Dive Computers... Which one ?

[Twinsetmad]

Originally Posted by Buoyant Babe

I've been diving over 5 years with a Cressi Archimede and as an entry level, 1 mix nitrox computer I have really liked it. It is really easy to use and read. It gives the same dive as my Suunto D6, except that the stops take a little longer to clear on the D6.

The new Archimede II enables you to run on guage mode and gives gas switching for two mixes. At £189 from Denney (or £234 with a software package) I'm seriously considering buying a new one, as I find my original Archimede so easy to use.

HTH

Helen

I have seen a Suunto Vytec go on ebay for -£200 for the non DS version...

[CotoChris]

I would say Vyper or Mosquito, advantage over Geko is that you can download data to PC (but cables are extra and buy custom made which are far cheaper - see here in YD for details).
Personally I would buy a dive computer off ebay, I'm sure there is much good stuff there but for something important like that or regs I prefer to buy new.

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by Twinsetmad

I have seen a Suunto Vytec go on ebay for -£200 for the non DS version...

That'll be the one that just went for £170?

I agree the Vytec looks great (which is why I was watching it) but I do like my Cressi - it's what you get used to I suppose.

[lloydwatkin]

Originally Posted by CotoChris

I would say Vyper or Mosquito, advantage over Geko is that you can download data to PC (but cables are extra and buy custom made which are far cheaper - see here in YD for details).

You can also download from a gekko by tricking the computer. It's posted on here somewhere so just have a quick search on YD.

The difference between a vyper and a gekko is that the vyper has gauge mode and a backlight (IIRC). Now the backlight I've used about 4 times ever, the gekko has one of them illuminating backfaces so you shine a torch and it glows (like my gauges). I think I'd find the glowing backface much more handy.

Gauge mode is useful when you move on to techier diving when dives are planned on the computer and you do a runtime. That is if the gekko doesn't have gauge mode

Lloyd

[scubak3ato]

Hi ya, good news and i hope you have plenty of exceelent dives ahead. mmm dive computers, well yes loads on the market.
first thing to consider, are you looking for a conventional wrist mounted on a guage computer?

I would recommend a wrist computer. A it is always where you need it in view and on your right arm eg: you lift you lpi inflator to deflate/inflate your bcd, therfore at those moments you need to be looking at your computer.

Guage mounted computers, can get caught, are out of view unless you mount them across your chest. and then on boat or taking kit off they can very easily get damaged

2nd point clairty of the face, and ascent rate indicator can you see them clearly? do you have a perscription mask? Where will you be doing most of your diving? or concentrating on night dives, uk waters etc..

3rd ease of use, they all need you to read the manual/get someone to show you

I liks Suunto computers, i have a D6 and a vyper and to be honest i prefer the Vyper, nice and clear, easy to read very good battery life. the D6 version has a different ascent markings which i can sometimes not quite see. i dont have a perscription lens mask, but it takes more that just a quick 1 sec glance to get all the data from the face, where as the vyper is very clear.

i hope this helps a little
scubak3ato

[StephM]

Hi,
Now that the quality issues seem to be resolved I recently bought an Apeks Quantum from Go-Dive for an incredible £185 (including p&p). Haven't dived it yet but it looks fairly simple and straightforward. Don't know why you'd want to buy second hand when you can get new (with warranty) for less.

[Darren555]

Originally Posted by StephM

Hi,
Now that the quality issues seem to be resolved I recently bought an Apeks Quantum from Go-Dive for an incredible £185 (including p&p)

Not as incredible as the price they were selling them for last Sunday

[Waskey]

Can't believe no one has mentioned a VR3 yet!!

Seriously, I would suggest a gekko, or similar for what you describe. If you choose to move on from that point, then you can use it as a backup gauge for deep dives (I use my Smart Pro for that purpose).

Suuntos are ideal first computers. Oceanic have bought out a range to rival Suunto but I haven't dived with them yet so I don't know what they are like yet. However Suunto.....

[Twinsetmad]

Originally Posted by StephM

Hi,
Now that the quality issues seem to be resolved I recently bought an Apeks Quantum from Go-Dive for an incredible £185 (including p&p). Haven't dived it yet but it looks fairly simple and straightforward. Don't know why you'd want to buy second hand when you can get new (with warranty) for less.

Sorry chap...but Woz picked 2 up at the show for £124 each from Godive

[hilrosepaul]

Originally Posted by Twinsetmad

Sorry chap...but Woz picked 2 up at the show for £124 each from Godive

I think Woz got his for £130 each. I paid £140 for mine (but they kindly included a screen guard, so that makes it alright)

Paul