Gas switching computer

[videogirl]

I'm currently doing a Nitrox Decompression course and may look at upgrading my computer to one that does gas switching in the near future. Can anyone recommend a specific computer?

[liamm]

i've obsessed about this recently and ended up going for the apex quantum - got it from deep blue dive for 149 - so its a cheap way of bridging the gap to a vr3
If id had the cash i might have got a uwatec tek2g - but i was being cheap and will be primarily on tables anyway

[Silent Diver]

A lot of the choices depend on what your budget will be but for a basic gas switching computer the suunto Vytec DS is a good start if you only need 1 or 2 deco gasses plus your back gas.

If you think you may go down the trimix route at a later date then the VR3 offers 10 gas mixes including trimix and rebreather use if you purchase the correct pin numbers...

Im sure others can offer other makes and models but these are the two I use with my rebreather as backups etc

[videogirl]

I'm trying to avoid the expense of a VR3 at the moment - I'm currently using an Aladdin Sport.

How do you find the Apeks Quantum?

[chrisch]

Opinions vary on the Quantum but I don't much like it. Assuming that the early reliability problems have been fixed (it was a bag of shite when launched) it competes with the other Seiko computer, the Archimede 2 and other manufacturer's offerings like the Suunto Vyper 2.

I found the Apeks badged Seiko to be hard to see at 45m and the inability to set a PPO2 of more than 1.4 for the main dive gas is an issue for some people (not here in cold UK waters though I think)

I now have the Archimede and find it to be a much better computer, albeit with the same algorithm and dodgy Seiko reliability (one of the two we have has been back already and the other played up after a battery change)

Its a cheap item and you get what you pay for....

Chris

[IanDennis]

If your doing a course why not talk about it with your instructor. I would suggest that your course if it involves gas switching will probably be run off tables and that it is important to gain a full understanding of these work before venturing into spending on a computer.

Whilst computers are reasonably reliable (...waiting for Mr Chase to come on about pressure sensor failure) they are not infallible. You also need to understand why we are switching gas, what happens to the body and about alternatives when something goes wrong. On the course that your doing you will get taught this and the why and reason behind it.

The VR3 is a lovely bit of kit but it may be overkill for what your looking at doing. Better to spend the money on diving and gaining experience.

For runtime schedules a simple Bottom timer will suffice. One with seconds is nice but not essential.

Various people have the Quantum on the board so they will be able to advise. Never used one so cannot comment.

See what you instructors says

[Silent Diver]

Originally Posted by chrisch

Opinions vary on the Quantum but I don't much like it. Assuming that the early reliability problems have been fixed (it was a bag of shite when launched)

I dont think they have been fixed a friend of mine, (who is on their 3rd warranty replacement), has just sent it back again after it failed at the weekend this time though they are demanding a full refund and going with a suunto although they are trying to talk me into parting with my VR3 as I just upgraded to the vision electronics on my Inspiration

[Manta]

I also got a quantum from deep blue!!

[robertsT]

I don't have much expereince with computers, I've only ever really used two the Aladin Pro and the Apeks Quantum. I'm a big fan of the Quantum mine has always been very reliable, the display is easy to read and understand. Its quite conservative, but thats not a bad thing.

[Finless]

Cochran!

I like mine!

Cochran Undersea Technology

They even have a UK outlet again.