Hi guys,
I think the Vyper Air looks like a great computer. I love the dot matrix display that suunto use and the new 4 button interface is also excellent. I'm thinking of upgrading my D4 to a Vyper Air for the gas switch!
However please please please do not be sucked in and pay extra for the transmitter. Here are the reasons why.
1) Air integration is great, when it works, not always but sometimes it drops out, then you need a redundant, normal SPG anyway. You should be diving with a redundant SPG in case of these situations, so why pay twice to know how much gas you have left?
2) Its a funky gadget! Lets face it we all love gadgets, but at the end of the day we are there to dive, not play with our computer. It takes 2 secs to grab your SPG and look at it, after you have logged a few dives you will not look at your air as often as you do your computer so you really don't need em combined.
3) You're paying a lot of extra cash to not have to grab your SPG, and if someone manhandles your setup while the transmitter is attached it can get broken really easy. You can get the same computer, without transmitter for ~300 Euro less. Thats almost half the price. For all the same features!
4) "All the same features?" I hear you ask. "But I want air time remaining." ATR is the biggest joke ever. It's a rough estimate, which you should be able to do yourself. I never found mine to be particularly accurate, and it was more annoying than useful. A simple SPG check, means that you will get to know how much air you have, and how much you need to complete your dive. A much better way to dive IMHO.
I bought my first computer WITHOUT air integration even tho it had the option. Then I paid more to get the transmitter. Then I warrantied the computer cos it busted 3 times. Downgraded to a D4 which is a great basic recreational computer. Dived everyday with it for 6 months (I was working on Koh Phi Phi). Never once missed the air integration. Please do not be sucked in. Spend that extra cash on a better set of regs, a dive trip, BC fins whatever! Just don't buy the transmitter.
On the other hand if you are LOADED! Have too much money and just want the gadget I understand. But for most people the transmitters just are not worth it.
Regards
Dave