Your computer --- a survey

[ScubaAddictedLisa]

JT Divers recently started a thread regarding wrist computers that are air integrated. That got me to thinking that it would be interesting to get the ScubaBoard users thoughts on all the different computers out there (wrist models, hose models, even the new data masks), by taking a survey on which computers they have/use or would like to get. So, if you’re interest, answer a few questions.

What dive computer do you use?
Is it an air-intergrated model? Transmitter or hose?
Would you recommend it? Why/why not?
If you could have gotten a different computer which one would it have been? Why?
What was the deciding factor for your decision to purchase this one?
The one biggest drawback of the computer you use?
The best feature of the model you use?


Can’t wait to see what the responses are going to be! :blinking:

 

[spacemanspiff1974]

1. I use a VR3
2. It is not air integrated, but I think it can be if you want to buy the parts.
3. I would recommend it for technical minded divers, but it is more computer than necessary for most recreational dives using a single gas mix. Otherwise, it does damn near everything.
4. If I had chosen a different computer it would have been the cochran EMC20H as this computer also does trimix. However, gas switching at deco depth is automatic and I prefer to tell the computer when I am switching.
5. The biggest drawback of this computer is the learning curve.
6. The best feature of this computer is the trimix function and the manual gas switching. It can also be used for rebreather diving.

 

[ketchumid]

If it helps:

Suunto Cobra w/compass attachment (not the new integrated electronic one) Hose attached

Because I don't live where I am diving often, I read the manual on every flight to my scuba destination. This computer was recommended by the LDS I bought most of my set up from, it seems to be very dependable, and when I am visiting scuba destinations I do see a lot of them used by other divers and on some rental and demo set ups.

I would like a wrist model someday, but just don't get out there enough to justify the cost at this point.

 

[PerroneFord]

What dive computer do you use?

Suunto Vyper

Is it an air-intergrated model? Transmitter or hose?

Not air integrated

Would you recommend it? Why/why not?

Recommend it to who? Works great for me.

If you could have gotten a different computer which one would it have been? Why?

I bought exactly what I wanted.

What was the deciding factor for your decision to purchase this one?

Had all the features I wanted at a reasonable price.

The one biggest drawback of the computer you use?

Can't change it between gauge mode and computer mode in all cases.

The best feature of the model you use?

Simple, and does the job.

 

[yankeenica]

1: uwatec air-z nitrox
2: transmitter
3: would recommend for divers with great eyesight
4: I would have purchased the console air integrated version
5: Advice of lds
6: My close-up eyesight is deteriorating.
7: The conservative algorithms.

 

[shotthebreeze]

1. What dive computer do you use?
2. Is it an air-intergrated model? Transmitter or hose?
3. Would you recommend it? Why/why not?
4. If you could have gotten a different computer which one would it have been? Why?
5. What was the deciding factor for your decision to purchase this one?
6. The one biggest drawback of the computer you use?
7. The best feature of the model you use?

1. Sherwood Wisdom
2. Yes, it is air/nitrox integrated with a hose
3. Yes, I would recommend it because it has all the bells and whistles, alarms, a great backlight, easy to read display, quick disconnect and compass for around $400 new
4. Wouldn't have wanted anything else.
5. The deciding factor was the price for what I got with it
6. The only draw back is the fact that it's not on my wrist
7. The "wet" mode - as soon as you hit the water, the computer turns on

 

[ScubaAddictedLisa]

1. Yes, I would recommend it because it has all the bells and whistles, alarms, a great backlight, easy to read display, quick disconnect and compass for around $400 new

1. 
   
   You got this ... fully loaded with the compass and quick disconnect for $400???? Where??

 

[shotthebreeze]

You got this ... fully loaded with the compass and quick disconnect for $400???? Where??

LeisurePro's Christmas sale. I think I paid $399 and they were trying to get rid of them. Since then I think the price has gone up. They have them for around $500 now. Sherwood CG4125 Wisdom Dive Computer with Compass and Quick Disconnect from LeisurePro.com

Here's the list of features:

• Dive simulator: Walk yourself through any dive beforehand, and see your limits without getting wet
• Repetitive dive planning: Use information from previous dives to see limitaions of your next dive
• Dive log: Stores profiles for later recall and viewing
• Deco calculations: Calculates decompression stops to 60 feet
• Button or water activation: You choose
• Audible and visual alarms: Plus seven optional and adjustable choices
• HydrowGlow Screen illumination, with large screen and numrerals for easy reading
• Air, nitrox, or gauge modes: 21% to 50% FO2
• N2 and O2 ansorption bar graphs for instant recognition
• Time to fly/desaturation timers
• Automatic altitude adjusment to 14,000 feet
• Date and time-of-day records
• User replaceable battery: Extended life battery and low battery indicator
• Adjustable data sampling rate

 

[ScubaAddictedLisa]

Ahh. Ok. Well, I won't buy something of this "magnitude" from anyone but an authorized dealer! But this thread isn't about that. It's about the computers themselves.

 

[SlowRain]

1) Delta VR3

2) Not integrated, however it can be a purchased option that is hardwired into the first stage from the computer, not wireless.

3) I would highly recommend it for tech divers or those others diving at least nitrox with eyes on going to trimix. I would not recommend it to those who are going to do the majority of their diving on basic nitrox or air with no deco....as it is total overkill for that type of diving.

4) I would have bought the X1, except it has a rechargeable battery system and is not user changeable. The X1's processor is much faster than the VR3.

5) Deciding factor was that the VR3 can be bought in the open circuit nitrox configuration, and all upgrades are already installed in the computer, and released by PIN number from the manufacturer. In other words as you purchase additional options you input a PIN and the computer is immediately upgraded rather than having to send it in or do a download of additional software...and you can buy what you use. It also has just about any option you could want, including open, semi-closed, and closed circuit setups, rebreather interface, trimix/heliox, gas analysis, gas mixing computer, and on and on. Further, as new software is made available it is designed to be useable in previous models of the computer, with plans to offer updates being released via the internet so the user can upgrade the operating software without sending the unit in.

6) Learning to use the computer takes an investment of time on the user's part, but then that will be true of any computer that has higher functionality.

7) Several best features....3 different gas profiles each with 9 different gases and gases can be turned on or off within each profile. Gas switching can be done on command rather than only when the computer tells you can or worse when the computer does it automatically. No lock out including for violated decompression stops. Gas content configurations can be changed...even underwater as can turning on or turning off gas mixtures. Comes standard with the Buhlman deco model but a VPM model can be activated for additional cost and the user can select which model they wish to use even between dives as each algorithem is tracked continually. Has a dive simulator in the unit including deco tables/stops so a hard copy can be written out as a backup.

VR3 and VR2 Dive computer from Delta P Technology