please keep in mind I'm a novice when asking this question...we just did our AOW cert class this past weekend and our dive instructor told me that I should invest in a dive watch (not a dive computer). Something that tells time underwater. Period. So, I did a search on here and came up with a 'Dive Watch' thread where everyone was rec'd their favorite dive watch. When I googled the watch that most people seemed to love - citizen hyper aqualand' - I learned it's about $360! And when I read the description of what it does, it seems like a dive computer.
Are people using the words 'dive watch' and 'dive computer' interchangably?
I just need a dive watch for our trip to Australia. They are providing computers on the boat and we are not to the point of buying our own computer.
Any rec'ds on a watch. I am a female and I do not own a watch for out door activities like rock climbing, white water rafting etc. My point is I'd like something a little more stylish than a $15 watch from Walmart, but $360 is far too much. Maybe a nice watch around $100?
To clarify...is the citizen hyper aqualand a 'dive computer' or would you wear this and a dive computer. Sorry, I'm sure that is a RIDICULOUS question to seasoned divers.
Thanks!
scubapatton
July 24th, 2008, 11:25 AM
An Aqualand cannot register your air pressure. You would still need a computer. I actually just use an IronMan watch or G-Shock when I want style. The glitz of an Aqualand is just lost on me though...
Have fun in Australia!
np251
July 24th, 2008, 11:51 AM
I started off with a waterproof watch from Target, for about $20. All you need is something waterproof that tells time. Get one cheap enough, and you wont feel too bad about cutting the strap off and replacing it with bungie... saves dealing with the clasp etc.
Although, why bother if they are providing computers (which track your tissue nitrogen loading and calculate all sorts of useful stuff)...
muddiver
July 24th, 2008, 11:54 AM
The Hyper Aqualand is a watch that includes a bottom timer and depth gauge. It is not a dive computer. It will give you all the information you need to follow your dive plan and then plan repetitive dives.
I use a Frestyle watch when I don't want to damage my Citizen watch Freestyle - The Official Site. Freestyle watches. Surf, Skate, Snow, and Wake (http://www.freestyleusa.com/) . You can find them at Sports Chalet for around $40 and I think they have ladies models.
diver 85
July 24th, 2008, 12:20 PM
OK, here's what you need to know........(I'm @ the office & don't have the link right now but can post it in a little while if you are interested)......A Casio 200 meter stop/alarm/bottom timer......GREAT watch for under $30 US , no tax, and free shipping to your front doorstep...I've had 3 since ~85 or 86 and it is ALL the watch you will EVER need for diving.......In the old days before computers, that's how I dove, an UW stop watch and the navy tables----got me home everytime safe, healthy, and somewhat sound...lol......
Sub-Mariner
July 24th, 2008, 12:38 PM
Any watch would do as long as it is rated at 200 meters or more and if analog is your flavor make sure it has a rotating bezel and is large enough for you to read underwater.
Teamcasa
July 24th, 2008, 01:06 PM
No question is ridiculous, only some of the answers may be!
I use the Citizen Aqualand (JV0030-01E (http://www.princetonwatches.com/shop/JV0030-01E.asp)), It is indeed a great dive watch but it is not a full fledged computer. It records and stores dive elapsed time, current and max depths, water temp, and the gives and ascent audible and visual warning if you ascend to quickly. It also track surface interval time and indicates an no-fly symbol for 24hours after a dive. But again, it is not a computer. It is akin to a fancy bottom timer and works great for a back-up should your primary computer fail.
Freestyle is a good watch, so are many others.
My wife uses a St. Moritz when we travel but slaps on a Citizen for the actual dive.
My basic puck computer tells me everything: bottom time, clock time, NDL time, depth, temp, etc., etc. What's the watch for? I leave my watch in the bag.
P.S. I have a beautiful Seiko SNM035 dive watch in stainless. Think I'm gonna risk that beauty bagging around a reef and boat deck? I wear it AWAY from diving so people can say "nice watch, are you a diver?"...and that makes another potential dive buddy! ;>)
Catt99
July 24th, 2008, 01:25 PM
Watch? Why? Redundancy maybe?
