SSshhhhhhhhhh---computers!

[Nemrod]

OK, I ain't got no stink'n computer and have never really felt I needed one. Sure sometimes it may penailize me on bottom time not having one but it makes for a great excuse to get out and warm up. I guess I am going to purchase one, non integrated so I was going to ask y'all which ones you have. No, they are not vintage but I see them being squirrlled away--hidden--in pockets while you guys pretend to work the tables--lol.

Here is the thing, recently while on a fairly deep, dark, cold dive with my new buddy who is outfitted with an entire dive shop of the latest and greatest, I see this huge computer console compass, can opener, stun gun thing all hanging off his Ape-X regulator. So, I figure no problem, why should I think there is a problem? Problem is that when we hit the wreck and I turned to check his air (since he was new), I could not read the thing. It was blinking and scrolling and had so many graphs and numbers that it made absolutely no sense. I had no idea how much air he had or anything --nada--zip. I did not have my glasses and it was all an unconprehensible bunch of gibberish. Turning to myself, I pulled my mini ScubaPro console with spg and depth and quickly read my "needles." I did not have to think about it or try to foucus my eyes, in a instant glance, a split of a second I had all of my info, in another instant the info was processed, a glance at the Seiko provided another imput and within a few seconds my time remaining at intended target depth was calculated.

So this makes me know that most computers are actually just toys and thus I wonder you vintage equipment/traditional divers opinions on the best computer that is legible. What do y'all have hidden away? Can you read it without glasses? Do you actually use it?

Do you really need a computer, the thing that is actually driving my computer interest is nitrox and other such mixes. I can calculate my time in my head accurately enough working the original NAVY tables plus safety allowance with little effort but then doing it one dive for air and the next dive on nitrox begins to overload my three remaining brain cells. N

 

[Charlie99]

You should get one of the hockey pucks by Pelagic. Sold under lots of brandnames including Oceanic. It has big numbers for depth, and a nice bargraph for N2 loading. I rarely pay any attention to the NDL numbers and instead just look at the bargraph which has 10 or 12 segments that correspond to N2 loading levels --- kind of like the analog SPG that you prefer.

OTOH, if you are diving more or less square profile dives (which is what I usually end up doing in SE Florida), then the computer doesn't gain you much. It really only simplifies things a lot when you are doing true multilevel dives, such as working your way back up a wall.

 

[Bob3]

The closest thing I have to a "dive computer" is the set of wheels in the "US Navy Diving Operations Handbook". (gotta plan yer dive, etc.)
I was surprised that they're made outta plastic; I didn't know they had plastic back then.
I prefer the older tables for the NDLs; they give a deeper depth for the "unlimited" bottom time category.
(disclaimer: the above comment is an attempt at humor)

 

[captain]

I started using a computer in 1984 with an Orca Edge. It took me a while to gain a degree of trust in it but it greatly increased my time especially on multi leve spearfishing dives on the oil rigs. I always and still do wear a watch and depth gauge and the gray matter computer as back up. I still have the Edge and it still works but because of it size I recently bought a wrist mount Oceanic air only computer. It is easier to read than the Edge but I still prefer the Edge display. On occasion I carry the Edge as backup.

 

[RonFrank]

I use an Aeris Atmos II. It has a large face, and I use it for depth, BT, and to check NDL status even if I generally know what the NDL is on a square profile even with Nitrox.

I use an SPG for pressure.

I highly recommend that computer unless you plan on multiple gasses, or serious deco diving. For the rec diver it's a great computer, and easy to use and read. Some of the smaller numbers on the display may result in prescription lenses, or those paste on mask inserts for those of us who's eyes just don't focus close quickly, or at all! That is not a computer limitation, if you have to hold your guages at arms length to read them, then maybe time for a real solution rather then attempting to focus on a guage.

 

[Creed]

I started using a computer in 1984 with an Orca Edge. It took me a while to gain a degree of trust in it but it greatly increased my time especially on multi leve spearfishing dives on the oil rigs. I always and still do wear a watch and depth gauge and the gray matter computer as back up. I still have the Edge and it still works but because of it size I recently bought a wrist mount Oceanic air only computer. It is easier to read than the Edge but I still prefer the Edge display. On occasion I carry the Edge as backup.

I also liked my Edge, but I sold it recently for 3x what I paid for it. Personally, my next computer will probably be an Oceanic Veo or an Aeris XR-1.

 

[Nemrod]

I looked at some of those, they seem to have crowded displays with low contrasts and to many numbers to evaluate. I think I would want one that simply shows an analog display or bar graph and leave all the fancy digital information for the download to a PC should somebody wish to know all that. Are there any with a needle or a bar graph that shows at a glance where you are and where you want to be. I am interested in deco status info only, I will remain with analog depth guages and analog watch/timers and B&G spgs (brass and glass). I just want a graph that is pictorally displayed so as to provide instant information about nitrogen loading without all the numbers and blinking digits. I the think the Edge was of that nature but I am not much into ebay, I would like something new with a warranty and all that. No air integration or transmitters. If it would plug into a PC and then download all that extraneous dive profile and etc then that would be nice but is of little interest to me. I just need deco info and the ability to set gas mixes on the fly or between dives during surface interval. If it could also provide depth and time via an analog display that would be grande but if it crowds out the deco display then I would not want that. It really does not matter how deep you are or what the time is if your diving a computer profile and it is tracking it for you, all you need to do is ride the bar graph or needle and keep it out of the red. Having to fumble with buttons and digits underwater is a bit much for me. As I was thinking, I would keep my dependable mechanicali nstruments on my wrists etc as always, the computer would be backup since so many dive boats insists you have one nowadays. N

 

[Creed]

Well, if you look at the Veo on the scubatoys.com website, you'll see that it has a little "bubble" guage on the left side, with corresponding green, yellow and red marks on the case. As long as the bubbles are in the green part of the case, you are clear. You can tell how close you are to decomp. at a glance, with the bubbles getting bigger as you get closer to a decomp. dive.

 

[Rickg]

I have to say I'm sold on Oceanic's/Sherwood's stoplight (RYG) bar graphs. My wife and I have been using Oceanic Data Sports since '94 with no problems. Easy to read and easy to understand. I just make sure I finish all my dives in the green.

Rickg

 

[pescador775]

Up untl a few years ago, I used the Scubapro DCP. This was/is an analog dial and super easy to interpret. Originially, purchased for diving in Cozumel because of the complexity of the dive profiles and considering the depths which were rarely less than 100 feet and sometimes as deep as 240 feet. The bulkyness was off putting and I could never find a convenient way to carry the thing which I did for almost three decades. When I started with NITROX, whether for use with modern equipment or with vintage gear, I bought a react pro. This little gadget is convenient to carry, has a graph which is almost as good as the DCP dial and has been reliable. It is fitted into a vintage USD console with 4000 psi vintage gauge. The console plugs into a quick disconnect on the single hose regulator. When using double hose reg, the same console plugs into a quick disconnect on the twin tank manifold. (I only use twins with a double hose).