opinions on entry level dive computers

[scubadada]

I don't see from the charts you referenced that SP's computer is more conservative. I see it as "average" with DSAT and PZ+ as extremely "liberal".

We see things differently, DSAT is liberal, PZ+ is moderate "average".

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

I have used to the Suunto and the Puck and I would pick the puck anytime.

 

[stagecoachco]

I would go with the Puck Pro. It has the most bang for the buck. Save a bit of money to buy the other gear that you need (want). At this point don't get too caught up on algorithms. I dive with both the puck (as backup) and an Oceanic Pro Plus 3. The puck is definitely more conservative than the Oceanic, but I really only see the difference on multiple dives. If I take a reasonable surface interval, the NDL offered by the puck is longer than I can make a tank last anyway, so the conservativism relative to the Oceanic is a moot point.

 

[stagecoachco]

Or.if you are comfortable buying used, this would be a great computer. It adds AI over the models you are considering.

For Sale - Oceanic proplus 3

 

[jimmyt]

Thanks for the replies - this is great stuff! I have read almost every thread I could find on dive computers. Some of the new ones with the oled displays look awesome! But.. a little out of the price range I do want to download all of my dives.. I figure I have a better chance of maintaining a more complete log book when I can refer to the dives years from now. A good point was raised on the cable cost for each computer.

Good to know.. I looked at the 200 but never considered the the 300. The bluetooth is a great idea.. I will research it more, but I am assuming I can "export" the dive from my phone to some sort of database..

I know it’s not on your list but I use the

Aqualung i300c

Easy to use, syncs via Bluetooth to divelog+ (a good easy to use app based dive log). On amazon for $300.

Great video.. Sounds like you recommend it.. Any issues with the non-OEM cable? My guess is the computer is a proprietary connector, but the communication protocol is just standard serial. Any issues with the buttons?

I've got a Zoop Novo. After diving with it for a while, I made a video review talking about the things I liked and didn't -

I suggest you choose the one that has (to you) the most intuitive interface, because at 6-10 dives a year (on short trip?) you'll be starting over to learn it each time you use it. Another consideration is how to get data out of it....and I think the Mares Puck Pro+ is the only one with Bluetooth.....MUCH better than a cable.

Great points... and that's my reason for buying - so I can get used to the interface and not have to worry about it.

Hi @jimmyt

It may not be important to you, but there are also significant differences in the decompression algorithms employed in the conservative to moderate to liberal spectrum. Mares, Suunto, and Cressi all run versions of Reduced Gradient Bubble model (RGBM), generally regarded as conservative, Suunto perhaps less so. Aqua Lung runs PZ+, considered moderate. Oceanic runs PZ+ as well as DSAT, considered liberal.

Best of luck in your computer purchase.

Thanks.. that's a great point.. for now I dont care about the algorithms.. but in the future I might.. I suck air like a vacuum now just because I am still learning how to control myself in the water.

I am honestly surprised that 8 replies in no-one has yet tried to convince the OP that what he really needs is a 850 Shearwater Perdix AI or a 1095 Shearwater Teric. That has to be some kind of record and is making me wonder what is going on with this board, is everyone ok? LOL

lol.. good stuff.. way bove my paygrade, but some of those new ones look sweet!

If and only if you want to download the data from your computer. Perhaps the OP doesn't want to.

Downloading will be huge.. never thought about the cable costs.. so that's now something to consider!

thanks again to everyone.. keep the opinions coming!

 

[BoltSnap]

Great video.. Sounds like you recommend it.. Any issues with the non-OEM cable? My guess is the computer is a proprietary connector, but the communication protocol is just standard serial. Any issues with the buttons?

The i300C uses Bluetooth and doesn't need cables.

 

[jimmyt]

my bad - put that in the wrong place.. I meant that for the zoop..

 

[BoltSnap]

I wouldn't get the AquaLung i200 at this point. It is a dated dive computer that requires a download cable and doesn't use Bluetooth. (i200 Dive Computer). AquaLung may be coming out with an updated version however. At this point a i300C or similar offerings from SP are the best value and technology. I wouldn't buy anything from Suunto, Mares or Cressi.

 

[dmaziuk]

Good to know.. I looked at the 200 but never considered the the 300. The bluetooth is a great idea.. I will research it more, but I am assuming I can "export" the dive from my phone to some sort of database..

Once you factor in the cable, you don't save much on Puck Pro or Leo + cable vs i300C.

(Edit) I use subsurface but there's plenty of others around. Don't know if their mobile version can talk to to i300C directly but you can ask on the mailing list. AFAIK Pelagic (makers of i300C) has an app for getting the logs out of i300C, if it comes to that you can use it and pipe the logs through some cloud account or other that your chosen dive log software can talk to.

 

[BoltSnap]

Once you factor in the cable, you don't save much on Puck Pro or Leo + cable vs i300C.

Exactly right!