My basic puck computer tells me everything: bottom time, clock time, NDL time, depth, temp, etc., etc. What's the watch for? I leave my watch in the bag.
Yeah - redundancy. I carry a cheap watch even when using a computer just in case the comp fails for some reason.
diver 85
July 24th, 2008, 03:13 PM
Watch? Why? Redundancy maybe?
My basic puck computer tells me everything: bottom time, clock time, NDL time, depth, temp, etc., etc. What's the watch for? I leave my watch in the bag.
P.S. I have a beautiful Seiko SNM035 dive watch in stainless. Think I'm gonna risk that beauty bagging around a reef and boat deck? I wear it AWAY from diving so people can say "nice watch, are you a diver?"...and that makes another potential dive buddy! ;>)
I wear my wrist computer on my right sideforearm and my watch on my left wrist...that way if and when a shark bites off my right arm I still have the time on my left arm............also a habbit I started 23 years ago, some habbits are hard to break......
DHMO Diver
July 24th, 2008, 03:26 PM
I have a Timex analog watch that I got at Wal Mart a couple of years ago for $20-30. I use it as my weekend watch and just keep it on for diving too. I have had no problem with it and I seem to be tough on watches. I do have a computer for diving but I find that I put the watch back on when I dive so I don't lose it on the shore or boat. I set the bezel for bottom time out of habit more than need for redundancy.
One thing to watch for. Timex (and maybe other brands) have a lot of watches with "neat" elapsed timer bezels that DO NOT turn. Pretty, but not very useful for timing a dive.
littleguppie
July 24th, 2008, 03:50 PM
The Hyper Aqualand is a watch that includes a bottom timer and depth gauge. It is not a dive computer. It will give you all the information you need to follow your dive plan and then plan repetitive dives.
I use a Frestyle watch when I don't want to damage my Citizen watch Freestyle - The Official Site. Freestyle watches. Surf, Skate, Snow, and Wake (http://www.freestyleusa.com/) . You can find them at Sports Chalet for around $40 and I think they have ladies models.
Doesn't a dive computer provide you with bottom timer and depth gauge? Why do you need both the Citizen watch and a computer?
Teamcasa
July 24th, 2008, 03:54 PM
Doesn't a dive computer provide you with bottom timer and depth gauge? Why do you need both the Citizen watch and a computer?
Yes, a modern dive computer will provide you that information. I use it (the Citizen) for two reasons; One, primarly as a backup in case my regular dive computer fails. Second, it is easier to glance at the watch for dive elapsed time and depth than to get it of my computer. (Plus it is a really good looking watch!)
littleguppie
July 24th, 2008, 03:56 PM
So it seems the watch is redundant and more for a back up? My dive instructor kept saying how are you going to know how long your dive was without a watch? I guess she meant if I wasn't using a computer. I thought since I told her we'd have computers on the trip she knew that, but maybe it was truly a safety thing for back-up?
Maybe I don't need anything other than the dive computer they are providing me...
littleguppie
July 24th, 2008, 03:58 PM
I like the really good looking watch part and my b-day is in about 2 weeks...don't think hubby is going to want to spring for a $360 watch though on top of the 2 1/2 week trip to Australia. :)
Teamcasa
July 24th, 2008, 04:04 PM
So it seems the watch is redundant and more for a back up? My dive instructor kept saying how are you going to know how long your dive was without a watch? I guess she meant if I wasn't using a computer. I thought since I told her we'd have computers on the trip she knew that, but maybe it was truly a safety thing for back-up?
Maybe I don't need anything other than the dive computer they are providing me...
Yes, it is truly for redundancy.
Back when divers first started all we had was a good watch and depth gauge then added pressure gauges. So the only way we could record our dive accurately was to note the dive elapsed time and the maximum depth. (These factors are needed to read the dive tables and plan dives.)
However the new computers record all of that information for us and most allow downloading that data into an electronic log book. Now, as for traveling to a site where the operator provides you a computer. That’s fine and it will record the info, you just have to remember to write it down before you leave the boat and that computer at the dock.
brucetrinity
July 24th, 2008, 04:20 PM
For me it's more than redundancy. I prefer to read the time from my large digit Timex Ironman ($30). You can/will time the length of dive with the computer but, in addition, the Captain will give you a "be back onboard by XX:XX o'clock". The watch is just more convenient.
