Timing device?

[Divebuddies]

Ok, newly certified divers here and we wanted to ask what exactly is a timing device? The place we want to go diving in requires one. Is it a bottom timer or a computer to measure our time in water? Or is it simply a pressure gauge? Thanks in advance.

 

[Doc]

Ok, newly certified divers here and we wanted to ask what exactly is a timing device? The place we want to go diving in requires one. Is it a bottom timer or a computer to measure our time in water? Or is it simply a pressure gauge? Thanks in advance.

A "timing device" is a dated reference to the requirement of a device with which to tell time, or more accurately, to determine the amount time you have been submerged so that you may specificaly calculate how long you've been below.

They're stating that you "must" wear a watch, if nothing less, which, back in the dark ages (pre 1982) was quite the mark of the hondo-diver, begetting watches that took the place of 1.5# of lead.

Most folks wear computers that take all the fun out of working the tables. My S.O. wears her computer and still works her tables- even though she is technicaly quite assuredly dead according to her tables by day two.

Barring that, learn the relative position of the sun's path- using a stick and string, that should suffice as a timing device

 

[String]

The simplest timing device is a simple dive depth rated watch (ie 200m). Some have a rotating bezel you just zero before a dive but you dont even need that, just look what time you went in !

The more expensive bottom timers which auto activate with water contact are just another way of doing it.

I use a normal watch and a computer.

If you dont want to spend too much money a simple watch is more than adequate.

 

[H2Andy]

timing device = watch

i have a cheap Timex Expedition rated to 300 feet ($35.00 at WalMart a few years back) that i always wear as a back up to my computer.

 

[mempilot]

Freestyle Hammerhead watch: $85.00
Uwatec Bottom Timer: $160.00
Oceanic VT Pro: $800

Having the batteries fail on all three in the same day: Priceless

Now I just ask a fish swimming by, just keep swimming, just keep swimming...

Gotta love Nitrox.

 

[ams511]

Freestyle Hammerhead watch: $85.00
Uwatec Bottom Timer: $160.00
Oceanic VT Pro: $800

Having the batteries fail on all three in the same day: Priceless

This is a joke right? They couldn't have all failed on the same day.

 

[mempilot]

This is a joke right? They couldn't have all failed on the same day.

I'm just poking fun at myself and my triple redundancy as far as keeping time goes. Both the computer and bottom timer have low battery indicators. I don't get in the water with them below an acceptable level. Actually, the Uwatec has a lifelong battery that is expected to last longer than the timer itself. As for the watch, the battery did crap out underwater once within the first month after purchase.

For deep diving: The bottom timer is my primary source of time and depth. The computer is used as a secondary and to log the dive. The watch is superstition at it's best.

For recreational: The computer and the watch get wet.

 

[Atticus]

I use an Uwatec bottom timer and really love and them. I'd suggest at least a bottom timer if not a full computer. You can get a decent computer for $300, or a downright nice computer for $600.

The $160 bottom timer is a very reliable little device, but it will leave you working the tables.

 

[Gary D.]

Ok, newly certified divers here and we wanted to ask what exactly is a timing device? The place we want to go diving in requires one. Is it a bottom timer or a computer to measure our time in water? Or is it simply a pressure gauge? Thanks in advance.

It's something that you put on something that causing something to go BOOM at a specific time.

hehehe

Gary D.

 

[Bretagne]

Uwatec Bottom Timer: $160.00

UWATEC depth gauge + bottom timer: 99 € (~117$), 88.5 € (~105$) with a fidelity card in my favourite shop (which also sells online, but boarding to the satats would be very expensive!)