Naturally, the more survey responses
the better, so if you would like to add your experiences, please copy the
template, add your own comments and then email it to:
| Name: | Corinna
|
| Brand: | Cressi-Sub
|
| Model: | Archimedes II
|
| Price: | Paid EUR250 at Scubastore.com in September '06. Now US$260 at Leisure Pro
|
| Wrist or Console: | Wrist (but also available as console)
|
| Battery details: | 3V CR 2032 battery, easy to change
|
| Air/Nitrox?: | Both
|
| Dives used: | ~80
|
| Pros: | Love it! Good price, switch between two gas mixes on dive (not that I
have used that feature yet, but who knows one day I might...), easy to
use/read, self-change battery
|
| Cons: | No attachment point for a back-up lanyard
|
| Would you buy another one: | Yes, definitively
|
| Weblink: | http://www.cressi-sub.it/easyStore/SchedeVedi.asp?ProdottiID=45
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| Other comment: |
|
|
| Name: | Chris
|
| Brand: | Suunto
|
| Model: | Vytec
|
| Price: | Paid around $650 Second hand.
|
| Wrist or Console: | Wrist
|
| Battery details: | 3.6V lithium button cell. Common battery type used for car
and garage remotes. Can be bought from a pharmacy or service station for under
$5. Easy to change (takes about 20 seconds with a 20 cent piece). Of course,
if you want to keep the warranty, you should pay a shop to do this. I've been
getting about 1.5 years and about 150 dives from a battery.
|
| Air/Nitrox?: | Nitrox, 21-99% O2, 3 programmable mixes, switchable during the
dive.
|
| Dives used: | ~200
|
| Pros: | Has been good as a gas switching computer. Gas switching means much
faster deco on multi-gas dives. Easy to read.
|
| Cons: | I'm always worried about losing it (as it is a wrist mounted computer).
If throwing the computer into a damp dive tub, it can remain in dive mode,
resulting in a prematurely flat battery.
|
| Would you buy another one: | Yes, but only if I actually intended to use the gas
switching capacity. If I were getting into decompression mixes, I'd also
consider if I intend to dive trimix in future. If Trimix is likely, I'd
consider a helium capable computer for preference.
|
| Weblink: | http://www.suunto.com/suunto/main/index.jsp
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| Other comment: |
|
|
| Name: | Paul
|
| Brand: | Uwatec
|
| Model: | Aladin Pro
|
| Price: | I paid a couple of hundred second-hand
|
| Wrist or console: | Wrist
|
| Battery details: | Has to be sent away to get the battery changed
|
| Air/Nitrox?: | Air
|
| Dives used: | ~150
|
| Pros: | Solid, reliable, easy to read, easy to use, just does the job with no
stuffing around. Wiring diagrams are available online for a PC interface, if
you like that sort of thing. All the cool kids have one.
|
| Cons: | The straps tend to wear out after a while, but are easy to replace. Can
act oddly when the battery is low. It's not small.
|
| Would you buy another one: | For sure; not the same model, probably, but
certainly another in the same line.
|
| Weblink: | http://www.uwatec.com
|
| Other comment: | Probably a good choice for divers without fancy demands and who
aren't swayed by blinking lights and shiny chrome.
|
|
| Name: | Kim
|
| Brand: | Uwatec
|
| Model: | Aladin Pro (the newer kind with the larger screen)
|
| Price: | ~$450 new in 2004. No longer made.
|
| Wrist or Console: | Wrist, but can also be console mounted
|
| Battery details: | not user-replaceable, ~$100 to change, but battery lasts 500-1000 dives
|
| Air/Nitrox?: | Air only
|
| Dives used: | ~310
|
| Pros: | simple - does everything you need but no more (you cannot play tetris on it).
Very reliable, uncluttered, large, easy-to-read display, even when narked.
Computer interface for downloading profiles. Dive plan mode for... err ... dive planning.
Automatically switches on and off. Very long battery life.
Fairly quiet - doesn't beep at you all the time.
Non-adjustable deco model, cannot be set to be more conservative.
|
| Cons: | strap tends to wear out after 300-400 dives. A little bulky on the wrist.
Only stores 3 hours of dive profiles.
Cannot change the battery yourself (it's filled with goopy oil).
Air only, no nitrox.
