What brand of computer do you use?

I've now use two types of computers. 1 is a Suunto Spyder and the other is a Genesis React Pro. I liked the Spyder better, but it was an air-only computer. I'm thinking about a couple of options mainly because I like more information on my dive display than the React Pro is giving and I hate to press buttons underwater. I'm curious what other people are using as main computers and backups. What you like about it and what you don't. The watch that I'm looking at is the Aeris Atmos II or a Suunto brand of watch computer. The only must have is user-replaceable batteries. I also need a cure for this "I need to buy something scuba" which is currently like a good bottle of Tequila. You just can't stop.

regards,

Gary

Recreationally I'm using the Aeris Atmos2. It's given yoeman service over the last 2 years; I've liked the ledgability, and ease of use. Very understandable, and nary a niggle.

Since the Atmos2 is going out of production, I'd steer you to the XR-2. It has the same interface in a smaller case.

I've only had one issue with the Atmos2: the desktop dive downloader software. It sux, pure and simple.

Although I have not bought any of the Suunto computers, I can confirm their reputation as overly conservative. I've been on many dives where buddies have turned the dive because of excess nitrogen and/or no NDL time left on their Stinger/Gecko/Cobra etc, when the rest of us had time, and lots of it, to spare.

If I was to buy right now, it would be the Nitek Plus. Middle of the road, reliable, and you can switch gases on the fly or do some easy deco.

All the best, James

I've now use two types of computers. 1 is a Suunto Spyder and the other is a Genesis React Pro. I liked the Spyder better, but it was an air-only computer. I'm thinking about a couple of options mainly because I like more information on my dive display than the React Pro is giving and I hate to press buttons underwater. I'm curious what other people are using as main computers and backups. What you like about it and what you don't. The watch that I'm looking at is the Aeris Atmos II or a Suunto brand of watch computer. The only must have is user-replaceable batteries. I also need a cure for this "I need to buy something scuba" which is currently like a good bottle of Tequila. You just can't stop. 

 

regards,

Gary

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Well Gary, lucky you !!!

Oceanic has just the toy coming up for you. No more button pressing, more info than ever (perhaps even playing movies UW???) and BEST OF ALL it has a replaceable battery

They don't yet give any pricing information but I'm sure it will cure your need to buy something scuba while you pay down the mortgage.

Happy

Oceanic Worldwide HUD (Heads-Up Display) Mask Technology receives "Best of What's New" Award from Popular Science Magazine

San Leandro, CA - Oceanic Worldwide, manufacturer of cutting-edge SCUBA equipment and technology, announces that its HUD (Heads-Up Display) Mask has received the annual "Best of What's New" award in the Recreation category from Popular Science magazine. Popular Science editors reviewed thousands of new products and innovations and chose just 100 winners in 10 categories for inclusion in the December "Best of What's New" issue. To win, a product or technology must represent a significant step forward in its category.

The HUD project was conducted under a joint-development project with the U.S. Navy's Coastal Systems Station (CSS) - Panama City, Florida. The HUD contains a miniature liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, multi-element optics, microprocessor, depth transducer, wireless cylinder pressure receiver, diver replaceable battery, and controlling software - all built directly into a dive mask. The miniature LCD displays the diver's depth, bottom time, and cylinder pressure. The multi-element optical lens provides a clear, highly magnified image of the LCD, which is viewable regardless of environmental conditions.

Oceanic's wireless transmitter module attaches to the regulator first stage and transmits the diver's cylinder pressure to the mask.

More stuff at http://www.oceanicworldwide.com/p_computers_iddm.html

Bart

Does anyone have recommendations for a budget unit? I just need something reliable, maybe with a user replaceable battery and no fancy features. Happy to buy used...

There is a new Aladin out there with user replacable battery and nitrox, i think its called Prime?!

But i have used Aladin for 1000s of dives and love it....

Yes, Suunto in my opinion is conservative..

There is a new Aladin out there with user replacable battery and nitrox, i think its called Prime?! 

 

But i have used Aladin for 1000s of dives and love it.... 

Yes, Suunto in my opinion is conservative..

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I have the same positive experience with Aladin computers as Mike. The two recent models with user-replaceable batteries are the Prime and Tec.

The HUD contains a miniature liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, multi-element optics, microprocessor, depth transducer, wireless cylinder pressure receiver, diver replaceable battery, and controlling software - all built directly into a dive mask. The miniature LCD displays the diver's depth, bottom time, and cylinder pressure. The multi-element optical lens provides a clear, highly magnified image of the LCD, which is viewable regardless of environmental conditions.

Must.... maintain com... posure ..... must not... buy!!!

Say...anyone know how much I can get for two kids and a wife in the Wetpixel classifieds?

Bart that is just way cool. ...I wonder what happens when your mask floods

Later,

Gary

Bwahhhaahaaa! You make me laugh Gary!

Is this the Aladin Prime computer you are talking about Matt and Mike?

Do you need any other bits or just the "wrist watch" part?

I've never had a computer, so it's all a bit new to me. I thought everyone just used the little laminated tables

I will agree the Oceanic/Aeris HUD mask is cool. My experience wearing it, though, made me feel like a horse with blinders on, very poor width of vision (especially on the computer side).

