Folks. I thought I'd give everyone my findings from the purchasing and fact finding process for my recent dive computer purchase. I want to state upfront that up until now I was a SUUNTO man - I used to dive with a stinger and it did everything I wanted it to do. I do not want to start a flame war, and the points below are simply my own findings and a result of 2 months worth of investigating diving computers. I DO NOT work for any dive comp manufacturer. BUT I do work in the IT industry, and have a good understanding of the technologies involved in making these computers as well as general trends in the industry.
I had considered and read manuals of the following before settling on 2 options, Vytec vs SmartTEC.
- Uwatec SmartTEC
- SUUNTO Vytec
- Delta P VR3-C1
I had considered, by feature description/comparison, the following:
- Aeris Atmos
- Cochran EMC-16
- DiveRite Nitek Duo
What was important to me:
- Gas switching (preferably 3 mixes) - I know some of the comps above can't do it
- Modern, streamlined and well designed
- Good value for money - I had a budget of AUD2000
- Ability to do gauge mode
- Ability to be adjustable in terms of levels of conservatism
- Reliable with as little service/factory involvement as possible
- capability to take me to technical diving in a little while (open circuit only required)
After a long period of tossing and turning between the above options I narrowed things down to 2 computers, the Vytec and the SmartTEC. So, at the weekend I had both in my hands side by side before purchasing. By no means is my comparison or selection complete - it just suits me so beware. Some of my thoughts are listed below:
- The Vytec was as big if not bigger than the SmartTEC. If you thought it would be smaller, think again. It is massive and quite thick. So much so that it sits higher on your arm than the SmartTEC.
- The SmartTEC can be set to be as conservative as the Vytec if you want. SmartTEC has 6 levels of micro-bubble suppression which effectively activates a "level stop" feature which during ascent gives you deco stop obligations at various depths so you can continuosly off-gas.
- SmartTEC has an infrared download to PC so no extra cables to carry/buy etc. I had an old IR dongle laying around the house. Plugged it in and was in business in 3 minutes flat. Very easy. Add on top of it that you have to buy a cable on top of buying the Vytec and you start to see the direction of my thinking.
- I used to have a Stinger so am very familiar with the SUUNTO dive manager software. SmartTRAK from Uwatec kills it dead with features and easiness of use. SmartTRAK also comes in a Pocket PC flavour - so I don't have to drag a laptop everywhere anymore. I just take my XDA o2 mini with me and download via infrared there and then at the dive site.
- Overall Vytec can be linked to only one transmitter, while the SmartTEC can do 3. Not that I would do it, but it has that feature.
- SmartTEC has free battery replacement for life in AUS. With the Vytec I would have to buy then (say 30-50 dollars each time) and get the fitted.
- The Vytec strap was flimsy and was more akin to a watch strap which for a dive computer can be a bit dangerous given that divers are always sluming it around the country side. The SmartTEC strap is a serious piece of rubber with mulded keyholes etc. It is also nearly 1.5 times as long as the Vytec so you can wear it over anything including a drysuit with a tracksuit underneath.
- SmartTEC can do 22-100% gas mixes, Vytec 22-99. With 100% O2 SmartTEC is more accurate at final decompression, as it knows to give the diver full benefits of breathing pure O2.
- I found the buttons on the Vytec hard to press with my bare fingers, while the buttons on the SmartTEC were intuitive and with just the right resistance to feel that you've pressed the button without having to squize the comp really hard.
- Battery life on the SmartTEC is longer so less frequency with getting it back to service of changing it yourself.
- I didn't particularly feel overjoyed at the wet contacts of the SmartTEC but I got used to them.
- I find the menu structure of the SmartTEC easier to navigate.
- I find the screen layout of the SmartTEC easier to read and find all relevant info on as there is more while space between various readouts.
- I found the SmartTEC display to be a bit sharper to read. It felt more crystal clear, where the Vytec had bigger digits but they seems a little on the blurry side.
- The function to change gas mixes is by far easier and faster to perform on the SmartTEC. It's basically a one button operation and takes 2 seconds. On the Vytec you have to hit the control key, then the up/down keys, then the control key again to select gas mixes.
- Because of an Uwatec sponsored sale at my LDS both the Vytec and the SmartTEC were exactly the same price.
- Uwatec service centre is 5 minutes by car from where I live. SUUNTO service is 2-3 hours drive in another city.
So you see, while I was a SUUNTO man from the start, it pays to do your homework and never to close your mind other options.
I hope my lessons learnt help other divers out there.
cheers
Mike