Tec Computer

[MyronGanes]

I'm slowly getting into tec diving and I'm looking at tec computer options. Is there such a thing as a wrist computer on which I can change the algorithm model and/or integrate it with computer software? Are these worth looking at? Which dive planning software would be best if I am looking to integrate it with a wrist computer? Basically, what are my options? What is generally used in the tec diving community? Thanks in advance.

 

[clownfishsydney]

No need for anyone else to post, the answer will inevitably be Shearwater Perdix. For downloading and viewing dives, Subsurface. There are also a few dive planning software, but personally I do not use as I know what each dive I will ever do works out at (or can use my computer to simulate - not a Shearwater, that is the wife's computer).

 

[OMANDIVER]

I'm slowly getting into tec diving and I'm looking at tec computer options. Is there such a thing as a wrist computer on which I can change the algorithm model and/or integrate it with computer software? Are these worth looking at? Which dive planning software would be best if I am looking to integrate it with a wrist computer? Basically, what are my options? What is generally used in the tec diving community? Thanks in advance.

Multideco software in the itunes store will give you gradient factors and various VPM options. I use it on my Mac and on an ipad mini (works on iphone too)for dive planning and then a Shearwater Petrel on my wrist where i use GF and also have VPMB installed. Its a good combo and easy to use. I find the ipad mini the most practical to take with me. It's also good to review gopro footage on site for classes.

 

[rongoodman]

If you want RGBM(the real version), it's available as an aftermarket option for the Liquivision Xeo. I agree with the previous post, though. Just plan on buying a Perdix, and a copy of Deco for Divers, and move on to the next question.

 

[Centrals]

Tec computer is just one of the option available.
You need to find out what kind of tec diving you're after.

 

[stuartv]

Just my opinion:

Plan to use the Buhlmann ZHL-16B or C (close enough to the same to not matter for just starting tech diving) algorithm with Gradient Factors until you've gotten enough education on deco theory and algorithms to make your own informed choice to use something different. Or stay with Buhlmann+GF, as many, even experts ,do.

Just about every reputable trimix-capable computer on the market supports Buhlmann+GF. There are a couple of exceptions and those that don't seem to be less popular (and maybe that's one reason why).

You're in Canada, I gather. In that case you should have the option to buy a Heinrichs Weikamp computer, which are not sold in the U.S.. So, I would look at:

Shearwater Petrel 2 or Perdix
HW OSTC 3 or 4 (the 3 is less expensive than the Shearwaters and completely equal on specs. The 4 is more expensive and even nicer)
Ratio iX3M+ Tech
Ratio iDive Tech
Divesoft Freedom
Liquivision Xeo

Of them all, I like the OSTC 4 the best (based on specs, reviews, reading forums - I have not held one). If it were available in the U.S. and had AI I would have already bought one.

They're all basically brick-like form factor on your arm except for the Ratio iDive which is a wristwatch form factor.

If you want something that will do the job and you're on a serious budget, you could also look at:

Hollis TX-1 (~$450 - puck)
Dive Rite Nitek Q (~$400 - brick)

Personally, I would wait another couple of weeks, though, to see what is announced at DEMA. If ScubaPro finally releases their version of what was the SeaBear H3, that is definitely another option to consider. I had a Petrel 2 and an H3. I love the H3, sold the Petrel and have not missed it. I also have the Hollis TX-1 as a backup. It's fine (for me, anyway) as a backup, but I would not choose it as my primary. For my primary, I want something that is more readable in really low viz conditions. The H3 is every bit as readable as the Petrel 2 was, and it's a lot smaller form factor (wristwatch sized).


There's not really "integration" with your desktop computer. It's more a matter of running software on your desktop/laptop or tablet that uses the same algorithm as your dive computer, so you can plan it on your desktop or tablet and then expect your dive computer to work the same way when you actually do the dive.

For desktop/laptop, there is Multi-Deco ($$, Windows or Mac), Subsurface (Free, Windows, Mac, or Linux) and others. For tablet use, there is still Multi-Deco, PastoDeco (on Android), and others. I use Multi-Deco on Windows and Mac, Subsurface on Windows and Linux, and PastoDeco on Android and I like them all.

 

[DevonDiver]

The Best Technical Diving Computers 2016

From my perspective:

Perdix + Multideco + Deco For Divers

=

 

[DevonDiver]

If ScubaPro finally releases their version of what was the SeaBear H3......

.... they'll probably replace Bühlmann ZH-L16 with some covert iteration of their RGBM. That algorithm wont be featured on any 3rd-party planning software, only Suunto's own weakling dive planner. You'll be outcast in tech groups where everyone else will be using a Bühlmann or VPM model.

