halocline
Contributor
The mosquito has been plagued with varying reports of problems; I don't know how serious it is, but you almost never hear of problems with the gekko. I'd get that one, and do the hack for your downloads if it's important.
Suunto Gekko or Equivalent - beginner computer
- Thread starter Pseudocyber
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CODMAN
Contributor
The Mares M2 has similar functions to the Gecko, uses a similar algorythm (which affects conservatism, and arguably the built in safety factor), it's downloadable, and has user changeable batteries. It's 199$ at Scubatoys right now (full warranty there). I have one and like it a lot. It does everything I need a computer to do for me.
I've also read posts on Oceanic VEO180's being sold for 180$, which is also a good deal. A lot of people like these.
Just other options out there for you!
I've also read posts on Oceanic VEO180's being sold for 180$, which is also a good deal. A lot of people like these.
Just other options out there for you!
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try the Oceanic Geo. Currently around $349 AND PC downloadable!
richerso
Contributor
I am a big fan of the Gekko. I purchased my Gekko when I first started diving 3-1/2 years ago. I dive fairly actively. I've never really had a need to upgrade. The Gekko will Nitrox dive with you. It will not tri-mix dive. I have found my Gekko to be very dependable.
Also, when comparing computers, be sure to thoroughly investigate the user button interface and menu interface. I was on a Caribbean boat last year and the group wanted to do a nitrox dive. I picked my gekko up and with a couple of very intuitive button pushes, I had set my Gekko up for 32% O2.
There was a small group of divers on the boat diving a different brand of computer (I don't remember which brand). They had been bragging all week about how great their computers were and how easy they were to use. When the nitrox dive was announced, I had my computer set and was enjoying a cold drink and watermelon in about 10 seconds. Of this group of four with the other brand, three of them had their computer manuals out reading through the Settings section. I will bet it took them somewhere between 10 and 15 minutes to figure out to set their computers up for nitrox. As I recall, it involved some bizarre ritual of hold this button for two seconds. Hold that button for three seconds. Flip through six menus. Hold this button for another two seconds . . . . . . . . You get the idea.
I was a little bit bummed that the Gekko would not download dive logs; but now I see that problem has been hacked!
JR
Also, when comparing computers, be sure to thoroughly investigate the user button interface and menu interface. I was on a Caribbean boat last year and the group wanted to do a nitrox dive. I picked my gekko up and with a couple of very intuitive button pushes, I had set my Gekko up for 32% O2.
There was a small group of divers on the boat diving a different brand of computer (I don't remember which brand). They had been bragging all week about how great their computers were and how easy they were to use. When the nitrox dive was announced, I had my computer set and was enjoying a cold drink and watermelon in about 10 seconds. Of this group of four with the other brand, three of them had their computer manuals out reading through the Settings section. I will bet it took them somewhere between 10 and 15 minutes to figure out to set their computers up for nitrox. As I recall, it involved some bizarre ritual of hold this button for two seconds. Hold that button for three seconds. Flip through six menus. Hold this button for another two seconds . . . . . . . . You get the idea.
I was a little bit bummed that the Gekko would not download dive logs; but now I see that problem has been hacked!
JR
Damselfish
Contributor
Dive computers can be great to have but it probably wouldn't be the first thing on my list to buy, I'd be thinking about a reg or BC as one of my first purchases after I got certified, or maybe a wetsuit. That said, the Gekko is a pretty good computer and supposedly can be downloaded with a hack, though I haven't tried it with mine. But lots of other good options out there too.
A dive computer does seem like more of a stretch for "health benefit dollars" then fins/mask/snorkel...
A dive computer does seem like more of a stretch for "health benefit dollars" then fins/mask/snorkel...
Eastbayfe
Contributor
I just acquired my Gekko after a series of pre-Christmas hints. I emailed the LP web page to my wife at work. I had been comparing models for a while. The cost, the large display (I wear reading glasses) as well as the functions brought me around to this model. After receiving it I am happy to find the menu and setups are easy and it has everything I need. I know some that dive with the other Suunto models and had one of their multifunction watches some time ago so felt fairly confident that this model would be of the same quality. No, I haven't gotten it wet yet so hopefully my experience will continue to be a good one.
richerso
Contributor
I second the comment on the glow thing. Definitely worthless.
When I bought the thing, the dive instructor at the LDS told me it was a pretty simple thing to just shine your dive light across it if you needed to read something. That sounded reasonable to me at the time. But now that I have dive experience, the next model I buy is definitely going to have a backlight function.
btw, my biggest fear is that my dive light is going to crap out at 80 ft. If that happens, it takes a few seconds to bring the backup light online. It would be nice to be able to glance at my comp during the interim to make sure I haven't started some imperceptible ascent. fyi, I am a lake diver. It's always a night dive below 40 ft and I have had dive lights crap out in mid fin kick.
When I bought the thing, the dive instructor at the LDS told me it was a pretty simple thing to just shine your dive light across it if you needed to read something. That sounded reasonable to me at the time. But now that I have dive experience, the next model I buy is definitely going to have a backlight function.
btw, my biggest fear is that my dive light is going to crap out at 80 ft. If that happens, it takes a few seconds to bring the backup light online. It would be nice to be able to glance at my comp during the interim to make sure I haven't started some imperceptible ascent. fyi, I am a lake diver. It's always a night dive below 40 ft and I have had dive lights crap out in mid fin kick.
Its not just that - it makes reading your gauge a 2 handed job, need to shine torch onto computer on opposite wrist and read.
Backlight far simpler.
If im going to shine a light on a computer to read it i dont NEED a glow screen!
Backlight far simpler.
If im going to shine a light on a computer to read it i dont NEED a glow screen!
Damselfish
Contributor
For another point of view, I actually like the glow feature. If you hold the light on it for a bit it will glow for awhile. And doesn't use the battery. I actually have a Vyper too and have never used the backlight.
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