Northwest Dive Club

i'm getting close to purchasing my very first dive computer. there are so many options out there, i find it difficult to determine what i should get.

what i do know is that i would like something relatively easy to use, nitrox compatible, good for cold water with the occasional tropical vacation, and be in the $400 price range.

my questions for the fine folk of the nwdiveclub are:

wrist or console?
air integrated or stand alone?
any other requirements i should take into account?

at this stage of my research, i'm leaning toward the new <a href="http://www.diveaeris.com/p_computers_xr1nx.html" target="_blank">Aeris XR-1 NX</a>

any suggestions and thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

i use the oceanic v nx100 its air/nitrox intragrated its not fancy or anything, its just a basic dive computer, and it is a counsole. its rated for a depth of 130fsw. it shows you the time, depth, sateration, amount of time you have before you can fly, it even shows you previos dives upto 10 or 12 dives. it also does a cout down on saftey stops. after sales tax its around $400.00, give or take some. hope you find what your looking for!
later!
jeff

How much are you willing to spend? That will be a large determining factor.

Suunto Vyper. Wrist mounted, not air integrated, nitrox capable with a good gauge mode and a decent sized display.

I'd go wrist instead of console since its easier to check depth and time that way. I'd also go not air integrated since with a little bit of experience knowing depth and time you'll also be able to figure out gas to within a hundred psi or two anyway, so you can save the $$$...

Not to mention that it seems to be a very buggy technology, so carrying an spg would be prudent. If that is the case what is the benefit.

I have an oceanic geo, and other than the $100 download cable I have no complaints. It's very easy to use.

http://www.nwdiveclub.com/viewtopic.php?t=2024

this thread has some great opinions, it did go a bit sideways though.

spatman wrote:i'm getting close to purchasing my very first dive computer. there are so many options out there, i find it difficult to determine what i should get.

what i do know is that i would like something relatively easy to use, nitrox compatible, good for cold water with the occasional tropical vacation, and be in the $400 price range.

my questions for the fine folk of the nwdiveclub are:

wrist or console?
air integrated or stand alone?
any other requirements i should take into account?

at this stage of my research, i'm leaning toward the new <a href="http://www.diveaeris.com/p_computers_xr1nx.html" target="_blank">Aeris XR-1 NX</a>

any suggestions and thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

I highly recommend wrist mounted and one that is nitrox capable.

thanks for all of the great advice so far. i think the majority of you say wrist mounted is preferable to a console, and not to bother with air integration.

in addition to the Aeris XR-1 NX, i've added the Suunto Vyper to my list of possibilities and, if i can find a good price, i'd consider a Tusa Sapience as well.

keep 'em coming. i really appreciate the help.

I'm going to mirror everyone else... go with a wrist mounted computer and get yourself a SPG. You'll save yourself a TON of money.

I really enjoy my Aeris/Oceanic computers... while I have had some problems, the company has always stood behind their product.

Oceanic VT3 with wireless transmitter - never had a problem and thoroughly enjoy it. Still have an spg clipped off to my left belt d-ring.

Sounder wrote:Oceanic VT3 with wireless transmitter - never had a problem and thoroughly enjoy it. Still have an spg clipped off to my left belt d-ring.

I have a friend who uses a similar layout and the same computer, if something does go wrong and it will it's good to know your remaining air pressure at least.

Him and his wife both have the Vt3 adn they've had the battery die (transmitter) and had it loose sync.

Personally they scare the hell out of me hehe.

Why? You would just end your dive. I can see it being a problem if you were in deco however.

In the past year I have done quite a bit of diving with vintage gear, and that also means diving with a 'J' valve & no SPG (I also dive without a BC). You would be amazed on how quickly you adapt without the 'basics' of a dive kit.

Don't get me wrong, an integrated SPG with your computer is a fun thing to have, but then you start relying less on the computer between your ears.

fishb0y wrote:Why? You would just end your dive. I can see it being a problem if you were in deco however.

In the past year I have done quite a bit of diving with vintage gear, and that also means diving with a 'J' valve & no SPG (I also dive without a BC). You would be amazed on how quickly you adapt without the 'basics' of a dive kit.

Don't get me wrong, an integrated SPG with your computer is a fun thing to have, but then you start relying less on the computer between your ears.

Because I'm paranoid and believe in redundancy. Especially if I am on a deeper dive or towards the end of my dive I want to know exactly how much air I have, at least until I grow me some gills.

runamonk wrote:

Sounder wrote:Oceanic VT3 with wireless transmitter - never had a problem and thoroughly enjoy it. Still have an spg clipped off to my left belt d-ring.

I have a friend who uses a similar layout and the same computer, if something does go wrong and it will it's good to know your remaining air pressure at least.

Him and his wife both have the Vt3 adn they've had the battery die (transmitter) and had it loose sync.

Personally they scare the hell out of me hehe.

