What's a suitable computer for a new computer-buyer?

[Grajan]

We are first time computer users and the Suunto Cobra has been really easy to get used to.

Uncomplicated display, large characters, air integrated

It also has nitrox and gauge modes.

 

[ERP]

More points of view.

I own a cobra, and a vyper (wrist mounted), and the cobra is sitting on top of my dresser.

Not that it's a bad computer, but air integration really didn't turn out to be very useful (at least for me), and having a computer on your wrist instead of a console is much more convenient.

Personally unless you have money to burn, I wouldn't bother with Air integration and I'd get a wrist mounted nitrox computer that has a display that you find easy to read. For me that's the Vyper.

 

[jamiei]

why aren't you selling that cobra? I use the cobra and clip it off on my chest. All I have to do is grab it and take a look. Not much more complicated or difficult than flipping your wrist to look at a wrist mount. My Sk7 compass is also mounted on it so I don't have to switch wrists to see where I'm headed. To me that is a big plus. I get all the info I need in one package. Plus, the chances of my cobra popping off my hp hose is much less than the band breaking on the wrist mount. Also, the price difference really isn't that great anymore... you can buy a cobra for $480 from leisurepro or a vyper for $315. A spg will run you $50 or more with a console so you're really only saving $100. To me, the cobra is well worth it since I can instantly tell how much air time I have left based on my breathing rate at any given time. I can also instantly see how slow, controlled breathing can have a big impact on how long my air lasts. That makes it a great self training aid as well. For me anyway, its the way to go.


I believe AI provides a lot of useful info about particular dives. It can tell you how you were breathing during a dive and provide info as to how much you were exerting yourself (current, etc.). It's also great for tracking how you progress in using less and less air as you become a better overall diver.

 

[ERP]

I'm not selling the cobra, because I'm going to put together a set of equipment for my GF and try to convince her that diving cold water really is fun...... Hmmmm...... That might be something of a challenge

As to tracking air usage, I really don't need a computer to do that. Check your SPG regularly thoughout your dive and monitor your depth and with only minimal practice you'll be surprised how accurately you can gauge your air consumption.

For a long time I dove both computers, but I found that the cobra became nothing more than an expensive, hard to read SPG. In the end I got tired of pointing out which number was the air pressure to my buddy and bought a simple SPG which as it happens I also find easier to read quickly.

I like the suunto computers a lot, my only real complaint is that the NDL is displayed in annoyingly large numbers, while all the info I actually care about is displayed around the edges.

This is of course just one opinion.

 

[astrofunk]

I like my Oceanic Versa Pro, and I'm increasingly glad that I went with a wrist mount. I don't have much to add beyond what others have said, except that I'm not sure if the Suunto computers have automatic altitude adjustment (the Oceanics do). Correct me if I'm wrong! Also, heed the advice about nitrox compatability.

Air-integration excepted, the computers that have been mentioned all offer pretty similar features. I did the "dive simulation" on the Oceanic website and was convinced. I imagine I would have been just as happy with a Suunto, and I would have spent about the same amount of $$$.

 

[vicky]

It's conservative, Supports Nitrox. You can also download the profiles into a PC- great for learning purposes (at last you can see how your profiles really are- It helps improve a lot your diving.
Display is rather simple). You can customize its conservatism too.
The display is big and simple. You can quickly learn to use this computer without reading a zillion pages in complicated manuals.
Then you have a backlight, and it keeps quite a lot of dives in its memory, etc. etc.

Why wrist mounted? IMHO the copmuter should go on the left hand- that's the one that holds your inflator. Suppose it's an emergency and you're ascending sharing air with your buddy- you don't have to let him go or leave the inflator even for a split of a second- just look at your left arm and you can control the rate of ascent, make stops (if necessary- in some emergencies you will skip safety stops, depending on situation) and so on while holding your inflator at the same time. For this reason I don't like to have an AI computer like the cobra (otherwise similar to the Vyper)- for emergencies I don't want to waste even half a second to look for the console- maybe it's there maybe not...

 

[LUBOLD8431]

I recommend the Vyper as well for all the reasons already stated. Its a very nice package...

Not that expensive either... Nice big display too...

However, Oceanic Versa Pro should be looked at as well, as the display is a little larger, and you get a LED alarm as well as audible alarm... Kinda cool.

Oceanic is not quite as conservative as the Suunto, so thats another difference...

 

[DiverMK]

Your posts are very insightful and helpful for me in making my decision. Based on people's recommendations and my finances, I think I will go with a Suunto Viper. I've looked at a few websites, and it looks like my best bet is to go with an ebay seller. If I buy a brand new one from an ebay seller, does anyone know if I will still get the manufacturer's warranty? I haven't bought anything from ebay before, so I don't know how these warranties work.

Thanks again!

-soon to become a Vyper user

 

[jamiei]

As to tracking air usage, I really don't need a computer to do that. Check your SPG regularly thoughout your dive and monitor your depth and with only minimal practice you'll be surprised how accurately you can gauge your air consumption.

to track it accurately you do... I like accuracy and precision and the cobra provides that for me. Everyone wants something different and thats why there is so much to choose from.

 

[Uncle Pug]

jamiei once bubbled...
to track it accurately you do

Well... I take that back...

I don't.

I can guess my pressure before looking at my SPG and hit it dead on in most cases.... and if for some reason it isn't what I guessed then that little fact is even more important than the reading itself... something unexpected and therefore worthy of special attention is afoot... changes from the expected usage can be tip offs to such things as unnoticed exertion and/or leaks.

To the original point of this thread... in my opinion you would be better served by taking a GUE DIRf class and learning how to dive without a computer (plus you will learn a whole lot more as well.)

A simple bottom timer/depth gauge will suffice (IMO) for any recreational diving.

And of course, as has already been pointed out, CRYB.