Hi. i am completing purchasing my gear and now i am in my computer/gauge SPG part.... i am a recreational diver , diving mostly in Florida and Caribbean areas probably not more than 50 dives a year .... i know there are the conservative algorithm systems as in the Cressi and Suunto (RGBM) and the more liberal algorithm systems .. i want to spend around $400 and would love your recommendation as well as the big question for me: what set up?
computer on hand and mechanical SPG connected to the BCD
or one console with computer?
Thank you
Keep it simple.
This means different things to different people.
I do prefer an analog SPG and a wrist mounted dive computer, but whatever makes you comfortable...
I do believe however, that having the gauges well separated makes them easier to understand. The one on my belt shows how much air I have left and the one on my arm shows me depth/maxdepth/divetime/time-to-surface. I absolutely need to monitor them both, though. It is thus possible, that some people might find a console easier... but it's big and clumsy...
Conservatism... You can always spend some extra time on the safety stop. 5 minutes instead of 3, perhaps. And you can always take your time (minutes) to resurface from 18 feet. You can often relax on the surface after a deeper dive. And you can always drink enough water onboard and sleep well. And you could take the fift day off. No steam baths or weight lifting or crossing of mountain ranges after a deep dive. Conservatism is so much more than a number on a computer screen. This is especially true on recreational dives.