Non-adjustable deco model, cannot be set to be more conservative.
|
| Would you buy another one: | Yes.
|
| Weblink: | http://www.uwatec.com
|
| Other comment: | If anyone has a lonely unwanted Aladin pro, I'll gladly provide it with a good home.
|
|
| Name: | Jen
|
| Brand: | Uwatec
|
| Model: | Aladin Pro (the newer kind with the larger screen)
|
| Price: | ~$450 new. No longer made.
|
| Wrist or Console: | Wrist, but can also be console mounted
|
| Battery details: | not user-replaceable, ~$100 to change, but battery lasts
500-1000 dives.
|
| Air/Nitrox?: | Air only
|
| Dives used: | ~390
|
| Pros: | simple - does everything you need but no more. You cannot play pacman
on it. Very reliable. Uncluttered, large, easy-to-read display, even when
narked or on a
night dive. Computer interface for downloading profiles. Dive plan mode for...
err ... dive planning. Automatically switches on and off. Very long battery
life. Fairly quiet - doesn't beep at you all the time. Non-adjustable deco
model, cannot be set to be more conservative (but then some of us like an extra
6 mins under the water :)
|
| Cons: | strap tends to wear out after 300-400 dives (but you can get
replacements). A little bulky on the wrist (not a fashion item to be worn in
town). Only stores 3 hours of dive profiles (a pain on two week tropical dive
trips). Cannot change the battery yourself (its filled with goopy oil). I have
had the battery changed once (but had to wait 5 days for it to stop 'ticking'
like a bomb before the courier would ship it to Sydney for battery
replacement....well worth it though.... I might stop diving when it eventually
dies- unless I can find another one). Air only, no nitrox. Non-adjustable deco
model, cannot be set to be more conservative.
|
| Would you buy another one: | Yes.
|
| Weblink: | http://www.uwatec.com
|
| Other comment: | If anyone has a lonely unwanted Aladin pro, I'll gladly provide
it with a good home (a better home than Kim's).
|
|
| Name: | Bill
|
| Brand: | Suunto
|
| Model: | Favor S
|
| Price: | Paid around $250 brand new but was given a huge discount because our
house had burnt down.
|
| Wrist or Console: | Wrist
|
| Battery details: | John did it for me - charged me even less because I am his
mate and we love to drink beers together and talk about weird things
|
| Air/Nitrox?: | Air only
|
| Dives used: | ~100
|
| Pros: | In the water it is absolutely fine and just as good as an Aladin Pro
which is what I used to have. Reliable. I think it is much cheaper than the
pro. I would much rather have a pro (any day) but I would buy the Favor over
the pro based on price (I'm assuming here that the pro costs twice as much) -
don't even know if the pro is still called the pro.
|
| Cons: | I really don't like this computer out of the water. I hate electronic
gear that has buttons that change their function based on how long you hold
them down. I always forget how to operate the thing and then have to read the
manual. Hard to use the functions compared to the Aladin. Pro and display is
not as clear underwater. Not as easy to read as an Aladin Pro - definitely not
- especially if you are really narked.
|
| Would you buy another one: | Yeah, but I would rather have a Pro underwater in
terms of telling you what you need to be doing - there is no difference to the
Pro underwater. All works well as you guzzle those luscious globules of air.
|
| Weblink: | http://www.suunto.com/suunto/main/index.jsp
|
|
| Name: | Charlie
|
| Brand: | Suunto
|
| Model: | Favor
|
| Price: | Paid around $500 brand new. They sell for around $150-$200 on Ebay
second hand.
|
| Wrist or Console: | Console (though can be wrist mounted)
|
| Battery details: | Can be self changed, but I elected to get John to do it for
$35 (another shop quoted over $100!).
|
| Air/Nitrox?: | Air only
|
| Dives used: | ~100
|
| Pros: | I really liked this computer and regret selling it. Simple, basic and
reliable. Easy to read.
|
| Cons: | Can't be used for nitrox, so computer can't grow with you as/if your
diving develops. Stupid name, really.
|
| Would you buy another one: | Yes, but only 2nd hand as a back-up. But perfect for
recreational diving.
|
| Weblink: | http://www.suunto.com/suunto/main/index.jsp
|
| Other comment: | I hope to get it back one day he says wistfully....
|
|
| Name: | Dave
|
| Brand: | Tusa
|
| Model: | IQ-700
|
| Price: | Around $500 new, ($389 from leisure pro) second hand.
|
| Wrist or Console: | Wrist, but you can get it for console
|
| Battery details: | User changeable
|
| Air/Nitrox?: | 2 nitrox mixes, swappable during dive
|
| Dives used: | around 100
|
| Pros: | Not too bulky, comes with screen protector, does nitrox and can be used
in gauge mode
|
| Cons: | I have had the buttons get stuck twice now.
|
| Would you buy another one: | Yes, but only once this one dies.
|
| Weblink: | http://www.tusa.com.au/ProductDetails.asp?ProductID=59
|
| Other comment: | Generally fairly good, however I have had a button stick twice now. Both times it was replaced very promptly, plus another 12 months warrantee! Has nice big numbers for blind/narked people.
