To buy a computer or rent one on liveaboard

[RSkopek]

I am a relatively newer scuba diver and will be traveling with a back pack for about a month in South East Asia. I decided to tack on 5 day live aboard out of Phuket to top off my mostly land-based trip. I am debating bringing my air integrated Oceanic Pro Plus 2.1 dive computer and regulators, but that means lugging all of that around for almost a month for only a few days of use. Alternatively I can rent whatever for the boat has available for $40-50 or so. A last option is to purchase an entry-level wrist dive computer. I am considering something such as a Suunto Zoop or equivalent for about $200. Are rental computers on liveaboards something to be avoided? Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[rek_diver]

I wouldn't lug around a whole set of regulators on a 1 month backpacking trip, makes no sense when you can rent gear cheap for a few days.

 

[The Chairman]

Can you ship your gear to the liveaboard???

 

[RSkopek]

Thanks for the idea Chairman, I hadn't considered that. I would imagine the expenses would be rather high, but I'll look into it.

 

[scubadada]

Thanks for the idea Chairman, I hadn't considered that. I would imagine the expenses would be rather high, but I'll look into it.

But then you would have to ship or carry it back home. You could apply this expense to a 2nd computer

Check with your operator, if their equipment, including computer, is OK, just rent. If I was going to buy a 2nd, wrist computer, I would get something that could also serve as a backup to your PP2.1, i.e. matching decompression algorithm (Geo2, OCL...)

 

[RSkopek]

Another possibility that I hadn't thought of, thanks Scubadada. I didn't even think about the idea of a backup computer and to ensure a matching decompression algorithm. Definitely a lot to consider, thanks!

 

[Tbar]

Do you down load your dive profiles from your computer?

Just take the computer and the HP hose? Use there reg.

 

[RSkopek]

Tbar, I briefly considered this as well, but am not sure if the liveaboard operator would accept this. Something to look into at least. Thanks for your input!

 

[diversteve]

If you're going to Fedex your gear to the boat make sure someone is willing to be responsible for receiving and storing it.

Liveaboards I've been on often don't even staff a local office, the entire crew lives on the boat and bookings are handled from another location - not necessarily locally. If the boat is out to sea when your pkg. arrives - what then?

Price it - I'm sure you'll find that for the cost of shipping it will be cheaper to buy a new wrist computer - if you don't mind a little bulk, it can double as a watch for the month. Plus you or someone will have to fuss with export documentation on both ends - there's a charge if Fedex has to do it.

Leisurepro has last years Mares Puck Pro on sale for $149. It's almost watch sized. I have a Gekko - same size as a Zoop - it's oversized so want to wear it for a month.Plus - although it probably doesn't matter in this case - Suunto's algorithm is more conservative than Oceanic's.

Another option in the Oceanic line could be a BUD - Oceanic B.U.D Backup Dive Computer

Also have you considered that rental computers there will likely be set to metric not Imperial units? And depth in Meters so ask them if theirs are changeable - likely they are from some menu choice.

I don't see any advantage to lugging around your Proplus/hose for a month to use it for a week. Plus what if someone steals it?

 

[Hatul]

Another idea is to buy a watch type of Oceanic (or Aqualung) computer that you can wear as a watch, and have as a backup at home.