View Full Version : wrist computers
weirdfish
15-09-2010, 17:25
just started my owc and was wondering if the Mares Puck wrist computer would be a good starter choice or would i be better of with something else?
I've no experience of the Mares - but I really like the Suunto Gekko (or Zoop as it is now). If the Puck doesn't do Nx (I've no idea if it does) I would definitely look at other stuff.
ChristianG
16-09-2010, 02:18
just started my owc
Although I realise that buying shiny new things is an almost overwhelming urge when you're starting out on this diving lark, that is quite definitely not the time to buy anything other than the absolute basics, and not even that if you can help it.
Heck:
• right now you don't even know whether you are going to continue to enjoy this activity
• you have no idea what it is that will eventually attract you in a specialised way, such as wrecks, photography, cave etc - or whether you're just going to be happy to bimble along at 20 metres or so. Nothing wrong with any of that but you just don't know
• there is a school of thought (that I'm happy to agree with) that says that pretty well the first thing a cold water diver should buy is a dry suit - on the basis that being cold seriously sucks
All that the first flush of (diving) youth enthusiasm for things shiny is likely to do is add to the plethora of dive stuff on the eBays of this world, when realisation hits that you bought the wrong thing.
John Bantin
16-09-2010, 08:28
http://www.divernet.com/Diving_Gear/550106/the_stylish_diver.html
If you really want to buy new toys, and let's face it, most of us find it hard to resist, spend just 80 quid on a dive timer (Uwatec).
You'll look like all the other pro divers, and it does pretty much what a dive computer does.
If you stay with diving it'll make a great back-up to the dive computer you do eventually settle on and if you do decide diving is not for you then people will bite your hand off to buy the DT.
Nigel Hewitt
16-09-2010, 08:54
If you really want to buy new toys, and let's face it, most of us find it hard to resist, spend just 80 quid on a dive timer (Uwatec).
Noooo...
By posting the question on a Web Forum he has confessed to being a dive-geek so if he can't download the profile onto his PC the thing is a total waste of space.
Don't ask me. I'm reprogramming a dive computer to work my way at the moment so I'm clearly off the end of the pier on this subject already.
garethwoodruff
16-09-2010, 08:58
If you really want to buy new toys, and let's face it, most of us find it hard to resist, spend just 80 quid on a dive timer (Uwatec).
You'll look like all the other pro divers, and it does pretty much what a dive computer does.
If you stay with diving it'll make a great back-up to the dive computer you do eventually settle on and if you do decide diving is not for you then people will bite your hand off to buy the DT.
Nope, a D-Timer for a recreational diver on holiday is a useful bit of kit, but compared with a dive computer its a poor choice.
Another vote for the Suunto Zoop.
ChristianG
16-09-2010, 09:25
http://www.divernet.com/Diving_Gear/550106/the_stylish_diver.html
Not bad for a 500th post JB. :D
"Nope, a D-Timer for a recreational diver on holiday is a useful bit of kit, but compared with a dive computer its a poor choice. "
True, but he ain't one yet, so an "instrument" which gives him all the info he needs to complete the dives during training should be enough.
But as NH says, the inner geek will probably win out in the end.......
Paul Burgess
16-09-2010, 09:53
If you're determined to buy a computer, get a second hand Suunto Vyper.
It can run nitrox and you can put it in gauge mode (i.e. switches the computer calculation bit off and turns it into a simple dive timer which paradoxically makes it better suited for trimix diving if you ever fancy going down that route).
The Gekko and Zoop (and probably Puck) don't do gauge mode.
I would advise getting a computer that has nitrox capabilities as inevitability you are more that likely to continue doing qualifications and will as some point want to dive on a higher oxygen mix gas. I bought a gekko when I started which has been fine, no problems at all, but looking back wish I had got a computer that had nitrox capabilities as I am now looking to buy a new computer already even the one I have got has load more diving left in it (plus having one with a back light would have been nice).
As I have learnt with most diving equipment, it will usually work out better to spend a bit more to begin with so you don't have to spend money again unnecessarily (would people generally agree)
The Gekko and Zoop (and probably Puck) don't do gauge mode.
I don't know about that....
I regularly dive with a friend who has a Suunto favor (or whatever).
It always gives him depth and time info despite flashing ERR where deco info should be....
I see no reason to believe a later model Suunto wouldn't do the same...
:)
I bought a gekko when I started which has been fine, no problems at all, but looking back wish I had got a computer that had nitrox capabilities ...
Er...
The Gekko does have nitrox capabilities...
http://www.suunto.com/en/Products/Diving/Suunto-Gekko/
:)
Apeks Quantum from the Oct NEC show. GoDive normally flog them for about £140.
I bought 6 last year...
I don't know about that....
I regularly dive with a friend who has a Suunto favor (or whatever).
It always gives him depth and time info despite flashing ERR where deco info should be....
Agreed. You cannot select gauge mode but they go into "gauge" mode when you bend them. We do it all the time (obviously we have other computers/tables for the dive plan...)
garethwoodruff
16-09-2010, 12:52
Apeks Quantum from the Oct NEC show. GoDive normally flog them for about £140.
I bought 6 last year...
Is that so you get 1 that works then? :p
Paul Burgess
16-09-2010, 16:39
Agreed. You cannot select gauge mode but they go into "gauge" mode when you bend them. We do it all the time (obviously we have other computers/tables for the dive plan...)
Don't you get beeped at in an annoying way and get locked out subsequent dives?
Don't you get beeped at in an annoying way and get locked out subsequent dives?
Cant remember any beeps once its bent (but it goes bananas while you are bending it :) ) and it stays in "Err" (therefore "gauge" mode) for 48hrs (mmm...could be 24 hrs, cant be 100% sure) after the last dive unless you pull the battery to reset it.
Its never locked out.
Cant remember any beeps once its bent (but it goes bananas while you are bending it :) ) and it stays in "Err" (therefore "gauge" mode) for 48hrs (mmm...could be 24 hrs, cant be 100% sure) after the last dive unless you pull the battery to reset it.
Its never locked out.Mine sulked for 48 hours when I bent it. Both times. It had a proper sulk when I blew off 30 mins of stops. Ahem.
Mine sulked for 48 hours when I bent it. Both times. It had a proper sulk when I blew off 30 mins of stops. Ahem.
lol, you could have just tied it off to the drop tank and hauled it up later ;)
But then you probably already have done that trick :)
bythesea
16-09-2010, 19:02
This is worth looking at, no relation to me but saw this and thought of this thread
http://www.yorkshire-divers.com/forums/personal-adverts/129233-fs-suunto-vyper-dss-mount-download-cable.html
hilrosepaul
22-09-2010, 14:17
Is that so you get 1 that works then? :p
I think I got that one a couple of years ago ;)
Julien.S
22-09-2010, 21:01
When i've started diving i had one of those puck ,and they are quite nice ,easy to use ,nitrox capable and cheaper than the others ...
But beware of the deco @ 3 meter for when you'll be a SD ...
Now i'm using A mares nemo wide with 3gas switching ,and it's working exactly as the puck ....
But think before buying any piece of equipement and do NOT hesitate to ask for advice to you friend or in your club ...
Dive safe !
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