Watch Sized Or "full" Sized Computer ?

[stuartv]

Reader lenses make me feel old. So instead of $15 reader lenses, I spent around $1500 to get both me and my wifebuddy new computers with big screens.

LOL You old salt! Ha ha!

I like my reader lenses for other things, too, like reading my compass, my SPG, wetnotes and dive slates, looking at nudibranchs and other small critters, re-tying the knot on the string that keeps me from losing my lens filter for my GoPro, etc.. Being able to see stuff that is somewhat close can be pretty handy!

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

I LOVE my Oceanic Data Pro. Nice big numbers, back lit, and air integrated. I'm old so big numbers help. Wife insisted we replace her Puck with one as well.

Jay

 

[dmaziuk]

Reader lenses make me feel old. So instead of $15 reader lenses, I spent around $1500 to get both me and my wifebuddy new computers with big screens.

Was that covered by your health insurance and if so, the followup question: who's your health insurer and how can I join?

 

[2airishuman]

I have a watch-sized computer. It works for me.

I will observe that if you can't see a watch-sized computer you probably can't see your SPG.

Never having used a watch-style computer, I can't help but wonder how important that lesser bulk under water will be for you. What are the concerns about a larger computer? Do you expect your arm to become sore during a dive because you are carrying so much more weight? Will it be too hard for you to squeeze through tight passages? Will it get in the way of taking your gear on and off under water? Will you become too fatigued from lugging it around to get back on the boat after the dive?

I would agree that the smaller size of a watch-sized computer offers few if any useful benefits, for scuba diving, while in the water.

I find that the main advantage of a small computer is that it can be worn during other activities. Since my computer is the single most costly piece of dive gear I own, I find it useful to keep it on my wrist before and after dives. My diving has evolved to become one of many water sports I participate in, often on the same day. I like to leave the computer on my wrist while freediving, canoeing, swimming, or boating or on the beach before, after, or in between scuba dives. I usually do not have a cell phone immediately available in these situations and sometimes need to know the time, and for freediving, my depth.

I not only carry a relatively large computer, I carry two of them. I don't notice any problems related to bulk. I like the information I can see at a glance from those large screens. I like the ease of operation from buttons I can manipulate even with thick gloves.

I find that I can operate the buttons on my Oceanic Geo 2.0 with 5mm gloves, without difficulty.

I do not anticipate that deep dives will ever be a major part of my diving. My computer is mainly there to tell time, temperature, and depth, and to log these data. While diving, I only have to push a button for temperature.

 

[dmaziuk]

I will observe that if you can't see a watch-sized computer you probably can't see your SPG.

Not quite: seeing where the needle is (angle) is not quite the same as seeing the numbers on the dial. It's one of the issues with analog vs digital interfaces.

E.g. I don't care if I can't see whether it's showing 1450 psi or 1560 psi: I can see I'm at half tank and it's time to turn around.

 

[stuartv]

Not quite: seeing where the needle is (angle) is not quite the same as seeing the numbers on the dial. It's one of the issues with analog vs digital interfaces.

E.g. I don't care if I can't see whether it's showing 1450 psi or 1560 psi: I can see I'm at half tank and it's time to turn around.

I agree with that ... except when I'm getting close to my turn pressure. Since I would generally use a conservative TP, I do like to actually cut it close (without going under). So, seeing my SPG clearly, not just a "close" needle angle, is desirable some of the time.

In the big picture, do you or anyone else really mean to suggest that there is no good reason to have good near vision (i.e. reader lenses, if necessary) while diving, as long as you have a computer with a big display that you can read?

 

[Centrals]

Since my computer is the single most costly piece of dive gear I own, I find it useful to keep it on my wrist before and after dives.

Because of the cost, I use it for diving ONLY. Otherwise it is being kept in a safe place.

 

[stuartv]

Because of the cost, I use it for diving ONLY. Otherwise it is being kept in a safe place.

Ditto. My computers go in a small padded pocket inside my reg case. When I take my regs out and mount them, I also take my computers out and fasten the straps through a D-ring on a shoulder strap of my BC. That way they can't go anywhere and they are up off the bench, so nobody can set a tank on them. After I put my wetsuit on, I move the computers from my BC to my wrists. If I'm not diving in a full wetsuit, then I would go ahead and just put them on. If I have a total brainfart and forget to put them on, at least I'll have them with me when I splash and can move them from my BC to my wrists then.

When my regs come off my tank(s), they go back in the case and the computers do, too.

 

[victorzamora]

I think there's also a need to distinguish WHICH watch-sized computer vs WHICH "larger" computer. My wife has a Geo2.0 and it's a much cleaner, easier to read screen than any of the Suunto or Mares computers I've dove with....and it's a notable improvement over my old Hollis DG03. The Geo2.0 is notably smaller than the DG03 yet is easier to read due to the crisp numbers and brighter backlight. Comparing the Petrel or Perdix to any of the "normal" type screens on a watch-sized computer is unfair, as would be comparing the H3 to a "normal screened" larger computer. The easiest to read computers on the market are the individually-lit pixel screens as used on the Shearwater and Seabear H3. The SeaBear H3 OLED makes it really hard to read in direct sunlight, however it's very nice at depth, in the shade, or at night/in a cave.

More important than form factor, to me, is the algorithm. I personally dislike vehemently the algorithms the Suuntos and Mares computers are based on and recommend against them whenever I can. The cheap, $200 Aeris computers mentioned above is a good choice for algorithm. Turn off deep stop, turn it to Pelagic Z+ and you'll be good to go. Having said that, there's nothing statistically "dangerous" about the other algorithms....I just don't like the decisions they make, and they're based on theories that are currently falling out of vogue in the tech world.

 

[dmaziuk]

In the big picture, do you or anyone else really mean to suggest that there is no good reason to have good near vision (i.e. reader lenses, if necessary) while diving, as long as you have a computer with a big display that you can read?

I absolutely want my good near vision back. And a $1,500 computer. And take away my CSR, too, while we're at it -- as I said above, all paid for by "healthcare" co.