New Dive Computer

[Simon1985]

I am in the process of buying a new BCD and regulator and also want to buy a Dive Computer. My budget is about $800.00, you are a knowledgeable bunch on this forum,. Can anyone recommend a dive computer worth looking at with this budget in mind.

[LawrenceAlexWu]

Hi Simon,

The 2 main and essential criteria for a dive computer for all divers are:

- Have user changeable batteries...otherwise, the cost goes up maybe US$100 every few years to maintain!

- Can be set for Nitrox diving...Most newer models have it & Nitrox diving is getting very common place!

Otherwise, unless u intend to get into technical diving which has it own breed of dive computers, it boils down to price, aesthetics & personal preference like wrist mount or gauge mount.

Both the Zoop & SubGear XP are popular models with many reviews online.

<snip>

Cheers,

Alex

Edited May 16, 2013 by craigt3365
removed reference to business

[IrishIvan]

You cant go wrong with suunto. Get a simple one like a soop to start with and then later on aim for one of the top of the range suunto watches.

[stevenl]

I would also get a Suunto. Service point everywhere worldwide and reliable computers.

Most types these days have user replaceable batteries, although I prefer to have the importer replace a battery, costs next to nothing and prevents potential problems.

Your main choice will be between a watch type computer and a bigger one (worn either on the wrist or in a console).

[Simon1985]

Thanks for the info guys. I will buy a Suunto. The last liveaboard I was on had Suunto's that they hired out. I was thinking about buying one but after you all recommending Suunto, that's definitely made up my mind.

[chris1dna]

I have the suunto mosquito. Works great and good for a low budget such as yours.

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[PhuketdashScuba]

Thanks for the info guys. I will buy a Suunto. The last liveaboard I was on had Suunto's that they hired out. I was thinking about buying one but after you all recommending Suunto, that's definitely made up my mind.

The computer for rent was probably the Zoop.

BTW, the Mosquito is an old model, has not been for sale already for about 4? years, maybe even longer.

[bazmlb]

A friend of mine who is a trimix and rebreather diver told me to get just a bottom timer and another one as a backup AND dive to the plan, there is no real need for fancy computers in his opinion.

[PhuketdashScuba]

A friend of mine who is a trimix and rebreather diver told me to get just a bottom timer and another one as a backup AND dive to the plan, there is no real need for fancy computers in his opinion.

Yes, that is normal practice for technical divers. They either carry a bottomtimer only (or use computer as bottom timer) plus carry redundant timers. The decompression and ascent information is of no value to them anyway, they really plan the dive and dive the plan.

For normal recreational diving though IMO a computer is a very useful and handy tool.

[chris1dna]

Thanks for the info guys. I will buy a Suunto. The last liveaboard I was on had Suunto's that they hired out. I was thinking about buying one but after you all recommending Suunto, that's definitely made up my mind.

The computer for rent was probably the Zoop.

BTW, the Mosquito is an old model, has not been for sale already for about 4? years, maybe even longer.

Probably why I got it so cheap. Lol!

Paid about $300 us about 4-5 years ago and it works a champ.

Oh well, whatever the current model is in that category should work great. After an initial year of dive tables and calculations I found the DC to be a godsend. They come with a program and cord to hook up to the PC so one can upload dives. Then I can print out my log pages. Very handy actually. Settings for air/enriched and even free dive as I hunt abalone a lot. Perfect.

If the op is near some dive shops he might inquire about some o their old suunto ghekos? That would save him a bundle.

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