Dive Computer Advice

[dmaziuk]

Generally speaking you are absolutely right.
Nevertheless I think he just wanted to know if the Puck meets his requirements...

Don't be silly. He wants to pay more for not-a-puck, he just doesn't know it yet.

 

[stuartv]

I know there is much fancier and more expensive equipment, but, from what I've read, it seems like this one will get the job done and has all of the features I need. However, given my ignorance about dive computers, any advice would be appreciated. It seems like Mares is a popular and reputable brand. Is there any reason to consider a different brand? Other than more bells and whistles, are there reasons why I should consider a more expensive brand or model?!

I really didn't get "I just want validation of what I already decided to buy" out of the OP.

 

[scubadada]

On leisurepro, I just added a pricewatch for the Geo 2.0 on Sat. and received an email this morning with a $100 price reduction to $250. Immediately snatched it up. Definitely worth it to give them a call, instead of ordering straight online.

That's a great deal, Geo2 is a great computer, would easily choose it over the DG03. DSAT is a good liberal decompression algorithm choice. I dived a Geo2 backup to my VT3 (Oceanic version of the DG03) for 5 years.

 

[Fastmarc]

I've had two Mares that performed without issues. The 1st was a Mares Nemo Titanium (the 1st editions). Sweet looking (I think), but the battery though lasted long wasn't user replaceable. I went and got the Nemo Wide which has been my primary computer now and I'm very happy with it. I think pretty much all of their computers now allow the user to change the battery.
Mares is worth consideration IMO.

 

[dmaziuk]

That's a great deal, Geo2 is a great computer, would easily choose it over the DG03. DSAT is a good liberal decompression algorithm choice. I dived a Geo2 backup to my VT3 (Oceanic version of the DG03) for 5 years.

... but if you ever want to download your logs, you need to add another $90 for the cable, so the TCO on this is more like $350.

 

[scubadada]

... but if you ever want to download your logs, you need to add another $90 for the cable, so the TCO on this is more like $350.

Does the Mares Pro Plus come with the download cable?

 

[dmaziuk]

Does the Mares Pro Plus come with the download cable?

Mares cables are $50 vs. everybody else's $100. LP's current price on proplus is $240 and who knows what special offer they might give over the phone. Do the math.

At this point you can't beat pucks on price. Presumably huish might try... and then if the deep 6 computer ever materializes, it's going to be a day late and a dollar short.

 

[stuartv]

The Mares Puck (non-Pro) is currently on sale on LP for $149. Just because it's the cheapest doesn't mean it's what the OP (or anyone else) actually wants.

How much of your scuba gear was purchased because it was the absolutely least expensive option that would actually do the required job? Not much of mine is. And there is nothing wrong (in my opinion, anyway) with paying more for something that is simply "nicer", even if it doesn't actually perform any additional function.

Example: I would pay the extra for a Geo 2 - even if they ran the same algorithm - simply because the size of it is much nicer to me. Having a more liberal algorithm is all the more reason I'd pay extra. I wouldn't pay "several hundred dollars" more for a Geo 2. But, the actual price difference is definitely something I would pay.

Heck, I sold a Shearwater Petrel 2 that was only a few months old, and at a $200 loss for that exact reason. After using it for a while, I just really did not like how big/bulky it was. I replaced it with something that does the same job, but is "nicer" (in my opinion). People like the OP should be given all the facts and allowed to make their own value judgments.

 

[Centrals]

Puck Pro is good enough for any recreational divers. There is nothing wrong with it.
If you do not like it afterwards you can use it as a back up/spare and buy a "nice" one. BTW, the word "nice" has no meaning to me, "practical" is my preference.

As for Deep 6 computer.........

 

[stuartv]

Puck Pro is good enough for any recreational divers. .

So is a jacket-style BCD...

Why is it okay to have an attitude that new divers should just accept a value judgment from a more experienced diver and be completely willing to spend $200 on a piece of equipment with the tag line that, if they don't like it later, they can keep it as a backup and buy a nice one?

I think that is simply not nice. Why not tell them (someone who has come here and asked the questions) all their options, pros and cons, and let them decide for themselves. All new divers are not idiots. Some of them - many, I believe - are perfectly capable of understanding the basic pros and cons of modern dive computers and making a reasonable value judgment for themselves about what to purchase.

"Just buy this one. It's good enough for you and you don't really need to know why" seems like a singularly unhelpful way to advise people about any kind of scuba gear, really.