Computer to DIR Bottom Timer?

[Blue-Faced]

I read a post where someone asked if a dive computer set to gauge mode, in order to be used as a bottom timer, was acceptable in a Fundamentals course. I thought it was a good question; unfortunately, it didn't receive an answer. Anyone know for certain?

[chokolad]

I read a post where someone asked if a dive computer set to gauge mode, in order to be used as a bottom timer, was acceptable in a Fundamentals course. I thought it was a good question; unfortunately, it didn't receive an answer. Anyone know for certain?

The answer is yes. It really helps if bottom timer mode has seconds or a stopwatch mode with seconds but you can do it with minutes as well.

[PfcAJ]

No prob at all as long as its wrist mount.

Cheers!

[lamont]

You can leave your (wrist-mount) computer in computer mode in fundamentals.

Typically what happens is that divers run dual-mode brain+computer for awhile and learn about NDLs by watching their computer. Then at some point they've gotten it figured out and the computer part becomes more of an annoyance as you wind up forgetting to set it to 32% and bending it all the time. Then the diver switches the computer into gauge mode.

There's no hurry to force that process, and you don't have to do it before fundamentals.

[Blue-Faced]

Thanks alot guys. I really appreciate your feedback. I'll go ahead and pick up the Aeris Manta I've been looking at.

[stargost]

Blue-faced:
Pros of the Manta: super simple, cheap, can replace the battery easily, small – can be used as a watch, have fancy color ;-)
DSAT-based algo computer, which is the less conservative, so difficult to bent for rec dive on air or 32% (unless indeed your forget to reset it for the second dive, as it will move to 50% mix, then you are for sure going to bent it)
Cons: doesn’t have second in gauge mode. I don’t think they do pink color.

Similar price range is the uwatec tec2G which many people are using
Cons: give you a little less bottom time when you dive it computer mode. Little more bulky that the manta. Cannot wear as a watch.
Pros: have second and average depth in gauge mode

What Lamont wrote is 200% true and I think many people went through this process: basically don’t worry too much about it. Computer diving is not that bad! And full transition to Timer when you fel ready.
I’ve been using the Manta (bought older model on sales for 200$) for a long time, and as my back up computer after I got the tec2g (<250$ on ebay – I’m cheap) and the manta in computer mode. It’s still convenient when doing multiple dives per days. With a 3mm wetsuit for vacations diving, it’s just so simple.

If you take fundamental, you can still borrow a BT from a buddy to get the seconds in gauge mode.

[Mayor]

Get a casio g shock ($50.00) to run your seconds. It can be set for 30 seconds to control your slides. This was usefull for my team during class.

[rlynch]

Lamot is 100% here. Don't worry too much about it for fundies. Also until you figure out what you want and works for you, ebay is your friend. My uwatec bt was $50. Its an older model but ive never had a problem. I want a xen though.