Tec Computers?

[HybridDiver]

Im going to go with the Tables and timmers, I like to think and not rely on computers. If its anything like my desktop computer, or the computers the flight i was on the other day I have more chance living with my brain . I dont trust computers alot anymore, Thanks for the help guys.
Bubbles away!
Chris

 

[karstdvr]

Im going to go with the Tables and timmers, I like to think and not rely on computers. If its anything like my desktop computer, or the computers the flight i was on the other day I have more chance living with my brain . I dont trust computers alot anymore, Thanks for the help guys.
Bubbles away!
Chris

To play devil's advocate,there is nothing wrong with a computer. Many people will say computers are conservative but they have the advantage of taking advantage of real time multilevel profile that a dive table can't do. I've done a lot of deep diving with many different computers,tables etc,and I do carry a back up table with me,but I use either a Nitek HE or 3 depending on if I am using trimix or not,and find that I get out of the water faster than tables,unless I make the tables very liberal by averaging depth and staying above a ceiling. I am not a fan of the VR3 which is very costly,and makes you do deeps stops when a slow ascent is more realistic. Using timers and tables can be a low cost alternative,but personally I like dive computers,and it has probably been the greatest addition to diving since the demand regulator-ironically we tend to go backwards to tables and bottom timers/depth guages. Look on many different tech forums you'll find Dive Rite He going for a good price,it is a great low priced alternative to the VR3 or HS Explorer,or better yet Dive Rite has something new to be launched in the near future.

 

[Compressor]

To continue this discussion, I would like to know what computer people are using for their deeper dives (100-200 feet). Problems associated with them would give everyone a good clue on real life experiences.

 

[Compressor]

I'm been using my Oceanic Data Trans Plus. Never had a problem in the water.
However I have used the computer for deco diving only 8 times so my experience with deco in this setting is limited.

I must have about 400 dives deeper than 100 feet. Not a single problem.

 

[Meng_Tze]

As far as I know, there is only one algorithm upgrade available (VPM) and it's implementaiton has not been well recieved. The two divers with whom I spoke face to face about it, had both upgraded, then removed it.

Both were doing mixed gas diving on CCR between 150 and 250 feet.

While the VR3 is an excellent computer, I also found it to be too conservative. But that is another thread.

Computers are very good nowadays and I started running one since my trimix cert. Yes it can all be done on tables and I did my courses on tables, but there is so much happening and a computer just makes life easier. Always back it up with tables and make sure you actually can run on tables. I dont think there is anything wrong with diving with a computer as long as you have a backup plan and can actually use that backup plan.

 

[Meng_Tze]

Hello, do most tec divers use a computer or just two timing devices and run off the tables and use there brain for a computer? Im super curious, I getting into tec diving and i dont know if i want to buy a super heavy duty comptuer or just get two timing device and use my good ol thinker as my computer?
Chris

I started off with a two gas nitrox computer (Apeks Quantum= DR Duo= Tusa IQ700) and this served me all the way up to Trimix cert. First in computer mode doing Nitrox dives, then purely in guage mode. Heck it has not seen computer mode in 3 years or so.... It is banged up, scratched and looks like a veteran.... but still goes well.

My advise is to get a computer that can also serve as BT initially.

 

[PerroneFord]

The questions I've had regarding some of these computers for technical diving are these:

1. When you switch gases on the unit, does it take advantage of the oxygen window. In other words when you tell it you are switching from say 21/35 to EAN50 at 70ft, does it allow you to do an extended stop at 70ft?

2. If you have significant oxygen deco time, say 25-30 minutes, how does it handle backgas breaks?

3. We all know that computers can fail. The key is WHEN. If you are halfway through your deco plan after a deep dive, and your computer fails, is your backup plan going to match what the computer was taking you through, or will you have to recompute a new plan on the fly?

4. Can computers allow you to tweak their adjustments enough to allow them to get close to your deco program's tables. I know in the case of the VR3's VPM implementation, part of the frustration seemed to be that you could not tweak it to match up to VPlanner so that you could create a backup plan that made sense.

5. When we did a dive on VR3s in Little River, it wanted a half-depth stop at 50ft. While we were not carrying a second deco gas, I don't know how it would have handled the gas switch. I am not saying this is an issue of the computer. This is user ignorance on my part.

 

[HybridDiver]

Thanks again for the info, any news when the new Dive Rite computer is coming out? What is the price going to be running around for that girl?
Chris

 

[PerroneFord]

I've heard prices on the Dive Rite between $1100-$1500. Seems about right compared to it's competition (HS Explorer and VR3).

 

[HybridDiver]

Would this make it better then the VR3? lets say its the same price, would you go with the new one or the VR3?
Chris