Looking for a dive computer

[jmohns]

Thank you all for all of the great information! I would like to go further with my training after AOW, but right now I feel like I need some mileage first. The Oceanic pro plus 2 is the top runner right now, unless someone talks me out of it. Otherwise the cobera is another front runner, I am not nutz about a digital compass. I will look into some of the other ideas on here. Thanks for the response.

[427dave]

I have had a Suunto Vyper for about a year now.  My budy also got one, and we both have had excellent luck with them.  I know they now have the Vyper 2 that has a compass, I will not be updating mine however.  It is very easy to read as I have bifocles.

[ScubaDo]

I'm in the same boat as you.  I have two friends that have Aeris computers.  What I like about them is, the air line comes in at about 8 o'clock instead of 6 o'clock.  Makes viewing the computer and compass very easy.  It's a little more money than other computers though.  Another thing to keep in mind, about half the computers track temps and don't display them.  Only viewable when downloaded to a PC.

[Mateo]

I would reccomend the suunto gekko computer.  It's a basic computer which is capable of being used with nitrox mixes, it's not air integrated, and the basic functions can be programmed( maximum depth, maximum dive time etc).  It will also keep a record of your last few dives in its memory (I believe the last four).  I find mine to be extremely durable as when I went diving with it, I accidently dragged it through the sand and muck on the bottom of the lake and it still works fine. 

[ScubaDo]

Thanks Mateo for restarting this thread.  Since my last post I got a new Uwatec Smart Z wrist computer with hoseless air.  For newbies here is some points to think about not listed above.  My computer displays normal info plus temp and estimated time remaining.  Having a wrist mount is very easy viewing and very helpful in Rescue diver course.  I could watch my ascent control the victims BCD and hold victims regulator in mouth with one hand and use the other hand to hang on tightly to the victim.  Wrist mount is also very handy if you get to play with a DPV, you can watch your gauges without stopping.  Although the motor may interfere with air gauge, all you have to do is release the trigger and wait a second to reconnect.  As a side note, you can't mount a compass on a DPV, needle points to the motor.  The estimated time remaining helps you learn to control your breathing.  Smart Trak software is nice, could use some improving on some of the features.
The disadvantages to my particular computer; I can only use one gas on a dive, a disadvantage if you decide to get into tec diving.  The backlight can be set to a maximum 12 seconds.  Very annoying on ascents during night dives.

[sobfrogg]

I like my Sherwood Wisdom. It will run nitrox and is very easy to use

If you are going to go beyond AOW and work towards tech, i would look at the Cochran EMC-20H. This will let you run 3 gasses including He. Once again this would be if you are going to go far beyond AOD.

Cochran also has an EMC-16. This puter can also be an air puter then at a later date have it reprogramed to run nitrox. It can also be reprogramed to run up to 2 gasses.

[matt t.]

Cochran computers don't have the best (or even a good) reputation. Anyone that thinks they need a tech computer would be much better served by the VR3, the new Liquivision (non replaceable batteries though), The Uwatec Aladin TEC 2G, Suunto Vytec, or some of the Dive Rite computers. *NOTE* Not all of the above mentioned computers will work for tri-mix diving. Or, you can just buy 2 bottom timers and a p.c. program and have at it ;D.

[sobfrogg]

Cochran computers don't have the best (or even a good) reputation. Anyone that thinks they need a tech computer would be much better served by the VR3, the new Liquivision (non replaceable batteries though), The Uwatec Aladin TEC 2G, Suunto Vytec, or some of the Dive Rite computers. *NOTE* Not all of the above mentioned computers will work for tri-mix diving. Or, you can just buy 2 bottom timers and a p.c. program and have at it ;D.
[/quote]

I was wondering where you got your info from?  Many of the people i dive with have switched from VR3's to the Cochran.  Easier to use.  No buttons to fail underwater. The Emc-20h has gotten me out of the water faster than any of the puters I have tried. I like being able to set the puter and not have to switch anything on my dive.  Other words I can plan a travel gas, back gas, and deco gasses and not have to switch anything while I my dive. One less thing to have to worry about

[matt t.]