LeadTurn_SD
July 24th, 2008, 04:40 PM
Redundancy. And easier at a quick glance to see elapsed dive time and "real" time of day (needed for getting back to the boat at a certain time).
I have a computer, but also use a Citizen Eco-Drive (300m). It was not too expensive (I think I got mine from LeisurePro for about $120? Can't remember now), it comes in men's & women's version (my wife and daughter have them too).
Anyway, you do NOT need to spend a huge sum to get a reliable dive watch.
Your computer will of course give you depth and time along with tracking your nitrogen loading, but I like a simple & reliable backup, so I always have and analog depth guage and a wrist watch.
Good luck.
diver 85
July 25th, 2008, 08:27 AM
OK, here's what you need to know........(I'm @ the office & don't have the link right now but can post it in a little while if you are interested)......A Casio 200 meter stop/alarm/bottom timer......GREAT watch for under $30 US , no tax, and free shipping to your front doorstep...I've had 3 since ~85 or 86 and it is ALL the watch you will EVER need for diving.......In the old days before computers, that's how I dove, an UW stop watch and the navy tables----got me home everytime safe, healthy, and somewhat sound...lol......
Jodie, here's the watch(link).....I can assure it's a very good one esp for the money....$29.50......
Here's a perspective on what dive computers, bottom timers, and dive watches do for you.
As we learned in OW class, critical things we need to know for a dive are depth and elapsed dive time. We used these in class to plan our dives so as to avoid decompression obligations.
A dive computer keeps track of depth--including varying depth--and time, and it continuously updates one's remaining no-deco time. That's the computer's central function. It's a kind of automated dive table. Since it "knows" depth and time, it displays them in addition to remaining no-deco time.
A bottom timer "knows" depth and time, but it doesn't (can't) compute remaining no-deco time. Even so, if you enter the water having planned your dive, you'll have at least an idea of the dive's max depth and time, so a bottom timer can backup your computer if it dies (dead battery, flooding, lost, etc.). With your dive planning information and a bottom timer, you'll have a good idea of your situation regarding decompression. Some even carry dive tables with them so they can update their dive plan underwater, using the bottom timer's information.
A dive watch, unlike a bottom timer, is a waterproof time piece. As a watch, it doesn't know or display your depth. Therefore, it can't be used to back up the dive computer's key function: computing remaining no-deco time. [Exception: if you dive a square profile--go to a planned depth and stay there until you ascend--you already know your depth, so elapsed time is all you need to stay out of deco trouble, if you've planned your dive.]
So: If the question is how to back up a dive computer in case it fails, there are two options. One is a second computer! The other is a bottom timer and good dive planning (which you should do, anyway). A dive watch shouldn't be considered a backup: it will only give you time, and there's not much no-deco time insight to be gained from time alone.
muddiver
July 29th, 2008, 02:18 PM
Doesn't a dive computer provide you with bottom timer and depth gauge? Why do you need both the Citizen watch and a computer?
Not all dive computer will tell you what time it is or when you left surface for your dive. I use the watch as a back up to my computer and to figure start of dive time and or end of dive time.
I don't wear it when I dive dry. It scres up the dry suit wrist seals something terrable. :11:
muddiver
July 29th, 2008, 02:22 PM
So it seems the watch is redundant and more for a back up? My dive instructor kept saying how are you going to know how long your dive was without a watch? I guess she meant if I wasn't using a computer. I thought since I told her we'd have computers on the trip she knew that, but maybe it was truly a safety thing for back-up?
Maybe I don't need anything other than the dive computer they are providing me...
The standards of instruction for most SCUBA instruction agencies require each student to have a timing device during their training dives. A computer will cover this requirement, but you have to have it during the class. Renting it on vacation later will not suffice. Just get a cheep watch for your class and get on with it.
muddiver
July 29th, 2008, 02:30 PM
A dive watch, unlike a bottom timer, is a waterproof time piece. As a watch, it doesn't know or display your depth. Therefore, it can't be used to back up the dive computer's key function: computing remaining no-deco time.
