There are so many options to choose from when it comes to computers, they are become part of standard dive gear for the recreational diver, but for the technical dive are they standard?
Are they used as backups for your tables? Do you use one in depth mode only? Do you use more than one? One for depth and one for gas switching?
Tell us what you use, so we can get a better idea what the technical community uses.
=-)
padiscubapro
August 2nd, 2003, 12:52 AM
blackice once bubbled...
Abyss, Aeris, DE-OX, DiveRite, OMS, ScubaPro, Suunto, Uwatec, VR3, Voyager etc.
There are so many options to choose from when it comes to computers, they are become part of standard dive gear for the recreational diver, but for the technical dive are they standard?
Are they used as backups for your tables? Do you use one in depth mode only? Do you use more than one? One for depth and one for gas switching?
Tell us what you use, so we can get a better idea what the technical community uses.
=-)
please add hs-explorer to the poll.. It is different than the abyss version, and many more are being sold.
Cave Diver
August 2nd, 2003, 08:22 AM
Bottom Timer & Depth Gauge
blackice
August 2nd, 2003, 09:24 AM
Any one watching that can adjusts the poll to include hs-explorer and change the tables option to table, bottom timmer/gauge.
Thanks
padiscubapro
August 2nd, 2003, 09:27 AM
blackice once bubbled...
Any one watching that can adjusts the poll to include hs-explorer and change the tables option to table, bottom timmer/gauge.
Thanks
nope only the creator or moderators, otherwise I would have already done it..
..
sig
August 2nd, 2003, 06:39 PM
I use a Nitek C and a Nitek HE. The C is in gauge mode only and I carry the HE as a back up to my tables which are more conservative.
BigJetDriver
August 2nd, 2003, 08:57 PM
:) I have been using the VR-3 with the link to my rebreather to give me an independent PPO2 read-out and constant real-time deco based on the changing gas fractions. (No human being can do this kind of computation!) I have been carrying a second VR-3 without the link as a back-up.:)
Recently I was offered a chance to use a Hydro-Space Explorer to evaluate and compare it against the VR-3. I plan to do so, because the H-S unit is the only one, as far as I know, which uses the full implementation of the RGBM. I will report my comparison when finished if any one is interested.;)
Jonathan
August 2nd, 2003, 11:33 PM
HS Explorer added for you
Pez de Diablo
August 3rd, 2003, 01:24 AM
Bottom Timer, Depth Gauge and Tables.
tyrell
August 3rd, 2003, 02:14 AM
Cochran commander is also a good tek computer, and it can b used with 2 gas mix.
blackice
August 3rd, 2003, 09:52 PM
Hay there, thanks for the feedback - it really does seem that people use a wide range of equipment from table/bottom timer/gauge to double VR3's.
Also this is help ful from the point that people mention things that I didn't know exist.
Thanks more feedback is most welcome. I will now start searching the boards for info on the options list above.
fins wake
August 4th, 2003, 04:00 AM
Recently I was offered a chance to use a Hydro-Space Explorer to evaluate and compare it against the VR-3. I plan to do so, because the H-S unit is the only one, as far as I know, which uses the full implementation of the RGBM. I will report my comparison when finished if any one is interested. Yes, please, Rob! ;) :D
blackice
August 4th, 2003, 05:02 AM
[QUOTE]Jonathan once bubbled...
HS Explorer added for you [/QUOTE
Thanks Jonathan, my first time trying a poll :-(
pwfletcher
August 6th, 2003, 07:20 AM
VR3 ... but when will they have the RGBM upgrade?
BigJetDriver
August 6th, 2003, 10:24 AM
The VR3 is a wonderful dive computer, especially with the sensor link! There is no computer as physically tough, and only one other that is as capable for deep mixed-gas diving, especially CCR.
Now for the bad news. I know Kevin Gurr personally, and his assistant, the ever charming Philippa. I say this not to brag, but to reinforce the next statement.
Kevin is an amazing guy. He has been in the forefront of the "tech diving revolution" from the beginning. He is, however, a bit "set in his ways" as the Brits are wont to say. He feels, and possibly rightly so, that his programming will do for the diver what RGBM will do. Besides, it's his computer and he certainly has a right to make that decision! He says he "may" make that implementation, but personally I think that there will have to be a cold front in Hades first!
