Dive computers

[Mr Garic]

Here is a real broad question...
What are the preferred dive computers right now? How about the one's on the cheaper end of the range (as cheap as any of you would be willing to dive with that is).
If no one is using computers anymore please keep the laughter to a minimum?

I like the Niteks. I use an HE and a Plus.

And I wouldn't worry too much about anybody that laughs at you for using a computer.

[Mr Garic]

To be honest Sludge I would have just asked the same question on another forum.
Thanks for the info...I'll look into these.

[Mr Garic]

Anything I should look at other than DiveRite?

[Jordan]

Anything I should look at other than DiveRite?

No!!! They are solid as nails. You will always be happy with them in the water. Some may say they are too conservative for deep diving but those types are usually OW types that don't spend as much time in the water and don't want to take advantage of multi-level deco calcs. Or of course they could be chest thumpers or they could be tables only divers (I still don't really understand this. I can see why you'd dive tables every dive but why not bring a back up tri mix dive computer????.... what if your brain fails?... you need another, right??).... OK I stray from the question....

I started diving Oceanic computers, then switched to Uwatec computers, then to the Dive Rite multi gas computers. I like the Dive Rite's mucho better and I'm not just saying it! The only thing I liked better about my previous ones was that the Uwatec gave a display of battery life AND their batteries last a LONG time.

Also agree w/ Sludge - wear a computer and don't let people think you are feeble for doing so.

[Arnold Mesiser]

Also agree w/ Sludge - wear a computer and don't let people think you are feeble for doing so.


Ask the naysayers to cut a profile for a cave that has never been entered too!!!

I like Cochrans but I am odd that way 8) Diverite has always made great products too!

[Chunky]

I've been diving the nitek duo and am very happy with it. When I did have a problem DR sent me a new one within a week. Upon completion of my normoxic class this weekend I will probably pick up an He, especially with the prices as low as they are right now... I would also recommend looking into the VR3 but you said on the cheaper side....

Martin.

[GWNDWN]

I dive a VR3 and have been very pleased with the actual computer, not too thrilled with the logging software....I guess the VR3's not exactly on the cheap side though.

[curtschu]

When did computers become a bad thing???? I understand in the open water tech diving there are some advantages now that we can cut custom tables. With the varying profiles we get in caves say like Orange Grove or Madison it seems much more reliable to use a computer.

Just my 2psi

[Gibby]

My Nitek3 has been awesome.
They are cheap and reliable.
My backup is a Citizen Hyper Aqualand bottom timer with a ridiculous decomp table. I have no issue with conservative computers. I look at it this way. If I have an extra 15 mins. of deco, that’s 15 more mins. I’m diving and not dealing with issues of the surface world.

[MikeH]

Some may say they are too conservative for deep diving but those types are usually OW types that don't spend as much time in the water and don't want to take advantage of multi-level deco calcs. Or of course they could be chest thumpers or they could be tables only divers

I don't think I fall into any of those categories....but I DO believe the Nitek He is too conservative. I have done dives right along side of somebody using an He, while I was using my VR3...and while switiching gases at the same times, using the same gases, etc....he ended up with a lot more deco than I did. I'm talking 45 minutes more deco for a 30 minute bottom time, average depth about 250'. His deco even showed more than the VPM tables we cut for backup. :?:

Mike

[Tegg]

Some may say they are too conservative for deep diving but those types are usually OW types that don't spend as much time in the water and don't want to take advantage of multi-level deco calcs. Or of course they could be chest thumpers or they could be tables only divers

I don't think I fall into any of those categories....but I DO believe the Nitek He is too conservative. I have done dives right along side of somebody using an He, while I was using my VR3...and while switiching gases at the same times, using the same gases, etc....he ended up with a lot more deco than I did. I'm talking 45 minutes more deco for a 30 minute bottom time, average depth about 250'. His deco even showed more than the VPM tables we cut for backup. :?:

Mike

I have found this to be true also.

The HE also does not like anyone "adding" deep stops.