 

[packrat12]

...Personally, I would wait another couple of weeks, though, to see what is announced at DEMA. If ScubaPro finally releases their version of what was the SeaBear H3, that is definitely another option to consider. I had a Petrel 2 and an H3. I love the H3, sold the Petrel and have not missed it. I also have the Hollis TX-1 as a backup. It's fine (for me, anyway) as a backup, but I would not choose it as my primary. For my primary, I want something that is more readable in really low viz conditions. The H3 is every bit as readable as the Petrel 2 was, and it's a lot smaller form factor (wristwatch sized)...

Personally I value reliability the most in my computers. They are the last thing I want to worry about in a technical dive. Why would I trust H3 or SPs version when neither has a reputation for reliability or support? The H3 has a lot of issues that are biting the early adopters. That computer is a failure.

Stuartv is discussing an interesting and serious potential failure of the TX-1. I would hardly recommend it based on that failure until it is understood and Hollis has responded. I can tell you that my CCR (Hollis Prism 2) is using Shearwater controller and Shearwater Nerd. I would not buy a CCR that is not controlled by Shearwater. Most vendors are going to them and not away from them. My daughter's Hollis Explorer SCR is controlled by a Hollis proprietary controller. It is garbage. Being that it is a recreational SCR, I will live with it until she goes CCR.

Technical diving is not a place to 'try out gear'. You want a serious technical manufacturer with a solid, long earned reputation for reliability, usability and functionality. There are a few solid computer manufacturers. Shearwater is definitely at the top of any technical computer heap!

 

[stuartv]

Personally I value reliability the most in my computers. They are the last thing I want to worry about in a technical dive. Why would I trust H3 or SPs version when neither has a reputation for reliability or support? The H3 has a lot of issues that are biting the early adopters. That computer is a failure.

Stuartv is discussing an interesting and serious potential failure of the TX-1. I would hardly recommend it based on that failure until it is understood and Hollis has responded.

How many cases have you heard of where an H3 has caused someone a problem during a dive? I've seen posts from 2 or 3 people here about problems with theirs. And I don't recall any of those being ones that caused them a problem during a dive. I'm not seeing that (so far) as reason to label the computer a failure. Also, one person has posted that in their country they are having trouble getting warranty service. It seems like everyone else that has had issues has reported that they were taken care of one way or another. At least one person posted that SP exchanged their H3 for a new SP Mantis 2 with AI which they promptly sold for more than what I paid for my H3. Maybe not ideal in that if I bought an H3, I'd rather have an H3 than a Mantis to sell. Considering that everyone who has an H3 bought it from SeaBear, not ScubaPro, I think SP actually deserves some props at this point for how they are handling broken H3s, not criticism for lack of support.

My TX-1 did not fail in the sense that it died or anything. As far as I can tell, what it did was go into Violation Gauge Mode because I skipped a deco stop. A stop that I skipped because I was following my H3 which was set to less conservative Gradient Factors. I.e. if the manual were updated to document that it works that way, then I would have to say that the TX-1 works just like it's supposed to. A documentation error does not make it a bad computer. I'm not saying there is nothing wrong with it. I'm saying there is no hard evidence, yet, to say that there IS something wrong with it.

I have not heard back from my email to Hollis yet. But I texted the regional Hollis rep yesterday and he said he would put me in touch with someone to help me with my questions.

Also, this leads me to feel like I have to point out that the reason Shearwater has such a great rep for customer service is because so many people have gone to them for customer service. Some of those people lauding their customer service had a problem with their computer. If nobody ever had a problem with their Petrel, why would they contact the company or have any reason to even KNOW whether SW gives good customer service or not? There was a thread not long ago where one poster was going on about how they use SW computers because they are a serious cave diver and need computers with rock solid reliability and SW is awesome because they sent 3 Petrels in in 2 years for warranty issues and SW did such an awesome job of taking care of them. The irony of that post seemed to be completely lost on the SW Kool-Aid drinkers. I have been diving an Oceanic Atom for 2 years. I can't tell you the first thing about Oceanic customer service - because my Atom has just worked the whole time and I've never needed anything from Oceanic. And yes, some people need help from SW for other reasons than a problem with their actual computer. When I had a Petrel 2, I broke the Bluetooth dongle for my computer. I emailed SW to see about buying another one and they just sent me one for free. Their customer service IS awesome. But, implying that their computers never, ever have a problem is just ridiculous.