Permanently illuminated dive computer?

[Fpena06]

Hello all,

I'm fairly new in scuba diving and the main reason I started diving is photography. I have a computer that annoys me because I have to press a button to see the display. I have done some research and found the Shearwater Predator which has a nice OLCD display. My questions are for a diver who is not considering any tech diving and only needs it for its display.

1. Is there anything with a display as nice and less expensive.
2. If shearwater is the way to go should I wait for a possible model upgrade?

[g1138]

What computer do you have currently?

There are a lot of other computers out there that don't require you to press a button to see your info display. Suunto, Sherwood, Aladdin, Mares as well as various others have computers that show you the relevant data without the need to push a button. Less needed info such as temp, time of day etc will probably be left out until the push a button however for most mid-price range computers.

My advise to you is to find out what you need to get out of your computer
ie.
- nitrox
- dive planner
- PC download
- Algorithm settings
etc

Find out your requirements and then browse from the selected stock on popular manufacturer's websites. When you find a few you like, ask on Scubaboard and go to your LDS.

[Fpena06]

I don't need to press a button to see the display. Need to press a button to light up the display. I currently have the aeris epic.

[retro]

Best computer for night diving? [Archive] - ScubaBoard
This link should help you out, even if it's a wee bit dated.

I suggest looking for a computer that used AA or similar for cost of replacement batteries as you're bound to be replacing them often.

[g1138]

Opps I misread.

[Kern]

You already know about the Shearwater.

Liquivision - X1 & XEO
Atomic Aquatics - Cobalt
Heinrichs Weikamp OSTC 2N & D5
Uemis - defunct

All have OLED screens.

All rather expensive. The OSTC 2N or the XEO are probably among the cheapest.

[jscott099]

I had similar problems when using my UW video equipment. I ended up mounting (jury rigging) small dive lights, computers, even compasses to the housing and light arms to put them closer within reach. On my Suunto I modified the settings to keep the illumination on longer. I rigged the computer to be on one of my housing carry handles to make watching it and pressing any buttons easier.

[rongoodman]

Liquivision is coming out with the Lynx, for recreational and light tech diving, which should be a little cheaper. The OLED displays on all their displays are beautiful--my X1 is bright enough to to easily follow the line out of a cave with no other lights on.

[ErikH]

I use a Mares M2, it's no longer available but a used one might be on ebay. It has a pretty big screen and can be used with a constant back lit display. It uses user replaceable AAA batteries. Best of all, it's cheap and works great. (But looks a bit dated...)

[dmoore19]

You could always try one of these.
DataMask HUD

I have one and love it. The display is always lit and the brightness is adjustable for night dives etc.