Computers in the water

grandizer52

Hea gang....got a question for ya....At present i'm diving a Cochran gemini...also got the oxy gauge, i keep hearing i need at least 2 forms of gass analyisis going on....been a huge fan of cochran for over 10 years but they don't have shit, so what's better all around the explorer or the VR3. which is gonna give me the ALL IN ONE? which can i grow with say if i were to go CCR, or maybe bounce to scuba...the winner gets well....hows a six pack of sam adams sound? or as always if you find your way to hawaii...your always welcome to stay with us...(wifes japanese, get hot on eating with chop stix)

laytah
steve

Beanie

Between those two - personal preferance

There is another option - the shearwater (Shearwater Research Inc. - Computers for open ciruit and rebreathers)

I've only dives the VR3 have seen an explorer the only thing I didn't like of what I saw was the buttons.

__________________
Beanie
Gallery Admin & Library Assistant.
www.outlawdivers.org.uk
www.beandiving.co.uk
www.beanengineering.co.uk
www.divelife.co.uk

Scuba_Vixen

Like Beanie said, pretty much personal choice between the Explorer and VR3.

Both are pretty well matured products at this point in time.

The Shearwater is the new guy on the block, but comes with a solid pedigree. Bruce may chime in on how dual purpose it is (OC, CC).

I choose the Explorer for it's RGBM capability, and that it's made in the USA with excellent service from Gene at HydroSpace Engineering, the manufacturer.

I'd much prefer to have to ship a unit back to Florida than to the UK, should the need arise.

The buttons could be better, but I've never had any problems using them.

If you dive with a group, there may be something to be said for using what they use, depending on the dives you're doing.



Darlene

grandizer52

Think I'm gonna go with the Explorer, no offense to the european market, but i'm hearing horror stories about people sending their stuff back for workage and having to pay outragous fees. word on the street is cochran is coming out of the shadows with a new computer that will match both with similar features, guess US NAVY,and regular consumer market has grown to that point, thanx for everyones input

Kyza

Sounds like you're going through the same process I did a couple of years ago. I ended up going with the Explorer. At first I was unhappy with it due to the fact that every time I dove below 70 feet it would flood. However, each time I had no problems getting it serviced. The last time it went in they put it in a new housing which seems to of fixed the flooding problem. Now I am happy with it diving alongside the Vision unit. The buttons under water have not been a problem although when setting the computer manually the fingertips can get a bit sore. The biggest plus I've found with the exlporer is the after market service and support.

NickK

Kyza,

How did you find it on deco compare to Vision? What is the difference, and what GF your Vision set for?

Thanks,
Nick

cameron

I would take a good look at the shearwater as well... it may be new, but it certainly is easy to use and Bruce has been awsome with customer service.

Scuba_Vixen

One of the original poster's selection criteria was that the computer be suitable for both CC and OC.

I've only heard of the Shearwater with reference to Rebreather applications.

Does it have a full featured OC mode?




Darlene

rdriver

Darlene,
In answer to your question yes it does have OC mode I had one on my SK and I can't speak highly enough about it, and Bruce really is super to deal with.
Rob

Ben Field

The Shearwater has OC... although I'm not sure how you take the CC version OC diving? The fischer caps aren't captive and I'd be scared they'd fall out.

Anyone done this?

__________________

Beware Fridge Suck