Dive Computer Recommendations

[Robbyg]

You are comparing apple and orange!!!!
There is NO redundancy for tank in any car! Are you aware of that?

Sure there is, it's called a 5 gallon Jug! I use to travel with one in my Trunk

I dive with a spare computer all the time!!!
I changed the battery before diving trip.

A spare is supposed to be something you use in an emergency, not something that you carry as a backup for equipment that you know has issues.

Do you have problem of understanding my post?

Actually I do but your english is fine.

The rest of your post is plainly not relevant and rubbish.
You have yet to give an example that your Teric is superior than my 23 yrs old Uwatec in providing essential and necessary to execute a dive. Please keep your own preference to yourself!

I am not going to roll in the mud with you so I will be polite and not respond to that.

What is your definition on essential diving information that every dive computer must be able to provide?

Whats the point of answering you? Anything someone points out will be answered by you saying it is not essential and since a DC in itself is not essential including your precious Uwatec it's kind of pointless.

For me I certainly think that AI makes for a great primary to an SPG but maybe I am partial because I have run out of gas due to a faulty SPG. I also think that SurfGF is a very useful item that could save me from DCS along with the other tissue info provided. Also nice to have a spare compass without carrying anything extra. SAC, GTR all nice things to have that add safety.

 

[Pressurehead]

Which Uwatec dive computer are you talking about? I have 2 old Uwatec models, they work, but I have trouble reading the screens on both, [ qualifier, I am a old guy, septuagenarian in fact ] and "cheapo" [odd word] watch size [and some larger screens] ones that are mono tone even more troublesome for me.
I am spoilt with my nice size colour screen.
I have a AI Aqualung i450T with transmitter for sale, because I can't read the mono tone small screen "bleading" thing, not allowed profanity on here, more the pity.

 

[KenGordon]

So you drive that breather w/o a computer?

You should try reading all the posts or you look like an idiot with comments like that.

 

[Blackcrusader]

For me I certainly think that AI makes for a great primary to an SPG but maybe I am partial because I have run out of gas due to a faulty SPG. I also think that SurfGF is a very useful item that could save me from DCS along with the other tissue info provided. Also nice to have a spare compass without carrying anything extra. SAC, GTR all nice things to have that add safety.

I get people asking me why I use a digital SPG along with my Perdix. Having both means not having to end a dive if one or the other has an issue.

 

[Gareth J]

As for spending money on Diving versus Gear, I think it's wise to balance the two since I almost got killed twice using rental gear.
The first time was something you can appreciate. It was an SPG that read 700 PSI when the Tank was empty. I had to make CESA from 30ft when the Reg suddenly felt like I was sucking out of a straw. The Dive boat owners response? Cursing off one of the crew members and saying that he told him to take off that SPG last week. So either that was a lie or someone else had the same problem and they did not even bother to fix it.

I think you have made our point.

Spend money on the thing that keeps you alive, a good set of regulators.
Then on things that make diving enjoyable, a good drysuit, thermal protection, comfortable backplate and wing (or BCD), a mask that doesn't leak.
A lower range computer.
Go diving.
Hell, you don't even 'need' a computer, you 'could' dive off tables. But what is the point when a basic dive computer is only £100.
Buy your expense dive computer next year when the coffers have refilled.

Don't spend £1000 on a computer and use rental gear.

I don't have a problem with spending money on dive kit, I have a CCR, two twinsets, multiple stages and single cylinders, about 8 sets of regulators. Three backplates, Bcd's, I could start my own dive shop/school.

I am a member of a club, most new divers buy in this order.
1. A properly fitting mask (- pool training).
2. A drysuit, + thermal protection.
3. Regulators and BCD / wing+backplate
4. A budget computer
5. A cylinder.

Personal kit first, (scuba kit can be borrowed from the club). Cylinders last, we have about 30 club cylinders, and most established members have multiple cylinders they are prepared to lend.

The big thing is to go diving and keep diving. For that they need to be warm and comfortable, using safe well maintained equipment. Which is where the priority is.
Some have money to burn and buy everything in one go, most buy over a period. - If you wait long enough some of those that throw money at it at the start give up and you can pick up top range kit at 'secondhand' prices.

