Advice on Dive gear please.

[Graham Nash]

Hi,

 

I know some of you guys are divers and I could be doing with a bit of advice please.

 

I have booked myself a little jolly to Egypt in a couple of weeks time to do my advanced dive course and am on the lookout for advice on a relatively inexpensive dive camera and dive computer.

 

I don't want charity, It is advice I am looking for.

 

I dont want to spend upwards of a grand to get a computer that will be used occasionally if you experienced divers think a

[Zzippy]

Hiya Graham.

I use a divers video/camera on my kayak.It can be used at depths of 10 meters or less.I got it from Tescos for

[gjb]

Hi i use a Rollei X8 Sports Shockproof from 1mtr and Waterproof to 10 mtrs and find it very good

 

cheers

graham

[Duncan F (bathclaret)]

Hi Graham,

 

2 different questions - camera and computer, although I think you should be able to get both well within your budget.

 

**DIVE COMPUTER**

Basically all dive computers do the same job. They're just advanced calculators that work on a theoretical model of nitrogen absorption to prevent you from getting DCS. I've seen no evidence that one manufacturer's maths model is better/safer than any other. But diving with any dive computer is LOADS safer than diving without.

 

There are probably just 3 things to think about

1. Do you want it integrated in your instrument console (linked to your tank) to automatically monitor your air consumption? That's more expensive than a hand-held computer and not as portable if you hire some gear for a dive on holiday. Personally I prefer a wrist unit as I constantly refer to my computer underwater and can't be looking down at the console all the time.

2. Do you want to use Nitrox or other enriched gases? Some of the cheaper computers are air-only and can't be upgraded. That's really just your call. I only dive on air.

3. Do you want a PC interface for dive logging and review? Pretty much all models will offer this, but the interfaces may vary in price. Take a look around the web at the software demos. It may seem a bit techy, but I personally reckon that being able to graph my dive profiles made a big difference to my diving technique.

 

Recommendations? I mostly use an ancient Aladin Pro because it's easy to read, but I also have a Suunto Mosquito. Simply Scuba have the Aladin Tec for

[Graham Nash]

That is exactly the info I wanted thanks Duncan, Thank you very much. I looked at loads of wrist computers today ranging between

[Duncan F (bathclaret)]

No probs, glad to help. There's an aweful lot of "must have" trinkets out there, just like fishing tackle!! Wireless air integration, heart-rate monitors, digital compasses etc are all nice to have if you're diving in Scapa Flow every week, but they can be a distraction for an inexperienced diver trying desperately to avoid smashing the coral.

 

The Suunto Vyper is a decent choice, but the PC kit adds another

[Graham Nash]

I am going to order one of those Aladin Tec 2g's tomorrow.

[Adam F]

Might be a bit late Graham... but if not, some advice from someone who has been through a few dive computers...

 

Just get a Sunnto Gecko or Vyper - not expensive, bullet proof and the BIG plus point is that 90% of the divers you'll dive with will use one - the benefit? You'll all be diving off the same deco algorthim - in my experiance the Aladin's are pretty generous, so you'll oftenm have 5 mins no stop time left wilst others are heading up.

 

The PC function to most is a gimick IMO, all you really need is depth, no stop time, maybe temp and total dive time. Unless you are deco diving, or using mixed gases the Tec 2G is an over kill.

 

I use one, for the tec diving I do - as it suits what I need, but the buttons are small and fiddly, the screen scratches easily and the battery life poor - not like the chunky Suunto.

 

Just my 5p worth.

 

Adam

[Graham Nash]

ha ha, too late Adam .

 

I took delivery of a nice shiny Aladin tec 2g yesterday. It was only a couple of hundred quid so if i dive regularly and find its not quite right I will stick it on ebay, get most of my money back and get a different one.

 

Really and truly I dont expect to be diving that often anyway cos i struggle getting time to do all my other hobbies already without trying to fit another one in!

 

Thanks for the info/help everyone.

 

 

[Duncan F (bathclaret)]

... which goes to show that like most things it comes down to personal choice. I'm less keen on my Suunto, Adam prefers his. But I really don't think you need worry about any differences in the alogrithm - both are "safe" (well widely proven anyway) and you will always be diving to the constraints of the most conservative computer in your buddy pair / group.

 

The one thing I don't really agree with is that the interface is just a gimmick. Very experienced divers might share Adam's view - most probably will. But many years ago at the same stage you're at now I found that reviewing a dive profile on screen made me think more about how I dived. Sometimes you'll end a dive and feel everything went fine, but your computer may have "done you" with a SLOW alert and you won't know when/why/how seriously you screwed-up. The PC view will answer those questions straight away. It's also far easier on screen to check you've done the deepest part of the dive first. Soon these things become instinctive and you may pay less attention to them, but it's good to learn properly at the outset.

 

Anyway - enjoy your new toys and have a great trip!

 

Duncan

[Graham Nash]

Thank you Duncan and Adam for your views.

 

I asked for opinions and that is exactly what I got.

 

Once Duncan mentioned the Aladin tec 2g i did a search of the review sites and it seemed to be about even with the suunto in preference. Some swore by the aladin, others preferred the suunto.

 

The cost at