Advice for buying my first dive computer!
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 1:47 pm
I first went diving 12 years when I did my Padi OW course in Thailand. I then didn't dive except very occasionally for the next 10 years due to lack of opportunity. In the last two years I have found myself in Thailand, Vietnam and next month the Philipines so have done a lot of dives. I failed to track everything in my log book but if I was to guess I have clocked about about 35 dives so far. I completed my Padi AOW course two years ago. Long story short I am a reasonably expereinced recrational diver. With all this in mind I have decided to buy a dive computer, and would like some advice from the community on what to get.
What I want from the device:
- Budget up to 250-500 UKP (ideally closer to 300!)
- Water activated (Ideally I shouldn't have to press start - so easy to forget!)
- Wrist mounted device (easier to travel with since invariably I will be using it with rented equipment)
- Support for snorkelling and preferably freediving. I love taking underwater photos especially out snorkelling. It would be fun to track how deep I dive when diving down to get a shot. I also don't want the device to assume that I am diving when I am snorkelling.
- Ability to sync back to a computer. This is essential for me. I want to be able to get the data off the phone to my computer. Ideally I'd like a device that can do this easilly with a wireless cradle or cheap USB cable. Bluetooth syncing would be best (if the technology for this even exists?!)
- Clear, easy to read display with some form of illumination.
- Digital compass would be nice but is not essential. I hear they are not very good. Anyone care to comment on their experience using them?! I'd be interested to know whther people think they are work paying extra for.
- Future Proof. I don't really want to have to replace it if I move into more technical diving (not for a while anyway!). It would be great to find a device that offers good recreational dive support as well as nitrox etc.
Currently I have been considering the following watches:
- Suunto D6i / Suunto D4i
- Mares Matrix
- Suunto Vyper Air
What do people recommend? How are these devices? What other ones would you suggest?
Many thanks in advance.
What I want from the device:
- Budget up to 250-500 UKP (ideally closer to 300!)
- Water activated (Ideally I shouldn't have to press start - so easy to forget!)
- Wrist mounted device (easier to travel with since invariably I will be using it with rented equipment)
- Support for snorkelling and preferably freediving. I love taking underwater photos especially out snorkelling. It would be fun to track how deep I dive when diving down to get a shot. I also don't want the device to assume that I am diving when I am snorkelling.
- Ability to sync back to a computer. This is essential for me. I want to be able to get the data off the phone to my computer. Ideally I'd like a device that can do this easilly with a wireless cradle or cheap USB cable. Bluetooth syncing would be best (if the technology for this even exists?!)
- Clear, easy to read display with some form of illumination.
- Digital compass would be nice but is not essential. I hear they are not very good. Anyone care to comment on their experience using them?! I'd be interested to know whther people think they are work paying extra for.
- Future Proof. I don't really want to have to replace it if I move into more technical diving (not for a while anyway!). It would be great to find a device that offers good recreational dive support as well as nitrox etc.
Currently I have been considering the following watches:
- Suunto D6i / Suunto D4i
- Mares Matrix
- Suunto Vyper Air
What do people recommend? How are these devices? What other ones would you suggest?
Many thanks in advance.