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I'm just started back into diving after a 10+ year surface interval. Previously certified PADI OW, AOW, EANx and Equipment Specialist with 50-60 logged dives, primarily off the coast of Massachusetts. I haven't been in the water at all since 2001.
I'm slowly piecing together dive gear, and am at the point now where I'd like to make a decision about a computer.
I am expecting most of my dives to be less than 100 feet, generally off the coast of North Carolina with an occasional trip back to Cape Cod, MA or the occasional charter/vacation trip but nothing overly extreme. Definitely need Nitrox, definitely don't need Trimix. Not interested at all in technical dives. I expect to be diving year round but minimally in Dec-February....will not be using a drysuit.
A trusted dive buddy suggested an Oceanic VEO as a simple to use, affordable and easy to read computer. But a big drawback is that it's not downloadable to my laptop. I am not the sort who is going to analyze every breath or spend a lot of time reviewing data from each dive. But I am considering within the next year or two possibly going the divemaster route, and downloadability to my laptop is a great option for an electronic dive log. Also considered an Aeris XR2...I know Oceanic and Aeris are pretty much the same folks.
As mentioned in the subject line, my home computer is an Apple Macbook Pro. I have access to but absolutely no desire to use a windows based PC. I have seen the Mac-Dive website.
Budget is around $500.
Definitely console mounted with quick disconnect.
No specific feelings on AI vs non AI.
Probably don't need a digital compass.
Would like to have ability for service at my LDS (Wilmington, NC)....battery changes at the very least, but user changeable battery preferable.
Prefer a more conservative profile, or at least ability to set that.
VERY unlikely to buy a used computer.
I'd appreciate any thoughts or comments on computers that might fit the bill, or if you've tried something and can definitely exclude it, I'd like to hear that, too.
While I am definitely a novice diver, I recently bought a Suunto Vyper Air Black. I use it with my iMac so I can definitely say it is MAC compatible. From what I can gather and the limited amount I've used it, it meets all of your requirements and probably a bit more. The only part I'm not 100% sure on is the console mountable, but with my limited experience, it very well could be. I picked mine up in Italy for ~400Euro, but I'm guessing it would be cheaper stateside without the 20% VAT.
I'm a Mac user and am very, very happy using MacDive. It supports both my Oceanic ProPlus 2.1 and my Suunto D9. The folks over at MacDive have done a really nice job of supporting many computers. Take a look at their list.
Thanks for the comments! I really appreciate the time and different suggestions.....this is definitely still a learning experience for me!!
The D9 and ProPlus 2 are WELL out of my price range, unfortunately.
I couldn't find a console mounted option for the Vyper. But would it be possible/practical to just strap a wrist mounted computer to a piece of equipment somewhere if I find something otherwise suitable?
Does anyone use an Aeris XR2? or anyone from Mac-Dive have any suggestions?
Any of the Suunto computers can be used with a MAC. Just need to use third party software for downloading. The Suunto Zoop is their latest entry level computer. A search of this forum of MAC software will give you many pointers.
Thanks for the comments! I really appreciate the time and different suggestions.....this is definitely still a learning experience for me!!
The D9 and ProPlus 2 are WELL out of my price range, unfortunately.
I couldn't find a console mounted option for the Vyper. But would it be possible/practical to just strap a wrist mounted computer to a piece of equipment somewhere if I find something otherwise suitable?
Does anyone use an Aeris XR2? or anyone from Mac-Dive have any suggestions?
Thanks again for the time and thoughts!
The Suunto Vyper is well within your price range, and supported by Mac-Dive.
The cable to connect the computer to the computer (!) is optional and expensive if you want the Suunto part ($75 at Leisure Pro) and not so expensive if you go with the third party cable:
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Need computer for use with MAC latop?
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Originally Posted by RedHeadMermaid
