Dive Watches

[Andy Warner]

A bit of advice please.
Need to get a basic watch as part of 'starters' kit.
Instructers say analogue with rotating bezel is required.
But can anyone confirm if this is required by BSAC rules or just a preference
I know a number of people go for a basic 200m waterproof watch (casio etc) if only diving for fun

Surely a good digital watch with countdown timer/stopwatch function is just as good if not better (easier to read surely)
Or is there a risk that cannot see it underwater etc.

Note I intend getting a computer as well

Rgds Andy

[PeteM]

A bit of advice please.
Need to get a basic watch as part of 'starters' kit.
Instructers say analogue with rotating bezel is required.
But can anyone confirm if this is required by BSAC rules or just a preference
I know a number of people go for a basic 200m waterproof watch (casio etc) if only diving for fun

Surely a good digital watch with countdown timer/stopwatch function is just as good if not better (easier to read surely)
Or is there a risk that cannot see it underwater etc.

The problem comes with digit watches with what happens if it gets knocked. An analog watch if knocked will shorten the available dive time which is the safe way to go. A stop watch will stop counting and then if knocked on again will show a shorter time than actual which is dangerous.

Bearing in mind that a basic dive watch is only about ?30 it is a cheap entry into diving equipment.

Having said that a far better option would be to buy a D timer which is about ?65 and does the job far better than any watch
<a href="http://www.kentdiving.com/prod.asp?partno=A2.301" >http://www.kentdiving.com/prod.asp?partno=A2.301</a>

[Nigel Hewitt]

&gt;Surely a good digital watch with countdown timer/stopwatch function is just as good if not better (easier to read surely)
&gt;Or is there a risk that cannot see it underwater etc.

You got it in one. Wonderful watches with all sorts of magic functions are impossible to read through a mask in the pool. They are just too tiny. What they are like poking a torch into them in 15m of slurry is nobody's idea of useful. Pete's sugestion of the Dtimer is good if you can run to the price. The digits are chunky and there are no buttons to press to go wrong. It just sits on your wrist and quotes depth, max depth and time at you (and temperature but you really don't care about that). The day the computer goes bang and you pull the ol' tables out of the BCD pocket it knows everything you want to know and no matter how tech you diving gets it never goes out of fashion. Also it knows the numbers you need to put in the log.

&gt;Note I intend getting a computer as well

If you have a Dtimer you don't need to hurry on that one as the tank down to 50bar calls time on the dive long before the tables start to complain for a beginner. If you're aiming on doing a lot of diving think *suit* as the first big ticket purchace. A warm diver is a happy diver. A cold diver isn't a diver this time next year.

nigelH

[J Abbott]

If you have a dive computer a watch is a useful accessory but not an essential item. Digital or analogue is your own preference; I find a digital has more general utility. You don?t need 2 timepieces unless your bailout plan for failure of your single timepiece (computer) requires it. Most simple no-stop dive plans would not.

When purchasing your dive computer consider your future diving activities. You might have need of a more advanced computer. If your first model has a ?gauge? mode you can use it as a standby bottom timer.

Cheers

John

[terryh]

Citizen Promaster 11

The dogs danglies of dive watches (apart from a Tag or Rolex
that is).

Why? Because it is both analogue and digital.
I can set both depth and time alarms to ensure that I'm paying
attention at that critical moment (usually when you are so
engrossed in playing with that seal, cuttlefish, tiger shark
etc. that you forget you are UW). Essential for Nx diving IMO.

I can set the bezel. Blind as a bat I can still see the
bezel and even glowing hands (if its dark/night).

And finally, back in the bar, when your mates/dive buddy/paying
guests - ask you how long, how deep, what temperature,
what time did we go in, what time is it (and how long til
closing). You can awnser the lot, while your other mate is
still walking back to his room/car to dig out his computer out
if his dive bag.

But ......

It's way to dear in this country. Canaries price is ?130 for
the basic one and ?160 for titanium. Avoid the light green
faced one as it fades. Go for navy blue or black.

UK price is steep with prices around the ?300 mark, but
there was one outfit at the NEC (presumably they will be at
LIDS), who were selling them at sub ?200.

Dont forget that you dive in the pool, on holiday in shallow
inland training sites. All of which chances are you will NOT
be wearing a puter. That's when you will be glad you have that
watch that can tell/beep you, time to go to the pub.

TerryH

[nickjb]

Having said that a far better option would be to buy a D timer which is about ?65 and does the job far better than any watch


I agree. Get a dive timer and it will easily do everything you want. If you later get a computer it makes a great back-up

[Ben Field]

Dont forget that you dive in the pool, on holiday in shallow
inland training sites. All of which chances are you will NOT
be wearing a puter. That's when you will be glad you have that
watch that can tell/beep you, time to go to the pub.

Ok Terry, I can forgive you the "in the pool" bit but are you really saying you dive inland and on hols with no computer? (I assume you mean with just your watch?)

Sorry but this is silly, a computer/DTimer is tiny and weighs nothing in your luggage, your overpriced tat watch isn't up to the job. Spending more than ?30 on a watch you intend to take diving as a backup or even 3rd backup after DTimer just proves someone has more money than sense.

Apex supply a cheap 200m rated range of diving watches with tough bezels and long plastic straps (to go around your suit)

BEN

[Nick McV]

If you have a dive computer a watch is a useful accessory but not an essential item. :=

I beg to differ - a computer is more likely to fail than an analogue watch. Digi watches are splendid, but buttons can get knocked, and trying to manipulate them with gloves on is nigh on impossible. Analogue watches will normally have luminous hands - digi watches will probably have a back light that needs you to press a button.

