What is a Dive Computer?
A dive computer is a small wrist or console-mounted electronic device that displays at a minimum a divers depth, time and no-decompression limit.
A device that measures a divers’ depth and time is known as a depth-timer.
The best dive computer watch measures the depth with a pressure sensor. It doesn’t measure your depth in water. It measures the ambient pressure and then calculates the depth based on the pressure. The timer is like a timer. Then the No decompression limit is calculated by applying the depth and time throughout the dive to an algorithm.
What is the No decompression limit?
Recreational diving is also called, no decompression diving or no stop diving. That means that in an emergency a diver should be able to ascend to the surface, slowly, without doing a safety stop and be reasonably assured that they won’t get decompression sickness. The deeper a diver goes the shorter the no-deco time. The computer can keep track of the different depths a diver is at and how long the diver has been there.
Why are they better than diving with tables?
When we use dive tables we plan the dive as if we were at the maximum depth for the entire duration of the dive which is rarely true. We often plan to do the deepest part of the dive first then work shallower as the dive progresses. The computer eliminates unnecessary rounding and gives us a much more accurate No deco limit.
What other features are good to have?
There are some things which now come as standard on dive computers. It’s always important to read the manufacturers instructions to check how they all work.
-Ascent rate warning
It will have a way of indicating if you are ascending and it should alert you if you go to quick.
-Safety Stop
As you ascend to 5 m towards the end of the dive. It should display a safety stop and indicate once 3 minutes have passed so you know its safe to go up to the surface.
-Dive planning
On the surface, you should have the facility to check the no-decompression limit for a depth. It should factor in any previous dives.
-Dive Log
It should keep a record of dives so you can check back.
-Nitrox
Most computers have the ability to change the percentage of oxygen when calculating the no-deco limit. Check out the Nitrox course here.
What is the best Diving Computer?
The Best Diving Computer for recreational diving is the Suunto Zoop.
I think it’s the best recreational scuba diving computer because it does all of the core functionality really well, It has a big clear display that is highly visible in all environments, it is tough and stands up to a lot of bashing about and it’s a great price.
What is the best Technical Diving Computer?
What is the best Technical Diving Computer?
The Best Technical Diving Computer is the Sheerwater Perdix.
It has a beautifully designed and easy to read display, excellent functionality and durability. The customer service from Sheerwater is the best.
What is a Technical Diving Computer?
Technical divers change gas mixes during their dives so they need to have the facility to be able to change the gas mixes on the computer. Also due to the higher level of training involved in technical diving, technical diving computers often have the option to change the algorithm making them often less conservative than standard computers.
Which is best Dive Computer Watch or Console?
I much prefer a wrist-mounted computer to a console-mounted one. I find it easier to see on my wrist. Console mounted computers are “air integrated” so they read the air as well. This can be a disadvantage as if the computer fails you know your gas as well as your depth, dive time and no-deco limit.
Dive Computer Watch or Wrist dive Computers?
Some computers come in more of a watch style so they can be worn at work and leisure as well as whilst diving. They become a secret signal amongst divers. I remember always nodding to fellow divers when I saw that they were wearing a distinctive dive watch. Here are some great recreational diving computer watches.
Sheerwater Tetric
Suunto by Aqua Lung D6i
Dive Computer Reviews
Now I´m going to go through the individual manufacturers and say which one I think is the best for each brand.
What’s the best Suunto Dive Computer?
It is the Zoop.
What’s the best Oceanic Dive Computer?
It is the Oceanic Geo 2.0
What’s the best Mares Dive Computer?
It is the Mares Smart
What’s the best Cressi Dive Computer?
It is the Cressi Leonardo
What’s the best Air integrated Dive Computer?
It is the Sheerwater Petel
What’s the best Cheap Dive Computer?
It is the Cressi Leonardo