I'm really not trying to start something here . . .
I have seen posts by people with much more knowledge and experience than I have expressing negative opinions on console computers.
I am a recreational diver. I am presently enrolled in a divemaster program, and I will probably follow up with the instructor course in a year or so. I have considered taking a couple introductory tech courses, but when I do, it will be for the learning and skill improvement, not because I really want to spend time in deep, dark places. Basically, all I aspire to is to become a very good and very safe recreational diver who can help others do the same, and that's about it.
So I'm curious about this console vs. wrist issue.
I have extremely good distance vision (I umpire baseball, and I can see the rotation of the ball when it leaves the pitcher's hand), but very poor up-close vision (I can't read my name on my drivers license without glasses).
Earlier this year, I bought a computer because I couldn't read my old one at depth, and I was tired of relying on my watch and SPG when there was so much good info just a couple feet from my face. I chose the computer with the biggest, brightest, display--one I could customize to make things show green, yellow, or red according to parameters I set for myself. It's on a console, and it's huge. But I can see it, and that's important to me. (Oceanic Pro Plus X, for those keeping score at home.)
The computer broke and is presently in the process of being replaced, but when it works, I really love it. I am much more aware of what's going on with my dives, and it has helped me develop better habits (e.g., my ascent rate is much slower than before because I can now see a graphic representation of it in real time and I'm learning what slow feels like).
The divemasters and instructors I dive with, learn from, and assist all use wrist computers, some AI, some not. They think it somewhat odd that someone who aspires to any sort of professional status would carry around the brick I have. But then again, most of them dive caves when they're not teaching, so their rigs are configured for the diving they're passionate about.
So my question is, what's really wrong with an air integrated console computer for someone who isn't going to go into tech diving? Is it just the trim and dangles? I think I have those under control, and the issue is present whether there's just an SPG or a console at the end of your hose, right?
At some point, I'm going to want some equipment redundancy to do solo dives, so I might buy a second computer. And if the one I have breaks again, I may go shopping again.
When I do go shopping, what else should an almost-DM, future-OWSI know that might steer him away from air integrated console computers? Or is a brick on a rope ok for someone with my limited aspirations?
Thanks for your insights.
I have seen posts by people with much more knowledge and experience than I have expressing negative opinions on console computers.
I am a recreational diver. I am presently enrolled in a divemaster program, and I will probably follow up with the instructor course in a year or so. I have considered taking a couple introductory tech courses, but when I do, it will be for the learning and skill improvement, not because I really want to spend time in deep, dark places. Basically, all I aspire to is to become a very good and very safe recreational diver who can help others do the same, and that's about it.
So I'm curious about this console vs. wrist issue.
I have extremely good distance vision (I umpire baseball, and I can see the rotation of the ball when it leaves the pitcher's hand), but very poor up-close vision (I can't read my name on my drivers license without glasses).
Earlier this year, I bought a computer because I couldn't read my old one at depth, and I was tired of relying on my watch and SPG when there was so much good info just a couple feet from my face. I chose the computer with the biggest, brightest, display--one I could customize to make things show green, yellow, or red according to parameters I set for myself. It's on a console, and it's huge. But I can see it, and that's important to me. (Oceanic Pro Plus X, for those keeping score at home.)
The computer broke and is presently in the process of being replaced, but when it works, I really love it. I am much more aware of what's going on with my dives, and it has helped me develop better habits (e.g., my ascent rate is much slower than before because I can now see a graphic representation of it in real time and I'm learning what slow feels like).
The divemasters and instructors I dive with, learn from, and assist all use wrist computers, some AI, some not. They think it somewhat odd that someone who aspires to any sort of professional status would carry around the brick I have. But then again, most of them dive caves when they're not teaching, so their rigs are configured for the diving they're passionate about.
So my question is, what's really wrong with an air integrated console computer for someone who isn't going to go into tech diving? Is it just the trim and dangles? I think I have those under control, and the issue is present whether there's just an SPG or a console at the end of your hose, right?
At some point, I'm going to want some equipment redundancy to do solo dives, so I might buy a second computer. And if the one I have breaks again, I may go shopping again.
When I do go shopping, what else should an almost-DM, future-OWSI know that might steer him away from air integrated console computers? Or is a brick on a rope ok for someone with my limited aspirations?
Thanks for your insights.
