entry level dive computer

[TTU_Reefer]

I am looking for my first dive computer, not looking to spend a ton on a hoseless unit or anything but I do want a wrist mounted.

Iam looking at, Mares Mission Puck, Aeris XR1, Suunto gekko. All around $300.

Features I like:

-Air/nitrox
-backlit
-deco/non deco safety stops (do these all have this feature?)
-ascent rate
-Residual nitrogen memory
-surface interval timer
-visual and audible alarms

If there is any other models that are better in this range pleasde do let me know!

 

[TTU_Reefer]

Do any of these have an Alt. dive feature? I dive at altitude often and this would be nice but not necessary.

 

[tgreene]

Features I like:

-Air/nitrox
-backlit
-deco/non deco safety stops (do these all have this feature?)
-ascent rate
-Residual nitrogen memory
-surface interval timer
-visual and audible alarms

I dive a Gekko and it's great for what it does, but I'll likely either be stripping it down to the raw essentials and wrist mounting the puck, or replacing it all together with something more like the D6 when I can afford it.

The Gekko is not backlit and does not have a residual nitrogen memory, but it is a great underwater logbook and bottom timer which is primarily what I use mine for. I also always keep mine in Nitrox mode and set at 21% when not diving EAN.

The Gekko can be set for ALTITUDE.

Knowing what I actually know now (Thanks again SeaJay!) as opposed to what he tried to tell me earlier, I wouldn't buy another console style computer... If you want more info as to why, ask SeaJay and prepare yourself for sensory overload!

-Tim

 

[TTU_Reefer]

Thanks! Very helpful, interested to see what SeaJay says.

I liked that the Aeris on a Deco dive displayed the deco stop, depth and time, then the safety stop depth and time. With alarms for stopping at these depths and for the timer. They all do this?

 

[tgreene]

I can't speak for the others, but the Gekko does. Keep in mind that the alarm is just unnecessary *bling*, because you should always know exactly where you are in regards to depth (and obviously gas). If you don't, then nothing made can help you!

Also keep in mind that there is absolutely no such thing as decompression diving below 33 feet, because that's precisely what your SAFETY STOP is all about. The whole "no decompression diving / NDL" thing is a misnomer that is patently incorrect!

FWIW: SeaJay has been my online mentor for quite some time now, and in November we finally had an opportunity to begin diving together. Without taking anything away from my local PADI instructors, I have learned far more from SeaJay on a whole different level, than what my local instructors have been able to teach me. My instructors lioke this too, because I'm becoming a far better diver at a much faster pace, thus enabling them to work off of what SeaJay has been teaching me... As long as someone knows more than I, I will always remain the ever attentive student!

Not to make it appear as some sort of freakish hero worship or something, but SeaJay had my motives and motivation pegged very early on, long before I actually knew where I stood, and thus he made a number of gear suggestions to me... I didn't listen to him, and now only 9 months and 92 dives after receiving my OW cert, I'm in the process of replacing my gear and going Tech. Heck, I just listed my like new Cressi S116 BC for sale in the {FOR SALE} forums here today if you're interested.

Anyway, I guess what I'm really suggesting is that you find a highly qualified mentor that is willing to listen to your needs and make appropriate suggestions both in regards to gear and technique.

-Tim

 

[fishybudguy]

i personaly love oceanic and just got a brand new setup with pressure guage compass and a oceanic prodigy computer all in one for 100 bucks on ebay....i think you can find some of your choices there also good luck

 

[tgreene]

i personaly love oceanic and just got a brand new setup with pressure guage compass and a oceanic prodigy computer all in one for 100 bucks on ebay....i think you can find some of your choices there also good luck

Oh the humanity... So much clutter!

 

[WarmWaterWuss]

I love my Suunto Vyper, BUT the Suuntos are notoriously conservative. Which can be good, but you might find you have to stay above everyone else on your second dive to stay out of Deco.

 

[Wreck_Diver]

There is a online supplier divegearexpress.com that has a Dive Rite Nitex Duo on sale for a little less than 300 dollars. I bought one I use as my back up but would be a great primary computer for most divers out there

 

[Luiz Rocha]

Take a look at the Uwatecs, the simpler ones have all of the features you list. I try to stay away from Suuntos as much as possible, they are way too conservative.

 

[TTU_Reefer]

thanks all, I have been adding these to my "research" list.

 

[TTU_Reefer]

im liking the Dive Rite Nitex Duo

 

[godiver908]

If your looking at the XR1 make sure it is the XR1NX if you want nitrox they currently have the XR1 as a cheap unlisted computer with no nitrox. Also XR1 and XR1NX both lack backlight and audible alarms. The Aeris XR2 or the Uwatec Aladdin are much better choices

 

[diver07]

im liking the Dive Rite Nitex Duo

The DUO does not have alarms for deco stops although it does display what depth and for how long they are. It has an alarm you can set manually for time and for depth. It will automatically give an alarm if you violate a PO2 of 1.4 on gas #1 or a PO2 of 1.6 on gas #2. I rarely use mine as a computer, I mostly use it in gauge mode as it's deco algorithm is rather old and considered outdated by most. It's just fine for "light" deco. It has 3 conservatism settings also. It has all the other features you listed though the backlight is not on constantly.

