Dive Computer Manuals

VR3: http://www.vr3.co.uk/vr3/main.php?content=manual

HydroSpace Explorer: http://www.hs-eng.com/manuals.html

NiTek He: http://diverite.com/content.cfm?content=products

[mwenner]

Chip,

Thanks so much for posting the fore mentioned. I'm at that "oh, man, what computer should I get" mode, and the VRS simulator is great for getting a feel for that piece. It's obvious you did some research to pull the information, so know that we appreciate you sending it back out.....

Mark,

You are very welcome Sir! I’m glad that I was able to help out. I also found the simulators to be very helpful.

My first dive computer was an air integrated EON. Steve Berman let me borrow his Aladdin Pro Nitrox, when I was taking my Technical Nitrox course with him at Ginnie Springs and Ward Sink. This is how I caught the computer bug.

A little while later, I took my Trimix course with Steve. He was an excellent instructor. He combined the elements of theory, technology and practice. It was great to dive with him. He had a frogman trainer hat and he loved to read books during decompression.

We had our academic training in the classroom at Ginnie and we did the blending on Ginnie property. Steve liked to incorporate lots of the latest technology in a big notebook, which he handed out to his class. Here he had information on everything from blending to the latest dive planning software. He went through ProPlanner, Dr. X, Decom, Abyss and several other flavors of decompression software. He compared and contrasted each. We got to see the different output formats, the associated bailout procedures and tables.

We did our Trimix dives in DiPolder III and Eagles Nest. At the time, the hunters controlled the property around the Nest. Steve would go with Larry Green, because Larry knew the hunters, which assured our safe passage with the locals. At the time the roads to the Nest were Jeep 4X4 roads with long muddy trenches.

On one trip, Larry’s friend drove a rental Neon to the Nest. Actually, I should say almost to the Nest. The driver gunned the Neon, to try to float across the mud holes, but he eventually lost his oil pan. We had to push the car out of the way, so we could dive. In our hast, in rolling the car back and forth to get it off the road, one of the back quarter panels of the car clipped a rather large tree. After the dive we hooked the Neon up to a 4X4 to tow it out of the woods. This was another excellent dive at the Nest, back in the days when the visibility was crystal clear!


In the class Steve mentioned the fact that Trimix computers would be coming out in the future. Several years later the Abyss Explorer was announced. I got in on an early order and I waited a year and a half to get one of the original computers. Believe me a year and a half was a long time to wait.

After waiting about a half of a year, the VR3 was released and available. I was frustrated with waiting for the Abyss Explorer (I was wondering if I would ever get it) and I ordered one of the first generation VR3s. This computer was a beast (more affectionately known as a brick). The case was machined out of solid metal and you had the opportunity to wear less weight on your belt. Really this was a work of art and Delta P was the first to release a non-rebreather Trimix computer to the market.

I did some of my Trimix computer research on-line and through other people who were in the know at the time. At DEMA in New Orleans, Abyss had a booth very close to Delta P and both companies were giving demos of their new computers. I had fun asking Kevin and Chris questions and I got to know about some of the limitations of each of the Trimix computers.

Some time later the 2nd generation VR3 came out (the smaller version) and after a longer wait, I finally got my Abyss Explorer Trimix computer. In the beginning I was diving with both computers, so I would have at least one which worked at the end of a dive. Both of them had problems and I had to send each one back more than once. It was interesting coming up from a dive on the S-16 with one of the computers in a black hole mode (programming bug).

The Abyss Explorer and the VR3 matured and they became more reliable. Later the HydroSpace Explorer hit the market. Gene worked with Chris to create the Abyss Explorer. Gene supported the Abyss Explorer and continued with his version called the HydroSpace Explorer. Abyss is no longer in business.

The next Trimix computer on the market was the NiTek He. All of these computers have their advantages and disadvantages. It’s most important to choose one which meets your diving needs and it’s best to see these computers in person before you buy one.

I can’t wait for the next release of the Trimix computers, the VPM VR3. This is scheduled to be released this summer.

Good luck with your selection!