Uwatec AI vs Oceanic DataTrans vs Suunto Vytec

[cptcrush]

Thanks Nate.

Can you clarify why you didn't like Oceanic. I am confused.

newton once bubbled...
I ended up with a Uwatec AirZ Nitrox, and have used it for the last 3 weeks.

My wife has an Oceanic, and after using it with 4 dives I immediately threw it out.

Prior to the Uwatec, I had a U.S. Divers Monitor 3, which was one of the very first air-integrated units, and was made for USD (now Aqualung) by Uwatec.

Here is what I came up with for me

Oceanic:
Pros:
-----
* Temperature Display

Cons:
-----
* Awkward interface (IMO, as compared to the Uwatec/Suunto)

Suunto:
Pros
----
* User replacable batteries
* A better algorithm (some people call it conservative, I call it safe)

Cons
----
* New/untested. I expect that it'll take a while before these units are as reliable as the Uwatecs, who have been doing consumer AI computers for over 8 years

Uwatec:
Pros
----
* Been doing it a long time, and people who own them like them
* Display is easily read

Cons
----
* Using an older algorithm that may not be as safe as the Suunto
* Temperature is read, but is not displayed and requires a downloader to get to it.
* Non-user replaceable batteries.

For me, I threw out the Oceanic as I hated the newer version of it vs. my old Uwatec. I considered the Suunto, but felt it was new enough (the wireless model) that it needed more time.

I bought the Uwatec AirZ Nitrox, and have used it on a half-dozen dives and do not regret my decision.

If/when my wife replaces her computer, we will probably look very seriously at the Vytec, since it'll have a few years to work the bugs out of it.


Nate

 

[newton]

Since I already listed my Uwatec choice in more detail, I mention more details on the Oceanic.

Note, this is (obviously) an opinion issue, but having used both the Oceanic (actually, an exact clone) and a Uwatec (both older and newer models) on multiple dives (>6), I feel somewhat qualified to give my opinion.

Take it for what it's worth:

Oceanic Pros:
* User replacable batteries
* Temperature is prominently displayed

Oceanic Cons:
* Confusing user interface (Viewing logged dives)
* No automatic turn-on. (The Uwatec/Suunto units turn on automagically when they get wet.)
* The display is not nearly as usable/helpful as the Uwatec. I believe the Uwatec presents the important information a diver would want to see in a more prominent location.

I will grant the Oceanic's O2/N2 loading feature is somewhat better than the simple times that the Uwatec display, but the other information is not displayed as well.

Note, I dove with a Uwatec AI computer for 4 years, and the Oceanic for 2 months, so I'm probably a bit biased towards the Uwatec.

Nate

 

[cptcrush]

Great Thanks again
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newton once bubbled...
Since I already listed my Uwatec choice in more detail, I mention more details on the Oceanic.

Note, this is (obviously) an opinion issue, but having used both the Oceanic (actually, an exact clone) and a Uwatec (both older and newer models) on multiple dives (>6), I feel somewhat qualified to give my opinion.

Take it for what it's worth:
]