I have nothing against Oceanic as a company, but if the computer is $680, and has a $160 fee to keep the warranty up for another year, then you're in for over $800 for a computer that isn't built to the same quality standards, doesn't have as many features, doesn't hold value, and because of that, it's not worth the amount of money they charge for it.
I posted another AUP computer, and would recommend a few of their watch models as well, they have very nice ones, but to have a computer that bulky just to have AI on a console style computer to me is a waste of money. Wrist computers are better, that's just a fact of life. Sure if you want AI you have the risk of sync loss, but if I were buying AI, I'd go to something like that before I got a console that enormous.
If I were in his shoes, and wanted AI, I would buy something like the Oceanic Atom without the transmitter, make sure you like the computer, dive with an SPG for a while, and if he feels like he really needs/wants AI for whatever reason, then grab a transmitter. Those little watch style computers are awesome little things, my beef is against big honking consoles because they tend not to last. The reviews on that specific computer are somewhat flaky, doesn't come with the USB cable, which is a $50 upgrade charge, or $90 separately, and is just extremely limiting.
AI Options
Hollis TXI $880, includes transmitter and USB cable, can be used as a dive computer if he travels and doesn't bring his regulator set, will be able to use for any more advanced diving he ends up doing, has multiple transmitter options if that means anything
Oceanic Atom 3.1 $900 with transmitter and USB cable. Same thing as above
Suunto Cobra3- $900, a bit bigger than normal SPG's, but includes digital compass
Mares Puck Air- $600 with USB cable, similar to above
Non AI
Shearwater Petrel-$820, now includes digital compass, bluetooth syncing to iPhones for dive logging, has recreational nitrox mode.
Nitek Q-$500, rechargeable battery, uses standard USB cables, digital compass
