Technical Divers Computer Use

[blackice]

Hay there, thanks for the feedback - it really does seem that people use a wide range of equipment from table/bottom timer/gauge to double VR3's.

Also this is help ful from the point that people mention things that I didn't know exist.

Thanks more feedback is most welcome. I will now start searching the boards for info on the options list above.

 

[fins wake]

Recently I was offered a chance to use a Hydro-Space Explorer to evaluate and compare it against the VR-3. I plan to do so, because the H-S unit is the only one, as far as I know, which uses the full implementation of the RGBM. I will report my comparison when finished if any one is interested.

Yes, please, Rob!

 

[blackice]

Jonathan once bubbled...
HS Explorer added for you [/QUOTE
Thanks Jonathan, my first time trying a poll :-(

 

[pwfletcher]

VR3 ... but when will they have the RGBM upgrade?

 

[BigJetDriver]

The VR3 is a wonderful dive computer, especially with the sensor link! There is no computer as physically tough, and only one other that is as capable for deep mixed-gas diving, especially CCR.

Now for the bad news. I know Kevin Gurr personally, and his assistant, the ever charming Philippa. I say this not to brag, but to reinforce the next statement.

Kevin is an amazing guy. He has been in the forefront of the "tech diving revolution" from the beginning. He is, however, a bit "set in his ways" as the Brits are wont to say. He feels, and possibly rightly so, that his programming will do for the diver what RGBM will do. Besides, it's his computer and he certainly has a right to make that decision! He says he "may" make that implementation, but personally I think that there will have to be a cold front in Hades first!

The upshot, for those who MUST (and I do understand that NEED) have RGBM is going to be Gene Melton's Hydrospace Explorer.:shaking:

 

[wb416]

Cave Diver once bubbled...
Bottom Timer & Depth Gauge

Ditto... the computer is between your ears...

 

[padiscubapro]

Computers do have a use in technical diving but they are NO SUBSTITUTE for proper gas and dive planning.

I find the best use is when exploring an unknown site.. I can plan for a max depth and gas consumption but use the deco calculated by a computer especially if a multilevel profile was necessary and not get stuck doing unnecessary deco.. I can now d/l the actual dive data and plan future dives.

If redundant computers are not employed, you must not exceed your predive planning.. Thhis is a good idea anyway..

This proved invaluable on some recent dives where I had no idea how long it would take me to get to depth, if I followed my tables I ould have bhad to do more than twice the deco I ended up doing.. my second diveat the same site was plabnned based on the previously logged waypoints, and was able to push things out much longer than I would have been able to do just using a depth guage and timer (without keeping detailed notes) a real time trace is definately preferred..

 

[blackice]

padiscubapro once bubbled...
Computers do have a use in technical diving but they are NO SUBSTITUTE for proper gas and dive planning...

I believe that you are speaking with experience and this is close to how I'm planning on moving in to technical diving.

Computers are not to be thrown away they do provide a great deal of infomation regarding dive profiles, I love being able to go thru the profile when I'm doing surface intervals. It allows you to study how good your plan was, did you dive the plan, where was the plan or dive off, did any unexpected events occur.

This review of dives is most important I find on wreck dives as penetration can change the depths and times that are planned as you don't always know the layout of the inside.

True gas, dive, backup and emergancy planning are essential parts of any successful dive. As too are ensuring you have working lights and equipment, and functioning computers and bottom timmers.

When doing multi gas dives the computer allow recalaction of tables on the fly should the need arise, but this is not a desired action as the plan should be to dive the plan!

=-)

 

[blackice]

BigJetDriver69 once bubbled...
I have been using the VR-3 with the link to my rebreather to give me an independent PPO2 read-out and constant real-time deco based on the changing gas fractions. (No human being can do this kind of computation!) I have been carrying a second VR-3 without the link as a back-up.

Recently I was offered a chance to use a Hydro-Space Explorer to evaluate and compare it against the VR-3. I plan to do so, because the H-S unit is the only one, as far as I know, which uses the full implementation of the RGBM. I will report my comparison when finished if any one is interested.

Well you must we lucky to get the chance to try the Explorer... any news on how it went? Have you dived with it yet?

 

[BigJetDriver]

Blackice, et al,

I'm just beginning my trials with the Explorer, but have not gone to the side by side tests yet. I have to admit I like the display. It is very logical and understanding it is intuitive. It is extremely easy to see and read, even in limited visibility. I also like the ease of programming on the HS. It is very straight-forward.

As may have been noted, the buttons are hard on the fingers, but Gene Melton, the designer, says that a fix is on the way.

As they say, more to come!