Any suggestion about a tek-dive computer

[Jesus Irazabal]

Greetings from Venezuela to everybody.
I'm a IANTD deco diver and a DSAT Tec Deep diver. I'm considering investing on a Multy Gas Trimix OC Computer as a back up for my table and gas planning and also as a recording device of my dive profile.
After some research on the net and local dive stores I'm still undecided, I'll appreciate any input considering the following points:
Relaybility
User freindlyness
Adaptability
Value
Thank you for your help.

[Silverback]

Jesus,

I use the Sunnto Vytec, with the air integration module.

For any mixed gas diving I do I put the computer into gauge mode. I still have the ability to download the profile. The computer is about the same size as the popular bottom timers and the face is easy to read.

If your only using air with different mixes of nitrox for deco, then the vytec will handle three switches for O2 up to 99%. Sorry it doesn't HE, but the price is allot lower then the more popular VR3.

So far, I have no complaints about the computer and think its easier to read and operate underwater then the other's on the market.


Just my two cents...

Dave

[BigJetDriver]

Welcome aboard, Jesus!

I have been using the VR-3. It is heavily armored (solid metal case) with a heavy lens, and does 9 gas mixes. I use mine with my Inspiration CCR, the PPO2 sensor link, and mixed gas. They are really good computers.

I am also now trying out the HS Explorer. It has larger read-outs, and uses B. R. Wienke's RGBM. More on that later!

[padiscubapro]

If you are ever planning on going to a CCR the only choices are the cochran, hs-explorer and vr3..

Cochran will be releasing their helium computer at dema..

if you are going to stay strictly open circuit based you can add the nitek He (personally I think the display is too small).

During zero-g last month at sunset house, people were diving personal vr3s ( the majority), cochran computers (supplied by cochran for the event - gave really nice profiles), and the explorer.. The new 20 tissue bubble mode in the cochran seems to have potential.

Tom M. (iantd) was using the explorer in RGBM mode (with the old intergrated Megladon deco computer as a backup), Leon and Morgan from custom rebreathers (manufacturer of the meg) were using the explorer in RGBM mode, and I was using the explorer also in RGBM mode with my HH controller as the backup deco computer.

We were all running profiles to 300+ with over 3hr run times in some cases.. the explorer typically cleared us on average 30 minutes ahead of the most agressive VR3 settings.. The RGBM deco curve gives higher credit for deep stops and more of them..


From what I have seen the bubble based curves generated by both the cochran and vr3 were superior to the profiles generated by the VR3..

[blackice]

BigJetDriver69 once bubbled...
Welcome aboard, Jesus!

I have been using the VR-3. It is heavily armored (solid metal case) with a heavy lens, and does 9 gas mixes. I use mine with my Inspiration CCR, the PPO2 sensor link, and mixed gas. They are really good computers.

I am also now trying out the HS Explorer. It has larger read-outs, and uses B. R. Wienke's RGBM. More on that later! Very interested in your thoughts on the Explorer. I was wondering how the buttons on the Explorer work?.... are they push buttons ? Cause they don't look like they push in?

[BigJetDriver]

blackice once bubbled...
Very interested in your thoughts on the Explorer. I was wondering how the buttons on the Explorer work?.... are they push buttons ? Cause they don't look like they push in?

I actually answered your question about the buttons under the thread "oxygen cell input" in this forum. I am starting to like the HS a lot despite the buttons.

[blackice]

thanks - will go there and look :-)

[BigJetDriver]

Gene's site has some good pictures of the beast, but also has a simulator program that you can play with to get some idea of the computer's functions. Give that a shot, if you have not done so already.

<http://www.hs-eng.com>

[Jesus Irazabal]

Thanks to everybody who replyed to this topic. Your answers have been very helpfull, I'll let you know if I invest on any of the computers.

[blackice]

BigJetDriver69 once bubbled...
Gene's site has some good pictures of the beast, but also has a simulator program that you can play with to get some idea of the computer's functions. Give that a shot, if you have not done so already.

<http://www.hs-eng.com> I've never gotten round to trying that as I work on a mac and it's for a PC, but today I'm going to give it a try .. now where is the one button on the PC. .. heehee

[blackice]

Ok started trying it... put in a dive to 85meters and BT of 25mins .. it runs for the first 2 mins then locks up. this is when I have it in slow mode so I can see the changes in fast mood it races to the surface so fast I can't see what happened,.. is this normal?

Will look at it again later .. it's lunch time.

[BigJetDriver]

Gene himself says the simulator needs some improvement! Guess that is what he means.;)

[padiscubapro]

blackice once bubbled...
Ok started trying it... put in a dive to 85meters and BT of 25mins .. it runs for the first 2 mins then locks up. this is when I have it in slow mode so I can see the changes in fast mood it races to the surface so fast I can't see what happened,.. is this normal?

Will look at it again later .. it's lunch time.

you can still review the stops after the run is complete.. or just use the save cf ,extended or runtime schedules and vie we them..

the simulator can be flakey with some versions of windows.. it works well on 2000, and seems ok on 98 (at least most of the time)

[Jesus Irazabal]

Is it possible to simulate multilevel dives on the HS explorer?

[BigJetDriver]

Jesus Irazabal once bubbled...
Is it possible to simulate multilevel dives on the HS explorer?

Jesus,

Sorry it took so long to answer. I talked to Gene Melton when he came back from a trip. He said that at this time, you have to figure a block depth (e.g. 230 to190 fsw), average that, and enter that figure into the sim. Improvements to follow, and/or use the GAP.;)

[Jesus Irazabal]

Thanks BJ, for the reply.
In the end, one has to keep profiling the tables to emulate as close as possible the software in the field computer, in order to maintain some parity between both?

[BRW]

Guys,

Just an update on "full" RGBM Tec computers:

1 -- Right now, the EXPLORER is out there.

2 -- Zeagle is very close to releasing one (full up).
Watch for it.

3 -- Just inked with Steam Machines-- they will have a
fullup RGBM computer for their CCRs (Topaz, Prism,
USN Invader) out too. Constant ppO2, of course,
for any diluent.

On the more REC side, but of interest to techys:

1 -- Mares/Dacor have deep stops in their air/nitrox RGBM M1,
and the next release will have He and J-factors.

2 -- Suunto is planning on a deep stop approach that is
congruent with full RGBM for their computers (VYTEC,
VYPER, COBRA, STINGER). They have bubble folded
RGBM now.

3 -- Plus others unannounced (here).

There's RGBM software as noted by you -- GAP, ABYSS, and
HS simulator provided to EXPLORER users/buyers. Also
watch RGBMdiving.com for a "NET only" window to full
up RGBM.

Bruce Wienke
Program Manager Computational Physics
C & C Dive Team Ldr

=-)

[pwfletcher]

I love my VR3.