The upshot, for those who MUST (and I do understand that NEED) have RGBM is going to be Gene Melton's Hydrospace Explorer.:shaking:
wb416
August 6th, 2003, 02:53 PM
Cave Diver once bubbled...
Bottom Timer & Depth Gauge
Ditto... the computer is between your ears...
padiscubapro
August 7th, 2003, 11:09 AM
Computers do have a use in technical diving but they are NO SUBSTITUTE for proper gas and dive planning.
I find the best use is when exploring an unknown site.. I can plan for a max depth and gas consumption but use the deco calculated by a computer especially if a multilevel profile was necessary and not get stuck doing unnecessary deco.. I can now d/l the actual dive data and plan future dives.
If redundant computers are not employed, you must not exceed your predive planning.. Thhis is a good idea anyway..
This proved invaluable on some recent dives where I had no idea how long it would take me to get to depth, if I followed my tables I ould have bhad to do more than twice the deco I ended up doing.. my second diveat the same site was plabnned based on the previously logged waypoints, and was able to push things out much longer than I would have been able to do just using a depth guage and timer (without keeping detailed notes) a real time trace is definately preferred..
blackice
August 7th, 2003, 10:47 PM
padiscubapro once bubbled...
Computers do have a use in technical diving but they are NO SUBSTITUTE for proper gas and dive planning...
I believe that you are speaking with experience and this is close to how I'm planning on moving in to technical diving.
Computers are not to be thrown away they do provide a great deal of infomation regarding dive profiles, I love being able to go thru the profile when I'm doing surface intervals. It allows you to study how good your plan was, did you dive the plan, where was the plan or dive off, did any unexpected events occur.
This review of dives is most important I find on wreck dives as penetration can change the depths and times that are planned as you don't always know the layout of the inside.
True gas, dive, backup and emergancy planning are essential parts of any successful dive. As too are ensuring you have working lights and equipment, and functioning computers and bottom timmers.
When doing multi gas dives the computer allow recalaction of tables on the fly should the need arise, but this is not a desired action as the plan should be to dive the plan!
=-)
blackice
September 29th, 2003, 01:07 AM
BigJetDriver69 once bubbled...
:) I have been using the VR-3 with the link to my rebreather to give me an independent PPO2 read-out and constant real-time deco based on the changing gas fractions. (No human being can do this kind of computation!) I have been carrying a second VR-3 without the link as a back-up.:)
Recently I was offered a chance to use a Hydro-Space Explorer to evaluate and compare it against the VR-3. I plan to do so, because the H-S unit is the only one, as far as I know, which uses the full implementation of the RGBM. I will report my comparison when finished if any one is interested.;) Well you must we lucky to get the chance to try the Explorer... any news on how it went? Have you dived with it yet?
BigJetDriver
October 9th, 2003, 09:38 PM
Blackice, et al,
I'm just beginning my trials with the Explorer, but have not gone to the side by side tests yet. I have to admit I like the display. It is very logical and understanding it is intuitive. It is extremely easy to see and read, even in limited visibility. I also like the ease of programming on the HS. It is very straight-forward.
As may have been noted, the buttons are hard on the fingers, but Gene Melton, the designer, says that a fix is on the way.
As they say, more to come!;)
blackice
October 14th, 2003, 03:06 AM
Sweet .. I too enjoy the idea of everything on a songle screen while diving, and the layout is nice , nice that it is fixed.
BigJetDriver
October 14th, 2003, 09:45 PM
In regard to my comments on the Explorer, I did in fact talk to Gene's assistant today, and was told that there is a fix in the design stage.
There is an acceptable "work-around" for those times when you are not wearing gloves, however!;)
Manos
October 15th, 2003, 02:52 AM
Bottom Guage and tables.
Why should i use a computer in tech dives ?
Over 45m we dont even need the tables , we decompress on the fly. ( The calculations are so simple to be done underwater ).
Below 45m. Tables . ( in my pocket on wetnotes ).
I have a good lough when i do the same profile with guys
that still remain uw. watching thair VR3 and im on board
having launch.