|
|
| Name: | Charlie
|
| Brand: | Uwatec
|
| Model: | Aladin Pro Ultra
|
| Price: | Paid around $500 second hand. They sell for around $1,000 brand new in
the shops and for around $300 on Ebay second hand. Hint hint? Leisurepro?.!
|
| Wrist or Console: | Wrist
|
| Battery details: | Can't be self changed, I think you have to send back to the
factory. But battery life is v good - 6 years, 200+ dives and still has 69%
battery life left.
|
| Air/Nitrox?: | Air or nitrox - but can't switch between the two.
|
| Dives used: | 200+
|
| Pros: | I really liked this computer; it is simple, basic and reliable. Easy to
read and operate as well. Having nitrox is useful, and helps maintain the
re-sell price.
|
| Cons: | Can only be used for one mix, so not very good for deco dives with a
separate mix. Does not display temperature (grrrr?) and does not give an
average depth reading (grrr?). Contacts can be a bit hard to operate. Wrist
strap is pretty cheap, but has worked. Face plate is easy to scratch, but a
replacement can be purchased for around $10 off the net. Locks you out of the
computer if you break its deco recommendations - that's shockingly hopeless
really.
|
| Would you buy another one: | Probably not, but would recommend for those
interested in recreational nitrox diving.
|
| Weblink: | http://www.uwatec.com
|
| Other comment: |
|
|
| Name: | Chris
|
| Brand: | Suunto
|
| Model: | Favor
|
| Price: | Paid $200 Second hand. Bargain!
|
| Wrist or Console: | Console (though can be wrist mounted)
|
| Battery details: | 3.0 V 1/2AA lithium cell, available from specialist
electronics stores (Dick Smith, Jaycar etc). Can be changed by shops for
anything between $35 and $100. Can be changed yourself for $10 with a Phillips
head screwdriver. Battery life for me has been about 2 years and 200-300
dives.
|
| Air/Nitrox?: | Air only
|
| Dives used: | ~700
|
| Pros: | First computer and still using it on most dives. For an air computer, I
haven't been able to fault it, except for the mark-up on battery changes done
at stores. Simple, basic and reliable. Easy to read. If used on a nitrox dive
beyond air limits doesn't completely lock you out.
|
| Cons: | Can't be used for nitrox, so computer can't grow with you as/if your
diving develops.
|
| Would you buy another one: | Yes, but probably second hand. Perfect for air
recreational diving.
|
| Weblink: | http://www.suunto.com/suunto/main/index.jsp
|
| Other comment: | I'll be using this one till it the end of its diving life. :o)
|
|
| Name: | DIR Dude*
|
| Brand: | Don't believe in dive computers.
|
| Model: | n.a.
|
| Price: | Nil. Although an alternative bottom timer costs around $100 brand new
|
| Wrist or Console: | Neither - just use your brain!
|
| Battery details: | Powered by healthy eating, lots of sleep, regular exercise and
cordial.
|
| Air/Nitrox?: | Does both - any/all combinations. And trimix as well if you want -
any/all combinations. Any depth/time/gas mix.
|
| Dives used: | nil
|
| Pros: | None.
|
| Cons: | Why rely on some mechanical device that will likely fail you at some
critical moment. Better to use your brain, a bottom timer, tables and plan a
(conservative) square profile. Such a system is also much cheaper and safer.
|
| Would you buy another one: | Nup.
|
| Weblink: | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain
|
| Other comment: | Do it Right!
Anonymity requested to prevent being fed to the Bank's GNS for holding such
Cassandra-ish views?
|
|
| Name: | Steve
|
| Brand: | Uwatec
|
| Model: | Smart Com
|
| Price: | Paid around A$800 brand new from USA, delivered.
|
| Wrist or Console: | Console, integrated pressure gauge
|
| Battery details: | Battery change has to be done by qualified technician
|
| Air/Nitrox?: | Nitrox capable
|
| Dives used: | ~250
|
| Pros: | Easy to read. Integrated pressure gauge - remaining bottom time reading.
Dives can be downloaded - it is useful reviewing dive profiles, particularly
air consumption in different conditions. Plenty of warning before battery
needs changing.
|
| Cons: | Sometimes cycles through the functions when out of the water and still
wet. The computer has to go to Sydney for battery changes/ service -impressive
turn-around but still not DIY.
