CT-Rich
Contributor
Theoretically you can get away with just a pressure gauge, as long as you are diving in a spot that is relatively shallow and easy to navigate. In our area, you get below 50 fsw, it gets cold and dark real quick, so you would know it right away. I would hate diving like that. Part of the enjoyment of diving for me is the independence I have in my exploration. I want to know things so I can make decisions about my actions. How deep am I? How long have I been swimming in the direction? Am I getting deeper or shallower if I keep this heading? Can I find my exit point with out doing any pop-ups? A watch, pressure gauge, compass, thermometer, depth gauge will do all of that. Or a dive computer (plus a compass).
You can rent if you want, a basic one button computer can easily be learned in a couple of minutes. If you are doing group beach dives or easy charter dives that will be fine. If you want to dive regularly I would put it high on the list of stuff to buy rather than rent, just because you will enjoy your dives more with gear you are familiar with and a computer requires a bit of brain power to interface with (unlike a weight belt, tank or regulator). A computer is an empowering device that expands your options. I still have a plastic dive table, and never look at it, doesn't even make it near my gear.
You can rent if you want, a basic one button computer can easily be learned in a couple of minutes. If you are doing group beach dives or easy charter dives that will be fine. If you want to dive regularly I would put it high on the list of stuff to buy rather than rent, just because you will enjoy your dives more with gear you are familiar with and a computer requires a bit of brain power to interface with (unlike a weight belt, tank or regulator). A computer is an empowering device that expands your options. I still have a plastic dive table, and never look at it, doesn't even make it near my gear.