Dive computers

[ronhend]

I've been looking at buying a new dive computer.

I really like the LiquidVision X1 and VR3, just trying to get over the price of these.

I ran across a brand I had not heard of before, Cochran.

http://tdl.divebiz.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=74_102130_102221&products_id=559

Anyone used these??

Ron

[Brian Kakuk]

Not a big fan of the Cochrans. I have used a lot of different computers and have never used anything that is as straight forward, easy to read and easy to use as the Shearwater Pursuit and Predator. http://www.shearwaterresearch.com/

Our entire team is now using them and we are extremely happy with them. Very fast gas switches, cc/oc bailout, on the fly (underwater) gas definitions, non breakable buttons, CCR or PC interface. We just cant say enough good things about these units.

Safe diving,
Brian

[jpdiver]

I used a VR3 for 6 years for both trimix and CCR and was happy with it. However, I recently got a Shearwater Pursuit and prefer it to the VR3. It is also less money.

But if you don't require trimix or CCR capability, there are many other choices that are more practical and less money

[ronhend]

Thanks Brian and JPDiver!!

Haven't seen these, must say they look very nice.

And not as pricey as the X1.


Ron

[LCF]

I love my X1 for cave diving. I recently finished my Full Cave class, and the instructor was disgusted with our lights-out exits . . . because we could see! The display is so readable, I'm quite spoiled. When you add that it runs VPM (full VPM, not some watered-down version) and that the menus are totally intuitive, and that the tap interface is extremely easy to use -- well, just count me as a very happy customer.

It IS painfully expensive. But what in cave diving isn't (she says, having just gotten home from Mexico, and shuddering to total up even just tank rentals and entry fees!)

[MengTze]

You cant go wrong with Shearwater or X1

[AMW]

The Shearwater does the job for me.

Andrew

[Randy Thornton]

I love the X1 - extremely easy to read, easy to navigate above and below the water. Easy gas switches. Very small foot print. Rechargeable batteries, and you can load in a variety of programs. It's pricey, but all of the high end trimix/constant ppo2 computers are pricey.

[Rikki Battistini]

Look at the new Nheo from http://www.technologyindepth.com/

[Sharky1948]

Agree with above...X1 or Predator. If you don't need the CCR capability you can get a Predator that is significantly cheaper than the X1. But, the X1 form factor is very nice.

(And yes, my instructor made me close my eyes for the line recovery exercise since I was diving the X1. It does make for a nice third tier emergency light.)

[FW]

What computers have an O2 input port option? I know the VR3 has one, and the Hydrospace Model O. How about LiquidVision, or Shearwater?

[Dsix36]

What computers have an O2 input port option? I know the VR3 has one, and the Hydrospace Model O. How about LiquidVision, or Shearwater?

The ones that I know of are:
VR3
X1
Shearwater
Cochran Lifeguard or the Navy one if you can get it.

The only one that I know will monitor 3 cells independantly is the shearwater.

This is just my very limited experience. There are probably many more.

[Randy Thornton]

What computers have an O2 input port option? I know the VR3 has one, and the Hydrospace Model O. How about LiquidVision, or Shearwater?

The Liquivision X1 has this option, but you have to purchase a separate little section that bolts on.

[MedCop]

I like the Shearwater for both OC and CCR diving.

[BackstageDiver]

The only one that I know will monitor 3 cells independantly is the shearwater.

This is just my very limited experience. There are probably many more.

Pretty sure the X1 does so also, though I think it scrolls through them, so you never see side-by-side.

[wings-n-wheels]

The ones that I know of are:
VR3
X1
Shearwater
Cochran Lifeguard or the Navy one if you can get it.

The only one that I know will monitor 3 cells independantly is the shearwater.

This is just my very limited experience. There are probably many more.

The VRX will do 3 cells also

[DA Aquamaster]

The Cochran EMC-20H is fine for open water, but the automatic gas switching is problmeatic in the cave environmemt. It can be accommodated, but you have to pre-program the depth and time limits properly to disable the gas switch at any points where it would other wise do an unwanted gas switch (Think coming back through Olsen on the way to a P1 exit where you do not want to switch to 100% O2.) Major PITA and one that requires a laptop to work around. In its defense it can be adjusted to dive close to just about any other computer around. It can also utilize a fischer connector for cell monitoring on a rebreather - but it is not much use in a bailout situation from a rebreather.

The Nitek X is not bad and at $1099 is now proced more in line with the features it offers - basically decent money for a no frills but very user freindly trimix computer.

As noted above, if you want a trimix computer, the Shearwater Pursuit and Predator are hard to beat.

However, don't feel the need to immediately jump on a trimix computer. Two gas computers like the Nitek Duo and Uwatec Tec 2 G or the new 3 gas Nitek Trio will go a long way in most N FL caves. The prices are in the $300-$450 range and they make great bottom timers once you do go to a trimix computer.

[pwl4476]

As I recall the X1 now displays all three at once, cycles all three, or one constantly if you are only monitoring one. Go to www.hhssoftware.com/v-planner-live/ , download the manual if you'd like to. That will tell you everything about the X1 with Vplanner on it.

I agree on the Nitek Duo. I just picked up a SUUNTO Vytec in perfect shape for my son for $200 that included shipping and PC upload cable. You can't hardly beat that deal for cavediving with no trimix.