Mini SPG with Imperial/Metric!

[thomjinx]

Hey Guys and Gals,

Since I dive in both the US/Carribean and SE Asia, I have to deal with dive briefings and DMs that are using both Imperial (psi for gas & feet for depth) and metric (bars and meters). My dive computer can easily switch between feet and meters, but it is not air-integrated, so the SPG has been the problem for me.

At first I just used 2 different SPGs, and switched them out depending on where I was going. Looking for a more elegant solution, I found a Dacor SPG that is calibrated in both psi and bars. But it was a big clunky thing, and I try to lighten and streamline my travel rig as much as possible.

After searching for some time I finally found a mini SPG that is calibrated in both!
It is made by Promate and is manufactured in Italy, as are many SPGs sold by major companies.

http://www.promateusa.com/main.asp?cate=INSTRUMENTS

Yes, I know I could do conversions/estimations, but I was looking for the easiest and best solution to the problem. I finally found it and love it.

I hope this info will be useful to others as well.

 

[Kupu]

Thanks for the link. I found a vintage PSI/BAR SPG on e-bay a little while back that was a nice size but it cracked and filled with water after about 50 dives. I might get one of these to replace it. Here in the Philippines I am constantly switching between imperial and metric depending on who I'm diving with, it is nice having air guages that display both.

 

[Tamas]

OMS has one as well....but I am sure there are others out there that show both as well

 

[thomjinx]

There aren't as many as you might think. Which is surprising, really. There is nothing different about the guage, other than the face.

I had seen the OMS one, and it is very well made, but it is a good bit bigger and heavier than the regular 'mini' guages. Since this is for a 'travel' rig, I was looking for something as small and light as I could get. The Promate fits the bill nicely.

Hey Kupu, where are you in the Philippines? I love that country! I have dived in Puerta Galera, Anilao and Coron so far, and plan to do more.

I have 2 older Dacor SPGs that are calibrated in both imperial and metric, and I will no longer need both of them. So I may sell one.

Hey, I just noticed in your profile...you and I have the same birthday! Except mine is a couple of decades or so earlier than yours. Haha!

Have a San Miguel for me!
Thomjinx

 

[Hoosier]

Hey Guys and Gals,

Since I dive in both the US/Carribean and SE Asia, I have to deal with dive briefings and DMs that are using both Imperial (psi for gas & feet for depth) and metric (bars and meters). My dive computer can easily switch between feet and meters, but it is not air-integrated, so the SPG has been the problem for me.

At first I just used 2 different SPGs, and switched them out depending on where I was going. Looking for a more elegant solution, I found a Dacor SPG that is calibrated in both psi and bars. But it was a big clunky thing, and I try to lighten and streamline my travel rig as much as possible.

After searching for some time I finally found a mini SPG that is calibrated in both!
It is made by Promate and is manufactured in Italy, as are many SPGs sold by major companies.

http://www.promateusa.com/main.asp?cate=INSTRUMENTS

Yes, I know I could do conversions/estimations, but I was looking for the easiest and best solution to the problem. I finally found it and love it.

I hope this info will be useful to others as well.

Is there any price info?

I used to use a "bar" unit. It is very simple to convert to a "psi" though.

I might need to get two more SPGs

 

[shugar]

i've always wondered why manufacturers have not released a dual-calibrated SPG... it's not like it's rocket science to print both markers on a single face...

even some cars have MPH/KPH dual speedometers and you don't see them running up trees all the time

Jag

 

[Jason Ooi]

Aeris pony bottle gauges

http://www.diveaeris.com/p_gauges_pony.html

 

[clgsamson]

I use an Aqualung mini spg with compass. Yup, it has a face showing PSI and Bar with a "low on air" indicator at 50 Bar.

 

[thomjinx]

Hoosier,

It was around $79 at my lds. That seems about average for mini SPGs. I have seen them cheaper, but never with the dual calibration, other than the larger used Dacors I have.

I think the OMS guages are a bit more, but they are very very well made. And a bit too big and clunky for my 'travel' rig.

Caloy, I have never seen a dual-calibrated Aqualung guage. Maybe they don't offer those to the US market? Or maybe none of my local shops stock them?

Jason, I actually thought about one of those, but even if I figured out a way to put it on the end of a hose, these old eyes might have trouble reading it easily. Any idea how realiable those little things are? I do have a pony bottle.

 

[clgsamson]

Hoosier,

It was around $79 at my lds. That seems about average for mini SPGs. I have seen them cheaper, but never with the dual calibration, other than the larger used Dacors I have.

I think the OMS guages are a bit more, but they are very very well made. And a bit too big and clunky for my 'travel' rig.

Caloy, I have never seen a dual-calibrated Aqualung guage. Maybe they don't offer those to the US market? Or maybe none of my local shops stock them?

Jason, I actually thought about one of those, but even if I figured out a way to put it on the end of a hose, these old eyes might have trouble reading it easily. Any idea how realiable those little things are? I do have a pony bottle.

I'll take a pic of the gauge tonight Thom and post it here.