Join DiveBuddy.com

Meet new scuba divers, maintain a virtual dive log, participate in our forum, share underwater photos, research dive sites and more. Members login here.

#445
Dive Computers
ScubaSkeeter - 5/21/2008 6:59 AM
Category: Equipment
Replies: 8

Need some input from the divers out there. I am looking to purchase a dive computer and need some information, pros & cons on what is being used out there. Any and all info will be helpful
#340
Grayfox - 5/21/2008 7:32 AM
Well all I can give you info on is the Sherwood Wisdom 2 computer because it’s the one I have. I can tell you that I’m very happy with it. It’s air integrated and shows all the information you’ll ever need really. It also compensates for altitude dives and is nitrox ready for up to 50%. I think most dive computers now a-days perform similar functions. Of course it shows you small bar graphs displaying your PO2 levels, nitrogen levels, and ascent rate. It’s rated for about 399’ on gauge mode. Displays time to fly, has a planning mode, simulation mode, can plug it into a computer so you can review your dive. Takes into account safety stops and will also do decompression stops. I mean its great. I was going to go with a wireless wrist one but opted for this instead. I still like having a cable attached :-).
#440
gunsandhoses - 5/21/2008 9:07 AM
I dive the Tusa IQ-700 witch is the same as the Dive Rite NITEK DUO and Zeagle N2ition. I also dive the Cochran Commander, but I think the IQ-700 is a much better and more reliable computer. Display primary dive information; time elapsed and no decompression time remaining display. Current, max depth, Date, time, and water temperature display. Display graphs for ascent rates, N2 and O2 levels. It’s also a two gas computer with setting for 1 or 2 Nitrox mixes. Mix 1 is programmable for Nitrox mixes ranging from 21-50% and mix 2 is programmable for Nitrox mixes ranging from 21-99%. You are able to switch gas underwater, three user adjustable safety factor levels and gauge mode. Visible warnings for violation of ascent rate, no decompression, decompression stops and ceiling depth, Nitrox PO2 warnings.

For the money this computer will grow with you all the way to advance Nitrox. All three list for around $450.00, but you can pick them up for as low as $390.00.

DJ
#343
uc3307 - 5/21/2008 9:25 AM
I got great advice from a very experienced rescue diver when I had the same questions. If take diving seriously you will progress rather fast and outgrow your equiptment, try to buy advanced recreational stuff so you don’t have buy again quickly.


You should invest on an air integrated computer, it does measurements based on the actual air inside the tank and your breathing rates. Two types: 1- Wireless: wrist style and transmitter connected to the High Pressure port on the first stage they usually run between $600 to $2000. 2- Connected: Gage style connected to the high pressure port of the first stage through a hose they ussually go for $500 to $1000. I have the Suunto Cobra I payed $650 with the computer module and quick disconnect. I couldn’t be happier. It is very accurate, easy to read and operate even at depth. It’s nice to have all the info together.
#28736
RAWalker - 5/21/2008 5:32 PM
I’d have to go along with looking at advanced recreational gear. Consider the type of diving you’d like to do in the future and make your purchases based on that instead of what you are doing today. That said... Any computer you consider should be nitrox compatable.


Air integrated computers give you a lot of extra information that you may not use immediately but it won’t hinder your progress as long as you figure out the info that you do need and how to read it properly.


Wrist computers vs console - A wrist computer has one advantage even when diving on rental gear you can use your computer that you are familar with and it will be located at the same position you are used to using it in. If your wrist computer happens to be a wireless AI computer most of them will still function without the pressure transmitter and give you all the functions that don’t relate to bottle pressure, air consumption and remaining dive time. Again this is using and interface you are familiar with.


With a console computer you need to bring your regs this isn’t necessarily a bad thing but more to pack and if you are traveling light could be a problem.


While some people have reported problems with wireless AI computers syncing with their transmitters this is actually not very common with most recent models from respected manufacters. Loss of sync does happen but in most cases reestablishes itself within a few seconds and the computer updates based on the lastest pressure readings and elapsed time. From time to time devices do fail and having a backup depth and time monitor is a good idea. This can be a SPG and dive watch or a second computer. Without this backup your days diving may be over should a failure occur.


I dive with 2 wireless AI computers both manufactured by Oceanic. a VT3 and an Atom and have nothing but praise for them.
#445
Subscribed
ScubaSkeeter - 5/21/2008 6:00 PM
Thanks for the input. I have been looking at the Suunto products as far a getting a dive computer to wear on my wrist. In the future I would like to have one that connects directly to my reg., then use the wrist computer as a back up.
#159
Schuedog - 5/27/2008 1:30 PM
I have had a few computers. Most of them are now out of production so I too was recently searching for a new computer. I have had non air intigrated and air intigrated, both hosed and hoseless. I prefer the air intigrated computers, more information than just NO2 saturation. I am currently diving the Galeleo del Sol by Uwatec. This is a slightly larger wrist unit that is air intigrated and can monitor up to 4 tanks. Three of your own and one of your buddies. It will also let you select different O2 % for the three tanks and plan your gas switches. It will calculate your remaining bottom time based on the plan and readajust if you stray from the plan. It also incorprates your breathing rate and HEART rate into the algorythm.


There are a lot of features to this computer. My favorite so far is the digital compass that actually works very will. It is almost unaffected by tilt.


The batteries in both the computer and the transmitters are user replacible. I have dove this computer 20 plus times so far and it is the best one I have ever owned. I have also upgraded the firmware via the internet which went flawlessly. The latter is not available on any other model I know of. I have had to replace some of my older computers due to them being unsafe by todays standards in tec. This should not be the case with the Galeleo due to the ability to preform these updates.


The price is high but I feel it is worth it. I am not sorry I have bought this computer. So check out the Galeleo del Sol at Scubapro’s web sight.
#445
Subscribed
ScubaSkeeter - 5/27/2008 2:54 PM
I want to thank all the members who left informtion on my forum. I kind of narrowed it down after reviewing all the info and I recently purchused a cochran. It is marketed by H2Odyssey. It is the same as EMC-14 with nitrox. I got a hell of a deal on it. The big selling point was being user friendly, and it is the only one recognized by Divers Alert Network (DAN) If anyone else is interested in one of these send me a message and I will give you the info on where you can get one. They would even make a great back-up computer especally for the price.
#1403
RigHunter - 6/01/2008 8:11 PM
Sherwood Wisdom 2...can’t go wrong. I own 4 computers, 3 sherwood, and one Dacor/Mares. Of the Sherwoods, 2 are wisdoms and I love them both.