How To Buy A Dive Computer
Computers have improved diving, making the sport safer and more enjoyable. Dive computers have become important tools to help extend dive times and to make diving an even safer activity. To purchase the proper equipment for your dive, evaluate your diving needs before you select a computer. Also, keep in mind your possible future dive requirements. Then, you can find a good balance between the features that you need at the proper price.
What they do
- Dive computers constantly monitor your depth and bottom times
- These instruments can then automatically recalculate your decompression status, which permits longer dive times while avoiding the risks of no-decompression time
- The devices also can help monitor your ascent rate and tank pressure, log your dives and much more
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Selecting the right dive computer
There are several things to consider in selecting a dive computer that fits your needs.
Ease of use
- Your dive computer has to have an easy-to-see, easy-to-understand display
- The key numbers are depth and available bottom time time remaining so these should be most prominent
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Decompression status and tank pressure also rank up there as "need-to-know" information
Conservative vs. aggressive
- This refers to the amount of bottom time allowed by the computer- aggressive giving you more bottom time than conservative
- Some dive computers are conservative on deep dives and aggressive on shallow dives
- You should select one that fits your diving style and your comfort level for safety
- Many computers will allow you to control this by adjusting for differing dive conditions
Air or nitrox
- If you are already using nitrox, you need a computer that programs the percentage of oxygen in your mix
- Nitrox-compatible computers are also good for diving on air, so if you ever plan on diving on nitrox, buy the nitrox version now since it can be used for both
- If you never plan on using nitrox, look for a standard air computer
Air-integrated or stand-alone
- Either will give you critical depth and time information
- Air-integrated models also give a digital readout of air pressure and tie that into dive information, providing air time remaining and bottom time remaining
- Stand-alone computers only monitor depth and time. A separate pressure gauge is needed.
- Pressure gauges are sold as a separate part of the package, and compasses often are available as well
Memory requirements
- The dive function allows you to review completed dives
- It may be important to you to have enough memory to review several dives
- Some memory functions operate day-by-day, with newer dives replacing older ones or the entire memory may be cleaned after a day's diving and shut down
Downloading requirements
- If you want to keep track of your dives on your personal computer, make sure you can purchase the necessary software and interface to do this
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