All the best, James

Is this the Aladin Prime computer you are talking about Matt and Mike?

 

Do you need any other bits or just the "wrist watch" part?

 

I've never had a computer, so it's all a bit new to me. I thought everyone just used the little laminated tables

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Yep, that's the one. It's a standalone computer. There's no need for any additional parts. To download your profiles, it communicates with your PC directly via the built-in infrared port, so you won't have to buy a $250 cable <_<

Thanks Matt. Great info.

I've had an aeris 500ai for many years, but it's been slowly getting more and more water in it, probably due to the quick release on the pressure hose. Never again for that feature.

I like it, I like the algorithm - pretty liberal but I have over 500 dives on it, some long stops, many multi days, no problems.

But I am really disapointed in Aeris. I asked them to service it, open it up, dry it out, replace the o-rings. They refused, said they no longer had parts for it. I wasn't looking for parts, just a drying out and what I expected would be a standard oring at the quick release. So never again for aeris for me. It died last weekend, it's done.

I also have a suunto stinger. It is so conservative as to be unusable. It has thrown me stops of up to 17 minutes when my aeris has remained clear. I rarely get through a day of diving without violating it and putting it into gauge mode. Now that it's my primary (temporarily) I'll keep it clear, obviously. Violating these long stops would normally make me nervous, but I have many years of experience with my aeris and only a few with the suunto.

One good thing about the suunto, though. It taught me that I have been coming up too fast. Not torpedoing up, but coming up faster than 30fpm, I guess. The slower you come up, the happier the suunto is and the shorter the stops are. Coming up slow, making a half-stop (Pyle stop) seems like a good idea to me, and I'd like my next computer to reward me for it, rather than punish me for it - some computers with basic algorithms want you up as fast as possible.

I think the only bubble model computers out there are uwatec, suunto, and VR3(or VR2). I am probably missing some. The dive rite has a good rep, but doesn't have a bubble model. The nitek he, the fancy dive rite computer, has dropped in price to ~$600.

I'm doing a lot more research before I buy another computer. I don't want to be stuck with an algorithm like the one in my suunto, it's too limiting, for me. Your milage may vary. If you want a lot of safety margin, it's worth considering.

I have an air integrated Oceanic DataMax Pro, and have been very happy with it. The Oceanics prior to this model had a bit of a reputation for bizarre failure modes, but this guy has been rock solid for me. I could not live with a Suunto, I'd be locked out by the end of the second dive.

Interesting thing how many people here want more bottom time and use computers based on available bottom time vs modern bubble model theory.

With so many divers diving with PFO and not knowing it, the RGBM model (being so new) is one of the safer models(being more conservative). But hey I was in the can for diving at the edge of a suunto computer, no PFO, fit and nothing for predisposition. So I could be a cassandra about computers.

As for that Oceanic mask, I tried it and it was like tunnel vision.

I have a Suunto watch. The black one. I think it is the mosquito. I have this because it is light - and in fact does not take up any of my luggage allowance as I wear it on my wrist when I travel!

I used to have the metal one (below) - Spyder/Stinger I think - but it was a pain because you used to have to send it back to Suunto to get new batteries - which was quite expensive. The new one you can change yourself.

Anyway like all my dive gear I go for lightness - the less weight you carry in dive kit the more you can carry in cameras!

Alex

Hey Alex, I've heard you mention your lightweight gear a few times. But you haven't mentioned details. Which fins/bc/regs have you selected based on weight?

I don't want to be stuck with an algorithm like the one in my suunto, it's too limiting, for me. Your milage may vary. If you want a lot of safety margin, it's worth considering.

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I just purchased one of the newish Suunto D9 computers. It now allows you to change their RGBM algorithm to 50%, which makes it a lot less conservative. It also has a "Deep Stop" feature that prompts you to do a few 1-2 minutes stops at varying depths - depending on your dive profile - instead of a 3m safety stop. I have not yet tried either of these features, but the digital compass rocks! If only I had money left over to eat i'd be very happy indeed

But i have used Aladin for 1000s of dives and love it....  Yes, Suunto in my opinion is conservative..

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It's interesting howthese views can vary .. and I think that dive pro's often have different requirements ... mostly just that the darn thing doesn't beep at us and embarras us !!

I grew up on Alladin .. a blue wrist one ... was nice .. but I have since become a suunto stinger fan .. and whilst first glimpse is that it is conservative .. if you dive a perfect profile dive then it is nothing but fair.

It can really screw you if you bail on a safety stop too quickly .. it doesn't make you have to stop although it recomends a stop .. but if you go from 15ft to the surface it will make you take a longer surface interval or shorter next dive ..

it's not a conservative computer in my mind .. but more a better dive practice computer.

besides .. if your life is at stake would you rather have a conservative computer or a generous one !

the suunto punishes you on second dives. we do two morning dives here, one hour surface interval... that suunto always gives waaaaay less time on the second dive than an aladin. But, it gives 2 or 3 more mins on the first dive....

if you do one dive or have 3 or 4 hours between dives then it is ok... but.. i like more time!

life at stake?!?! i have yet to have a manta pin me to the reef....