... which is why a redundant bottom timer is also wonderful to have. I dive by the dive plan and don't need a computer. I enjoy the amenities it offers but a bottom timer and spg are all I need to enjoy a safe dive. I also always have buddy if all my gauges take a dump.

Sounder wrote:

runamonk wrote:

Sounder wrote:Oceanic VT3 with wireless transmitter - never had a problem and thoroughly enjoy it. Still have an spg clipped off to my left belt d-ring.

I have a friend who uses a similar layout and the same computer, if something does go wrong and it will it's good to know your remaining air pressure at least.

Him and his wife both have the Vt3 adn they've had the battery die (transmitter) and had it loose sync.

Personally they scare the hell out of me hehe.

... which is why a redundant bottom timer is also wonderful to have. I dive by the dive plan and don't need a computer. I enjoy the amenities it offers but a bottom timer and spg are all I need to enjoy a safe dive. I also always have buddy if all my gauges take a dump.

Amen.

Just a note about brands; Aeris are notorious for their return rate due to problems. Aeris/Oceanic (and one other whose name escapes me at the moment) are all made by Pelagic.

-Valerie

Zen Diver 2 wrote:Just a note about brands; Aeris are notorious for their return rate due to problems. Aeris/Oceanic (and one other whose name escapes me at the moment) are all made by Pelagic.

so are oceanic and the other pelagic brand just as troublesome as the aeris?

They are all the same computer but with different badges. Like I said, I have had problems with my Aeris computers. I am diving my third computer from Pelagic, but I only paid for my Savant... 8 years ago. If they are willing to stand by their product, I'll keep buying it from them.

Trouble is, if the product craps out at depth, which I had several Aeris ones do, or if they crap out while on a trip, as one of mine did, you're kind of screwed if you don't have a back.

-Valerie

I love my air integrated Uwatec Smartcom console. I can't explain how much better of a diver I am now than I was before the computer. The ability to download information and track air consumption with the air integrated is great.

Haven't had any issues with it in just about 200 dives. In fact, it is my backup spg that has issues, it isn't calibrated correctly anymore.

I have 100+ dives on my Oceanic ProPlus 2. It is also air integrated, so I have it on a hose with a quick disconnect so I can more easily download the data.

I love the large display (which is one of the main reasons why I bought it) and ease of use.

I have it attached to a d ring on a retractor and I can access it easily and it does not get in my way.

It has been very reliable and has not given me any problems (other than accidentally setting it to metric, not realizing it, and having a very interesting dive at Redondo, which I ended up aborting because I could not figure out why my computer told me I was at 50 - 60 of whatever when I "knew" I wasn't deeper than 30 fsw! ](*,) We had a good laugh after that one!)

I do not yet have a back up spg, simply because of scuba units. My back up spg for now is my dive buddy, another reason to always have a good one (dive buddy, that is)!!

The recommends here are good ones, and all of them helpful in making a good decision that works for you!

I second the suggestion for wrist mount. It's just so much easier to reference, than to pull up a console.

I have a Vytec (which is essentially the same external shape/size as the Vyper) in a Deep Sea Supply boot. The DSS boots allow you to put the computer on with bungie cord around your wrists, which I found MUCH better than a strap/buckle arrangement. The buckles were always trying to, or coming undone, and they were a PITA to do up with gloved hands.

The Vytec/Vyper computers have a great, large number display that is easy to read even in low light conditions.

I really like my Oceanic Atom 2.0. It's a newer/smaller version of the VTPro (now called VT3).

I have had very few problems with my Oceanics (I've had 3 of em). And each time I had an issue it was taken care of quickly and at no cost to me.

Another note about dive computers, and take this for what it's worth, there is a continuum of how conservative or liberal the deco algorithms are. The Pelagic computers are sometimes referred to as 'bendmasters' because they are at the more liberal end. To date, I've never taken a DCS hit. Though, I have had buddies switch from Suuntos to other brands of computers out of frustration that their computers are bumping up against no deco limits while their buddies' are clear for more time at that particular depth. I'm not recommending one type over another, per se, but it may make sense to go with a computer that will be complimentary to the type of diving you do and/or that will allow for good pairing with the buddies you dive most with.

Oh, one last thing, I couldn't imagine going w/o a wireless air integrated computer. Though I may someday add another computer to the mix, the convenience of tank data on the wrist is just plain awesome.

Good luck in your search!

Calvin wrote:Another note about dive computers, and take this for what it's worth, there is a continuum of how conservative or liberal the deco algorithms are.

do you know of a site or page that lists the manufacturers and whether their algorithms are liberal or conservative? thanks.

Hmmm..... no, I don't offhand. But, you can ask here and get a general consensus if you're looking at a particular model. One of the reasons the Suuntos are more conservative is that they employ a RGBM (Reduced Gradient Bubble Model), that takes into account 'very tiny bubbles', I believe. Whereas, the Oceanic models use an algorithm that is based on the Navy Dive Tables. You could read about the differences for days. In the end, choose what seems to have the best interface, has the features you want - and most importantly - fits into your budget.