It's a decent computer overall for someone who wants to get a He computer without the VR3 sticker. Just assume that you'll bend it a few times when doing deeper dives and using tables as the primary for deco.

[Jordan]

I look at it as more time in the water, also. Spending that extra time in the water is rarely a concern -- especially in the relatively controlled conditions of our caves.

And to those bending their puters.... well, just be careful. Deep diving deep diving. Man, oh man I'm gonna have to go deep diving now :D
On my 3rd or 4th cert dive doing the trimix thing, one of my instructors told me that he doesn't like deep diving. He spoke of the time needed to fill tanks, coordinating the team (too many hassles)...and the last thing he said was " and someone always gets bent ".

[DeepSea]

I use a VR3 and a SENSUS for logging. With respect to most cave dives I use use the cranium mounted computer. As far as deep dives > 200' I follow the VR3 to a "T".

Additionally, I carry 1 or 2 UWATEC BTs....

[Serota]

Fairly recently I purchased a Nitek Plus and although I liked the features, it had for me one fatal flaw - my aging eyes couldn't read the "fine print" especially in low light like, for example, in a cave. I traded it for a Duo which does the exact same things and I liked it so much I got another one and now dive with 2 of them.

Secondly, as all of you that have DR computers know, you can set the level of "conservatism" to 1 of 3 levels. Are the DRs considered conservative even when set on the least conservative level?

[dpcaver]

Kinda on the back end of this discussion...it seems that just about everyone dives Dive Rite computers. Any others that seem to do the job that are reasonable? What makes DR computers so special? Anything change since the last post?

[BobK]

Kinda on the back end of this discussion...it seems that just about everyone dives Dive Rite computers. Any others that seem to do the job that are reasonable? What makes DR computers so special? Anything change since the last post?

That's interesting. Only 9 posted preferences, and of those only 5 use DR computers. I wouldn't call that "just about everyone" :o

[FW]

I use a Hydrospace Explorer, but they aren't "low end" :-)

FWIW, I still use my Nitek 3 for a backup.

[curtschu]

Because in the span of the computers out there you get what you need and none of what you don't for a very reasonable price. Look at the Ne right now $600+- for a multi gas Trimix computer! No transmitters, no hoses for gas integration just a solid computer.

Curt

Any others that seem to do the job that are reasonable? What makes DR computers so special? Anything change since the last post?
OK, here's a blast from the past on dive computers:
http://cavediver.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=223
Most of the descriptions remain the same, but the VR3 now supports VPM-B/E.

It really depends upon what you need your dive computer to do and your future needs. :D

[PerroneFord]

I don't know anyone with the VPM B/E on the VR3 that likes it.

I don't know anyone with the VPM B/E on the VR3 that likes it.
I tried the "BETA" version VPM B/E VR3 and ran it next to a Proplanner VR3 for two dives (Spiegel Grove 128' for 104 minutes and the Jupiter Star 165' for 82 minutes). On both dives the BETA VPM B/E VR3 kept me in the water longer (same conservatism settings on the VR3s, but the VPM B/E model was more conservative). I heard the production release VPM B/E VR3 wasn't going to be as conservative as the BETA version. Has anyone tried this experiment with the production release of the VPM B/E VR3 (Proplanner versus VPM B/E)?

[PerroneFord]

Don't know about proplanner, but the profiles are longer than either V-Planner or the Buhlmann versions of the VR3 according to the folks with the VPM B/E upgrade.

Thanks for the confirmation!

The VR3 has two decompression models:
VPM B/E (V-Planner also has a VPM B/E model)
Proplanner VR3 (derivative of the Buhlmann ZH-L16 algorithm (includes microbubble stops))

Comparison chart of the VR3, HS Explorer and Dive Rite NiTek He:
http://www.vr3.co.uk/vr3/main.php?content=comparison

[DeWayne]

From what I have read elsewhere, a zero conservatism setting on the VR3 will roughly approximate a +3 setting in V-Planner. The big issue seems to focus on being able to maintain propper descent and ascent rates, or else the VR3 will pad the time.

[FW]

The last post was deleted because it violated rule #6, and had a personal attack on another forum member.