Uwatek Z Computer True Remaining Bottom Time calculation built in

[royplumber]

uwatek z computer does anybody have one off these they would like to share there delight or not so delight thanks

picure spec: below

http://http://www.scubapro.co.uk/products.asp?P=609

[Twinsetmad]

Hi Roy.. I had one for a while..got on with it Ok.. Nothing special really, does what it says on the tin, was reliable and always got me out OK...

what do you want to know..

[Mark Davies]

I had the Air Z Nitrox for quite some time and only changed it when I needed a gas switching computer. I now use a Vytec with a transmitter.

Although I found the water contacts a very fiddly way of using the functions when not diving, I otherwise think the Air Z was a better bit of kit, within its limitations. It connetcs with its transmitter much easier (you have to make an effort with the Vytec to hold things close on start-up, but not with the Air Z) and the contents readings were far more stable. On the Vytec I've seen they have a tendancy to dance about a bit but the Air Z readings were always very steady.

As for the available air time readings I found them spot on. It really proved its worth on liveaboard trips to the Red Sea. There we were doing reef dives that enabled us to do gradually ascending profiles and spend the latter parts of the dive in very shallow waters. I relied on the remaining air time to effectively control the dive profile 'on-the-fly' and so really maximised my time in the water.

I swear by air integration and will never be without it. It's helped me get people out of some real scrapes as it's wonderfully reassuring to know exactly how long you have to resolve an issue. It's oddly normally much longer than you'd think! Just imagine that your bottom time has been extended beyond your plan for some reason and you've racked up more deco than you'd planned. Without air integration you are always going to have the worry of whether you have enough gas to complete your stops. That anxiety is only going to effect your air consumption for the worse and exascerbate the problem. With air integration you can see exactly how long your air will last. If it's enough for your stops then there's no worries. If it isn't then it is a tool you can use to control your breathing better and stretch your air out that bit longer.

I had to do this with the Air Z and, to answer your specific question, it was absolutely spot on with its readings and time estimates.

[royplumber]

Originally Posted by Mark Davies

I had the Air Z Nitrox for quite some time and only changed it when I needed a gas switching computer. I now use a Vytec with a transmitter.

Although I found the water contacts a very fiddly way of using the functions when not diving, I otherwise think the Air Z was a better bit of kit, within its limitations. It connetcs with its transmitter much easier (you have to make an effort with the Vytec to hold things close on start-up, but not with the Air Z) and the contents readings were far more stable. On the Vytec I've seen they have a tendancy to dance about a bit but the Air Z readings were always very steady.

As for the available air time readings I found them spot on. It really proved its worth on liveaboard trips to the Red Sea. There we were doing reef dives that enabled us to do gradually ascending profiles and spend the latter parts of the dive in very shallow waters. I relied on the remaining air time to effectively control the dive profile 'on-the-fly' and so really maximised my time in the water.

I swear by air integration and will never be without it. It's helped me get people out of some real scrapes as it's wonderfully reassuring to know exactly how long you have to resolve an issue. It's oddly normally much longer than you'd think! Just imagine that your bottom time has been extended beyond your plan for some reason and you've racked up more deco than you'd planned. Without air integration you are always going to have the worry of whether you have enough gas to complete your stops. That anxiety is only going to effect your air consumption for the worse and exascerbate the problem. With air integration you can see exactly how long your air will last. If it's enough for your stops then there's no worries. If it isn't then it is a tool you can use to control your breathing better and stretch your air out that bit longer.

I had to do this with the Air Z and, to answer your specific question, it was absolutely spot on with its readings and time estimates.

thanks lads a freind of mine has one and i was looking at the vytec but think the z will be cheaper

[Manchester Will]

Hi Roy,

I second that. I believe air intergrated is much safer. You always know you will have enough air to do your stops and for me, this means I can totaly relax and enjoy my dive.

You can also use it to get every possible minute out of your air!

I will try to call you this week!

Will

[royplumber]

cheers will

[Scuttler]

I wrote a long response detailing my objections to air integrated but unfortunately my connection timed out.

To summaris....they add an additional failure point (two if they are hose connected)....they sometimes foul up on synching (in wireless)....they are not as accurate as some people would have you believe (yes I tested an aladin air over the 4 years I owned one).

I personally see no value in air integrated computers. They do not provide any more information than you can calculate yourself.

They are NOT as safe as planning a dive properly.

If you're relying on a air integrated computer to tell you how much time you have left down there then you're not planning properly...end of. That might seem a little blunt but it's a fact.

If you fancy having a few more toys on your arm then go ahead and buy an air integrated but if you're looking for something that will help you with getting out of the crap then an understanding of dive planning (including gas management), your buddy's consumption rate and how it affects you is far more valuable and probably comes a lot cheaper!

[Manchester Will]

Hi Scuttler,

You make some good valid points with regard to planning.

With regard to extra faliure points, you actually loose a hose on the wireless modals, and I have had no problems with the sync on my uwatec

I'm not a professional diver but I feel it's a great way to dive.