Humm....
My watch tells me depth and remembers my maximum depth.
Teamcasa
July 29th, 2008, 02:37 PM
A dive watch, unlike a bottom timer, is a waterproof time piece. As a watch, it doesn't know or display your depth. Therefore, it can't be used to back up the dive computer's key function: computing remaining no-deco time.
Humm....
My watch tells me depth and remembers my maximum depth.
Mine does too.
parrothead725
July 29th, 2008, 02:50 PM
i have the citizen aqualand and its pretty much the closest thing you can get to a dive computer... except it is definitely not one. it regulates depth, temp, sit time, ascent rate (with alarm), logs 20 dives in memory, and can hook up to a computer to chart out your past dives.
it does not calculate how long/how deep you should dive in the future (computing your no-deco times), nor does it have nearly the dive information you can get from a dive computer. all in all, i love the watch, but its just that. a dive watch (with a lot of bells and whistles). all in all, you can get a cheaper time piece for diving, but id recomend getting a full on dive computer over.
rickdds
July 30th, 2008, 11:36 AM
i have the citizen aqualand and its pretty much the closest thing you can get to a dive computer... except it is definitely not one. it regulates depth, temp, sit time, ascent rate (with alarm), logs 20 dives in memory, and can hook up to a computer to chart out your past dives.
it does not calculate how long/how deep you should dive in the future (computing your no-deco times), nor does it have nearly the dive information you can get from a dive computer. all in all, i love the watch, but its just that. a dive watch (with a lot of bells and whistles). all in all, you can get a cheaper time piece for diving, but id recomend getting a full on dive computer over.
I have the aqualand as well. One nice thing is if your computer fails this watch also has the no-deco time limits printed on the band. So you don't have to abort your dive right away as long as you're okay with regard to dive tables.
BigTuna
July 31st, 2008, 11:13 PM
We're involved in semantic distinctions--using the same term for different things.
Long ago watches were invented, i.e., timepieces, that you wear on your wrist. Then special time-related functions were added (timer, alarm, etc.). Still watches.
Then other, non-time-related functions were added (such as depth). Since these evolved from watches and are worn on the wrist, it's natural (and OK) to call them watches. But for scuba purposes, their evolution has made them into something distinct from plain timepieces, so I (and lots of others) use the name bottom timer for those "watches" that include depth.
If you continue to add functions beyond depth to your watch, you'll eventually wind up adding deco computation functions, such as the pretty Sunnto D9 wrist piece. To be consistent, you should call that a watch, too. But I don't think you do, choosing to call it a dive computer instead.
That illustrates the virtue of distinguishing different groupings of functionality by different names. That's all I was trying to do in distinguishing "watch" from "bottom timer" from "dive computer." If you don't make the distinctions for me somehow, I can't tell what you're talking about.
aeoengineer
August 1st, 2008, 09:43 PM
Hi everyone, I'm new here as well so hi to everyone. I dive with a computer & a watch as a backup. For tracking bottom time, for me I personally think as long as it has a timer or a one way bezel, then it should be OK. If you plan to do a lot of diving it would be wise to invest in a computer. As a watch i use a Citizen Aqualand which tracks time & depth & also logs up to 4 dives but at at $300 it's probably more than you're planning spending on at the moment. Enjoy your diving.
spectrum
August 1st, 2008, 09:56 PM
If you need something that screams "I'm a diver" then get a "dive watch". The cost may be on the order of magnitude of a computer but what the heck.
If you are trying to be sensible with $$ then just get an elcheapo watch as has been mentioned. So what if it implodes or rots away, it was only $20. In the end classy dive watches and bottom timers just don't have real value compared to getting a primary or back-up computer. This was not always true but with computers coming down in price the age of the dive watch is fading fast.
Pete
BigFame
August 2nd, 2008, 11:34 PM
diver 85 I would love to see the link you mentioned. I need a basic diving watch, and I'd rather go cheap too. I figure here will be PLENTY of opportunities to spend money as I take up tis hobby. ;)