Would I buy one again: Definitely, but next time I would pay the extra and buy
the wrist mounted version with remote sensor and ditch the HP hose.
|
| Weblink: | http://www.uwatec.com
|
| Other comment: | I had a fault with the battery at about 200 dives - it was
replaced free of charge and the service was excellent.
|
|
| Name: | Lucy
|
| Brand: | Suunto
|
| Model: | Solution Alpha
|
| Price: | Can't remember - I bought it about 12 years ago in South Africa maybe ~$500
|
| Wrist or Console: | Wrist - I attached a lanyard to it.
|
| Battery details: | 3V 1/2AA battery, easy to change see
http://www.devilgas.com/diving/suunto_bat_change/suunto_bat_change.asp
|
| Air/Nitrox?: | Air
|
| Dives used: | 200+
|
| Pros: | It's great - easy to use and read, self-change battery - I bought a
replacement at Battery World $6
|
| Cons: | Broke the plastic cover several years ago and is expensive to replace
|
| Would you buy another one: | Yes - I guess the replacement would be the Vyper
|
| Weblink: | http://www.suunto.com/suunto/main/index.jsp
|
| Other comment: |
|
|
| Name: | Arwen
|
| Brand: | Citizen
|
| Model: | Aqualand
|
| Price: | Paid around $250 on Ebay for a second hand one. The newer model is called the Citizen Hyper Aqualand. New they are around $500.
|
| Wrist or Console: | Wrist
|
| Battery details: | Self charge - via a console that also facilitates downloading
your dive info to your PC.
|
| Air/Nitrox?: | Air only
|
| Dives used: | ~130
|
| Pros: | This is a great computer. Much smaller than most - it's like a large
watch. It downloads to your PC (with lots of different fields you can
complete if you choose to), you charge it yourself, it's easy to use, gives you
a profile of your dive, has a 100 dive memory and a 100 skin dive memory
|
| Cons: | Can't be used for nitrox. Every 5 or 6 years you need to have the
watch battery replaced.
|
| Would you buy another one: | Absolutely! Perfect for air recreational diving.
|
| Weblink: |
http://www.citizenwatch.com/COA/English/detail.asp?Country=COA&Language=English&ModelNumber=MA9024-24E&page=1
|
| Other comment: | I love my dive computer!
|
|
| Name: | Peter
|
| Brand: | Uwatec
|
| Model: | Smart Tec
|
| Price: | Very expensive if you get it in Australia ($2,000+), good to have
relatives in Switzerland (or Europe) who can help ;-)
|
| Wrist or Console: | Wrist (with wireless transmitter)
|
| Battery Details: | Cannot be changed by user, but lasts several years.
Mine is currently (Nov 2007) at Uwatec/Scubapro in Sydney after two
years and ~130 dives, not sure yet if under warranty or not.
|
| Air/Nitrox?: | Nitrox, possible to have up to 3 transmitters, with 3
different
gas mixes (I've so far only every dive with one)
|
| Dives used: | ~130
|
| Pros: | As UW photographer I love that I get all information
needed on my wrist without having to grab a console (I have
both my camera and computer on my left arm). It has a large
display, well structured and readable.
It also calculates your remaining air time according to tank
pressure (i.e. how much longer you can stay at current depth
and come up with ~40 bars, and this calculation includes all
deco stops and ascent time).
Can also download dives onto a computer via infrared - so no
special hardware required (most laptops have a infrared
interface).
|
| Cons: | I guess that the battery is not user changeable.
|
| Would you buy another one: | Yes, definitely.
|
| Weblink: | http://www.uwatec.com.au
|
|
| Name: | Adam
|
| Brand: | Mares
|
| Model: | Nemo
|
| Price: | Paid AU$620 delivered from the US. (mid 2005)
|
| Wrist or Console: | Wrist
|
| Battery details: | CR 2430 lithium 3V battery which will last for
approximately 170 dives
|
| Air/Nitrox?: | Air / Nitrox / Bottom Timer / Free-Dive
|
| Dives used: | ~50
|
| Pros: | * 4 Dive modes - Air / Nitrox / Bottom Timer / Free-Dive. Uses
Mares-Wienke RGBM algorithm, which includes deep stops if required. Allows
setting of Nitrox to 50% and selection of max PPO2. Stores the last 50
dives (approx 38hrs). Menu is very intuitive and easy to use, especially
given the features. Very slim and sleek.
|
| Cons: | No attachment point for a back-up lanyard. Battery must be replaced
at service centre. Must have good vision as entire watch is very small
including numbers on screen (one of the smallest on the market). Easy to
lose underwater (hard to find) if watch detaches from your arm. Lack of
external frame/shield to help prevent scratches.
|
| Would you buy another one: | highly likely
|
| Weblink: | www.mares.com
|
| Other comment: | More information + review details at
diveoz.
|
|
