Suggestions on a wrist computer for new divers

[gkornfeld]

My son (he is 14 now) have been certified for 1 1/2 years. We have dove in Belize, Cozumel, Keys. We ahve about 25 dives under our belt. We still rent our equpment; but we want a basic wrist computer.

Any suggestions?

Can you do something below $200? What about $300?

Thanks

 

[Insta-Gator]

Check out the Suunto Zoop.

 

[Jax]

ScubaPro TEC 2G or Aladin 2G.

While you can find them used, it is hard to do so, because their owners love them so much!

 

[Jxh2297]

I got the aeris xr1 nx for 250. Awesome and simple computer.

 

[CuNanoTube]

I use a Subgear XP-10. It is great.

 

[chile7236]

I use a Subgear XP-10. It is great.

x2 here...very good comp for the price. cheaper than others mentioned in here as well.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

OK. You live in San Diego. Go to any of the Sport Chalet locations (Mission Valley, Point Loma, UTC). They are currently having a sale on the Zoop for $225. FYI, Sport Chalet is an authorized Aqualung/Apeks/Suunto dealer. You'll be covered by a warranty. That's a great price.

I would ask the salesperson if he/she could throw in a couple of 10 airfill cards to sweeten the deal.

The Zoop is an excellent nitrox-capable wrist computer. Suunto dive computers are easy to use, the display is legible, and the manual is well-written. I feel the phosphorescent illumination (charge with a separate light source) is actually better than push-button backlighting, since a few seconds charge leaves a lasting glow that doesn't eat up battery life. The battery is very easy to replace, although you'll probably only have to change it once every few years. Some people complain that the Suunto RGBM deco algorithm is too conservative for their tastes. I've found it to be perfectly fine for the hundreds of dives that I've done.

If you don't get the Zoop, I'd check out the Aladin 2G (mentioned by Jax) or one of the Oceanic/Aeris puck-style computers. All are great bang-for-the-buck.

Let us know what you end up getting...

 

[DiveNav]

In the Dive Computers Research Tool there are 21 models that meet your criteria. Most of them have videos so you can see them in action before purchasing one.

Alberto (aka eDiver)