Suunto Vytec vs. Oceanic VT Pro

[tangfish]

I'm wondering what your thoughts are on the Vytec vs. the VT Pro, is the Vytec really 250 bucks worth better? Or are they pretty much equivalent for Rec diving? One person told me the Oceanics have more problems but I don't know how reliable of information he had. Owners please share.

 

[DiveMistress2]

If you are interested in remaining within the recreational limits of diving have you considered the Vyper instead of the Vytec?

The difference between these two is that the Vytec allows you to store 3 different gas mixes within it. This is used when doing deco stops and changing over to different mixes so that your computer recalculates the remainder of your dive on your new mix.

I am unfamiliar with the Oceanic but I can tell you that SUUNTO makes one heck of a computer. I'm now on my second - I had the cobra (air integrated version of the vyper) but decided to change to a wrist mounted vytec when I did some technical training.

The numbers are big and visible in the water, the menu is easy to navigate through and when you buy the serial cable for downloading it's extremely userfriendly.

I would recommend trying them both out underwater. See if your LDS has any in their rental dept. or if they will loan you one before you buy it.

I'm wondering what your thoughts are on the Vytec vs. the VT Pro, is the Vytec really 250 bucks worth better? Or are they pretty much equivalent for Rec diving? One person told me the Oceanics have more problems but I don't know how reliable of information he had. Owners please share.

 

[ScubaRon]

The Oceanics (and Aerises, Sherwoods and Genesi) are only suited for recreational diving up to about 100ft/30m and should not be used for multi-day diving.

If you think you'll be doing multi-day diving or deep dives after shallow ones, go for a Suunto or Uwatec.

As Funky mentioned the VT Pro is really more comparable to a Vyper than to a Vytec.

 

[Scubakevdm]

The Oceanics (and Aerises, Sherwoods and Genesi) are only suited for recreational diving up to about 100ft/30m and should not be used for multi-day diving./QUOTE]

Hmmm. I used to dive an Oceanic twice a day, almost every day. What should I do now?

 

[ScubaRon]

Well, buy a Suunto or a Uwatec or any other brand with an algorithm suited for multiday diving.

 

[Scubakevdm]

Well, buy a Suunto or a Uwatec or any other brand with an algorithm suited for multiday diving.

Cool, I got an Uwatec Smart-Com. I wonder if diving that Aeris everyday is what made all my hair fall out. Do you suppose they know that Pelagic computers aren't suitable for multi-day diving? It doesn't mention it anywhere on any of the sales literature we have here at our shop. I guess they're gonna have one heck of a law suit on their hands whenever the first guy gets bent doing multi-day dives with a Pelagic. How did you uncover this scandlous information? Ooh, I'd better go wake up Peter. He's been diving Pelagic computers almost every day for years, and he still has one. Thanks again!

 

[PurduEE]

Well, buy a Suunto or a Uwatec or any other brand with an algorithm suited for multiday diving.

I've got to call Shennanigans on this one... I'd be interested in any backing for the argument that Pelagic computers are not suited for multi-day diving. RGBM may be the hot deco algorithm right now, but that doesn't mean that Pelagic's algo isn't any good except for single dives done at least 24 hours apart. Plenty of divers do multiple dives per day for multiple days on Pelagic computers.

FWIW, the Suunto models don't have a true RGBM implementation. The use a modified haldanian model with some RGBM calculations to make the model more RGBM-like. Uwatec has some fudge factor stuff in their algo as well accounting for water temp, etc., but I doubt it would make much of a difference. Given uwatec's past history (failing to divulge a bug in their algorithm so that they could line their pockets) I'd take a pass on their stuff just on principle...

Regardless, you're passing off your particular bias against Pelagic computers as fact, when it's your opinion. Either that or you've been given bad information. With a large post count like yours, I suspect it's the former, rather than the latter.

 

[PurduEE]

I'm wondering what your thoughts are on the Vytec vs. the VT Pro, is the Vytec really 250 bucks worth better? Or are they pretty much equivalent for Rec diving? One person told me the Oceanics have more problems but I don't know how reliable of information he had. Owners please share.

I've got both. I also have a a Suunto Cobra that my wife uses.

The real difference between these two computers comes down to multiple gas support. Do you do any multi-gas diving (travel mix, deco mix, etc.)? If you do, you would benefit from this feature on the Vytec. If you don't, save yourself some money and get a VT-Pro. The suunto interface is definitely nicer, but it's hard to justify the cost difference for just ergonomics. They are comparable computers otherwise.

I predominantly dive my VT-Pro, and I've never had a problem with mine since I bought it last summer. I still have a mini-SPG on the other HP port of my reg just in case I lose the wireless signal, but I haven't needed it. I would dive with a backup SPG with either, as I just don't trust the wireless 100%. Having air-integration on your wrist is really nice. All the information is there without the usual hose. All in all, I'm glad I went the wireless route, and I'd have a hard time going back.

Either of the computers would be great computers to have. The Pelagic and Suunto computers I have owned have never given me problems, and I've never heard evidence that either one have probems with reliability (other than anecdotal). In addition, both have user-replaceable batteries - Uwatec, for example, requires the computer be sent back to them for battery replacements, which presents a problem if you are leaving for a vacation and realize your battery is dead.

In short, either one will be good, it just comes down to whether or not multiple gas/better interface is worth the price difference.

 

[tangfish]

Scubaron, please back up your assertion that Pelagic computers are not suitable for multi-day diving. I have just ordered one and I'd like to know, quantitatively, why you think this is so (since I haven't heard this sort of news anywhere else). I find it difficult to believe that a manufacturer that makes nearly half of all dive computers makes a machine that is only intended for single diving days, in a sport where multi-day diving is so ubiquitous. I'm just a beginner though.

 

[ScubaRon]

Regardless, you're passing off your particular bias against Pelagic computers as fact, when it's your opinion.

No bias whatsoever. Pelagic makes great computers: I have used an Aeris for many years and never had any problem with it. In my opinion the Pelagic computers are superior to Suunto, Uwatec and many other brands when it comes to ease-of-use, which is an important criteria when selecting a computer.

I did not elaborate on my statement because it has been discussed several times already. However, for your benefit I will list the facts:
- FACT The Spencer/Haldane (S/H)algorithm (used in all Pelagics) was developed for diving up to 27m.
- FACT The S/H algorithm cannot be used for reversed diving profiles.
- FACT Pelagics use the S/H algorithm for dives up to 27m and use Navy tables for diving beyond that.
- FACT Most recreational divers do not fit the profile of a Navy diver.
- FACT Pelagics only measure dissolved gas in your tissues and do not account for free gas.
- FACT Many studies (e.g. by Wiencke, DAN and Uwatec) have shown that free gas ("microbubbles") becomes a very important factor in multiday repetitive diving.
- FACT In their recent computer test Diver magazine concluded that the Pelagic computer (an Oceanic in this case) was the only one in 10 models that was not suited for the multiday repetitive diving that they were doing.
- FACT Rodale's freedom vs. risk charts show a dramatic difference in NDL's when comparing Pelagics with almost any other brand.
- FACT Suunto, Uwatec, Mares and other computer manufacturers all advise to get computers that measure free gas for multiday repetitive diving.

So based on these facts I am of the opinion that the Pelagic's are not suited for multiday repetitive diving.