I am going to buy a new computer soon. I am considering taking some tech classes within the next year. I would like to get a computer that I can use now but will also be sutable for the tech classes I want to take. ... and dont want to end up buying two computers.
Jim Lapenta:
A computer should wait until you actually take your tech classes. ... Wrist mounted gauges are what you'll need.
Jim's advice (and contender's) is very reasonable. If you don't need to buy a computer now, you might best defer the purchase until you start tech training. If you are going to buy a computer anyway, then there may be merit in at least considering a computer that allows gas-switching, and will handle several (3) gases. If you buy a new bottom timer you will probably spend at least $200 anyway. If you can find a used Uwatec for less, that is great. But, if you are going to spend that much on a timer, and you want to buy a computer anyway, you may consider spending more to get a computer you can use now, and in the future. But, there really is not one and only one way to proceed. A personal odyssey as one example - some years ago, I bought a Vytec as my first computer, for four reasons: 1) Suunto had a good reputation for instrumentation outside of diving; 2) I was thinking of technical training in the future and wanted a multi-gas computer; 3) I thought the availability of wireless air integration was neat; 4) I wanted to buy ONE computer that would meet my foreseeable needs. Turns out, 1) Suunto also had some problems with the depth sensors on at least one batch of Vytecs - my unit has never had a problem but the Suunto reputation has suffered a bit among some divers, whose units did have a problem, 2) for most of my tech training and diving, up until trimix, I used primarily timers and tables (although a computer was required as a back-up); 3) I didn't buy a transmitter until two years after I bought the computer, then I didn't move the transmitter over to my doubles regs until about a year ago so I didn't even use the air integration feature for several years several years of singles diving, or for several years after I moved to doubles; and 4) I bought a used Nitek He when I started trimix, and utlimately bought a LiquidVision X1, and use the He and Vytec as back-ups. So, I certainly didn't meet the goal of buying only one computer (or even 2). If I were to do it again, knowing what I know now, and diving as I dive now, I would buy a Helo2. It is helium-capable, offers wireless air integration, and while not inexpensive, is one of the few helium-capable units that retails for under $1000 (I will sell my Vytec and He on eBay and buy one for redundancy with the X1). Having said that, I think the X1 is probably the best computer around, simply because of the OED display and tap / buttonless interface. But, it is not for the faint of financial heart
and, even though promoted as not just for tec diving, it is a bit of overkill for most recreational diving.
