What is the the best (affordable) Dive Computer

[jw2013]

I've been asking a few questions on kit, what to buy and in what order etc. and some recommend getting things like mask, fins, boots etc. and hire the other equipment until I can afford my own. I was told to look at buying my own Dive Computer so I can learn to understand it and get used to it before I commence (and progress through) my Open Water training.

I was looking at Simply Scuba's range and I was wondering what people thought of the under £250 range of Dive Computers. Are there any you'd recommend or any I should definitely avoid?

Thank you - all advice is massively appreciated!!

 

[fjpatrum]

I have no experience with it but the Suunto Zoop gets a lot of favorable comments on here and elsewhere. I have the Oceanic Veo180 which is a fine computer (not in the list I think it was replaced by the Veo1.0 and 2.0) and I like it plenty. (I also liked the Oceanic I had before that, which was also a <250 computer.) Both options are perfectly fine for recreational diving with nitrox or without. I'm sure you'll get a lot more comments and recommendations. I suspect there are quite a few other options as well.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I would advise you not buy a computer before you are even certified. No way, no how.
You have no need for one as a new OW diver. The money could be better spent on diving for a while after you actually get your certification and deciding where your diving will take you.
Money would be better spent on a wetsuit that fits well that is suitable for the diving you'll be doing. Or your own bc or regulator. A computer is not a necessity for a new diver. It is a luxury. I'd put exposure suit, bc, and regs ahead of a computer.
Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

 

[FinnMom]

Zoop is quite nice for the price, esp. now that it comes in black. You should know that Suunto computers tend to be a bit conservative, but I've never found that a problem (because I'm middle-aged + got meat on my bones + dive cold water = a little conservatism is appropriate).

I own several Suuntos and have been quite happy with them.

 

[beaverdivers]

XP-10 by SubGear/Scubapro/Uwatec is an affordable feature - rich dive computer. User friendly & easy to use.

 

[Jack Hammer]

There are quite a few nice computers out there to choose from at many price points with many options. Trouble is as a new diver you don't really know what will work best for you and allow you to grow with. Sometimes it's best to wait a bit with diving before buying gear to decide what kind of gear you'll really want to dive with. I bought full kit when I first started out and within a year I only used a few pieces of it, everything else was replaced with gear I still use. In retrospect I wish I'd not wasted money and just rented for the first year.

If you are deadset on a computer, look for a deal on a used one you can later sell for around the same price if you decide to upgrade. There are plenty of affordable good used computers out there, just research them before you buy (oh, and if you do buy a computer make sure it's nitrox compatible).

 

[faze]

Suunto Viper gives you everything you need - I've had mine for a couple of years with no issues.

 

[tracydr]

I would advise you not buy a computer before you are even certified. No way, no how.
You have no need for one as a new OW diver. The money could be better spent on diving for a while after you actually get your certification and deciding where your diving will take you.
Money would be better spent on a wetsuit that fits well that is suitable for the diving you'll be doing. Or your own bc or regulator. A computer is not a necessity for a new diver. It is a luxury. I'd put exposure suit, bc, and regs ahead of a computer.
Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

Problem is, if they take certain classes, they won't even learn tables. Which means they will need a computer to take the class. Unfortunate situation.

 

[ComputerX]

(I can't believe I'm disagreeing with Jim. I'm probably wrong.)

As a new diver, I wish I had had a computer before I started taking classes. Not because I am going to pay attention to the computer in the water, I might tuck it in a pocket to make sure I'm not distracted, but so I will have an accurate log afterwards. My instructors were all a little vague on what we did. Assuming I could even get the information for my logs, which wasn't always the case. My experience with guided dives has been worse.

I'm still not interested in anything but guided dives, and I blow through my air long before any NDL limit, but I appreciate having the times, depths, and temperatures recorded somewhere that won't become unreadable when it gets wet. Now if I could figure out a way to reliably record my weight, tank size/type, and starting/stopping pressures.

I bought a used Vyper for a couple hundred bucks. Once I have more experience it should be a fine computer. It has a gauge mode, so it can grow into a different use. I think it is a good investment of a little money. I'm not dumb enough to let it think for me, and I know enough to not let it be a distraction underwater. At this point it is just a logging device.

 

[jw2013]

I've got some good ones there to look into - I see a few people advise against getting one just yet. As a new OW diver I can only go to 20 meters so other than the 6 meter safety stop, there is no real decompression issues and throughout the training I'll be with a trainer - so you think I should (if I need one) use the clubs or hire one for the moment on concentrate on my "main" gear?