Tech Computers

[The Brandon]

I don't think anyone mentioned the Cochran Computer. I use two EMC-20H's. You can buy it activated for AIR and use it as a bottom timer and eventually pay to upgrade the programming to Helium and 3FO2 depending on your level of training. This is the official computer of the US Navy Seals. Anyway it is straight foreward and easy to use. I have heard a lot of good things about the VR3, like it will save your ***** if you need to make on the fly changes in the middle of deco. And saying that one of my dive buddies keeps trying to give me his VR3 for one of my Cochran's. Cochran had a pretty sweet trade in deal going, you may want to check their website to see if it is still going. First and foremost you need to follow a profile. Get Nautilus or Vplanner or whatever and use the computer as a back-up if all hell breaks loose.

 

[ianr33]

. First and foremost you need to follow a profile. Get Nautilus or Vplanner or whatever and use the computer as a back-up if all hell breaks loose.

My understanding of the Cochrans is that you HAVE to use the gases that are programed into it for a dive. So if all hell breaks loose such as,oh,cant use a deco bottle for any reason then the computer is useless.
Is that correct?

 

[The Brandon]

Yes with the Cochran there are no, on the fly changes. Once you hit the water you are married to what you input as your gasses and switching depths. The VR3 allows you to change your profile while in the middle of a dive, a lot of people like them for this reason. But just because that is a nice option does not make the VR3 superior. Nor would I buy one. You can tell just by reading these posts that there is no perfect computer out there. Computers just give us an extra safety margin to our dive and make some aspects a little easier. A bottom timer and a profile is how I learned to deco, and is usually the best bet. I bought my computer after learned to plan and execute deco profiles on my own. Just my opinion.

 

[BarryNL]

I was wondering what computers and bottom timers everybody uses and what they think about them. I'm getting ready to purchase a new computer after my NTEC with technical EANx and Staged Deco/Extended range Course but i'm having trouble selecting one out of the top picks like the VR3, NiTek duo, OxyCheq, SmartTec and the Aeries T3.

I think the VR3 would be the obvious choice. It certainly seems to have the proven track record and, certainly with the tec divers I know, its almost the universal choice. It has the advantage as well that it's upgradable to full CCR support as your diving progresses.

However, I'm increasingly being swayed by the arguments of the DIR crowd that you don't really need a computer. After all, you have to be able to complete the dive on tables anyway in the case of computer failure so for tec diving why not just do the whole thing on tables?

I think recreational diving benefits most from computers where they give you the ability to just jump in, do what you like, and stay out of the decompression zone. If the computer dies you just abort, do a 3 minute safety stop and surface. I'm less convinced computers are a good option for decompression diving.

 

[jlgrimes]

Anyone here know of any air-integrated trimix computers? I know many of you would pop a gasket just at the thought of it, just asking.

 

[Dr. Doug Ebersole]

Another vote for VR3. As mentioned it can "grow" with you from nitrox to trimix to CCR, etc. I always dive with it and cut tables on V-planner.

 

[grazie42]

If I were to spend money in the "VR3 price range" today, I´d order an X1 (I wouldn´t buy one that doesen´t allow switching gasses uw).

It´s not a priority for me so I´ll just keep using v-planner and a BT until I win the lottery...

 

[spacemanspiff1974]

The people with whom I dive use cochrans and VR3s. From my understanding, the cochran has a different algorithm that can get a diver out of the water faster. I feel that it is also more ergonomic on your wrist than a VR3.

However, I found the advantages of the VR3 too much to pass up.

1. Upgradeable to trimix or CCR without sending back to the factory.
2. You can upgrade to a VPM algorithm.
3. I really like manual gas switching - just because I am at 60 feet doesnt mean that I want to pull out my deco gas yet.

I wouldnt consider the VR3 or any tech computer a substitute for planning your dive beforehand, but it can be more flexible for mid dive modifications. (like coming up earlier).

 

[contender]

The simple route is to cut your own tables and use a bottom timer. If you already have a computer for rec diving, put it in gauge mode and use it. Always carry backup tables, a good one is the IANTD-Navy tables with accelerated deco. If you have to bail out early refer to the backup table, it will get you out safely. Use the extra money you save from not buying a $1000.00 plus computer on other gear, or dive trips or you can send it to me .

 

[wedivebc]

Anyone here know of any air-integrated trimix computers? I know many of you would pop a gasket just at the thought of it, just asking.

Since tech diving involves switching gas sources an AI computer is a waste of time. Unless it can track all possible gas supplies.