Why the dislike of air integrated computers?

[Max Speed]

I have never had to "unclip" my SPG to look at it. I just glance down at my chest where the SPG pokes out from under my arm.

 

[dmoore19]

Never seen that either. The transmitters all have unique serial numbers and if that particular serial number is not listed in the computers set up it will not recognize it.

"advanced" divers don't want failure points, which you've done by adding the transmitter. By failure, I mean "something that can and will drain your tank the day it blows". AFAIK the 2nd SPG is not a backup for that.
It wouldn't fit nicely on the hose routing.
You don't keep watching your spg every 3 minutes, so unclipping one is not a big deal.
Finally, those things will manage to read your buddy's air instead of yours.

 

[WildcatChris]

I dive within AI computer along with an spg as a backup. I've had my computer, but never the transmitter, fail during a dive. Definitely a pain.

I understand the "extra fail point" argument in theory, but I've never heard of a transmitter blowing under water, so I'm not sure I buy that.

The best argument I've heard from some tech divers is that once you start getting into stage bottles, deco bottles, etc, the cost of a transmitter for each becomes prohibitive.

In the end I think it's a point of preference and what each person is comfortable with. For me as a recreational diver I like having the transmitter, but won't be getting rid of my spg any time soon.


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[KevinNM]

You don't keep watching your spg every 3 minutes, so unclipping one is not a big deal.

Well, yes that is true. My fundamentals instructor wanted me to habitually check it every 5 minutes. And wanted me to know what to expect it should show so significant deviations will cause me to become concerned.

I also had the problem that the transmitter got in the way of reaching the valve, though I could have figured out a workaround to that.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

Brass and glass regulators never break? Seems odd since I've broken and replaced one. My air integrated short of one battery replacement has never been a problem. I do not see a significant difference in reliability but that may be just be my limited view of the world. For what little its worth I dive a UWATEC Smart Z which has had no issues. Other computers may be more or less reliable.

 

[Adobo]

It seems a recurring theme that air integrated is readily dismissed by advanced and tech divers and I was wondering why. I could see it being another failure point or "crutch," but with a backup SPG the benefits outweigh the risk of failure in my mind.

Just wondering what some of the concerns with AI are.


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I guess the question is, what problem are you trying to solve?

For me, I see a ton of divers agonizing over the cost of participating in this sport. Air integration is an expensive feature with questionable benefits at best. My advice, instead of spending your money on nice to haves, spend it on better training. I've never bought any optional gear that has increased my enjoyment of diving as much as good training has.

 

[JohnN]

"advanced" divers don't want failure points, which you've done by adding the transmitter. By failure, I mean "something that can and will drain your tank the day it blows". AFAIK the 2nd SPG is not a backup for that.
It wouldn't fit nicely on the hose routing.
You don't keep watching your spg every 3 minutes, so unclipping one is not a big deal.
Finally, those things will manage to read your buddy's air instead of yours.

Poop-a-doodle. (technical term). Please check how long it would take to drain a tank with an open HP port, assuming your scenario (which is extraordinarily unlikely). As for reading your buddy's tank, its clear you have little practical experience to rely upon.

 

[Damselfish]

My only objection to AI is when it sounds like a new diver has seen ads or marketing or had it pushed by a dive shop. But doesn't know the pros and cons, or realize their opinion of the utility of the feature may change soon as they gain experience (and use less air, and check their pressure less often.) Especially when it's someone who is working on a limited budget but has gotten convinced it's a really important super safer way better thing to have. I think it's a shame if that person blows a lot of money on something they don't really need when they probably could have found something more useful to spend it on. If someone has the money for "nice to haves" and understands the pros and cons - great, whatever.

 

[Patoux01]

Well, if an SPG can blow, why can't a transmitter? (that is sometimes placed on a hose as well)
Time it takes is about 5 minutes IIRC for a full tank, so it can get you in trouble easily if you're at the end of your bottom time if you're diving without redundancy.

As for pairing with another transmitter, 30 divers on a boat, let's say there's a bunch of lazy people leaving 0000 as code, I'm fairly sure there's now a chance to pair with the wrong one. In fact, Suunto themselves state it in their user manual.

 

[KenGordon]

Why? Telling people they are wrong/going to die and being judgemental is what forums specialise at. Get a group of people together and a set of values and opinion will develop. These may have no basis in fact whatsoever.

I have used a transmitter with a Suunto for about 150 dives, mostly on a twinset. I lost the signal a couple of times early on, but never recently. I no longer think about syncing, they are synced and stay so..

As a result I know my SAC in various different circumstances, from being idle watching seals to finning against the tide. This is not essential but interesting. However if I am standing on a boat looking at a running tide I think I am better informed about whether my plan still applies.

I recently had a proper free flow, so now I have a graph of air loss over time, it shows me how long the shutdown took and how much gas I lost. Again, not essential but interesting. Do you REALLY know how long a surprise shutdown takes?

As for routing and failure points, obviously you need to think about where to place the transmitter to avoid exposing it to damage or getting in the way of valves but it is possible - I have mine on an Apeks DST. Failure wise - one oring goes, one comes and a transducer is exposed to the gas. Is there any record of such a transducer loosing a diver gas?