Watch / Computer help please

[jsheverly]

I am just a recreational diver. But I am an avid watch guy. I am looking for a watch/dive computer I can wear everyday as a watch and utilize when I dive. Something that is easy to view (aging eyes) but not a monster on my wrist everyday. It doesn't have to be the most advanced computer, but I would like for it to be able to offer nitrox settings and so forth.

My problem is that I live in Upstate NY and there are no dive centers located near me, so all my shopping is online, and we all know how that works out. Money is always a consideration.

Any opinions are helpful.

 

[stuartv]

I love my Oceanic Atom 3.0. I think it looks okay as a daily wear wrist watch, though I never actually wear it for that. I also have "aging eyes". I can read the numbers without reading glasses, but when I'm underwater, especially in dimmer light, I need the gauge reader lenses in my mask to be able to read the smaller writing on the screen that is used as the labels for the main numbers.

For a "nicer" watch, you might have a look at the Oceanic OCi, OC1 Titanium, and OCL. Or, if you're really on a budget the Oceanic Geo.

 

[diversteve]

Scubapro's new one - the Mantis - is actually sold as a functional sport watch for non-diving activities also. And it has big numbers for the form factor. SCUBAPRO - Mantis 1 (M1) Dive Computer

Maybe the Chromis also as they advertise it with extra sharp characters. SCUBAPRO - Chromis Manual

Look at the Sherwood Amphos also. Welcome to Sherwood Scuba!

The Suunto D-series also but they sacrifice readability to look just like a watch on your wrist. They get a pretty penny for their transmitter also if you want to use them as AI dive computers. Products - Suunto[]=6977 Even though it's not apparent on this website, Zoops and Vypers are much larger and oversize for a daily wear watch. Suunto as a rule dives a more conservative algorithm also.

 

[clownfishsydney]

As an aging diver, I would say buy a watch you can read and a separate dive computer you can read underwater. I would not be able to use those small watchtype computers even with my mask correction lenses.

 

[dmaziuk]

I am an avid watch guy.

Money is always a consideration.

So you mean you don't have any collectable watches in your collection?

Watch-size, easy to read, inexpensive: pick any two.

 

[Centrals]

Money is always a consideration.

Then just buy a simple dive computer on line for under $200.00. Big numbers for ageing eyes.

 

[doctormike]

Also, make sure that whatever BC you get can also be worn out to dinner after diving...!

 

[jsheverly]

So you mean you don't have any collectable watches in your collection?

Watch-size, easy to read, inexpensive: pick any two.

When I say avid I just mean that I have many. Lots of Citizen models. All my watches are under $500.

---------- Post added November 16th, 2015 at 07:47 AM ----------

Also, make sure that whatever BC you get can also be worn out to dinner after diving...!

HA HA. I hear what your saying.

 

[dmaziuk]

When I say avid I just mean that I have many. Lots of Citizen models. All my watches are under $500.

Well,

• under $500 and watch-sized is wait for LP (also amazon maybe) to put Black Friday price tags on Geo 2.0s. I'd expect $250 or less.
• H3's OLED screen should be very visible in anything other than bright sunlight, but you won't like the price tag.
• Large dial and inexpensive is puck-sized or console. You could wear those topside with a Flavor Flav t-shirt...