open/closed circuit computers

[sarah haynes]

can anyone give an opinion on the best computer to buy (at the dive show!) if i want to dive different nitrox mixes in a dive then one day move onto ccr? the buddy nexus price has come down to ?250, whats the difference between that and the VR3?

[Ben Field]

> the buddy nexus price has come down to ?250, whats the
> difference between that and the VR3?

Crikey, alot! Have you checked out the specs of the VR3 and 2 on- <a href="http://www.vr3.co.uk/" >http://www.vr3.co.uk/</a> and Nexus at- <a href="http://www.ambientpressurediving.co.uk/nexus.htm" >http://www.ambientpressurediving.co.uk/nexus.htm</a>

The VR3 is a fully reprogrammable system with multi-mix diving and CCR (if you buy the correct model) The nexus is while capable a LOT more limited (but alot cheaper)

Personnally I would reccomend against getting something if your not planning or going to a Rebreather just yet (within 18months) there are lots of new units in progress, which ones will see the light of day we will as ever have to wait. But some feature built in deco so why splurg on a VR3 now (unless you've just won the lottery)

(Also I have seen a "number" of VR3's left on boats as they failed to work at the last minute, did you ever see a Sunnto or Uwatec do that?)

My oppinion on mutli-mix nitrox computers is on the computer thread in the other forum section but briefly- I wouldn't bother- its not worth the extra minute or two you "might" gain and you should be doing multi-gas dives (ie deco dives) with a plan anyway.
Better to save your money and buy a standard Air/Nitrox/Gauge computer from one of the big two for around the ?150 mark- Keep it Simple Stupid :)

All IMVVHO of course.

regards,
BEN

[Nigel Hewitt]

can anyone give an opinion on the best computer to buy (at the dive show!) if i want to dive different nitrox mixes in a dive then one day move onto ccr? the buddy nexus price has come down to ?250, whats the difference between that and the VR3?

If you're asking that question you don't need a VR3.

There are probably better alternatives as one is too simple (two mix, nitrox only) and the other too complicated (everything and its dog but at a price).

A single mix Nitrox computer is all that most people require and buying for the 'one day' is not a good move on electronics you are going to take to sea. May I suggest you need to have quite a lot of diving done before you will throw a multi-mix computer on your wrist, clip on some stages, throw an emergency back-up set of tables in the pocket and deco dive on a computer. I like my VR3 but mixed gas deco diving on a computer implies you know what to do when it breaks. Oh, and if you are using multiple accelerated mixes you are probably diving deep enough that you should be using Trimix anyway.