Cochran computers don't have the best (or even a good) reputation. Anyone that thinks they need a tech computer would be much better served by the VR3, the new Liquivision (non replaceable batteries though), The Uwatec Aladin TEC 2G, Suunto Vytec, or some of the Dive Rite computers. *NOTE* Not all of the above mentioned computers will work for tri-mix diving. Or, you can just buy 2 bottom timers and a p.c. program and have at it ;D.
[/quote]

I was wondering where you got your info from?  Many of the people i dive with have switched from VR3's to the Cochran.  Easier to use.  No buttons to fail underwater. The Emc-20h has gotten me out of the water faster than any of the puters I have tried. I like being able to set the puter and not have to switch anything on my dive.  Other words I can plan a travel gas, back gas, and deco gasses and not have to switch anything while I my dive. One less thing to have to worry about
[/quote]
My info comes from divers that have used them in the past and now use another brands. There is only 1 shop in town here that sells Cochran and I never see recreational divers (not to mention tech divers) using them. I haven't heard the same complaints (quality wise) about other brands that I have heard regarding the Cochrans. I will say that I am in no position to talk about them compared to other tech computers regarding "quickness" in finishing the deco. Any computer can be set more or less conservative depending on the dives you are doing (factors = depth, length, water temp, diver fitness levels, etc). I use Deco Planner or D-Plan set somewhere in the middle parameters to create tables and a bottom timer. IMO this (our method) may keep you in the water a little longer than a computer using similar settings and the same algorythm (sp?), but it also pads things on the safer side because you are deco'ing on deepest depth and time rather than "actual" profile. The newer bottom timers and the Aladin TEC 2G have resettable average depth that I "may" get the guts to use next summer. Either way, if you are going to use ANY deco/tech computer you need a timer and tables or another expensive computer for a back up. YMMV .

[sobfrogg]

Cochran computers don't have the best (or even a good) reputation. Anyone that thinks they need a tech computer would be much better served by the VR3, the new Liquivision (non replaceable batteries though), The Uwatec Aladin TEC 2G, Suunto Vytec, or some of the Dive Rite computers. *NOTE* Not all of the above mentioned computers will work for tri-mix diving. Or, you can just buy 2 bottom timers and a p.c. program and have at it ;D.
[/quote]

I was wondering where you got your info from?  Many of the people i dive with have switched from VR3's to the Cochran.  Easier to use.  No buttons to fail underwater. The Emc-20h has gotten me out of the water faster than any of the puters I have tried. I like being able to set the puter and not have to switch anything on my dive.  Other words I can plan a travel gas, back gas, and deco gasses and not have to switch anything while I my dive. One less thing to have to worry about
[/quote]
My info comes from divers that have used them in the past and now use another brands. There is only 1 shop in town here that sells Cochran and I never see recreational divers (not to mention tech divers) using them. I haven't heard the same complaints (quality wise) about other brands that I have heard regarding the Cochrans. I will say that I am in no position to talk about them compared to other tech computers regarding "quickness" in finishing the deco. Any computer can be set more or less conservative depending on the dives you are doing (factors = depth, length, water temp, diver fitness levels, etc). I use Deco Planner or D-Plan set somewhere in the middle parameters to create tables and a bottom timer. IMO this (our method) may keep you in the water a little longer than a computer using similar settings and the same algorythm (sp?), but it also pads things on the safer side because you are deco'ing on deepest depth and time rather than "actual" profile. The newer bottom timers and the Aladin TEC 2G have resettable average depth that I "may" get the guts to use next summer. Either way, if you are going to use ANY deco/tech computer you need a timer and tables or another expensive computer for a back up. YMMV .
[/quote]

The Cochran EMC-20H uses a 20 compartment algorithm. Yes you can set the conservatism, but it is the algorithm that is resposible for getting you out of the water.
I do agree on having a bottom timer and or a back up puter. And nothing can replace proper training, tables, and a dive planer like Nautilus or other software.
I now have 182 deco dives on my EMC-20H and not a glitch yet. It has been flawless. So has my Cochran bottom timer
Happy Diving