Life expectancy of dive computers?

[scubadada]

I'm still using the VT Pro, I currently own 6 of them plus 2 additional transmitters so me and my GF have backups to our backups- these computers don't come up for sale very often.

I tried the VT3, and ended up selling it and going back to the VT Pro. I find the user interface to be simpler with only 2 submenus and it's got the same Algorithms as the VT3 and newer models of that line.

I've had 1 failure of the VT Pro about 10 yrs ago, sent it back for servicing and it's been fine since then and other than a flooding of one other unit that killed it, I've had no issues with the 4 VT Pros that are in continuous use over a few hundred combined dives.

Hi @bladder

I've been diving Oceanic computers since 2002. I started with a Pro Plus 2 and switched to the VT3 in 2010. Two computers in 16 years is not bad. By the way, the PP2 still works and is dived occasionally by visiting guests.

The VT Pro, 2002 I think, was the predecessor of the VT3 and is similar, 2 button vs. 3, 1 gas vs. 3. Both run only DSAT. The VT4, in 2011, added dual algorithm. My son dives a VT4, I like it a bit better than my VT3. Personally, I'm sorry the VT line is now represented by the VTX, my next computer will not likely be an Oceanic.

 

[shurite7]

There is no set time frame for the lifespan of a dive computer. I've dived with people who were using dive computers that were twenty five years old. I've also seen some die after just a couple of years.

 

[bladder]

The VT Pro, 2002 I think, was the predecessor of the VT3 and is similar, 2 button vs. 3, 1 gas vs. 3. Both run only DSAT. The VT4, in 2011, added dual algorithm. My son dives a VT4, I like it a bit better than my VT3. Personally, I'm sorry the VT line is now represented by the VTX, my next computer will not likely be an Oceanic.

Here's a nice pic of the evolution of the Oceanic VT line, excluding the VTX for which the reviews are very poor. I love the simple basic user interface of the VT pro.

 

[arew+4]

We started with a couple of Oceanic pucks back the 90s, quickly ran up a couple hundred dives on them, before putting them in moth balls (figuratively) with only occasional use for 15 years. Replaced them with air integrated Oceanics two years ago because the plastic domes had some hair line cracks at the bottom edge, still using them as back ups.

 

[bladder]

the plastic domes had some hair line cracks at the bottom edge, still using them as back ups.

DSS makes replacement boots for the Oceanic line and you can swap the straps for bungees as we've done with ours. Easier to slip on, no adjustments necessary and they don't loosen up during the dive when you get to depth and the wetsuit sleeve compresses. .

 

[arew+4]

DSS makes replacement boots for the Oceanic line and you can swap the straps for bungees as we've done with ours. Easier to slip on, no adjustments necessary and they don't loosen up during the dive when you get to depth and the wetsuit sleeve compresses. .

Thanks, but I'm talking about the clear plastic case of the actual computer. They are still water tight, but sketchy enough looking that I didn't want to risk it with them.

 

[scubadada]

Here's a nice pic of the evolution of the Oceanic VT line, exluding the VTX for which the reviews are very poor. I love the simple basic user interface of the VT pro.

View attachment 451841

The line of Oceanic air integrated, wrist computers started with the Data Trans in 1995 (air only) and then the Data Trans Plus in 1997 (nitrox). This was followed by the VT Pro in 2002, the VT 3 in 2006, the VT 4 in 2011, and then the VTX in 2014.

 

[KeithG]

I had a Suunto Cobra that died the first time with less than 50 dives - still under warranty so I got it replaced. It died it's final death with less than 100 dives. My husband's also has died once and he no longer trusts it even as a backup. I have a Datamask that has a little under 200 dives and the transmitter died (got it replaced for $120 and I'm back in business). So I'm wondering just how many dives (approx. 50 minutes each) or how much dive time should we expect to get out of a dive computer and/or transmitter? For reference if we were told that our laptops would only be good for 200 hours of use I don't think we'd be willing to spend much money on them. But maybe this is an unfair comparison because our laptops don't have to function under a couple of atmospheres of pressure - maybe that pressure wears out the components much more quickly? So I'm wondering what is "reasonable" for life expectancy?

I think it all depends on the specific dive computer.

1 to 30 years should cover it.

Some were crap right from the factory. Others appear to be mostly bullet proof. Others seemed to have pressure sensors with limited life spans.

I only have experience with 2 different manufacturers. The first went wonky about 5 years in (around 100 vacation dives) and was upgraded to a more current model for a hefty fee. I sold the fully functional 15ish year old air only computer 5ish years ago for $100 on ebay (a Data max of some sort)

We currently only own VERY old Uwatec models. My oldest computer was factory tested in 1994. We have multiple working models from that era.

I have a couple newer models that recently went ERR and could not be revived. I assume pressure sensor or circuit board issues.

I am getting ready to do a batch of battery replacements for 4 Uwatec computers from circa 2000. My expectation is 100% revival.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Depends on the computer. I've gone through a few over the years ... some still worked when I got rid of them. Some died within a relatively short period of time. And some never worked right even when they were brand new.

I currently own two dive computers ... a Shearwater Petrel (one of the original models) and a Liquivision Xeo. The latter died after less than 50 dives ... just flat out died. I sent it back and they sent me a new one. It functions, but not reliably. I don't use it anymore. The Petrel, on the other hand, I've had since they first started selling them several years ago and it works as well today as it did the day I bought it. Better, actually, since they've upgraded the (downloadable) software several times ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Lorenzoid]

My 12 year-old Suunto is still going strong (these days used as a backup), and my wife's Suunto Cobra 3 was going on 100 dives or so when she sold it. We currently use Petrels, and hers had a flood apparently caused by a tiny nick on a vulnerable edge of the battery compartment. Not a parts failure, but it was surprising to me who had the impression that Shearwaters were engineered extra-tough for tech diving environments. As others have said, you just never know.

For all we gripe about how expensive dive computers are, they really are not expensive as such electronic devices go; they are priced like other "consumer electronics" and probably built to roughly similar reliability standards. We're not talking mil-spec or even serious commercial-grade electronics here.