DIVE COMPUTERS

[bobamatt]

I want to buy my first dive computer for recreational use. I am an advanced Open water Diver, with an interest in learning NITROX in the future.
I am considering:
Mares Puck
Mares Nemo (Sport and Excel)
Suunto Vyper
Aladdin prime

Any suggestion or advice greatfully received as I cannot decide which is the right one for me.

Many thanks

[coldhands]

I've got the Vyper and really like it. The digits are big so us over 40's (hmm hmm) can read the wretched display and it is quite easy to use once you get used to the various menus and it comes with a really long strap so you can put it on over the dry suit. (Seriously, some are ridiculously short). The only downside for me is that the buttons are quite hard to push although it is partly because I have long nails and the connector to the PC for downloading my dives is a bit tempermental and I have to re-connect sometimes. Other than that, it does what I need it to and has never let me down yet.
If you dive nitrox, set the nitrox setting NOW; it will default to 21% anyway but it will not let you switch to nitrox if you are in the middle of a series of dives and started on air. Don't know if this is peculiar to the Vyper or they are all like that.

[GaryA]

coldhands Wrote:If you dive nitrox, set the nitrox setting NOW; it will default to 21% anyway but it will not let you switch to nitrox if you are in the middle of a series of dives and started on air. Don't know if this is peculiar to the Vyper or they are all like that.

It is with older version of the Vyper, the later version Vyper 2 allows 2 gas switching.

[EllieCee]

coldhands Wrote:The only downside for me is that the buttons are quite hard to push although it is partly because I have long nails

Please tell me how you keep them long? Mine have been trashed since I started diving!

Ellie

[Dougalsdad01]

When choosing a computer there are a couple of things I'd take into consideration;
Can the battery be changed by the user?
Is the alarm loud enough to hear?
Are the buttons easy to press with gloved hands?

Okay, so that's 3 things, counting never was my strong suit.

[gunner]

I had the original Vyper until recently and it was an excellent computer. The New Vyper II model includes Gas switching which was the only reason I moved to a Vytec.

Don't know much about the Mares computers and I have only dived with divers who use either Suunto, Alladin or VR3 computers. That says alot to me.

[sazza]

i dive using a gekko does air and nitorx nice simple basic ad imagine it covers most reacreational diving needs.....cold and warm water...

[coldhands]

EllieCee Wrote:

coldhands Wrote:The only downside for me is that the buttons are quite hard to push although it is partly because I have long nails

Please tell me how you keep them long? Mine have been trashed since I started diving!

Ellie

Yes, it's not the ideal sport for them and I usually break at least one on a dive trip. I always have them painted all different colours but the remover has to come out when diving (boo hoo). Anyone know any salt-water proof brands?!

[Badknees]

Hi bobamatt,

Try and think forward what do you think you may be doing in say 12 months time.

The new Vyper II will allow you to progress through to deco and gas managenet by allowing you to switch gases ( see thread gas switches) mid dive.

most modern computers will allow you to use enriched air. I dive an old vyper and a VR3.

My vyper has done 230 odd dives and is still on the original battey.

Can't advis eon the other makes as I've never used them.

Bk

[PeteStewart]

I have just bought the Mares Nemo wide.

Due to failing eyesight I needed soemthing with a big display so it is easy to read.

It is NOx ready, does everything that a recreational diver will need and is realistically priced. If you need to go beyond recreational diving, then look at something like the Cochrans.

Pete