Aaron

 

[godiver908]

Just to add the duo has been discontinued and the trio is the replacement. And for any reason you want a computer that can do pc download stay far away from this computer. These are also same as Tusa's discontinued DC Hunter and also IST computer. I belive actual manufacture of all these units is/was Seiko

 

[diver07]

Just to add the duo has been discontinued and the trio is the replacement. And for any reason you want a computer that can do pc download stay far away from this computer. These are also same as Tusa's discontinued DC Hunter and also IST computer. I belive actual manufacture of all these units is/was Seiko

Yeah, they were available under several names. And while discontinued, they are still available and at decent prices. On sale <$300 right now.
On the side (not saying you're advocating for them by any means) I see little/no benefit of the trio over the duo. So three gasses? Who is going to use three gasses if not on trimix? - which the trio can't do. A built in compass? Just another thing to break, IMO.

 

[SeaJayInSC]

Hey, TTU! Looks like you've got some great advice from a lot of people here about dive computers.

...And thanks, Tim, for the vote of confidence. You wait 'til you dive with the guys that mentor ME... They make me look like a complete novice.

TTU, it sounds like you've put some really great thought into what you need with regards to this purchase. If you were to ask me (and you didn't, but here goes) I would completely agree with you on the wrist-mounted thing. Not everyone I know agrees, but that's the best configuration I've found (over the console mounts), and most of the divers that I know that are doing a lot of diving tend to agree.

Most people I know are looking for a dive computer so that they can simplify their diving - let's face it, it's a pain in the neck to do the tables longhand. That is, it's a lot easier to look at a computer that tells you "8 minutes to NDL" than it is to have planned everything out using a PADI table or wheel, and even then never really knowing whether or not you're right.

That is, it's easy to trust the computer.

...Which a lot of very experienced divers will warn you NOT to do. Do you know why?

I'm not going to get into the "computer controversey" which rages on so many scuba-related forums. Suffice to say that I do not recommend them, but own several of them. I could easily sit on either side of the argument. But before making a recommendation for you regarding a computer, let me ask you...

What do you percieve will be the advantage of wearing a computer? Be honest.

That is, what will the purchase of hundreds (possibly thousands) of dollars do for you?

That may help narrow a recommendation.

 

[TTU_Reefer]

Hey, TTU! Looks like you've got some great advice from a lot of people here about dive computers.

...And thanks, Tim, for the vote of confidence. You wait 'til you dive with the guys that mentor ME... They make me look like a complete novice.

TTU, it sounds like you've put some really great thought into what you need with regards to this purchase. If you were to ask me (and you didn't, but here goes) I would completely agree with you on the wrist-mounted thing. Not everyone I know agrees, but that's the best configuration I've found (over the console mounts), and most of the divers that I know that are doing a lot of diving tend to agree.

Most people I know are looking for a dive computer so that they can simplify their diving - let's face it, it's a pain in the neck to do the tables longhand. That is, it's a lot easier to look at a computer that tells you "8 minutes to NDL" than it is to have planned everything out using a PADI table or wheel, and even then never really knowing whether or not you're right.

That is, it's easy to trust the computer.

...Which a lot of very experienced divers will warn you NOT to do. Do you know why?

I'm not going to get into the "computer controversey" which rages on so many scuba-related forums. Suffice to say that I do not recommend them, but own several of them. I could easily sit on either side of the argument. But before making a recommendation for you regarding a computer, let me ask you...

What do you percieve will be the advantage of wearing a computer? Be honest.

That is, what will the purchase of hundreds (possibly thousands) of dollars do for you?

That may help narrow a recommendation.

them are some wise words! Thank you, you have helped me on here before with diving related topics.

First question: I simply would enjoy the ease of knowing, here is my exact surface interval, here is my conservative bottom time left, oops im floating up a bit at my safety stop and it beeps at me, oops im chasing a turtle and its time to head up (not that id chase a turtle for a picture ) , doing an altitude dive, my AOW class taught me how to calculate it but hey if my computer can do it...I know how to do these things and I plan on always doing them but It would be nice to have a second "opinion"

Second question: I don’t want to spend that much, $300 seem right. Right now im just getting comfortable with dives under 20M and the few I have done I loved. But I figure if I make sure I know 100% (attempt to that is) what the "plan" is extra gear cant hurt. Minus the one time I pulled my knife out and cut my leg putting it back in :idea:


I am pretty green when it comes to diving, and have had some bone head accidents but it wont keep me outta the water because I really enjoy it.


oh and to round out your questions, I think messing with gear and tech stuff is fun and pretty cool haha


thanks again for the advice

 

[TTU_Reefer]

and now I have no idea what computer to get ha...

maybe il just rubberband the PADI dive chart to a walmart digital watch

 

[diver07]

I would completely agree with you on the wrist-mounted thing. Not everyone I know agrees, but that's the best configuration I've found (over the console mounts), and most of the divers that I know that are doing a lot of diving tend to agree.

Most people I know are looking for a dive computer so that they can simplify their diving - let's face it, it's a pain in the neck to do the tables longhand. That is, it's a lot easier to look at a computer that tells you "8 minutes to NDL" than it is to have planned everything out using a PADI table or wheel, and even then never really knowing whether or not you're right.

That is, it's easy to trust the computer.

...Which a lot of very experienced divers will warn you NOT to do. Do you know why?

I'm not going to get into the "computer controversey" which rages on so many scuba-related forums. Suffice to say that I do not recommend them, but own several of them. I could easily sit on either side of the argument. But before making a recommendation for you regarding a computer, let me ask you...

What do you percieve will be the advantage of wearing a computer? Be honest.

That is, what will the purchase of hundreds (possibly thousands) of dollars do for you?

That may help narrow a recommendation.

Oh crap, here we go.... I agree on the wrist mount too. As for the rest I really don't want to get into it :hammer: :uzi: :blown: :fun2: except to say I don't dive computers on deco dives.