Will Air Integration in dive computers replace the SPG?

[Centrals]

How long have you been diving!?! I'm pretty sure the SPG's I bought for sidemount were over $100 each.

I bought one from DGX(naked 2.5") for $59.00 last yr.

 

[PaloPinto]

Not steering and brakes! Unless you commute by jet...



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ever heard of drive by wire? and steer by wire? Rack and pinion seems to be on its way out for some MFG's

 

[Centrals]

Actually, I realize I have needed my Gekko. Some dive operators require a computer.

I was on a liveaboard(TAKA II) in Queensland and because I did not have a computer(1997). I was told to limit the max depth to 18m unless I could plan a multilevel dive with the "wheel". Fortunately, I had done PADI Multi-level speciality course before so no problem.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

LOL. I can't decide if you are being sarcastic or are simply showing a combination of arrogance and ignorance.

I'm serious, you can interpret my comments as you see fit.

 

[Dr Mac]

I bought my first AI computer 20 years ago and thought it would the wave of the future. It was for me. I don't really use anything else in rec diving. Interestingly, I just sold that computer and it is remarkable how it held quite a bit of value. I am thinking AI wrist mount and brass SPG is the way to go as it provides redundancy, but someone will surely point out that it causes additional possibilities for failure. In the end like all these threads it will come down to personal preference and the type of diving one does. If the SPG hasn't been replaced in 20 years, then I expect it will take a bit longer. I won't see it in my lifetime. Even in industry mechanical gauges serve as backups to electronic sensors.

 

[CuzzA]

Oh yeah that is simple... what do you do 1.8 times plus 32 or minus 32 ??? or is it 5/9ths ?????


(What the hell do I need to know the temperature for during a dive - especially in celsius.


And depth increments in decimals! That is freaking hilarious! I remember I got an air integrated compuer off the discount table at the dive shop. CHEAP. Very similar to one i had before. So no manual, no real checking it. Slap it on my reg, jump in, swim down to the wreck in 180 feet... And I get WACKO CRAP!... I quickly realized the pressure was in bars... so multiply by 15.. that is not hard to figure out while narced... but the depth... It was reading like 567 (or something)... I figured the thing was screwed... took me almost the whole dive to notice there was a tiny little decimal in there and the depth was in METERS (56.7 meter).. EVEN BETTER! now i just have to multiply depth by 3.3 - while narced and remeber the decimal or round to a whole number .

After a few dozen dives, I actually got used to it... But there is no freaking way anyone will ever convince me meters (and decimals there of) are a better way to measure depth than feet (in whole numbers)...

Dude I'm with you. You would love this computer though. I got it for a steal. The deal was too good to pass up. Fractions of meters would confuse me, fortunately as I'm sure you know you can set it to imperial. I'm confident you could figure this computer out in less than a minute narced, inverted with bull sharks circling you and without ever reading the manual. It's really that intuitive. You can toggle different information other than temp if you want.

Here's some more awesome stock screen shots for you to interpret.

And if you like to dive wrecks or some specific locations with mapped features, leave the laminated map survey on the boat.



You can also store images. Which may sound like a useless feature and I agree if you were putting pictures of your cat on it, but I keep a scan of my drivers license, Dan card, health ins, credit card, cert/nitrox card and fishing license on it. First time I went spearfishing we got stopped by FWC and I just showed the officer my computer while everyone else was scrambling for their wet wallets (I didn't bring mine). Unecessary Fluff? Perhaps. Convenience? You bet.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Seriously... your dive computer can hold "dead fish pictures" ?? Cool.. My eyes are so bad now.. I can barely read a dive computer.. I just need depth (NOT max depth attained), elapsed time, total ascent time, deepest ceiling/stop and then later the actually ceiling, ascent rate graphic, and with AI pressure and "air time" or whatever they would call it now. Of course, I guess it would be nice to be able to punch in a deco gas too, but I don't use oxygen that often.

Ever since I was a dishwasher making $1.80 an hour (and saving for a dry suit).. my priorities have always been to spend money on diving rather than dive gear. I doubt I will be getting one of those any time soon.

 

[CuzzA]

As I dive more and more (goal is once a week this year) I'm sure the extra data may become less useful. Right now I like to look back and see how my diving is improving. I look at it as a bit of learning tool. Especially as I'm trying to get a full grasp on deco theory. Being able to look back at your dive profile and seeing how the algorithm calculates my tissue compartments is interesting to me. I'm also trying to lower my sac so I can brag about it.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

As I dive more and more (goal is once a week this year) I'm sure the extra data may become less useful. Right now I like to look back and see how my diving is improving. I look at it as a bit of learning tool. Especially as I'm trying to get a full grasp on deco theory. Being able to look back at your dive profile and seeing how the algorithm calculates my tissue compartments is interesting to me. I'm also trying to lower my sac so I can brag about it.

LOL...I've been drinking tonight ... but you look in the freaking cooler NOT at a little electronic box to see how your diving is going...

 

[CuzzA]

Hard to argue with that, my friend.