Lu-Ann G. Fuentes rambles on at http://layas.blogspot.com
"Today isn't any other day, you know." - Lewis Carroll
Phrenicnerve mate,
again, Cobra's are nice, but do you have a spare SPG on your reg?
some diveshops mostly dont like the hassle of connecting your cobra to their regs, depends on the diveshop though. the SK-7 = great compass, have one for years now, integrated? i dunno, it could be nice on the way that it is not on your hand, connected to your console... on the other hand, what happens if your console gets hit by something? waightbelt....car door..... another tank..... seen it happen, + you got to know/get used to reading a hose attached compass, personally i find it uncomfortable. i prefer all my guages hand srapped, but, i think the best way for you to find out is just try diving both ways, then, take the goods and bads from all, and then make your choice depending on what suits YOU the most
i wish you luck man
choosing a computer is a difficult thing, i have stated my views about this earlier on : )
again,
good luck mate
Daniel
Last edited by Diverdaniel; 06-25-2007 at 04:00 AM. Reason: typo's
Liuk3
Obviously there are a lot of choices out there. I faced the same thing WAYYYYYYYYY back when I bought my first computer. Funny thing is I am still using it now. To be honest though, I have been searching for a new computer to finally replace it, but only because I am going to get into some gas diving.
Anyway the computer I use is a Oceanic Prodigy. It is the most basic "hockey puck" style computers out there. The old hockey puck computers are able to be mounted in multiple locations so what ever you like is OK, and you can change your mind and keep your computer. They are built like a tank and have user replaceable batteries.
Now they are basic, no air integration and mine does not even do nitrox BUT they can be had for next to nothing and will keep you safe for recreational diving. I think I saw a few going for between $75 and $100 on ebay. For that price it makes great sense, as you can dive with it now, and when you are ready to upgrade you can sell it or use it as a great back-up computer.
NOW, that computer that Zero was talking about sounds insanely amazing, but I am sure it is about $2000, plus additional for each of the hoseless transmitters. It can probablly do everything except clean your dive gear for you as well, BUT I think it would be way overkill for a new diver. Get something easy to use, and enjoy your dive.
Right on. Thank you for the input. I bought a Cobra w/SK-7 attached. The console actually keeps the SK-7 level while your reading the Cobra which is nice. I hear you on attaching an extra SPG. Suunto consoles do allow you to do this if you want. After studying the manual and the recommended safety steps to take if the Cobra fails, an extra SPG would be the key to maximizing safety stop time before surfacing (deeper dives). And a wrist watch would help complete covering the other bases. I have to admit I really like playing around with electronics so I am having fun with this before I am even taking it down for a dive. Very easy to use actually. I am still waiting for the PC software.
"It was the Law of the Sea, they said. Civilization ends at the waterline. Beyond that, we all enter the food chain, and not always right at the top."
-Hunter S. Thompson
Happy you are happy
enjoy and dive safely mate.
heh go for a VR3, there £680 for the base model and fully upgradeable to trimix semi closed and closed rebreather
and there sexy
I think the common thread here is to buy a computer with greater capability than you need right now if you plan on going further in diving.
It doesn't make much sense to save a couple of hundred dollars and then have to replace the computer in a year or two when you want to do advanced nitrox, trimix or CCR diving.
I bought a Nitek 3 in the late nineties, it was way more computer than I needed at the time, and I still use it nearly ten years later.
I've also got a VR3 and ended up upgrading that to the CCR/Trimix features.
I recently had a chance to check out the new Liquivision computer and that looks really nice.
I'm not sure of the protocol on this board, so I'll go with trying to resuscitate this thread, rather than starting a new one.
I'm a recreational diver, I've been certified for almost a year, I have 50 dives in the Philippines. I am looking for a good, inexpensive dive computer to buy before a trip to Hawaii in April 2009. I have focused in on the Suunto Gekko because I hear Suunto makes good, solid (they'll last) dive computers. I have seen one and I can read the letters (important as my eyes fossilize), and I've seen a price of $205.
The biggest negative I've seen is that it doesn't have a back light, it is phosphorescent. How big a negative is that?
What do y'all think about other inexpensive dive computers? About the Gekko?
Thank you in advance for your time and knowledge.
Regards,
Bob
Been using Suunto Vypers for a number of years and have no issues with it. I use a wrist mounted version, but my other half has hers on her console. Easy to use, reliable, can change the battery yourself and has Nitrox capability, PC connection etc. Not sure how it compares price wise to the Gekko, my guess is a little more expensive.
Only slight question is that it appears conservative when compared to other computers being used by some of my dive buddies. I assume the Gekko will have similar, if not identical, software and so would perform in a similar way.
Not a problem as such, in fact, some might prefer it. I have just had a couple of instances, on multiple dive days, when towards the end of the 3rd dive I am hanging around at 30ft watching some of the group still enjoying the reef at 45 or 50ft. Not a major issue, but thought I'd mention it to see if others had similar experiences.
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