Which Dive Computer?

[parahandy]

OK
I'm not familiar with this particular model but it looks like a modification on the others they have done.The Oceanic models tend to be pretty simplistic in their functions ie the Red and Green sectors on the display allow for a quick look at it to see if youre within no decompression limits or into safety stops. Check to see if the model your contemplating purchasing has easily available user replaceable batteries, think most of the Oceanics allow this these days. surprising how the battery shows low when your about to do a dive( keep a spare).

The Suunto's displays usually take a little more looking at with a different display, once you get used to these they are fine. Replacing the batteries in these whilst not a specialist job is a little more involved.

Also give some thought as to if your going to wrist mount it or stick the puter in a console. The oceanic console ie Contents gauge and recess for the puter I recall was a bit steep £80-100, they also do consoles for Suunto's

Bottom line for simplicity the Oceanic for something a bit more Technical the Suunto

[Mark Chase]

:- suunto Vytec
:- buddy Nexus
:- delta p vr3
:- delta p vr2
:- uwatec aladin range
:- cochrane comando nitrox

Some of these computers are very good Nitrox computers

Some of these computers are good multy mix Nitrox computers

One of these computers is a Trimix and intigrated CCR computer which has no compatition in this list.

What sort of diving are you doing / do you plan to do?

The VR3 is a fantastic computer for multiple gas, CCR and Trimix diving it is streets ahead of anything else on this list but it is big heavy and expensive.

The VR2 is streats ahead of any of the multi (Nitrox) gas diving computers here but the Cochran is close. Dont beleive what JB wrote in Diver mag it was so far from the truth of the unit that it obviously was a faulty one he had.

The Vytec is a good 3 mix computer for square or multy level porfiles but it has a few problems like it will not credit extended deep stops or slow ascents, It will not reduce deco unless you are very neer its ceiling of decompresion recommendation, It only shows deco comitment for the gas your breathing at that time, there is no wet look ahead feature, there is no gas planning or diveplanning softwhere to back it up.

I have a VR3 and a Vytec that I use in Gauge Mode

ATB

Mark Chase

[Narked@50]

I'm with Mark as above, good info.

It's back to you, it would be best to edit the post so we can see what you want it for, a VR3 is a £700 waste of money if you only use it for shallow bimbles!

James

[darthmoll]

Originally Posted by Mark Chase

Some of these computers are very good Nitrox computers

Some of these computers are good multy mix Nitrox computers

One of these computers is a Trimix and intigrated CCR computer which has no compatition in this list.

What sort of diving are you doing / do you plan to do?

The VR3 is a fantastic computer for multiple gas, CCR and Trimix diving it is streets ahead of anything else on this list but it is big heavy and expensive.

The VR2 is streats ahead of any of the multi (Nitrox) gas diving computers here but the Cochran is close. Dont beleive what JB wrote in Diver mag it was so far from the truth of the unit that it obviously was a faulty one he had.

The Vytec is a good 3 mix computer for square or multy level porfiles but it has a few problems like it will not credit extended deep stops or slow ascents, It will not reduce deco unless you are very neer its ceiling of decompresion recommendation, It only shows deco comitment for the gas your breathing at that time, there is no wet look ahead feature, there is no gas planning or diveplanning softwhere to back it up.

I have a VR3 and a Vytec that I use in Gauge Mode

ATB

Mark Chase

i agree, apart from the spelling of streets, not that im one to slag anyone about spelling

[hawkeye]

Looking for some advice again
Now I have been looking into computers and have come up with a couple of options but could do with some help, and sound advice.

Vytech
Aladin Smart Pro Dive Computer
Vyper
I would realy like a computer that will grow with my experiance I will be going nitrox and later on to deep dives.

Also whats the real divers thought on the stinger (not the LDS)??

Cheers

[Paul Sharman]

Hi,
There realy is not a lot of differance between the Smart Pro and The Viper
Both are esentialy mainstream computers with decompression caperbility added on.

I have owned Sunnto's for years and have no complaints for no stop diving.
For basic Deco dives However I favour the Aladins. The Suunto will let you go as shallow as 2.4 m for yor stops, which in brittish sea conditions in my opinion is way to shalow.

The Vytec is basicly a Viper with a newer alogorithum and the 3 gas caperbility.
Perssonaly I think it is not realy a serous Teck computer!

One point on nitrox suunto's from the Viper and older only follow Noa tables up to 1.4 pp O2 if you exceed 1.4 they become Hyper Conservatve!
On a reasent dive with a pp of 1.45 it told me I had 237% cns.
Guss I must be DEAD!!!

Stinger is just a viper in a pritty box!

Cheers,
Paul

[Narked@50]

Hi Hawkeye

The good thing about forums is will get lots of opinions, the bad thing is trying to decide - not which one is wrong, but which one is right "for you."

I can't say I share Gremlins views, my experience is different, and here's why:

1. The Aladins are great computers, but almost everyone that uses them agrees the wet contacts to get through menus are a pain in the behind, nor can they switch gasses, so accelerated deco is out.

2. Suunto may let you go as shallow as 2.4m for deco, but it tells you 3m, like many others, and allows your deco to count down from 6m, so where's the issue? You can do your stops at 3/4/5/6m as conditions dicatate with little time difference?

3. The Vytec is the logical step before a VR2/3, but at half the price. It may not be "tec" to Gremlin, but try finding another that can do what it does, not of the Aladins can do it so does this mean they are not "tec". The Vytec does more than "probably" 95% of available computers on the market.

4. As for the "old alogorithum", buy a new computer with the latest algorithum thinking and one that takes into account microbubbles, deep stops, and has variable adjusting O2 and PPO2 levels, like the Vytec!

5. I dive with a Vytec and know it pretty well, I deliberately bought it in direct competition to the Aladins as it does a better job, I think if you were to dive with one and use its "tec" features you will see there is a marked difference in what the Viper and Vytec can do. If you don't use the "tec" features, then both will probably look very much alike throughout a dive.

Lastly, I agree with Gremlin on the Stinger, a bit of narcosis and a small display do not go well in my book, but read my first line again, it does not mean I'm necessarily right?

James

[Gizmo]

I'm fairly new to diving and have an Aladdin Pro Air Z Nitrox, (Smart Pro is the new version I understand and a damn sight shorter title!!! ) good air integrated computer but I've found slight disadvantages for recreational diving, couldn't possibly comment on Tec diving. One of the most annoying features is that you have to wait until you download the dives to the PC before you can get actual begin time as it doesn't have an onboard clock, Not sure how the Smart Pro deals with that, however you would/could have a seperate dive watch?? Nice to have the air integrated but by no means essential.
In my humble opinion if I was choosing and had the dosh then I would probably go for the Vytec as it seems to more capable of coping with progression from one stage to the next in diving. Plus you can add the transmitter later if you desire. But then again I am a bit of a gadget man!!!!

[Dave Crampton]

I choose the viper on the advice of a bloke in a shop. Turned out to be a pretty good computer for the type of diving I do. Why not go on to the Aladdin and Suunto sites and download/view their simuators. Then go out and try a couple of dives on each. I'm sure there are divers you know who can lend you one for at least one dive. Then make your own mind up.

Dave C

[Robert]

Get the best computer that you can afford. And I suggest that might be the Vytec - you'll grow into it, and by that time you'll be using it in gauge mode!

HTH

Robert