When to buy a computer

[Xanthro]

I’m trying to decide, when is the best time to buy a computer? I think I’ve decided on getting the Uwatec Aladin Air Z Nitrox. It seems to have everything I would ever need, now or in the future. Of course, they are not cheap.

I’ll be finished with my OW next week.

When do people think is the best time to buy a computer.

Edit. I have everything except a computer, guages, and a dry suit.

Xanthro

 

[AtomicWalrus]

I think a computer can really enhance your enjoyment of diving by tracking your multilevel profiles and giving you more bottom time than tables. If you're really into diving and you're planning to buy your own equipment, I'd recommend buying it as one of the first items after getting your own mask, snorkel, and fins.

 

[ScubaDadMiami]

You forgot to include as a choice: never. That would be my vote.

Use software, gauges and Wetnotes/slate instead.

I have voted: other since "never" is not a choice.

 

[Uncle Pug]

There you go... all fixed.

Xanthro... get your gauges and then a drysuit first.

 

[Air_Miser]

I'm a year ahead of you on the curve, not that far really. I got certified last June, logged my 81st dive last night.

I just recently bought a computer, as a luxury item. I dive with guys who do not rely on computers and I trust them to get me to the surface safely more than I trust the computer.

Get the drysuit & the gauges and do some diving...learn the tables, get a "feel" for what you should be doing, how long you should be down, work on safe controlled ascents and read everything you can about diving & deco theory & practice. If ever there was an activity that you want to be mentally alert for, it's diving. Since I got the computer, I find myself getting lazy in terms of staying aware of what I'm doing, it's too easy to just watch the "No-deco time remaining" value and forget everything else around you.

It's a great tool to complement your gear, and a good backup, but I'm glad I waited instead of getting it right off the bat, and I considered doing that (I'm sucker for a cool gadget) but went for the must-have's first.

You will kick yourself if you get the computer before exposure suit & gauges.

Just my $0.02, and I'm probably middle of the pack when it comes to this discussion- lots who say it's the best piece of gear you can own, lots who say it's the worst. None of us are right for you, just ourselves.

Aside from that- welcome to diving!

Matt.

I’m trying to decide, when is the best time to buy a computer? I think I’ve decided on getting the Uwatec Aladin Air Z Nitrox. It seems to have everything I would ever need, now or in the future. Of course, they are not cheap.

I’ll be finished with my OW next week.

When do people think is the best time to buy a computer.

Edit. I have everything except a computer, guages, and a dry suit.

Xanthro

 

[bradb21]

I think it really depends on your budget. Somebody said it's a luxury item, and that is probably true.

My advice on dive gear would be......

If you get a dive computer, don't start out by buying a cheap one because you will very soon want a better one. Start out with one that is air integrated and nitrox compatible. (I made this mistake and paid for it).

If you dive in cold water don't waste your money on a 7mm wetsuit. Skip it and buy a drysuit (I also made this mistake and again it cost me more in the long run).

 

[Xanthro]

I should have mentioned; I plan to have a full set of analogue gauges. I’m picking them up today.

Mostly I’d like a dive computer to upload the data to my laptop, and review the actual dive profiles, to see how well what I planned matched what I actually enacted.

I’ll always plan my dives. I find that part of the fun.

Xanthro

 

[Uncle Pug]

For the record I have a Suunto Stinger and use it in gauge mode. This allows me to have my dive time prominently displayed in the center (minutes and seconds) as well as depth and max depth.

The Stinger records the dive and I down load it and pay attention to the shape of the dive profile. I'm doing a download right now in fact. By analyzing my downloaded profile I can compare it to what I wanted the dive to look like before the dive and also how I decided during the dive to change that.

 

[ShakaZulu]

For the record I have a Suunto Stinger and use it in gauge mode. This allows me to have my dive time prominently displayed in the center (minutes and seconds) as well as depth and max depth.

The Stinger records the dive and I down load it and pay attention to the shape of the dive profile. I'm doing a download right now in fact. By analyzing my downloaded profile I can compare it to what I wanted the dive to look like for the dive and also how I decided during the dive to change that.

Wow, I'll swap you my Mosquito, will do the same thing..........

 

[Uncle Pug]

Your mosquito wouldn't look as nice on my wrist as I strut about town nor would it serve as a count up timer during deco diving.

I like to keep track of stop time as well as run time. The Stinger allows me to have a mm:ss count up timer going. At mm:40 I start my move to the next stop arriving at mm:00... this corresponds to a 30fpm ascent and keeps the RT on track.