bperrybap
Contributor
I agree that the price on the AI is pretty high.
All the Air integrated dive computers seem to really push
the price up to the $600+ price point which is substantially
higher than non integrated dive computers even with a
full gauge console.
I'm not trying to influence you one way or another. A computer
is very much a personal preference thing and you will have
to decide what works for you.
I can tell you our experience with the Versa Pro Console.
Versa Pro Console, this is what my wife originally had.
It has pretty much all the same capabilities other than the air
integration and all the features that go along with the integration.
Button interface is identical to the Aeris AI.
Feature wise it seemed great and seemed to do everything she
wanted but once she actually used it, it wasn't right for her.
The PC software for it is the same as the Aeris s/w and has the
same issues and a few more that are more severe with Win98.
If you have Win98SE don't load the s/w on your PC. It will
render you PC unbootable. It clobbers 2 system DLLs and
unless you are extremely knowledgeable with command prompt
modes and have access to another WIN98SE machine that you can
recover the original DLLs your machine is toast!
It took me 4+ hours to figure out what the problem was and fix it.
Once fixed it work the same as the Aeris s/w. In factm it is
the same PC software with same user interface.
I can't speak for other Windows OS's as I only have Win98SE.
My wife's biggest beef with the Versa Pro was the display itself.
The actual numbers are quite thin, not small, but thin and narrow.
Also, and this was the main problem for her, the contrast of the
display seems to be a bit off. To get a darker set of numbers
that are easier to read, you have to hold the display/console at a
45+ degree angle with the top of console tipping away from you.
It reminded me of how LCD displays look on devices when their
batteries are low. However, the unit was new and the battery
indicator on the computer showed a full strength battery.
In my wifes case, she has a bit of presbyopia (needs reading glasses)
and even with her gauge reader mask, it was pretty difficult
for her to read the display. I looked at it and I could read it
but it was much more difficult to read than the Aeris AI,
and in low lighting I found it pretty tough to read.
The other thing she didn't care for was constantly having to
rotate the console to view pressure and computer. You can't see
both at the same time.
Computer and Compass are one side and Air Pressure are on
the back. Even though it is on a quick disconnect swivel
it takes some effort to rotate it. And you'll be rotating it ALOT.
Also, when its tethered, depending on how you attach it to
your BC, you may not be able to rotate in both directions.
For her, it was alot of work for her left wrist.
In our case, budget allowed going to the AI, so we swapped
out her Versa Pro console for the Aeris AI and she is quite happy now.
Just our experience. Not that the Aeris AI is the answer for you,
but hopefully our experience gives you some ideas of
things to look for in your selection.
I think the biggest thing is to think of how you will actually
use it, not just with normal swiming but during ascents,
safety stops, navigation, etc...
Then go look at them in person and actually play
with them and see which one and style you really like.
--- bill
All the Air integrated dive computers seem to really push
the price up to the $600+ price point which is substantially
higher than non integrated dive computers even with a
full gauge console.
I'm not trying to influence you one way or another. A computer
is very much a personal preference thing and you will have
to decide what works for you.
I can tell you our experience with the Versa Pro Console.
Versa Pro Console, this is what my wife originally had.
It has pretty much all the same capabilities other than the air
integration and all the features that go along with the integration.
Button interface is identical to the Aeris AI.
Feature wise it seemed great and seemed to do everything she
wanted but once she actually used it, it wasn't right for her.
The PC software for it is the same as the Aeris s/w and has the
same issues and a few more that are more severe with Win98.
If you have Win98SE don't load the s/w on your PC. It will
render you PC unbootable. It clobbers 2 system DLLs and
unless you are extremely knowledgeable with command prompt
modes and have access to another WIN98SE machine that you can
recover the original DLLs your machine is toast!
It took me 4+ hours to figure out what the problem was and fix it.
Once fixed it work the same as the Aeris s/w. In factm it is
the same PC software with same user interface.
I can't speak for other Windows OS's as I only have Win98SE.
My wife's biggest beef with the Versa Pro was the display itself.
The actual numbers are quite thin, not small, but thin and narrow.
Also, and this was the main problem for her, the contrast of the
display seems to be a bit off. To get a darker set of numbers
that are easier to read, you have to hold the display/console at a
45+ degree angle with the top of console tipping away from you.
It reminded me of how LCD displays look on devices when their
batteries are low. However, the unit was new and the battery
indicator on the computer showed a full strength battery.
In my wifes case, she has a bit of presbyopia (needs reading glasses)
and even with her gauge reader mask, it was pretty difficult
for her to read the display. I looked at it and I could read it
but it was much more difficult to read than the Aeris AI,
and in low lighting I found it pretty tough to read.
The other thing she didn't care for was constantly having to
rotate the console to view pressure and computer. You can't see
both at the same time.
Computer and Compass are one side and Air Pressure are on
the back. Even though it is on a quick disconnect swivel
it takes some effort to rotate it. And you'll be rotating it ALOT.
Also, when its tethered, depending on how you attach it to
your BC, you may not be able to rotate in both directions.
For her, it was alot of work for her left wrist.
In our case, budget allowed going to the AI, so we swapped
out her Versa Pro console for the Aeris AI and she is quite happy now.
Just our experience. Not that the Aeris AI is the answer for you,
but hopefully our experience gives you some ideas of
things to look for in your selection.
I think the biggest thing is to think of how you will actually
use it, not just with normal swiming but during ascents,
safety stops, navigation, etc...
Then go look at them in person and actually play
with them and see which one and style you really like.
--- bill