=: You don?t need 2 timepieces unless your bailout plan for failure of your single timepiece (computer) requires it. Most simple no-stop dive plans would not.


Again, beg to differ - how do you know if you're still on your no-stop plan if your only timing device has gone t*ts up?

A computer will 'give credit' for time spent above your max depth - tables do not.

[PeteM]

Again, beg to differ - how do you know if you're still on your no-stop plan if your only timing device has gone t*ts up?


If last time you looked you had x minutes no stop time remaining, then providing you check your gauges regularly you still have sometime remaining and can ascend now. If you don't check your gauges regularly then why not?

Once you are into deco its a different kettle of fish

[TerryH]

Ok Terry, I can forgive you the "in the pool" bit but are you really saying you dive inland and on hols with no computer? (I assume you mean with just your watch?)


You might have waited for the awnser before making assumptions.

Sorry but this is silly, a computer/DTimer is tiny and weighs nothing in your luggage, your overpriced tat watch isn't up to the job. Spending more than ?30 on a watch you intend to take diving as a backup or even 3rd backup after DTimer just proves someone has more money than sense.


Well I have a D-timer in my main console and a computer on my
wrist. The watch is on my shoulder D-ring nurse style.

But ....
Sometimes I swap kit with a student, might even be using a
foreign schools kit, which would have analogue not D-timer.

Dispite the few computers that are watch-style, most (like
mine) are big lumps on your wrist. Unless you are a total
muppet, you dont tend to wear them the same evening in the
pub. So when asked the questions, I can look at my watch.
You on the other hand will have to wait/go back to
car/room etc. Is that important? Well it might be if you are
planning another dive, thinking about changing suit/weight etc.

The promaster is on the wrist of just about every DM/Instructor
I know. Is that because many of them work abroad? Who knows?

Look at it this way.
I can go into a shop in the UK and buy a Citizen 200m rated
basic watch for about ?100. Abroad I can buy a ?300 (UK) all
singing and dancing one for ?120. So the question is why on
earth would I NOT buy one! At that price it would be dumb.

Personally when diving Nx I set the depth alarm to 2m above
max and the time alarm to 5min before ascent. IMO it's worth
the extra for that alone.

TerryH

[Philip Smith]

:=Surely a good digital watch with countdown timer/stopwatch function is just as good if not better (easier to read surely)
:=Or is there a risk that cannot see it underwater etc.

The problem comes with digit watches with what happens if it gets knocked. An analog watch if knocked will shorten the available dive time which is the safe way to go. A stop watch will stop counting and then if knocked on again will show a shorter time than actual which is dangerous.

I use a cheap Casio 200m digital watch (&lt;?20). I start the stopwatch and switch to the normal time screen, so the stopwatch can't be affected by a button knock, and make a mental note of the start time. It takes a few quick button presses to check the stopwatch. I have no problems with seeing digits or pressing buttons with neoprene gloves on. Don't use a countdown timer for bottom time -- you can't rely on hearing the alarm.

Incidentally, dive timers display the integer minute below, so can be up to one minute behind.

Philip Smith

[j Abbott]

I beg to differ - a computer is more likely to fail than an analogue watch.

Evidence? I gave up on cheap analogue watches as they kept failing and opted for the cheap digital that I find very useful.

Again, beg to differ - how do you know if you're still on your no-stop plan if your only timing device has gone t*ts up?

There are many answers to this question depending on circumstances and the appropriate one should be chosen before you dive. Do not forget your buddy and his timing device. Throughout the dive you should be aware of your instruments and should not have difficulty aborting the dive in safety if necessary. What you should not have done is to 'slip' into mandatory deco without knowing it.

A computer will 'give credit' for time spent above your max depth - tables do not.

An excellent reason for using one. It also means that it is not usually safe or even possible to revert to tables 'on the fly' should it go wrong.

Interestingly, BSAC training ?standards? accept a computer as a suitable alternative for a depth gauge and watch for sports diver trainees but not for ocean diver trainees. I can?t see why. Some training agencies require a computer for basic training and will not allow depth gauge and watch as an alternative.

Cheers

John

[Nick McV]

Computer more likely to fail? Well - there's electronics and batteries and software. I've had computer hang-ups 3 times now for a variety of reasons. Provided you've screwed the crown down on your analogue watch, it should keep ticking.

I heartily agree about having your buddy as aditional backup, but if you are at the lip of the incident pit, self reliance is good.

Yes, you should be aware of your instruments throughout a dive, but a computer displays your remaining no-stop time at a particular depth. This number will change quite a lot as you change depths, so trying to work back to the last remembered number may not do you too much good if you've dropped a few metres.

The most likely bailout plan is to ascend to 9 or 6 depending on a guess and then dwell for as long as you feel you need to or have air to do so. Tables should give you some idea as to which this should be.

As with all discussions of this type, we are down to picking nits :-) It's all down to the scenarios you feel are most likely to occur, the level of buddy you're with and what sort of dive plan you're working to, and what gear you actually have!

Cheers, N

[Andy Warner]

Good to see popular opinion is spread across the entire array of options.

Thanks to all . . . funnily enough it has helped.
Good advice on the fiddly buttons - even if some have no problems. For a novice - I will have enough to manage.

Guess I may be seeing the boys at Kent Diving soon (excel or in Dartford)as I need to buy some bits (regs, bcd, et al)

thks again Andy

[NeilB]

Citizen thingie....my sons got one....quite impressive but large, light though as it is titanium. It was not around when I bought my Seiko divers watch.
The Seiko of course has lots of hands that can be confusing until you get used to it.
I dive with my watch, Suunto Vyper on wrist and Suunto Solution in a console....double redundancy. Why? Because I have worked with computers for over 20 years.

Each to their own.......