Computer vs tables

[all4scuba05]

Because of an ongoing thread on dive computers, here are my questions.

For those of you who strictly use tables...what's your bottom time when compared to someone using their computer instead?

For those using the computer while diving...do you find that you get more bottom time?

 

[MurkyRockDiver]

I learned on tables like most I guess and they are fine for a straight up and down dive, but when I got into wreck diving where we would go to the sand at say 110 then back to the deck at 65 or 70 it is much easier to use the computer to maximize the dive time, the straight profile of a table plan didn't work for me.

PS I never used the wheel.

 

[Garrobo]

Computers rock!!

 

[devilfish]

Square profile on a dive table will definately give you shorter bottom time vs a computer. Diving on a dive table to a stepladder profile will get pretty close to computer bottom time. But who wants to make the stepladder calculations with a table on a task loaded dive, it's easier with a computer.

 

[Rainer]

Square profile on a dive table will definately give you shorter bottom time vs a computer.

Wrong.

 

[devilfish]

Wrong.

Square profile on a dive table vs multilevel on a computer?

 

[Arizona]

Howe,

When comparing computers vs. tables it is not an apple to apple comparison. Although the computer may use the same algorithm from the same table, computers calculate actual time at each depth to give you more accurate nitrogen loading. A table alone can't do that and that it is one of the major reasons most prefer dive computers. The RDP wheel improves on this, but a computer is so much easier to use.

Arizona

 

[amascuba]

Let's say I'm diving 32% and did 100ft for 20 minutes, rise to 60ft for 20 minutes, and then made my ascent including minimum deco stops and surfaced. I would calculate my average depth of 80 during the dive which would give me 40minutes of MDL/NDL bottom time. My total run/dive time would be 44 - 48 minutes depending on how I felt on my 20 and 10 foot stops. That's pretty close to the same profile that many of the commercial computers will give you. It's not really rocket science, but does require some thinking.

 

[amascuba]

Diving on a dive table to a stepladder profile will get pretty close to computer bottom time. But who wants to make the stepladder calculations with a table on a task loaded dive, it's easier with a computer.

It's actually pretty easy to do in your head. I do it all the time on my dives.

 

[devilfish]

Wrong.

It's actually pretty easy to do in your head. I do it all the time on my dives.

Yes it is easy but not for most. 100 ft dive to 20 min, ascend to 60 ft for 20 minutes is not 80 ft for 40 min as some think. They should stick to a computer.