Backup computer for when your main fails while in diving trip ?

[berndo]

This is pretty much an industry standard and has been for years.

People don't have to use 2 computers on NDL or even deco dives. Claiming it's an industry standard never was true and isn't now.

My Primary computer for OC is a perdix, backup is a petrel. For CCR my primary computer is a NERD2, backup is my petrel.

I agree with many posters above that the backup computer should match the primary computer in terms of algorithm.

If I am teaching a tech class I require it.

This is not about a tec class or ccr diving.

 

[scubaNYC16]

Hello,
My wife and I dive recreationally, lately we do mostly LOB.
Her main computer is a Perdix, and she gave me a Perdix 2 for Christmas.

We are currently on a LOB in the Red Sea, and my wife's Perdix died on the very first dive. One of the push buttons failed, fell off and the computer flooded.

Fortunately we also brought our old Suunto Vyper, and she's now using that. Last trip it bailed me out when my Eon Core started doing strange things.

But the Vyper is getting old and may not be too reliable.

My wife's Perdix will obviously get fixed, but we're thinking about getting a new computer to carry as a backup of the main ones if there are surprises.

We were thinking a Peregrine would be a good option. Do you think it makes sense ? Any others you would recommend ? Should we just go for an inexpensive Zoop or Vyper Novo and save the money ?

Thanks for your feedback.

I use Perdix AI as my primary and Peregrine as back up on one of my D rings. I like the fact that they are using the same algorithm and pretty identical display and both menus work the same.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I use Perdix AI as my primary and Peregrine as back up on one of my D rings. I like the fact that they are using the same algorithm and pretty identical display and both menus work the same.

I wasn't aware the Peregrine's menus mirror the Perdix's. Then that sounds like a fine solution. A point I made in a post above was that there is some advantage to not having to become familiar with another computer's menus; if one fails, you can seamlessly switch to the other if it's identical.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

People don't have to use 2 computers on NDL or even deco dives. Claiming it's an industry standard never was true and isn't now.

For technical dives, if they are diving their computer as their primary dive execution tool (vs. tables and a bottom time), it absolutely is industry standard. Not a single technical agency on the planet teaches otherwise. If you disagree, prove it by providing a technical agency standard to the contrary.

No one is saying someone doing a recreational NDL dive has to use 2 computers. There are just many of us who prefer to have that redundancy.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I wasn't aware the Peregrine's menus mirror the Perdix's. Then that sounds like a fine solution. A point I made in a post above was that there is some advantage to not having to become familiar with another computer's menus; if one fails, you can seamlessly switch to the other if it's identical.

Virtually identical minus the technical mode elements of course.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

People don't have to use 2 computers on NDL or even deco dives. Claiming it's an industry standard never was true and isn't now.


This is not about a tec class or ccr diving.

Nobody cares that you do it, but it's irresponsible to recommend it. It's 2023, buying a very inexpensive insurance plan to go with you is just apart of the game.

Next I guess you'll be telling us about how great deep stops are and how well you do on air down to 200'.

Just because you can doesn't mean you should, or should even recommend it. Things have changed. One is none and 2 is one.

 

[berndo]

No one is saying someone doing a recreational NDL dive has to use 2 computers. There are just many of us who prefer to have that redundancy.

Plenty of people have said in this thread that the spare computer should run the same model and should be carried on every dive. So 4 computers for a buddy team for NDL vacation dives according to this logic. Go back and read what people said.
Maybe it is standard where Jim lives in Florida, most places it isn't.

If you think every tec agency requires people to have 2, 4 or 6 computers, so be it. I don't really care and it's not what was asked by the OP.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Plenty of people have said in this thread that the spare computer should run the same model and should be carried on every dive. So 4 computers for a buddy team for NDL vacation dives according to this logic. Go back and read what people said.
Maybe it is standard where Jim lives in Florida, most places it isn't.

Maybe my reading comprehension is off, but my understanding of the point others were trying to make is that while it may not be "standard" for every diver to carry a backup computer or that they absolutely "should" carry a backup computer, it is a great idea and not at all unrealistic, given how relatively inexpensive some backup computers can be. For comparison, a diver may spend $100 on trip insurance. If a backup-worthy computer can be had for $500, that's not that much when spread over five trips.

 

[berndo]

If a backup-worthy computer can be had for $500, that's not that much when spread over five trips.

It's completely unnecessary to use a 500 Dollar spare computer for NDL dives. In NDL buddy diving the buddy is spare gas and computer/depth gauge, that in fact is industry standard.
I don't know if you work a normal job for your money but in my local dive club, many people have work many hours and save their money to buy gear and go on trips. Telling people to just spend 500 or even 1000 Dollars per person because of some made up safety issue is weird to me. You also can't 'spread 500 Dollars over five trips'.
Again, the question was if a cheapo computer will do as a spare for trips. It's does.

 

[FishWatcher747]

Actually this thread is an example of teaching dogma using fear porn.

The earth will end and everyone is going to die if you are doing recreational NDL dives and your computer dies. You better stop diving immediately or you are certain to die a horrible death.

It doesn't matter if you have a spouse or trusted buddy and you are diving the same profile as their computer.