Kit Review

[daz]

A watch trying to be a computer....

But seriously..  Very nice. Very flash but the Vytec offers more for the money and the display is quite small on the Stinger.

Basically it is too big to be a watch and too small to give a reasonable size display as a computer.

Just my humble opinion.

Daz

[String]

Fair point with the neoprene, ive seen a few people with patches over though so gawd knows what theyve done to it.  A few in our club have mentioned the seams going but membrane can have that problem too.

Anyway, the interface...

The PDF document with circuit diagram, components, test details along with plans for making the custom connector is here:

http://www.geocities.com/scubadiver_...load/cvmif.pdf

There is a PCB layout on there but as i dont have etching materials i used stripboard.  I found a great single page PDF plan which fits onto 14 x 7 holes so the size is 3.5cm by 2cm.
There is no web address on the PDF, my history and google are unable to find it again but if you want the file, pass your email address and i can attach it.

The only other construction note is the transistors are TO-92 case style so looking directly at the flat face, from left to right, its Collector, Base, Emitter.


I havent yet made a custom plug, will have to do some cutting for that however ive got mine working using the low tech method of 2 x PCB pins and some bluetac.

I got all the components via Maplin mail order (as they shop had nothing i wanted)

Another vyper page with lots of interface designs is here:

http://vyper.bunny.hu/e_index.html

[Digger]

Thanks for the info. The first link took some playing to get onto a page I was able to open. Sorted now.

Did you download the software from the Suunto website? Is it free download? If so, another link would help out, as it's a fairly big site to navigate!

As for the Stinger, all well and good, but for the same money you could have the Vytec. That's what you want for UK diving, certainly. I've struggled along with the mosquito, but in reality it's just not up to the job now. The only advantage as I see it is that I can keep it strapped to my inflator hose as a backup, and I wear it between and after diving, so if I need to go to the pot, it's all there attatched to me.

[Mark Chase]

Yet another vote for a Vytec it is a first class bit of kit and I still rate it after mooving on to the VR3 and Trimix diving. The computer graphics package is prety good and is now my only log book.

Dry suits I will again vote for Otter on price and O3 on pure quality but not cheep.

ATB

Mark Chase

[String]

Yep the Suunto dive manager is a free download off their web site (about 2.4mb).

[DanG]

IMHO the stinger is to small to see properly in UK waters, everyone I know who has one complains bitterly about this.  The Vyper/Vytec are much easier to see, and when you see how small the all important words 'asc time' that define the difference between the main time meaning your no-stop time or your deco stop time then you will see how important this is.
Other than that though its nearly the same as the Vyper.
I personally use a Vyper but wish I had paid the extra money for a Vytec now.  You can also upgrade the Vytec to wireless air integration at a later date if you wish (kind of nice if you don't like looking at your console).
I'm not into membrane suits, I wear a crush neoprene one which means I can dive in shorts and t-shirt in summer, neoprene may be over your budget though.
When it gets really cold I move up to a bodyglove thinsulate - weasle ones give to much insulation for me and I overheat big style!
I prefer shoulder to cuff dump since once its set up you don't have to do anything with it, this is good if you have torch in your left hand as you can dump and still see where your going.

Digger: it is quite simple to bodge a suunto interface go to http://freespace.virgin.net/c.beale/divecomputer.html for some instructions and links on how to do it.  Wish I'd known this a few years ago when I bought mine.

[dave archer]

RE Stinger vs Vyper/Vytec...

Get one where you can change the battery yourself, instread of having to send it back to be changed (costs more, leaves you without it, probably just when that liveaboard trip starts...). Note sure so cjheck but I think the Stinger you can't but the vyper/vytec you can. FWIW I use a vyper and like it a lot - not a cool as Stinger in the pub maybe, but useful under water, which is more what it's about, surely....?

ATB,

Dave.

[GarethB]

Thanks Chaps, a Vytec it is

Very cool software from suunto too, but I think I'll wait a wee while before forking out fifty odd quid for a cable

Anyway, cheers for all the advice


Regards

Gareth

[String]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (GarethB @ Aug. 29 2003,13:46)]Thanks Chaps, a Vytec it is

Very cool software from suunto too, but I think I'll wait a wee while before forking out fifty odd quid for a cable

Anyway, cheers for all the advice


Regards

Gareth

[quote]
but I think I'll wait a wee while before forking out fifty odd quid for a cable
[quote]

Why waste the money when you can DIY one for about £4

[Garf]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (String @ Aug. 29 2003,20:20)]Why waste the money when you can DIY one for about £4

Ok, well now you have my complete and undivided attention. Is this actually possible?

Gareth