Dive Computer advice please

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Hi @goalieboy29

I also vote for buying a computer
  • It is preferable and safer to dive the profile of your own computer rather than diving the profile of another diver.
  • Some operators require the use of a dive computer.
  • A rental could work but in might be advantageous to know your own computer very well, how to set it, what and how it is telling you something.
  • Personally, I would not buy one of the computers running the more conservative deco algorithms, just not to be the diver with the limiting NDL time. This is most important on repetitive dives, especially with shorter surface intervals. This may be particularly true it you do your liveaboard.
  • There are many computers that could meet your needs, several mentioned in the posts above. The Oceanic Veo 4 and Geo 4 and the Shearwater Peregrine would be on my list.
 
Hi @goalieboy29

I also vote for buying a computer
  • It is preferable and safer to dive the profile of your own computer rather than diving the profile of another diver.
  • A rental could work but in might be advantageous to know your own computer very well, how to set it, what and how it is telling you something.
  • Personally, I would not buy one of the computers running the more conservative deco algorithms, just not to be the diver with the limiting NDL time. This is most important on repetitive dives, especially with shorter surface intervals. This may be particularly true it you do your liveaboard.
  • There are many computers that could meet your needs, several mentioned in the posts above. The Oceanic Veo 4 and Geo 4 and the Shearwater Peregrine would be on my list.
thanks for your suggestions
 
well you guys were no help whatsoever :giggle:...I was looking to cheap out but now I'm heading the other way....jk.

thanks all for your very valuable insight. !
 
The sport has evolved to a point where dive computers are considered a standard piece of kit. Keep in mind, SPG’s, BC’s and secondary 2nd stages were not always part of the standard kit. But the sport evolves.

The last several dive trips I’ve been on, computers were mandatory as per the dive operators.

That having been said, a recreational dive computer need not break the bank. You can get a very decent computer second hand for under $150 USD.

You may pay extra for features like Nitrox (most computers made in the last 10-15 years will accommodate Nitrox), air integration, horseless air integration, etc. But if you don’t need/want any of that, you shouldn’t pay for it.

As for divers paying more attention to their computers than to the reef, I suspect those are the divers who even if they didn’t have computers would be fixated on their consoles/SPG’s instead of the reef. No cure for that.

As for which computer (algorithm) to get, yes there are more and less conservative computers, but none are so conservative that they will substantially limit your bottom time in most NDL profile scenarios and none are so liberal that they place you in substantial danger. If you have a regular dive buddy, try to get a computer with an algorithm that matches your buddy’s computer.

The one thing I really want to emphasize with regards to your post is where you mentioned reliance on the dive master. My philosophy is that every certified adult diver is solely and completely responsible for his or her own safety.

I have witnessed many a dive master / dive leader engage in diving practices that I would avoid.

I would urge all responsible divers to never outsource their safety to anyone but themselves.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/teric/

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