Value in having two computers?

[Hatul]

I really like the Aqua Lung i200C I purchased this fall. I also recently bought a used regulator (Legend LX 2016) that came with a Suunto Cobra 3 and compass. I had no intention of keeping the Cobra 3 but other divers have encouraged me to use both, saying things like "never hurts to have a backup," "good to be familiar with two different devices and calculations," etc. I will likely use the Cobra 3 for the first time this weekend in a cold water dive in Southern Illinois.

I try to be fairly zen when diving and like to have a minimalist setup, so I don't think I want to have another screen to decipher. A simple stainless steel analog gauge sounds fine to me and I just sell the Cobra 3.

Thoughts?

Other info: I received my Advanced Open Water in 2005, but have only gotten back into diving this year; only done 25 dives to this point; will primarily be doing warm water, travel dives, but also some local cold water dives here in the Midwest; don't anticipate ever being a "tech" diver besides possibly taking a cave certification sometime.

It's nice to have a backup computer, and when I go on a dive vacation I always take a backup. The problem is the Cobra 3 I believe is still the old conservative algorithm especially on repetitive diving and if you're following a more liberal computer you may end up with the Cobra locking out on you. This happened to me years ago when I was using a Galileo as my primary and a Vyper as a backup.

 

[Bob DBF]

If I was going on a dive vacation that I spent a few grand for, I'd be buying a backup computer before I left. For my normal diving, I don't bother.


Bob

 

[Jase Carter]

Again, thanks all for the response. I did a test dive with the Cobra 3 yesterday, and think I'll really enjoy it.