What computers are you using for tech dives?

[Cyborg Pirate]

hello all,

Got some great feed back on the topic of deco regs.... that being said I am gonna pose another question.

I currently am using the Mares Icon HD air integrated. Been a great little computer for me. I know a lot of guys are using the shearwater perdix. Anyone using the Mares for tech dives? I am years away from getting into trimix (I already know the Mares won't work for that). Gonna be sticking with air as bottom gas and probably no more then EAN40 for a long time (deco bottles not included in that statement) picking up 2 perdix on top of the other costs is hard to swallow. If I can just use the Mares and pick up a second (I have 3 transmitters already for it) any tips, advice, thoughts? Good realistic answers please. No "my computer is better then yours!" Thank you all again

 

[bamafan]

Put it in guage mode if it will do so and cut tables. Other than that it is a paper weight for tec diving. The Shearwater products are the standard in tec diving.

 

[rongoodman]

Shearwater, especially now since Liquivision is no longer on the market. Now that the Perdix AI is available, there are always older models showing up in the classifieds. I'm not sure why you think you need to buy two, since you can put the Mares into gauge mode and use it with tables from one of the deco planners. Leaving aside the current controversy regarding bubble models and deep stops, the Mares is running a proprietary version of RGBM, which means that you don't really know what it's doing. And of course, the last thing you want is a computer which will go into a snit and lock you out if you make it unhappy.

(As for being "years away from getting into trimix", depending on which agency you choose for your training, you might be able to use light mixes during your deco training, which has a lot to be said for it. You'll have enough to worry about without narcosis too.)

 

[KenGordon]

How thorough are you? Are you thorough enough to properly plan a dive and transfer the plan to a slate? and then to actually keep within that plan?

If you are then get a cheap bottom timer or any computer with gauge mode and dive like that to begin with.

Next step up is to buy a second computer which can do a deco gas. You might as well get one that can do trimix and a couple of deco gases.

I am entirely happy doing backgas deco with a Zoop and a buddy, trimix dives with a Helo2, a Zoop and a slate (and a buddy), RB dives with a Petrel (the RB handset) and a Helo2. I am less happy doing RB dives with a Petrel and a Perdix because I know how much it cost and mostly it just sits there being expensive.

I did recently go snorkling with a Perdix as my son had the Helo2 and I wanted to know cold it was really. Also the bungee strap is invaluable for clipping on random stuff.

Note that SB people will mostly tell you to spend a week's worth of liveaboard or a couple of proper courses on two Perdices.

I suggest planning the sorts of dives you expect to do with 1) Multideco 2) Suunto DM5 or the planner for your Mares and compare the profiles.

 

[Cyborg Pirate]

All great advice so far keep them coming. As far as being thorough, yes I am the planner type. I dive solo a lot. And yes I write my dive plan when going solo on the slate. Also send a pic of the plan to my wife on the phone so she knows exactly my plan too

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

Shearwater, is there another kind?

Colonel Nathan Jessop

 

[jebernot]

Shearwater Perdix, not the AI. You only need one and you cut backup tables. That would be my suggestion if you were coming into one of my tech or cave courses.

 

[RyanT]

Shearwater Perdix, not the AI. You only need one and you cut backup tables. That would be my suggestion if you were coming into one of my tech or cave courses.

+1, I use a perdix and then have a puck computer in gauge mode for use with my pre-cut tables.

 

[tbone1004]

no need for dual computers through most technical diving until trimix or rebreather use.

Your Icon HD has a wonky algorithm on it by most peoples opinions. That said, it also has gauge mode and if you want to use it with the transmitters to have WAI, then use it and just carry tables as your backup. Grab a single Perdix and life is good. If you like WAI, then I would get the WAI version of it so you can choose to get transmitters for that in the future if you decide to sell the Icon

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Shearwater Predator. If another comes along at a better price than a used Petrel2 I'll buy it. Right now I'm only looking for a used petrel2 because I got a chance to see the digital compass on a friend's unit. Better than any on other brands I've seen.