Most of us dive two computers all the time. For me on CCR it's the CCR computer + and OSTC. Instructing its a Zoop or Vyper with the OSTC. For OC it's the OSTC + Vyper. (My Vyper must be around 20 years old - it was superceded by a Vytec - old version, until someone dropped a twinset on it.)

 

[Hoag]

I don't understand why you need to be in touch with the company that made your computer especially if it's Shearwater which is supposedly the ultimate.

I've never had to phone nor email nor even think of doing so with any of the PDCs, that I have owned.

I have had a few Oceanic (ProPlus series) computers that have failed. I had to contact Oceanic Customer Service to arrange to have them sent in to see if repair was a viable option or if they needed to be replaced.

I have switched to Shearwater and I had to contact their CS Dept. because they ran a limited time offer that included an extended warranty and I needed to confirm whether or not my computer qualified for the extended warranty offer.

It may not be common, but sometimes you might find yourself in a situation where you might need to contact Customer Service.

 

[tridacna]

I don't understand why you need to be in touch with the company that made your computer especially if it's Shearwater which is supposedly the ultimate.

I've never had to phone nor email nor even think of doing so with any of the PDCs, that I have owned.

I've spent hours with Suunto trying to get them to replace faulty depth sensors on a variety of computers. A horrible experience. Spent many hours with SP about the faulty comms with their heart-strap on my Galileo. Also about their crappy wrist computers. Always good service. Spoke to Shearwater about battery issue with one of my Terics. Incredible service. Mares - OK service. Never had an issue with a Cressi.

 

[Gareth J]

I've spent hours with Suunto trying to get them to replace faulty depth sensors on a variety of computers. A horrible experience. Spent many hours with SP about the faulty comms with their heart-strap on my Galileo. Also about their crappy wrist computers. Always good service. Spoke to Shearwater about battery issue with one of my Terics. Incredible service. Mares - OK service. Never had an issue with a Cressi.

Is that in the USA? I try to avoid US companies, because they always have a reason why it's not covered under warranty, or why there is some sort of surcharge.
I had one issue with a software recall on a Suunto, I phoned them, went into my local shop where there was a replacement waiting and dropped the 'bad' unit off.
Before that I had one die after about 10 years, a depth sensor problem, they offered my a hefty discount on a replacement, which I took. That lasted until someone dropped a twinset on it .
We did have an issue with a Uwatec. Got the money back and replaced it with an OSTC.

As a general rule I don't really talk to the manufactures, or their import agents. The exception being AP, once a year for new sensors, or specialist spares. I did talk to them when I sent my unit back for some big upgrades, but the unit was over 10 years old by then. I do have to say I find AP to be very good. Even during the horrible period when Teledyne stopped supplying sensors and AP had to start manufacturing their own I found them pretty good under the circumstances. I don't know how many free sensors they sent me, they even sent a free set to the boat charter in Ireland for me to pick up when I arrived.

 

[tridacna]

Is that in the USA? I try to avoid US companies, because they always have a reason why it's not covered under warranty, or why there is some sort of surcharge.
I had one issue with a software recall on a Suunto, I phoned them, went into my local shop where there was a replacement waiting and dropped the 'bad' unit off.
Before that I had one die after about 10 years, a depth sensor problem, they offered my a hefty discount on a replacement, which I took. That lasted until someone dropped a twinset on it .
We did have an issue with a Uwatec. Got the money back and replaced it with an OSTC.

As a general rule I don't really talk to the manufactures, or their import agents. The exception being AP, once a year for new sensors, or specialist spares. I did talk to them when I sent my unit back for some big upgrades, but the unit was over 10 years old by then. I do have to say I find AP to be very good. Even during the horrible period when Teledyne stopped supplying sensors and AP had to start manufacturing their own I found them pretty good under the circumstances. I don't know how many free sensors they sent me, they even sent a free set to the boat charter in Ireland for me to pick up when I arrived.

Worked at two dive shops over the years; Dealt with almost every manufacturer. Returned at least 500 computers for repair/replacement. Majority were Suunto. No company has come even close to the excellent level of service provided by Shearwater. None have been worse than Suunto. Mixed bag for the others. Remarkable how loyal some users are to their oil-filled beasts.

 

[Robbyg]

Remarkable how loyal some users are to their oil-filled beasts.

Yeah I saw this video and I was thinking wow his battery change is major pain.