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#86
Wireless Computers
heabs - 7/19/2009 10:02 PM
Category: Equipment
Replies: 9

Hello all. I am in the market for a new wireless computer. I have been going back and forth between the Suunto D9, the Oceanic OC1 and the Oceanic Atom 2.0, all with transmitter My pockets are not that deep, any suggestions? Thanks
#506
steelheadfish - 7/19/2009 11:03 PM
i like the oceanic vt3 it was resonable and wasy to use!! if it helps!! good luck
#20384
LatitudeAdjustment - 7/20/2009 8:41 AM


Wireless? I didn’t know they even made them! Do they use Bluetooth or WiFi to transfer the dives to your PC/laptop?


What I’d like to see is them include an atomic clock radio like some watches so they would keep better time, all you would need to do is set the time zone.


How about a built in nitrox analyzer :)


What I really don’t like are hoseless computers, just another battery to go dead in the middle of the dive. And yes I’ve had both my computers die on the same dive :(
#86
Subscribed
heabs - 7/20/2009 9:08 AM


Wow, I would have expected a comment like that from someone much younger! But I appreciate your response, but the likes and dislikes would have been sufficient.


From LatitudeAdjustment:


Wireless? I didn’t know they even made them! Do they use Bluetooth or WiFi to transfer the dives to your PC/laptop?


What I’d like to see is them include an atomic clock radio like some watches so they would keep better time, all you would need to do is set the time zone.


How about a built in nitrox analyzer :)


What I really don’t like are hoseless computers, just another battery to go dead in the middle of the dive. And yes I’ve had both my computers die on the same dive :(
#3936
seawolfdiving - 7/21/2009 8:37 AM


Wireless is a good way to go in terms of eliminating another hose. But finding one that is as reliable as hose mounted computer is necessary. With these things, you get what you pay for...


Also, if you do underwater photography, some of the strobes cause interference with some of the wireless signals.


 


 
#86
Subscribed
heabs - 7/21/2009 9:22 AM
that is a great point, thank you for the response.
#492
Dooga - 7/22/2009 12:08 PM
I purchased the Atom 2 about a month ago and recently did 6 dives with it in southern California, including a dive to 106’ in 50 degree water. It worked flawlessly on each dive and gave accurate data in an easy to read fashion. I love the hoseless feature, and do not see dead batteries as an issue with proper care and maintenance. The batteries have long lives, and the computer will warn of low batteries in either the computer or transmitter in sufficient time to change them. I do use the PC interface (although I actually have a Mac and use the free MacDive software) to download my data and find it very useful for analyzing my dives. Aside from the dive profile itself and associated data, the computer and software monitor and graph air consumption and calculate SAC rate. I have had no complaints with the Atom 2 and would be happy to answer any specific questions you have.
#290
PROTEC - 7/24/2009 11:30 AM


I dive with the Aedris Epic and my GF with the Oceanic Atom 2.0. We paid $569 each on ebay, a year ago. We never had problems. I think that they are a good start. The fact you can monitor 3 tanks at the same time is a nice feature I use when diving multiple gasses.


We dive OFTEN. 4/5 days a week 3 dives, unless I am conducting an IDC.


Good luck with your purchase.


Mich
#271
Jorakae - 7/25/2009 4:56 PM


It really is all about budget and personal preference.


I think once you make the move to a wireless computer, you won’t look back. I imagine if maintained properly, they would have the same failure rates as standard computers. 


I think one of the important factors to look for is to make sure that it has a user replaceable battery. Also make sure it has all the features that you need to cover whatever diving you are doing now, and in the future.


I personally have the Aeris Elite T3. While I think this is a great computer and happy to have it, the one thing I wish it had that it doesn’t is a compass. That and the slimmer profile of the D9 has made me reconsider whether or not I should have ponied up for the D9 up front and then called it a day.


The other advantage is that you can actually wear the D9 as a regular watch when not in the water and no one would think anything of it. Try putting on my Aeris Elite T3 in public and people would think you had some sort of medical problem.


I don’t have unlimited pockets either and the price difference between the D9 and the Aeris Elite T3 was significant. At the time I think I got my T3 for just under $700, and the D9 was $1300. Is it really worth the extra $600 for the compass and slimmer profile? Not so sure I could have justified that. But if I had looked at the purchase as both a watch I could wear 24x7 and a computer, I might have reconsidered. 


Just my thoughts...
#441
castanagajt - 7/28/2009 3:11 AM
Funny you mentioned about a wireless computer going out in a middle of a dive. Just the other week I was supposed to go diving with my older cousin and he always talked so highly about his wireless computer, etc.

Good thing I came a bit later than expected and we both had actual time to check our gear. Well, hate to say his stupid wireless computer had a battery dead. I told him to check the battery in the antennae thing but he kept on pushing that one was changed. Needles to say our week long plan to go diving in Lake Mead was shattered.

He also asked me about my hosed computer and I told him I have never had a problem with it plus it was hundreds of dollars cheaper than his.