Dive Computer Brawl

[OFG-1]

Greetings all. I am looking to buy a new computer. My Nu-Way tables are getting worn around the edges, and I have to wear reading glasses to see them, which of course floods my mask. (Its hell to get old) I have been looking at the Cochran Commander, and the Dive Rite Nitek. I want to be able to have a dive mix and deco mix. LET THE COMPUTER WARS BEGIN!
Any thoughts??

By the way, I have discarded the advise given to me by the late Capt. Bill Royal in '69. He told me "Just come up till you start to ache, then go back down 20' and wait till it stops". Oh Well, he didn't have Gatorade.

[Rich]

Greetings all. I am looking to buy a new computer. My Nu-Way tables are getting worn around the edges, and I have to wear reading glasses to see them, which of course floods my mask. (Its hell to get old) I have been looking at the Cochran Commander, and the Dive Rite Nitek. I want to be able to have a dive mix and deco mix. LET THE COMPUTER WARS BEGIN!
Any thoughts??

I'd take a look at the Nitek Duo by Dive Rite, it's got a very large, easy to read display, you can set two gasses and it's relatively inexpensive.
If you can afford it, I'd get the Nitek He, that's what I use, it's friggin' awesome and you'll never outgrow it (PO2 alarms, seven gasses etc!!)
Also, if you're able to find a used Nitek 3 for a good price those are nice too, but not as easy to read as the Duo.....Hope this helps

Safe diving,

Rich

[Dwain]

Greetings all. I am looking to buy a new computer. My Nu-Way tables are getting worn around the edges, and I have to wear reading glasses to see them, which of course floods my mask. (Its hell to get old) I have been looking at the Cochran Commander, and the Dive Rite Nitek. I want to be able to have a dive mix and deco mix. LET THE COMPUTER WARS BEGIN!
Any thoughts??

By the way, I have discarded the advise given to me by the late Capt. Bill Royal in '69. He told me "Just come up till you start to ache, then go back down 20' and wait till it stops". Oh Well, he didn't have Gatorade.

Anyone of the Diver Rite computers would be a great purchase. Plus you can download the data to a computer. They are very affordable.

Remember that the computer screen will be 25 % larger under water.

My experience with Dive Rite has been excellent. DR has been known to replace out of warranty computers on a case by case bases. Not saying that they do it every time. But it's nice to know that thay have a product they stand behind 100%. I won't hesitate to purchase Dive Rite Items.

Plus, I'm a DR Reg tech.

[MikeH]

I have been looking at the Cochran Commander, and the Dive Rite Nitek. I want to be able to have a dive mix and deco mix. LET THE COMPUTER WARS BEGIN!

You may want to check eBay for a used Nitek 3. You could probably get one for a good price, and it will allow you to use 3 gasses from air to O2. If you do any trimix diving, you may want to look at the VR3 or Nitek HE. Be sure to ask those that own the HE how their computer deco compares with their tables, though...

Remember that the computer screen will be 25 times larger under water.

Wow....that's pretty impressive....25 times the size, huh? I don't think I like the idea of having to carry a billboard on my arm while diving...

Mike

[Alan Garrett]

I have no personal experience with this particular computer, but I have been hearing good things about the Suunto "Vytek". It is designed to be used as a hoseless air-integrated computer, but can be used as a standard wrist mount computer without buying the hoseless transmitter. It runs RGBM, 3-gasses, and has a good downloader and software (according to my sources). I'm a big DR fan too, but I must admit I'm looking real hard at this one. You might want to investigate it yourself. Oh yeah, and I have seen it list for about half the price of a Nitek He without the hoseless transmitter. Just food for thought, not a recommendation.

[Rich]

[ Be sure to ask those that own the HE how their computer deco compares with their tables, though...
Mike

Huh? I use tables as a back up, as the HE gets me out way quicker...it also really depends if you're into doing the deeper microbubble stops or not!! If you are, then the VR-3's the way to go but it's expensive....
If using V-planner obviously the tables will be way different since they're based on different algorithms, and the HE will penalize you for the deep stops, but I can mess with decoplanner enough to get it close...
Anyways, I don't really think the original question had anything to do with trimix, everybody has their own opinions on extended deco but I'd recommend the HE to anyone, you'll never "outgrow" it at least on open-circuit

Safe diving,

Rich

[Caver95]

I think the nitek duo is a great computer, it was given a best buy from Rodales senior edition, for being easy to read. and it does two gases.

[MikeH]

Huh? I use tables as a back up, as the HE gets me out way quicker...it also really depends if you're into doing the deeper microbubble stops or not!! If you are, then the VR-3's the way to go but it's expensive....

Try this next time, Rich. Cut your tables and stick to the EXACT dive plan on the tables. Don't put 300' for 20 mins, then spend 2 mins at 300' and 18 mins ascending from 300' to 150' before starting your deco. If you put 300' for 20 mins, spend that long there. Put in realistic descent/ascent rates. I'd be willing to bet your HE will NOT get you out of the water quicker in this case.

Of course, I don't cut backup tables for max depth and run those profiles....I cut them for average depth(20ft intervals, 40ft each way of expected average). I've done quite a few mix dives with my VR3 with somebody else using an HE....and for the same profile...my VR3 always clears much faster. The Nitek series are too conservative. Call DR and ask them what the level of conservativeness is compared to their deco software....I think it's around 50%...I was told once, but don't recall the exact number. Granted, the VR3 has a bit longer runtimes than tables...but on a 250' 25 minute dive, it's usually within 3-5 minutes. The VR3 likes to deco longer at the deeper stops, and shorten the time at the shallower stops...til the 10' stop.

Mike

[Rich]

I'd be willing to bet your HE will NOT get you out of the water quicker in this case.
Mike

.....I'd be willing to bet you're right

If I run tables off V-planner and use those tables, it'll take ages to get out using the HE because I'll be penalized for the deep stops. However if I forgo the deep stops the HE gets me out usually about 2-3 mins faster than V planner.
I actually use whatever my buddies using...be it tables or the HE. Most of the people I go deep with are using HEs. If they're using a VR-3, I'll use V planner tables so we're somewhat together during deco, and if they're on tables so am I. That's why I back up the HE with decoplanner tables 'cause I can manipulate it.
But don't think I haven't thought about the VR3

Safe diving,

Rich

[FW]

and I have to wear reading glasses to see them, which of course floods my mask. (Its hell to get old)

Try http://www.hs-eng.com

I have one, and the letters are nice and BIG : )