Uwatec Aladin Prime Tec

[Xizang]

Anybody got feedback on this new computer by Uwatec? I am about to buy a new computer which I want to use when I progress to tech diving next year and this is the computer that I am looking at buying.

Im not very familiar with tech computers yet so I was also wondering how important is it for a computer to have gas switching capability.

 

[leadweight]

Anybody got feedback on this new computer by Uwatec? I am about to buy a new computer which I want to use when I progress to tech diving next year and this is the computer that I am looking at buying.

Im not very familiar with tech computers yet so I was also wondering how important is it for a computer to have gas switching capability.

You message is not clear. The Prime is a basic nitrox computer. The Tec is a single gas nitrox computer with more functions. The smart tec is a very expensive 3 gas computer with wireless gas integration. There is no such thing as a prime tec.

For ordinary recreational diving it is not necessary to have gas switching ability. Many of the technical divers that frequent these forums use their computers in a bottom timer mode when making two (or more) gas dives, so they do not utilize the gas switching function.

Gas switching is only used when the dive involves substantial decompression stops. By switching to an oxygen rich mixture the decompression time is reduced. Such dives are made with advance planning that covers all aspects of the dive including gas requirements. A gas switching computer is more likely used as a back up with a bottom timer and tables used as the primary guidance.

At any rate I have the single gas Tec and it is a nice computer. It has a guage mode and it would allow you to progress to technical diving. It does not make a lot of sense to invest in something like the smart tec while starting out as later you might find yourself interested in something like the Dive Rite Nitek He or the VR3

 

[dbg40]

If you mean the Aladin Prime, It's a nice puter, I like mine very much. The only drawback is that crappy manual they send with it.

 

[Xizang]

You message is not clear. The Prime is a basic nitrox computer. The Tec is a single gas nitrox computer with more functions. The smart tec is a very expensive 3 gas computer with wireless gas integration. There is no such thing as a prime tec.

For ordinary recreational diving it is not necessary to have gas switching ability. Many of the technical divers that frequent these forums use their computers in a bottom timer mode when making two (or more) gas dives, so they do not utilize the gas switching function.

Gas switching is only used when the dive involves substantial decompression stops. By switching to an oxygen rich mixture the decompression time is reduced. Such dives are made with advance planning that covers all aspects of the dive including gas requirements. A gas switching computer is more likely used as a back up with a bottom timer and tables used as the primary guidance.

At any rate I have the single gas Tec and it is a nice computer. It has a guage mode and it would allow you to progress to technical diving. It does not make a lot of sense to invest in something like the smart tec while starting out as later you might find yourself interested in something like the Dive Rite Nitek He or the VR3

I stand corrected there, I meant the aladin tec. Thanks for the input. I have not yet decided on pursuing Trimix but decided on pursuing basic nitrox and advance nitrox up to extended range and also an intructor rating on this certifications. So I guess the Aladin Tec would be a good buy

 

[leadweight]

I stand corrected there, I meant the aladin tec. Thanks for the input. I have not yet decided on pursuing Trimix but decided on pursuing basic nitrox and advance nitrox up to extended range and also an intructor rating on this certifications. So I guess the Aladin Tec would be a good buy

When I did my advanced nitrox course last summer the instructor loaned me a Dive Rite Nitek 3. None the less, the dive was planned and executed using tables. I actually forgot to enter the gas switch on the Nitek 3 while managing to execute the dive plan according to what was on my slate. Fortunately, the dive plan was heavily padded so the computer did not lock up.

I have 23 dives/18 hours on my Tec. The only strange thing it does is if you are in a very wet boat the contacts are on top and the computer will think it is about to start a dive. It just so happened that last week it rained every day and the little rubber boats took in a lot of spray from the ocean.

Running the Tec side by side with the Aladin Pro Nitrox, the two seemed to be about the same so far as bottom time is concerned. However, this was on Nitrox and the dives where I did the comparison were not real deep. I may try that again on air next month.

Doenloading is easy. I purchased an IRDA dongle at Fry's for $25 and it worked the first time with Smart Track.

The Tec is similar to the more expensive Smart Pro in many of its functions. The main differences are the hockey puck shape case, user replacable batteries, push buttons instead of contacts and now all functions are accessable from the dive computer. On the Smart Pro several functions could only be accessed through a PC running Smart Trak.

 

[Divesherpa]

I like the Tec. The only problem is that the computer is unuseable for 48 hours after a dive is done in guage mode. This is probably a smart thing, but I prefer the ability to switch.

 

[leadweight]

I like the Tec. The only problem is that the computer is unuseable for 48 hours after a dive is done in guage mode. This is probably a smart thing, but I prefer the ability to switch.

I suspect that a reset may be possible. There is a nitrogen reset function and removing the battery is a possibility. Several other computers (probably most of what is available) with a guage mode also have a 48 hour waiting period until going back to the computer mode.

 

[Xizang]

Is there a difference between the Scubapro Extender and the Prime Tec aside from looks? both seem to be single gas nitrox computers that can be adjusted from 21% to 100%

 

[Divesherpa]

There is a Prime, a Tec, and an Extender. The prime would probably do most things that a consumer would want.

After a few more dives with the Tec, I really like it. It's such an awesome piece of equipment that I don't want to dive without it.

 

[Xizang]

I have 23 dives/18 hours on my Tec. The only strange thing it does is if you are in a very wet boat the contacts are on top and the computer will think it is about to start a dive. It just so happened that last week it rained every day and the little rubber boats took in a lot of spray from the ocean.

Does this always happen? Anyone else experience this? this seems to be a concern. On my Suunto Mosquito it usually just displays AC when the contacts get in touch with water (ex. sweat, rain, soaking it on a basin for a short time, taking the shower)