What's the best Wrist Mount Dive Computer for both tech and recreatonal diving & why?

[Scuba]

I guess it comes down to something like this:

A diver can do all the things you guys mention and carry a computer to gain from the additional benefits it provides.

Can you gain the additional benefits a computer provides without carrying one?

Worth it, not worth it. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[O-ring]

Scuba once bubbled...
I guess it comes down to something like this:

A diver can do all the things you guys mention and carry a computer to gain from the additional benefits it provides.

Can you gain the additional benefits a computer provides without carrying one?

Worth it, not worth it. Different strokes for different folks.

It might be confusing if, hypothetically, I was using Decoplanner with my gradient factors set how I like them and a couple other tweaks and wearing a VR3, Vytec, Explorer, whatever and having them conflict. What do you do in situations like this since software and computers don't jibe? My solution is to turn my computer into a bottom timer and follow the software since my computer (Vyper) is not designed for deco dives.

Or are you saying one could then follow a pre-dive plan (tables, whatever) and just carry the computer in case and follow it as a contingency option? In my case, I don't think that would help because I know what the vyper will do...it will scream STOP at me and will stick me at 10-20' until my gas runs out...I can do that on my own (not that I would).

 

[Uncle Pug]

Scuba once bubbled...
Can you gain the additional benefits a computer provides without carrying one?

From my perspective there are no additional benefits... only liabilities... particularly neural necrosis and cerebral putrefaction.

 

[Northeastwrecks]

O-ring once bubbled...

It might be confusing if, hypothetically, I was using Decoplanner with my gradient factors set how I like them and a couple other tweaks and wearing a VR3, Vytec, Explorer, whatever and having them conflict. What do you do in situations like this since software and computers don't jibe? My solution is to turn my computer into a bottom timer and follow the software since my computer (Vyper) is not designed for deco dives.

Or are you saying one could then follow a pre-dive plan (tables, whatever) and just carry the computer in case and follow it as a contingency option? In my case, I don't think that would help because I know what the vyper will do...it will scream STOP at me and will stick me at 10-20' until my gas runs out...I can do that on my own (not that I would).

Those are two questions that I would like to see answered as well. I'm particularly interested in the way that people reconcile the Decoplanner and the computer profiles.

I'm also halfway convinced that my Mosquito would kick into gauge mode if the dive went down the drain, which is another reason I don't plan on using it for anything except a bottom timer.

UP and O-Ring, what do you think about using the plan function on the computer during non-deco dives, then tracking it using bottom timer, proper gas management, etc...? Seems like that would not be a problem.

 

[MechDiver]

O-ring once bubbled...

It might be confusing if, hypothetically, I was using Decoplanner with my gradient factors set how I like them and a couple other tweaks and wearing a VR3, Vytec, Explorer, whatever and having them conflict. What do you do in situations like this since software and computers don't jibe? My solution is to turn my computer into a bottom timer and follow the software since my computer (Vyper) is not designed for deco dives.

Or are you saying one could then follow a pre-dive plan (tables, whatever) and just carry the computer in case and follow it as a contingency option? In my case, I don't think that would help because I know what the vyper will do...it will scream STOP at me and will stick me at 10-20' until my gas runs out...I can do that on my own (not that I would).

Leaving the Vytec out as its not in the same category, and looking at the true deep, deco capable Explorer and VR3.

You get software for both that allow you to input you choice of back gas and deco gasses, depth, time, Pyle stops, deep stops, and that will generate a profile and gas table. Those are then downloaded to the wrist unit (and also printed out). You then "dive the computer" as it were as it has all the times, depths, gas switches, etc worked out. In theory, if you deviate from your plan, the computer will update your profile and deco obligations on the fly. This is, in theory, a neat thing until you consider the fact you may not have enough gas to complete the "updated" profile.

I dive with two buddies who have Explorers and I have yet to see them do anything I don't with my B/T and wrist slate.

Phil

 

[O-ring]

Northeastwrecks once bubbled...


Those are two questions that I would like to see answered as well. I'm particularly interested in the way that people reconcile the Decoplanner and the computer profiles.

I'm also halfway convinced that my Mosquito would kick into gauge mode if the dive went down the drain, which is another reason I don't plan on using it for anything except a bottom timer.

UP and O-Ring, what do you think about using the plan function on the computer during non-deco dives, then tracking it using bottom timer, proper gas management, etc...? Seems like that would not be a problem.

