Re: Aladdins
My first one lasted 7 years and 600 or so dives. The battery read 44% just before it quit. It never gave a low battery warning, just err. When I separated the unit from the holder/strap the oil leaked out. I gave some thought to replacing the battery, but tested the old one and it read 3.6v, which is spec, so my conclusion is the computer died. I personally think the high battery relacement costs are a stealth recall.
My hockey puck Aladdin Tec made it almost one year and about 110 dives. It started acting crazy and I sent it back.
No double about it there was a high failure rate with the Duo/Quantum in early units. However I am willing to take a chance on the Cressi for only $255 and I will have 2 computers, and a watch.
So far all technical dives have been done using a run time plan on a slate. that is how the agencies teach it, and I am not ready for anything else yet.
I have seen every brand of computer malfunction, but my impression is that Suunto is a bit more reliable than the rest. Even so, there is enough that I don't like about them to not have one. Years ago I lost count of how many Oceanic/Aeris meters were not working on a boat somewhere or other, but the Mermaid's el cheapo puck is going after 7 years. A dive operator (who regularly posts on this board) paid $150 to replace the battery in his Stinger after 150 dives.
Give this a thought, the minimum water Resistance for a dive watch is usually thought to be 200 meters, with many offering 300 or more meters even though few will ever go deeper than the shower. For a dive computer certain to be used at depth, you are lucky to see 150 meters.