I’m a newbie, and cost is not an issue in my decision making about whether (or which) dive computer would be best. My concern is value for money, and utility/functionality. Ease of use. I will probably never dive beyond a recreational level. Diving is a means to an end for me not an end in itself. I don’t need to go deep to enjoy the underwater ecology and world. So which dive computer is most appropriate? Maybe just keep renting one? Although I’d prefer to own one, that I can be familiar with. All suggestions are welcomed. Thanks!
On the basis of the above, I have a few questions:
1) Do you plan to dive at home in less than great vis or do night dives?
2) Are you planning on using Nitrox or any other gasses?
3) Wrist mounted or console?
The reason for Q1 is simple - any LCD type computer will be hard to see in low vis unless you use the backlight or shine a torch on it. That means it is not always going to be easy to check as if you are using your other hand to dump air, hold a line, operate a dsmb etc you will struggle to light the screen. That was certainly my experience. I could use the Cressi Giotto but if I had any task like the above, it became difficult due to needing 2 hands to check the screen. LED/OLED vastly improves this as the numbers are always visible
Q2 - Most computers (apart from the very basic) will do multiple gasses however some will automatically switch those gasses off if you haven't dived in a specific time. This can be a pain on a liveaboard/trip where you are doing multiple dives on Nitrox.
Q3 - most people now choose wrist mounted but there are a number who prefer console. Wrist mounted will give you more options and more freedom as you can check your info (NDL, depth, time, etc) on the fly while doing other things as all it takes is a small flick of the wrist to orientate your screen towards you (which can be done during most activities such as dsmb, holding a line etc). Console on the other hand means that checking any info becomes a (minor) task in itself in that you have to unclip the console, look down at it and reclip. Doing this while operating other things can be awkward.
From my viewpoint LED/OLED screen, multiple gas & wrist mounted were must haves after I gained some experience. Air integration became a very desirable option (not quite 100% required but desired) and it is now at the point of being reliable enough for virtually all types of diving (there were concerns years ago about disconnections but with modern transmitter/receivers this appears to be solved as on 99.9% of dives it will not disconnect and if it does, it reconnects very shortly afterwards).
On that basis and the basis that cost is less of an issue, Shearwater Perdix/ Teric becomes a very strong contender (especially for a Canadian as they are a Canadian company). EON Core/Steel is a strong contender as is Ratio. All of which will do AI and be excellent for recreational diving.
Another thing to bear in mind is the algorithm that the computer runs and how conservative/aggressive it it - but that is for another thread (and has been dealt with many times on this forum). My personal choice is Buhlman but virtually all will work for recreational diving.