Cheap entry level wrist computer

[bouldar]

Hello all,
I am recently certified and am currently in search of my own equipment. I want a wrist dive computer. I keep going in circles as I read reviews. I would like to get some opinions in one place. My list of wants:
1. easy to read
2. user friendly
3. downloadable to PC
4. user replaceable battery
5. not too conservative but not too liberal either
6. $300 or less
I do not need AI or compass. I am not opposed to used. I have been considering Cressi Leonardo, Mares Puck, Aeries Atmos 2, UWATEC Aladin 2G, etc. What is your opinion? Thanks

 

[Doc]

. I am not opposed to used. I have been considering Cressi Leonardo, Mares Puck, Aeries Atmos 2, UWATEC Aladin 2G, etc. What is your opinion? Thanks

eBay is my go-to placed for used. Several good buys.

 

[bouldar]

That is where I am looking. I just don't know which one to look for. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[TN-Steve]

I have the Mares Puck. Got it as part of a package deal, and I'm quite pleased with it. I'm just a basic vanilla recreational diver and it provides the functionality I need.

Air and Nitrox... Check.
Download to PC... Check (with extra 90 dollar cable, bummer but typical)
Has ability to make more conservative in the setup... (Check)
Some limited pre-dive planning... Check
Easy to read... BIG CHECK.
Easy to replace battery... Check
Simple to learn to use... Check

I spent the 5 buck to get online training on it, I really wanted to make sure that I knew how to use it, what the various icons were, and especially if something goes sideways and it starts blinking and beeping I HAVE to know what it's trying to tell me.

 

[runsongas]

puck is popular. take a look at the hollis dg02 also though.

 

[Keith.M]

I have both the Puck and the 2G. Both are nice and easy. The 2G can grow further with you than the puck though. It has an infared interface to download the dives. You can get the infared usb for the PC for much less than the cable for the puck. Or maybe your PC already has an infared.

They should all be bluetooth if you ask me...

 

[00wabbit]

I had the leonardo. Really easy to use.

Download cable is expensive. I still keep it around as my backup computer

 

[beaverdivers]

I would add the SubGear XP-10 to your prospects. It was the Scubapro Prime by Uwatec before being offered at a much better price thru the Subgear value line. It is an excellent single gas dive computer. Furthermore, the XP-10 meets all your criteria!

 

[diversteve]

Leisurepro has Suunto's for a very good price. It's because they're not factory authorized so all warranty work would be thru their equivatent warranty.

If you can live with that the Zoop is $225 and the d/l cable is $65. $300 if purchased at an Aqualung/Suunto dealer. Suunto Zoop Air/Nitrox Wrist Computer at LeisurePro

Or the Vyper is $300 - WITH the cable. Suunto Vyper Wrist Computer with USB Cable, Silver at LeisurePro

 

[Shinythings]

I will cast my vote for the Suunto Zoop. After spending almost $700 on my air integrated console style computer I used a Zoop for redundancy and have been stuck on it since. For 1/3 the price it has all the features I need. Easy to set nitrox. The only downfall is that Suunto has VERY conservative deco algorithms. I have noticed up to a 5 minute difference in deco on repetitive nitrox dives. Just my $0.02 but I have been very happy with it's performance for the price. It is easy to read, relatively small, not too bulky and LeisurePro sells them for around $230 I believe (and your LSD would probably sell for not much more).