But, I use my Vyper for non-deco dives in computer mode (gasp). I do use the plan function and I follow it with the exception that I incorporate a 1 minute stop at 40', a 1 minute stop at 30', and a 1 minute stop at 20', and then let the Vyper finish it's countdown while I look at the barracuda or whatever is hanging around... That being said, we always run a decoplanner table to check things out beforehand, but if I am in double 72s jacked to 3000 on a 60' reef...well, let's just say that I could probably get the whole team through the dive if I had a couple more second stages .

IMHO, there isn't much difference in those depths between gauge and computer mode. If I am sticking to NDLs, I do just that, STICK to them. If in gauge mode, I know the NDLs, would have a table, or would just revert to Navy if a shark ate my slate, whatever...you get the idea. In computer mode, I do the exact same dive with the same stops, so I guess there isn't really a compelling reason to leave it in one mode or another except I like the brain rotting average depth tracking in computer mode...

 

[Uncle Pug]

Northeastwrecks once bubbled...
UP and O-Ring, what do you think about using the plan function on the computer during non-deco dives, then tracking it using bottom timer, proper gas management, etc...? Seems like that would not be a problem.

On non-deco dives we usually *plan* them on the fly... that is we keep track of our profile through time and do what we want with it.

Why plan your non-deco dive with your computer???

 

[leadweight]

It might suprise some folk, but I don't like wireless computers. It is just a very complicated and expensive way to do what an easy to read analog SPG does to perfection. Also watching a digital air guage constantly changing looks like a great stress inducer. Many divers report better air consumption if they don't look at their air guage excessively.

The main use of computers in the recreational setting is to allow more bottom time when staying within the no decompression limits. It avoids the rounding up required by the tables. Many threads in the Dr. Deco forum tell us that computers have a good safety margin for no decompression dives.

While I am not a tech diver, It seems pretty obvious that when decompression is involved exact planing is mandatory, else the diver could run out of air before completing deco. 101 huh? This is not how I use a dive computer, or would feel comfortable with one.

I have had a chance to use some of the PC deco modeling software and must say that it is awesome. It takes a lot of air to go deep and complete required deco. Without further training I would not use these programs to plan a real dive.

So, while I am not a deco diver, it seems to me that the guys cutting tabels and using timers on their deco dives are doing the requisite planning and have the discipline to keep themselves out of trouble, and the ones relying on computers for deco diving are going to get into trouble. And from what I can tell, this proceedure is fundamental, not restricted to GUE trained divers and their brethren.

 

[Uncle Pug]

MechDiver once bubbled...
I dive with two buddies who have Explorers and I have yet to see them do anything I don't with my B/T and wrist slate.

And taking that a step backward into rec diving...

I dove with folks on a charter up in BC and they all had their AI computers and I just did my thing keeping track of my profile... my dives were a little longer than their dives... but apart from that they were basically the same and we saw the same stuff and had the same fun.

Point is most of these folks sporting fancy computational devices can't stay down long enough for it to even matter!

For what these folks are spending for their computational devices they could buy a couple of LP104s instead of renting AL80s and maybe get to do a little more diving.

So much for computers extending your bottom time!!!!

 

[Scuba]

O-ring,

I can't answer your question in regards to deco dives. I don't do them at this time. MechDiver made some mention of how this could be done. Maybe others can expound on it. I realize it may not be suitable for your deco model or not available.

For non-deco dives I use my computer to see where I stand in regards to time remaining before deco obligations occur. Why? because it can track my actual profile with more precision than I can and I may like to stay down as long as possible while remaining within non-deco guidelines, or stay away from it a certain amount of time. The precision argument with respect to deco theory is well understood, but we all draw the line somewhere. I'am aware of the tables guidelines as to depth and time in case something doesn't look right.

I think its generally accepted that computers can give more bottom time due to their more precise tracking capabilities. Obviously theres a whole lot more to it than this, especially in deco dives.

Somehow the argument is always made that it can fail, or that somehow you'll be glued to it and neglect dive awareness, or that many people using them aren't good divers and don't know how to use them. And? Whats the point? Don't get your poles crossed while extrapolating. This seems like a pretty outdated argument at this date and age. All that is applicable to tables and mental tracking.

How about making mental errors due to your brain being narced or other reasons, and maybe a look at the computers will tell you something is not right, assuming you can still figure this out.

I think you don't get more comments here in favor of computers because many of its users aren't out to change the world and preach gloom and doom if you don't use one, unlike others.

I was going to ask if DIR see's any benefit to using a computer, but that question has already been answered. It says it all.

But where's the pudding?