Computer decision - buy or don't buy

[GrafCanuck]

Personally I'd rent or borrow for a year or two in an effort to see what works best for you. After 2 years I ended up buying a used Shearwater Petrel 2. Love it. Easy to change AA batteries. Simple to set up and download the latest and greatest software. Great viz under the water. This gadget is a jewel. I would never have paid for a new one but sure glad I waited and bought used. So far anyways. Lots of good DCs on the market. Patience is a virtue as they say.

 

[Viper12161]

Seems like used may be the way to go. Does anyone know if there are sites that have seller ratings? I'm a big RC Airplane nut...and there are groups to sell stuff on where the buyer rates the seller. Gives you a good idea who you are buying from. If I'm gonna drop 5-600 bucks on a used item sight unseen, I kinda would like to know I'm getting it from someone reputable. Scammers are everywhere unfortunately.

 

[kelemvor]

Sorry, I can't read all the posts. Simple to me-- I dive almost always 20-30'--sometimes 40'-- never take my computer. Just one more thing to rinse properly, worry about flooding, and properly care for. If you do dive deeper--even to say 100'--and it's a square profile, you don't NEED a computer (though I will take mine, in addition to the analog stuff)--people did this for decades. Multi-Level diving means you really need the computer or you will be extremely limited with bottom time using tables.

I agree you don't technically need a computer. However, I think it makes dives easier. Personal preference and all that.

When I did ow class (naui), we used tables. They provided computers in the class gear, but we used them as gauges.

 

[kelemvor]

Does anyone know if there are sites that have seller ratings?

I guess ebay kind of does that. I hate ebay though. I've bought several items on scubaboard's "for sale" section. No buyer protections such as seller ratings. I guess I've been lucky. Some dive shops will sell used gear. A dive shop near me buys 20 or so sets of gear each year and then sells all the old class gear in an annual sale for about half off msrp. I'd originally planned to buy the class gear when I certified but some posts on scubaboard convinced me to get other stuff.

I prefer to buy used stuff from individuals when buying online. Individuals sell things rarely, so it's not likely you'll find any kind of rating for Joe Schmoe selling the regulator he bought in 2017, and then let it sit in his closet for a year or two.

 

[Viper12161]

That makes sense. Thanks!

 

[GrafCanuck]

I posted earlier this year a wanted used DC (Petrel 1 or 2) on ScubaBoard. Within a few days someone local contacted me and it was a done deal. I did research eBay and signed up for a few auctions. I ended up buying from a DM who had just bought a Teric and really didn't need the Petrel 2 anymore. One thing I noticed on ScubaBoard Classified is that the Shearwaters sell reasonably fast while the other makes take longer or don't sell at all. This assumes that the original poster has updated his/her posting with a SOLD sign.

Remember the buyer beware rule. Be patient. I at least was able to test the Petrel 2 before handing over the cash. Good luck.

 

[Viper12161]

I think as long as someone is willing to use Paypal, I'll at least have a little protection. Local meet up would be fantastic though.

 

[Bob DBF]

Use the one you have, research computers until you decide what you want, then go hunting.

Good luck

Bob

 

[Damselfish]

We’ve had an assortment of Suuntos from the early ones through gekkos and vypers. Many were bought used on here or fleabay, and thats never been a problem.

We spend too much money on travel but I’m a cheap computer fan at heart. Sometimes I think about getting something new and fancy but these do the job and if something happens to one I don’t lose sleep over it.

 

[loosenit2]

I agree you don't technically need a computer. However, I think it makes dives easier. Personal preference and all that.

When I did ow class (naui), we used tables. They provided computers in the class gear, but we used them as gauges.

computers are not technically necessary but man do they make a big difference in your dive times because they don’t force you into a square profile where you NDL is based on your deepest depth (unless you calculate multi-level which is possible but takes more time).

I am still old school..I manually log all my dives and do the table calculations despite using a computer. About 3/4 of my dives I am beyond NDL limits according to the tables, but well within NDL limits on the computer due to the live calculation based on actual depths.

If all you are doing is shallow single dives, not a big deal but for anything approaching 60 ft for repetitive dives the computer really does extend your allowable bottom time and thus your enjoyment.