DS4 with a transmitter or change for a DST?

[Barchetta]

Hi All,

I am a padi crossover to SD and have i decided to start diving in the UK. I've got my dry suit arriving next week and can't wait to take the plunge.

I'm after some advice, I purchased a new set of regs at the recent dive show in Birmingham. I chose the Apeks ATX40 / DS4 option.

I have since purchased an aeris t3 (aka oceanic VT3) dive computer and transmitter. My question is as the DS4 only has 1 hp port should I use the transmitter by itself with no redundancy or should I change the first stage to a dst, have a guage and transmitter?

Decisions, decisions please discuss the merit of both options versions.

thanks for the forth coming advice.

[HelmGuy]

I went though the same sort of thing when I recently bought the same set of regs (at the same show!).

I have just got a transmitter and no spg on my single cylinder set-up and have dived that way for some time. I used to just have a mini gauge on the 2nd HP port of my old regs - just so I can check I had a full cylinder when putting my gear together. Since moving to the DS4 I can't do that any more so have to get the computer out to check I have a full cylinder. No big problem really.

However, I only really do simply shallow dives on this gear so not having a redundant contents gauge hasn't really worried me too much so far. If my computer was to die during a dive I'd abort the dive and be on my way to the surface anyway - so (in my mind anyway) knowing exactly how much air I have left is not that big a deal.

If I was doing dives with mandatory stops I'd seriously consider having another gauge (and possible another computer or backup depth timer or something). I've got DS4's for twins and I have a my computer air transmitter on one post and a contents guage on the other post as a backup.

One problem I have found with the DS4 though is that with my transmitter (Uwatec) it blocks one of the LP Ports. Again not a major issue but it does mean that I can run all the hoses down in a twin-set config.

[Richard Whitcombe]

I see quite a few people turn up with transmitters. As a result of that i also see people frantically trying to pair the things before a dive, sometimes for 10-15 minutes with no success.

Get an analogue gauge as well, the transmitter is "nice" but not essential. Its a gimmick so have a backup so that (i) you dont lose dives if it fails to work and (ii) have a backup underwater if it dies.

[bythesea]

Throw the transmitter away and just get a gauge.....Gauges are more reliable

[Paul S]

So I've recently had the same quandary. I've always dived DS4 + XTX40 + Egress + gauge on single setups, and 2xDS4 + XTX40 + ATX40 + 2xGauge on (independent) twins. I recently bought a computer that had a transmitter (Uemis). Granted, the transmitter isn't essential, but I wanted to use it. Mainly because I want to get a better idea of how my gas usage varies through a dive.

For me the only solution was a DST. Introducing the transmitter into my setup, I still wanted the backup of my gauges just incase it had problems maintaining a link. I've only done this for my single cylinder setup though, as a single transmitter on indie twins didn't make much sense to me. I wanted some regulators to start making stage sets out of anyway, so I already had the excuse to go shopping.

I picked up a couple of DSTs on ebay for about £50 each + service. They demonstrate the problem of buying regs on ebay though; It's a bit of a lottery. One's really nice, the other one, when it was cracked open, looked like it had never been serviced, and it took me a couple of dives using them as pony regs, testing them at depth before I decided I was happy with them. Obviously if I'd bought new I'd be a lot more confident in them.

I've only managed one dive so far using the transmitter, but it worked flawlessly. No crowding issues with it on the DST. Fairly normal dive in Stoney, except my buddy decided to go for a wander at one point. I looked around, saw the silt mushroom cloud where he'd crash landed after an unintended ascent followed by dumping all his buoyancy :rolleyes:, and went to find him. I'd have said I stayed calm, but my breathing rate showed a definite increase. Interesting.

[Ian@1904]

Get an analogue gauge as well, the transmitter is "nice" but not essential. Its a gimmick so have a backup so that (i) you dont lose dives if it fails to work and (ii) have a backup underwater if it dies.
I have been using a transmitter for years. A quick glance at the computer tells you all the relevant information at one source, including an estimate of how long your gas supply will last. For inexperienced divers this can be a great piece of information, it helps relax the diver and aid gas consumption. It does make sense to carry a gauge as well. Just in case the battery dies.
Throw the transmitter away and just get a gauge.....Gauges are more reliableMy 7 year old transmitter is still working fine after hundreds of dives. Pairing up is straightforward RTFM if in doubt. It uses a completely different technology to a gauge, that does not make it any less reliable. Gauges can and do fail.

[Edward]

... Gauges can and do fail.

I changed my gauge earlier this year. I could live with up to 10 bar showing when unconnected, but when it rapidly started to show 40 bar after being taken off a cylinder - that was it, binned.

Edward

[bythesea]

Gauges can and do fail.

Indeed but they don't get banged on the infrastructure inside a wreck and snap off, this can happen with transmitters.

[Richard Whitcombe]

They also don't require batteries, pairing, sync being maintained and can survive a fair flooding. Gauges fail less than computers and the mode of failure is rarely just giving no readout at all.

[benltdiverdude]

Hi,
I went through a very similar situation earlier this year, i'm using a Suunto Cobra dive computer (which i would recommend) with the Suunto quick disconnect, i have a standard gauge which if my computer were to fail, i would put this on before the dive and go back to my 330m dive timer and tables. If my computer were to fail, underwater no matter whether it is air integrated or not, i would surface! if i cannot surface because of running out of gas then i wouldn't be able to surface anyway! if i was doing deeper diving, or planned decompression( more than standard 3mins@5m)i would be diving a slightly different setup anyway. worst comes to worst , my computer has packed up i have ran out of air, i would bail out onto my stage (that i carry on every dive for redundancy). i am not saying that this is the best or safest setup, and it in no way fits in with my mainly dir kit setup, but it works for me.
Thanks Ben

[bythesea]

my mainly dir kit setup,

No offence Ben but looking at your avatar and description your kit is a million miles away from DIR

[Barchetta]

thanks for your comments

I spoke to the divewarehouse where i purchased my regs. I explained my issue and they have offered to upgrade my first stage to a dst paying the difference.

hoping to get dive in before christmas.:)