Console vs. Wrist Mounted

Sirelroka · Jan 8, 2006

I am a novice diver who recently signed up for AOW and am looking at buying some basic gear. I was at a dive shop recently chatting about what I might want and the lady there seemed to be making a concerted effort to steer me away from any wrist mounted gauges (compass, computer). I was leaning toward both being wrist mounted. She wasn't very clear about why I should go with a console, but I got the feeling she was saying it would be confusing to have both on your
wrist(s). My reason for wanting wrist mounted was less console clunkiness and ease of looking at them. Does anyone have any suggestions about which way to go and why?

As always, I appologize if this has been covered before. I searched the forums and didn't find what I was looking for. If it exists, please feel free to point me in the correct direction.

k8brandt · Jan 8, 2006

IMHO, I like my wrist PC and my SPG is on a retractor. But I most often hold it in my hand. The typical dive position is hands in front crossed like twiddling thumbs. Computer and SPG are are a quick glance from there. My sweetie has the other and has to turn it over and over to see both air consumption and down time time readings.

spectrum · Jan 8, 2006

Oh boy here we go.
Wrist mounts are always there on your wrist so they are easy to view at a glance
Wrist mounts are independent, one item is lost or damaged, that's it replace or repair one item
Wrist mounts are extra items to don and doff, to misplace, fall from the baot etc.
Consoles are part of your air delivery you can't forget them
Consoles can dangle, You need to restrain them somehow. I keep mine on a short bungee bolt snapped to a shoulder D-ring. I stays fairly close to my chest, I can view depth, pressure, temp, time, and my compass in one scan. When I get my computer it will go on my right wrist. I want full analof back-up so nothing is leaving.
Consoles are not DIR
Cocloes usually involve a predetermined instument group, but for most uses they are pretty much the same. Some compases are easier to view from the side.

In other words whatever you choose is fine.

She may want you in a console so she can upgrade you to air integrated.

Pete

double80s · Jan 8, 2006

What you need to do is try both ways and make the choice for yourself. I have my computer and compass bungeed to my hand/wrist...love it. I don't like consoles and I don't like watch strap style mounts either.

If you belong to a dive group, borrow/trade gear for a few dives to find out what you like. Don't let someone else dictate it for you.

Some friends use both configurations. Wrist mounts for their everyday diving and another set of gauges, console mounted, for vacation diving. The arguement for the console is that they will be mostly diving on larger boats with other unknown passengers. They feel gear will be safer and less likely to "walk away" or be lost during travel if it's mounted in the console.

divad · Jan 8, 2006

Sirelroka:
She wasn't very clear about why I should go with a console, but I got the feeling she was saying it would be confusing to have both on your
wrist(s).

That's funny.

jeckyll · Jan 8, 2006

I started with my computer & spg in a console with the compass on my wrist. That lasted about 3 dives. I got rid of the console, bought straps for my computer and havn't looked back since.

If you're willing to spend a bit extra up front, you can always start with a console. If you do, I'd ensure that whatever equipment you purchase, you can move it to a wrist mount if you later decide too. That way you have the flexibility to change your configuration down the road if you want to.

Good luck

Bjorn

ae3753 · Jan 8, 2006

I always recommend wrist mount.
1. Easy to refer to
2. Less bulky console

On dive #20 or so, had to help my dive buddy in an emergency situation on a night dive, in mid-column at 60', 10' viz, and no frame of reference. After it was over, I was very thankful that I had my computer on my wrist, and I could refer to it while grabbing on to my buddy with both hands. It's not hard to imagine that we could have spiralled down to 200' or start rocketing to the surface.

Wrist or Console
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=120417

Console Mount vs Wrist Mount Computers
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=110734

What type of computer should I get?
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=108538

Wrist mounted computer with clip on spg OR console mounted computer???
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=105380

wrist computer or console
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=103849

Wrist mount vs console
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=96341

Wrist vs Console
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=91759

-Don

progressweasel · Jan 8, 2006

I have a wrist mount air integrated with a backup spg that I clip to my hip just in case. I like having one place to look and reduncancy of the spg on my hip. It is a much more natural place to look then on your console. It is generally more money to do it this way but I would rather pay more once and be happy with my choice then buy it cheap in a hurry and be sorry.

The choice is yours. People will tell you that there is only one way to do it (their way) and everything else is wrong but I have found that people's tastes are different and this follows through to choices in gear and other places. I like wrist mount but some others will prefer console mount or a combination.

I know you are new but think about how you plan on diving and make a choice that you and you alone will be satisfied with.

Good Luck

Sirelroka · Jan 8, 2006

Thank all of you for the info! It has been very helpful.

also;

ae3753,

Thanks for the links! Any tips on searching? Clearly I'm not doing very well and could use the advice.

RICHinNC · Jan 8, 2006

Just remember....any store...LDS or Radio Shack..doesnt matter...their advice is always tilted toward their bottom line.

Personally...wrist mount is the way to go. And, stay away from any transmitter system...but thats just me.

Console vs. Wrist Mounted

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