To integrate or not to integrate

[fnog]

There is nothing wrong with my Atomic Cobalt. Hosed AI grew on me quite fast. You can indeed add a button SPG on a short hose to back it up. I never had serious issues: one rusty magnet in the keypad, Atomic germany sent me a free replacement; a minor leak that was easily fixed with a standard save-a-dive box of o-rings. A lose copper pin on the charger plug. All fixed easily for 0$. I found the support from Atomic to be outstanding. Especially considering I have an early model bought overseas 2nd hand.
I clip it on my right shoulder D-ring, so that I can read it by just tilting my head down, and everyone else can see I am the real-deal stroke. I can fit the cobalt and my regs and mk25, the spares box, my mask and torch in my reg bag (1up). Around here in Europe, I hear only good things about the Uwatec galileo. It is a bit outdated but kind of forward-outdated.

To those who can -using only an SPG that is unreadable when clipped, and wetnotes- sample their tank pressure to the tenth of bar every five second, match it to their depth, the water temperature and tissue loading, keep a record of all this to analyse post dive, I doff my hat. That is seriously impressive skills. Did you also manage to jot down a sketch of the school of mantas ? Can you teach me to juggle steel twinsets ?

There was a time we could all mroe or less predict the weather by looking at the sunset, animals, and movement of tree leaves. I can very much admire those who still have to this day the skill to do that, even if that is not how I personally do it with android. Now, let's shoot down all the infrared satellites, let's bin the supercalculators. Those things are useless. Trusting that junk to avoid tornadoes is suicidal madness.

 

[Kevrumbo]

...
To those who can -using only an SPG that is unreadable when clipped, and wetnotes- sample their tank pressure to the tenth of bar every five second, match it to their depth, the water temperature and tissue loading, keep a record of all this to analyse post dive, I doff my hat. That is seriously impressive skills. Did you also manage to jot down a sketch of the school of mantas ? Can you teach me to juggle steel twinsets ?

Let's see . . .I have a full 200bar tank and normally consume 30 bar in five minutes at 18m depth:

Five minutes elapsed time and I know my SPG should read 170bar -check! It does.

Another five minutes goes by for total Ten minutes elapsed time and my SPG should read 140bar -check! It does.

Fifteen minutes elapsed time and my SPG should read 110bar -check! It does.

Twenty minutes elapsed time and my SPG should read 80bar -check! It does,
and then start a multi-level ascent to the shallows & eventual safety stop. . .

Is it that hard to perform the simple iterative subtraction operation above of remaining gas during the dive? (If it is then perhaps you need an AI function. . .)

 

[AJ]

Is it that hard to perform the simple iterative subtraction operation above of remaining gas during the dive? (If it is then perhaps you need an AI function. . .)

Since the OP is asking if he should integrate, I suppose he knows this math to Totally agree with you. There is no need for AI, but I will admit it's convenient in some cases.

 

[fnog]

Let's see . . .I have a full 200bar tank and normally consume 30 bar in five minutes at 18m depth:

Five minutes elapsed time and I know my SPG should read 170bar -check! It does.

Another five minutes goes by for total Ten minutes elapsed time and my SPG should read 140bar -check! It does.

Fifteen minutes elapsed time and my SPG should read 110bar -check! It does.

Twenty minutes elapsed time and my SPG should read 80bar -check! It does,
and then start a multi-level ascent to the shallows & eventual safety stop. . .

Is it that hard to perform the simple iterative subtraction operation above of remaining gas during the dive? (If it is then perhaps you need an AI function. . .)

either you dive a 6l tank or you are really juggling steels while diving...or you need a heated undervest... in any case, try to do the same with an AI computer instead of SPG, and, guess what... it just works identically !

The assumption that ppl who are using AI do not know their SAC is just wrong. What they do is read their tank pressure on the screen of their puter instead of the SPG. Nothing more, nothing less. At least, personally, I never look at the air time remaining on the cobalt, only pressure. I would be happy to remove that line in exchange for parameters of the 2nd deco stop, if I had a choice of layout. That deep stop is always freaking out the older buddies.

About the computer recommendations for the OP, which is the best hosed computer in your mind ?

 

[Macan]

Answer to OP? Integrate. Go with AI.

AI is like keyless entry or parking sensors in a new car. You hear about it, read about it, and decide you don't need it. But when you finally get to try these features, you'll never get a car without them.

I use AI in Tec (Doubles - AI on right post) and Rec (Singles). I still have an analog SPG in both config. The ease of just flicking your right wrist to check remaining gas is so convenient. Actually, there are more benefits in using AI in Tec with twinsets.

 

[fnog]

yes, convenient. And maybe, just maybe, more than that.
Careful When Unclipping and Clipping SPG

 

[Kevrumbo]

either you dive a 6l tank or you are really juggling steels while diving...or you need a heated undervest... in any case, try to do the same with an AI computer instead of SPG, and, guess what... it just works identically !. . .
About the computer recommendations for the OP, which is the best hosed computer in your mind ?

I dive either a single "Aluminium" 11L cylinder or an AL twinset for a total of 22L/bar; and my Surface Consumption Rate (SCR) here in cold Southern California waters is 22 liters/min.

Suunto Vytec Wireless AI (2005) never gave a reliable sync, and would not register a valid reading at times. So I learned how to utilize the analog SPG again along with smartly switching to the Metric System (how hard is it working with multiples of 1 or 2 bar per minute pressure SCR??? You really don't need an AI function to do these pressure calculations at all).

But if need be, a non-wireless HP hose connected AI/Dive Computer is ok for recreational novices learning about gas planning & consumption; or underwater photographers too engrossed with their compositions & camera settings who need the quick glance convenience of AI. (Wireless AI might be prone to RF interference from the capacitive discharge of a camera strobe).

 

[kelemvor]

I agree with drrich and tbone1004. AI is desirable, and I'd wait for DEMA. Personally, I'm considering replacing my shearwater computers if Ratio adds AI to their computers.


As far as those that say you don't "need" ai. Totally true. However, you don't need a dive computer at all. It's a convenience item. You also don't need a bcd but you probably dive with one because it makes diving more enjoyable and less work... Diving, even among the DIR crowd is full of people using gear that is not necessary but is still better than the alternative.

Otherwise, we'd all (except tech divers maybe) be diving single hose regs, no bcd, no fins, no computer...

 

[rhwestfall]

Otherwise, we'd all (except tech divers maybe) be diving double hose regs, j-valves, no bcd, no fins, no computer...

FTFY!

 

[drrich2]

When you consider the Lynx, based on posts by others I've seen over time, I suggest two things...

1.) Do a thorough forum search and read about short battery life concerns, and some concerns about how durable the tray for the rechargeable battery option looks. I'm going on memory of 2nd hand info. here; never used a Lynx and passed on the idea when I read over some user reports. IIRC, the battery is not a common mainstream 'off the shelf' product.

2.) Be mindful LiquiVision is due to come out with the Omnix in the future, and that at least sounded like a big improvement.

I believe some Lynx owners are happy with their purchase; I'm just saying know what you're getting.

Richard.