Which has a higher rate of failure a SPG or a transmitter?

[endurodog]

That would be called "wireless" - calling it "AI" is still not accurate . . . since that is not the only way to go AI.

My point was simple - if you want AI, you don't have to go wireless, unlike what some of the posts here would lead you to believe. Benefits without liabilities, plain and simple . .

- Tim

To be even more correct you wouldn't say benifits without liablities because each have their liabliities and benefits.

 

[dmoore19]

That would be called "wireless" - calling it "AI" is still not accurate . . . since that is not the only way to go AI.

My point was simple - if you want AI, you don't have to go wireless, unlike what some of the posts here would lead you to believe. Benefits without liabilities, plain and simple . .

- Tim

So, is there still a transmitter?

 

[redacted]

To be even more correct you wouldn't say benifits without liablities because each have their liabliities and benefits.

For me, the biggest liability is $$$ when you talk AI and wireless options.

 

[Splitlip]

Ya know Beave, I'm one who advocates a back up spg. I've had three computer failures (actually within a 5 year period). They were Palaegics (sp?). I got to thinking about one of the OPs I use. The entire staff uses wireless Sols or Lunas. No back up SPG. One of their guides is a neighbor. Saw him earlier today. He has over 600 dives on his Sol without incident.

 

[jar546]

It depends what you mean by "fail". I have tossed a lot more SPGs than transmitters. But I have never had an SPG irritate the sh*t out of me by refusing to sync up. They are different tools that do the same job, and each has its own drawbacks. So I use both.

Best answer that I agree with. I do the same.

 

[SkimFisher]

For OW diving - which some apparently think is the ONLY kind of diving there is in the world - I'd be fine with an AI- hoseless computer. I myself have an Epic, though I don't use the AI function; I just like the form factor. When it comes to overhead/technical diving, I'd rather keep it simple. An "old-fashioned" SPG works just fine for me. CCR and OC are two entirely different worlds, btw - just to address someone's comments on technology dependence. That's truly comparing apples to pizza...

 

[RonFrank]

It's funny I'm reading your lamentation how divers don't trust technology and at the end you say that you too carry a backup gauge just in case. I do then same, and if I do a deep dive or repetitive I take a second computer.

I carry a backup SPG because I do not own a backup Wireless AI computer. I has nothing to do with trusting technology, simply what I own. When I buy another AI wireless than I will backup my wireless with another wireless. I wish OLED would come down in price. The Hollis DG05 looks nice, but $1400 with transmitter?

 

[Brandon]

Sensitive electronics, encased in plastic and immersed in salt water for extended periods of time. And we're surprised when they fail?

 

[Splitlip]

FWIW, I have never had a transmitter fail. Only computers. Never my Scubapro nor my Uwatecs. (I do have a Scubapro Extender, it is not an Uwatec.)

 

[MarkHerm]

I did 200+ dives with a transmitter and a standard Aqualung SPG (plastic) on a hose. It's obvious that I don't need the AI computer but I really like the convience of having all relevant data on my wrist and as I had bought the transmitter right after OWD it is available anyways. So I use the SPG for backup only.

In all these dives I never encountered any issues with pairing or loosing signal (I got an old Suunto Vytec with the standard transmitter btw) so the AI hoseless setup works flawlessly for me. I am quite surprised that quite a few people have bad experience with comparable setups though. During the last couple of dives I noticed a very minor leakage somewhere under the plastic coverage of my SPG so I replaced it with a new brass and glass one.
From I a reliability perspective both, the SPG and the hoseless AI computer, are pretty good with respect to my experience with them.

That being said, when the transmitter dies eventually I won't replace it. I don't need it and the money it costs is better spent on other gear or dive trips IMO.