I thought I would post my review on here since they seem to be lacking on every other site. I did just post the same on LP and Amazon. Feel free to ask me any additonal questions.
Tusa IQ-1205 Review
This review is after 5 months and nearly 60 dives on this computer.
Pro and Con list further down.
I’m an America dive instructor living in Italy that took my instructor course in the Philippines. Since the diving season started in April, I’ve been underwater nearly every weekend either in the pool, confined open water or open water. I’ve taken this computer down to 42M/137 ft. Dived with Nitrox and I’ve done multiple dives in a day. I use this as my daily driver even if I’m not diving.
Comparing this to the Scubapro Solar computer (features), which I do not have and haven’t used. I would still choose this one, for one main reason. The 5th and dedicated light button that also acts as a visual alarm. Both computers were in partnership with Casio, a reputable and time tested watch company. The Scubapro computer is a sleeker design and doesn’t stand out as much as the Tusa (G-Shock Style) watch, but having the with button for lighting really makes a difference, especially when you’re trying to set your gas while on a boat before dawn.
What has Tusa done right? The way the Bluetooth is enabled for app syncing is great. It is only on for a short period of time and doesn’t strain the battery. The built in compass, works well enough for a general direction underwater, the alarms are loud and clear with the flashing 5th button. The build is a little bulky, but the bulkiness keeps the screen from getting banged up and scratched. The solar battery with constantly displayed indicator is wonderful Mine has been displaying full from the very start even after a lot of diving which we all know takes a lot more processing power than running the time. It’s nice that I’m able to utilize the stop watch mid-dive, for time related skills. The menu navigation is a bit of a hassle at first, but you soon get used to it, also the app has a link the instructions which is nice. The app dive profile with the ability to share to social media, add pictures and site information is really handy, and it’s nice to show your buddies after the dive the sort of profile and information that you just dove. The overall build is rugged and nice, the strap has plenty of length and the rubber is mostly grippy. I’ve noticed while in a dark room the screen will turn off to save battery, as soon as it detects some light or a button push it turns on
What did Tusa do wrong? Well since this is a computer that can be updated through the app, the only limiting factors are the physical aspects of the computer. The biggest thing for me is lack of deep stop. A couple websites mention that there is a deep stop but I’ve never seen it, I’ve looked all over the manual, the app and through the settings but there isn’t any mention of it. Because of that I’m always using my Oceanic OCi (very liberal) as my backup computer during my dives. The TUSA has a very conservative nitrogen loading formula (even on the most liberal setting) and while comparing to my Oceanic sometimes it will display up to an hour difference for no decompression limit. Even though the 5th button is great, the lighting for the screen is not indiglo or back lit. It has 2 tiny LEDs that illuminate the screen from the side, it’s okay, but not as easy to see as the backlit screens in moderately lit areas. My dive buddy has the COSMIQ BLU dive computer which is a color screen with Bluetooth and part of me envies him, if he has to change his gas settings, I think the only way he can do it is through the app, but why not let the Tusa app do the same things, and why doesn’t it register in the app when you do set it for Nitrox. If I use nitrox, the only way for me to change it is on the computer, and while setting your gas it doesn’t tell you a max operating depth, you have to go in and figure that out on your own in the planning screen. When you go to plan dive you just keep setting the depth lower and lower until it gives you a “NA” for your NDL. When you sync your app with your computer after your nitrox dive and you transfer the dive data, the app doesn’t register you did a nitrox dive, instead you have to put that in manually. Why? I want the app and the computer to talk more, there are very minimal adjustments you can make from the computer through the app, there should be more. Oh by the way, the default set up is to Show NDL as your giant number on your screen while the depth is small and up in the corner, you can set display options through the App. I picked white/blue band/case in case I potentially lose it underwater. The white has become dingy over time and seems to collect dirt easily, the plastic sleeves surrounding the LOG and PLAN buttons has yellowed compared to the rest of the body. Also I emailed Tusa 2 different times about a month ago asking about deep stop and changing computer settings from the app and I haven’t heard anything back from them
Overall I’m happy with this purchase. I wanted a computer I could wear all the time, and not have to worry about the regular use wearing down the batteries and stopping me from diving. I’ve never been a big fan of the G-Shock style watches but I like this one and it looks sporty. The 5th button is great and that why I would buy this again, (maybe the black version) over the Scubapro solar computer.
Here’s the quick pro and con list
Pros
-5th button dedicated for the light
-Solar powered, charges in any light, never seen it indicate low power
-Bluetooth
-App that works well that can post to social media with tons of dive options
-Compass
-Conservative
-Gas switching
-Free dive mode
-Well built
-Great battery management
-Not a huge computer
-Great for daily wear
Cons
-No deep stop
-Very conservative
-Can’t change many setting within the app for the computer
-Setting gas turns into a guessing game for Max depth
-White computer option collects dirt
-Tusa didn’t reply to my emails.
