DeadCactus
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Got some money and decided I want to pick up a computer. Looking at these three. Any recommendations?
Gekko, Archimedes II, or Mares Nemo?
- Thread starter DeadCactus
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What type of diving are you planning on doing? More importantly what type of diving are you looking at in the next couple years. Personally I stick with suunto and dive rite as a trusted brand.
DIVERDANFOWLER
Registered
My 1st computer was a gekko , I was very happy with it, I never had a problem with it the only reason I upgraded to a Cobra 2 was because of the air integration and backlight.
The Archimedes is hard to beat for bang for your buck. Air/Nitrox, PC, simulation, log features, easy to read, user replaceable battery. I got mine from my LDS. Liked it enough that I got one for my wife. Got hers from Leisure Pro since the cost went up big time on my LDS. Was under $300 at Leisure Pro. Here's the online demo of the Archimedes so you can kind of play with it. Feel free to email me if you have any questions about it. I never tried the other two, but they are well known and seem to be well liked.
Cressi Professional Scuba Diving Equipment - fin, mask, snorkel, regulator, BC
Cressi Professional Scuba Diving Equipment - fin, mask, snorkel, regulator, BC
I personally have used Mares, Suunto and ScubaPro...and have always gone back to Suunto. It is a bit conservative, but isnt that a little safer in the long run? Easy to read and understand, easy to go back thru the dives. just my opinions. I have gone thru the mosquito, gekko, cobra, cobra II, Vyper II (which is my current computer).
All have user replacable batteries (found ANYWHERE). I go with the Suunto replacement kit to get the oring and new cover...but that's just my preference and not mandatory.
Hope it helps.
All have user replacable batteries (found ANYWHERE). I go with the Suunto replacement kit to get the oring and new cover...but that's just my preference and not mandatory.
Hope it helps.
FishOutUvH2O
Contributor
The best thing to do is go to each PDC's website and compare each of their features and specifications. Then decide which features are important to you. Not all of these PDCs come standard with the same features. Some, like the Gekko don't have a gauge mode or ability to download your dives to a PC. You also need to decide how conservative you want the computer to be in it's "least conservative" mode. Most of todays PDCs have the option of changing the settings to be more conservative, but you can only be as liberal as the PDC's least conservative setting. If that setting is still to conservative for you, you're stuck.
OP
DeadCactus
Registered
"
Probably just recreational. Maybe some of the entry level tech stuff, but by the time i get to that, I'll probably be looking to upgrade a lot of my gear, computer included. So I guess I just need a decent computer for recreational air/nitrox diving and to take on vacation (one of the appeals of the Nemo).
How conservative does Suunto tend to be? I'd rather have less built in conservativity (that's probably not a word
) and just dive less than it says I can.
How useful is the PC downloadable feature? What's the benefit? Seems kind of like hassle compared to just writing down the info or typing it into a n excel file, especially if you change computers later on...
"
Probably just recreational. Maybe some of the entry level tech stuff, but by the time i get to that, I'll probably be looking to upgrade a lot of my gear, computer included. So I guess I just need a decent computer for recreational air/nitrox diving and to take on vacation (one of the appeals of the Nemo).
How conservative does Suunto tend to be? I'd rather have less built in conservativity (that's probably not a word
) and just dive less than it says I can.How useful is the PC downloadable feature? What's the benefit? Seems kind of like hassle compared to just writing down the info or typing it into a n excel file, especially if you change computers later on...
Brewone0to
Contributor
I use a "Seiko" computer almost exactly
like that one as a back-up/dive logger.
I find it to be very user friendly and easy to read.
Although Cressi's statement of largest display #'s is dead wrong,
Cochran and Uwatec are at least two that have them beat out there.
Still ,it is alot easier to read than most others on the market.
Several companies sell this unit and they are all made by Seiko.
Mine happens to have Tusa's name on it, but same unit.
When I bought mine Tusa was priced $10 lower than Dive Rite's price.
It also had a 2 yr warranty instead of Dive Rite's 1 year.
As for comments of it's use only as entry tech level.
Try using it in "gauge" mode and you will find it to be a pretty good bottom timer.
Unless you're the kind of jr tech that places his well being entirely on a computer.
like that one as a back-up/dive logger.
I find it to be very user friendly and easy to read.
Although Cressi's statement of largest display #'s is dead wrong,
Cochran and Uwatec are at least two that have them beat out there.
Still ,it is alot easier to read than most others on the market.
Several companies sell this unit and they are all made by Seiko.
Mine happens to have Tusa's name on it, but same unit.
When I bought mine Tusa was priced $10 lower than Dive Rite's price.
It also had a 2 yr warranty instead of Dive Rite's 1 year.
As for comments of it's use only as entry tech level.
Try using it in "gauge" mode and you will find it to be a pretty good bottom timer.
Unless you're the kind of jr tech that places his well being entirely on a computer.
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acqua_girl
Registered
Suunto computers are great! But, as Nismo already said, Archimede II is hard to beat. One of the best cost/benefit relation. I love mine.
There's just one thing that bothers me a little bit: Archimede looks huge on me, so don't even think about wearing it as a watch. In this case, a Cressi Edy computer is better...
There's just one thing that bothers me a little bit: Archimede looks huge on me, so don't even think about wearing it as a watch. In this case, a Cressi Edy computer is better...
""
Probably just recreational. Maybe some of the entry level tech stuff, but by the time i get to that, I'll probably be looking to upgrade a lot of my gear, computer included. So I guess I just need a decent computer for recreational air/nitrox diving and to take on vacation (one of the appeals of the Nemo).
How conservative does Suunto tend to be? I'd rather have less built in conservativity (that's probably not a word
How useful is the PC downloadable feature? What's the benefit? Seems kind of like hassle compared to just writing down the info or typing it into a n excel file, especially if you change computers later on...
Suuntos are very conservative on repetitive dives if your SI is under an hour. Suunto's version of the RGBM algorithm penalizes any thing less. The typical charters where I live (or in Cozumel for that matter) usually have a 45 minute SI so I dive Oceanic. And I 100% agree, you can always dive more conservatively than the computer (conservatism was the word you wanted there
) Once you go to electronic dive logging, you'll never look back. Once it's set up. it's far easier than writing all your dives into a logbook.
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