on my camera rig. Currently I have a wireless wrist computer, which lets me know depth, pressure, and a whole lot of other things. On the other wrist I have a backup timing device (watch) that has a timer I start when I splash. I don't really have a backup, per se, on the SPG, which would be usefull if my computer fails, at least I would know how much air I have.

But in all of my dives, with all of my gear, I've never had an electrical equipment failure. I do take meticulous care of my equipment, and pamper the electronics. I have had my wireless "lose contact" with the transmitter, but simply holding my wrist to my 1st stage quickly resolved that.

The nice part about everything on your wrist is you are not dragging hoses. You also don't have a high pressure hose dragging around with a SPG on it (yep, one less hose). The wireless system have gotten fairly inexpensive, and are the way to go.

In terms of compass, I do use a retractable Suunto, which I like. Some of the computers have compasses in them, but I have always found them slow to react to real-world conditions.

 

[KeithG]

Go with something simple that you understand and will keep you safe. Note that this make a compass the least important? -> If you do wimpy dives like us!

But always consider redundancy versus aborting a dive. If you go elcheapo, then under failure conditions your only option is to abort. Which should never be a problem. An abort must always be considered and should always be safe.

I started diving before computers and had the full console: spg, depth, bottom timer (both wife buddy & I). We then added 1 computer, but contined to dive tables. We then added a second computer and stopped diving tables. We then added a third computer after the bottom timers failed. So we had 3 timers, 5 depth gauges, only 1 each pressure gauge each plus 3 dive algorithms.

And we never came close to pushing the limits on any of them.

We still rely on SPG's as none of our computers are air integrated. I miss the bottom timer since it was close to my SPG, but rarely check the mechanical depth gauge anymore.

I think the bottom line is that you want to consider the level of redundancy between the buddy's. You also should know in advance what the criteria are for aborting a dive.

How much is your life worth?

Oh yah! the compass - we found one on the bottom on a dive. I stuck it into a blank on my wife's console and now we have one. She still gets lost most every dive.