Deco takes place in your body not on your wrist.
Manos.
www.dir.cy.net
flw
October 15th, 2003, 06:04 AM
For a message intended for the inexperienced, I think that is a dangerous attitude to take - I know you can work out deco without a computer for sub 45m dives however it isn't something that you learn overnight, it takes time and experience - and what works for one isn't always going to work for the next. it also depends very much on what sort of profile you are doing, water temperature etc etc etc ( ie too many variables!)
The implication in faster deco versus vr3 is that somehow less is better - while I agree that if you use the right deco curve you will need less time making it a race is a bad idea.
When someone has worked out exactly how off gassing really works, and can then apply it to a large variety of individuals, then being prescriptive and fast may be fine - until then everyone is better off doing what works for them, and if that involves doing an extra 5 minutes which may or may not be required then fine.
love and hugs
F
BigJetDriver
October 15th, 2003, 10:38 AM
Manos once bubbled...
Bottom Guage and tables.
Why should i use a computer in tech dives ?
Over 45m we dont even need the tables , we decompress on the fly. ( Jedi mind-trick wave-of-hand decompression ).
Below 45m. Tables . ( in my pocket on stone tablets ).
I have a good lough (sic) when i do the same profile with guys
that still remain uw. watching thair VR3 and im on board
having launch (sic).
Deco takes place in your body not on your wrist.
Manos.
www.dir.cy.net
:D Ah, the Luddites from the Amish Diving Society have established a cult in Cyprus. Interesting!
P.S.---I just did NOT REALIZE that decompression is actually a RACE to get to the surface, with boats (he did say "launch") as the prize! Or did that mean "lunch"?:confused:
Hey, I'm all for sandwiches!!!:bounce:
padiscubapro
October 15th, 2003, 10:00 PM
Manos once bubbled...
Bottom Guage and tables.
Why should i use a computer in tech dives ?
Over 45m we dont even need the tables , we decompress on the fly. ( The calculations are so simple to be done underwater ).
Below 45m. Tables . ( in my pocket on wetnotes ).
I have a good lough when i do the same profile with guys
that still remain uw. watching thair VR3 and im on board
having launch.
Deco takes place in your body not on your wrist.
Manos.
www.dir.cy.net
a race to get out of the water is a dangerous thing..
The vr3 does give some long shallow stops, thats because of its buhlman core.. if you use your GUE endorced software and run a GF factor dive, youll have just as long or longer unless you get very agressive with the gf-lo-gf-high settings.. On the VR3 if you skip your deep stop you really get hammered on the shallow stops as a penalty for skipping the deep stuff..
Tables are great for square profiles but useless for exploration multi level diving.. I have done lots of deep dives that start at 100m at work up, following a set of tables based on a square profile would keep you in the water forever and trying to plan a multi level dive on an unknown site is hit or miss, thats where a computer with real time deco shines.. Its not a substitue for predive planning for worse case scenarios.. also if you follow the GUE recommended rules for ocean diving you are only doing 90 minute ocean dives anyway, so your decos and bt are pretty limited... The dives listed on the website (your signature) why even bother... only 13 mins at 73m.. that deserves at least 30 minutes at minimum, personally I usually run 45 to an hour at that depth....
Personally I own the explorer, VR3 and hammerhead deco computers. On deep multi level dives the explorer can get you out of the water pretty quickly if you want... I'll set my buhlman computers agressive and follow all the rgbm deep stops so both end up clearing within reason..
Read the current article in Advanced Diver Magazine about Zero G.. The dives we did would be impossible to do under tables(unrealistic on OC also).. We all carried worse case tables as bailout but I definately wouldn't want to follow them unless I absolutely had to.. instead of being out of the water in 2 to 3.5 hours total run time (depending on the dive) some of them would have required double the deco time, since you really couldn't plan the dives as multilevel ahead of time..
The constant PO2 was a real asset for the dives we were performing...
BigJetDriver
October 15th, 2003, 10:34 PM
padiscubapro once bubbled...
a race to get out of the water is a dangerous thing.....
......The constant PO2 was a real asset for the dives we were performing...
And all of the rest in-between...Very well said, sir! Thank you for your knowledge and input!:D
