Recommend me my first dive computer

[Ant P]

Originally Posted by Rydive

Hey Gunner, not to disagree with drunkdiver but I personally have found a back-light to be useful for night dives. If you use a torch, the reflection of the light off the computer can dazzle you a bit and take away your night vision. It's a minor point, especially if you don't do any night diving or don't like the idea, but it's something to bare in mind. You can pick up vypers SH for between £100-120. Otherwise, as said above, the Gekko will do all you need. HTH

The Gekko has a phospherescent (sp?) display. So basically you hold your torch directly against the face for a couple of seconds and it will be easy to read in the dark. Much better than a backlight IMHO. Wish the vytec had the same.

Cheers, a

[Keith Wood]

Another vote for the suunto vyper.

[Bimbler]

As a first computer a Gekko is great for the price.

I thought the only difference between them and the Vyper was the PC interface? If you don't want to download your dives to you PC, then there is no need to pay the extra.

My Gekko took me from beginner, through Nitrox and right up until I started technical - now of course it is pretty much redundant, but it's still working!

[hammerheads]

if you use a piece of software called divelog and buy a cable you can actually download the dives from the Gekko

[shineyman]

I'd go for a Gekko for you first comp.

Dead easy to use, and cheap.

I have one and there is a bit of software kicking around which allow you to fool the gekko to let you down load profiles ect. You can also adjust the update time to 10 sec to give you a more detailed profile.

With the software is a cracking comp for very little money.

The only thing that it lacks is a back light which means you have to use your torch at night.

[Darren555]

Another vote for the Apeks Quantum otherwise one of the Uwatec models.
I too would avoid a Suunto as they don't recognise Newtonian time.

[Twinsetmad]

If it were me...now I know what I know... I'd say go for the Vyper. The Gekko is fine, but doesn't have guage mode, which means you can't use it as a dive timer without following the other dive information...I also wouldn't buy a Quantum as I had one fail on me badly during a week away in Scapa.

The Suunto stuff has survived the test of time, I've had Aladin Pro, Aladin Air Z... Vyper, Vytec, Stinger, D6, Quantum and VR2 and VR3's.....


The VR3 is by far the best, but that may be a bit dear to start with

[Sipadan]

Originally Posted by David D

You can buy a Suunto, or you can buy a computer that isn't conservative rubbish.

agreed, even my vytec in it's scary "!" least conservative mode is more conservative than margaret thatcher.

HOWEVER, for the price and features, you can't beat a gekko for a first computer.

[Rob Dobson]

Originally Posted by Twinsetmad

The VR3 is by far the best, but that may be a bit dear to start with

Er.....? I presume you've never looked at either the Shearwater Pursuit or the X1? Both are superior to the VR3 in terms of functionality, reliability, deco algorithm, battery life, clarity of display....

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by Darren555

Another vote for the Apeks Quantum otherwise one of the Uwatec models.
I too would avoid a Suunto as they don't recognise Newtonian time.

another vote for Apeks Quantum
easy to use
big display [as you get older]
runs 2 mixes
switches mix if hyou want to accorate your deco in the future
guage mode if you need it
downloadable onto your pc to view your profile

and i paid about 165 for mine