Comparison of computers that I can grow with

Jimmer

I've been diving since I was 11, and am now 25, and about to start down the tech road. I've been fascinated with rebreathers since I was in my early teens, and have no doubt I will be diving one at some point. Being an engineer seems to help that desire to have the best technology at my disposal. Anyway, obviously I can take my deco class using bottom timers, but I am toying with the idea of popping for a deco computer that has Trimix capability, and PPO2 ability when I get to that point.

I know of the VR3, Shearwater, and Liquivision that have this potential, and would like to know A) are there any others to look into? B) are there any significant pros or cons to these specific units? I know the Liquivision can't do the PPO2 just yet, but I'm not too worried about that, since I won't be springing for a rebreather within the next 12 to 24 months anyway.

Thanks,
Jim

rigdiver

I think there are CCR divers using a Liquivision right now in constant PPO2 mode. Future for it will hold compass and link to unit for real time deco.

Jimmer

Sorry, I know it can handle PPO2, but I was referring to the link for real time monitoring.

Thanks

rdriver

For me I would check into the Shear water Pursuit. Bruce is one heck of a guy to deal with, and it's not as costly as a VR3 in the initial price or upkeep I don't know too much about the Liquid vision so I will reserve comment on that one check out the following link.
Shearwater Research Inc. - Computers for Diving
Safe diving
Rob

Mark Chase

I used the VR3 for OC and CCR stand alone and in line deco. I now own a Shearwater Pursuit.


As a pure diving computer the Pursuit is the one to chose. Better deco profiles (IMHO) using GF than the VR3s Buhlman and Pyle stops.
Much easier to use than the VR3 and it can read three cells not just one. Battery life is fantastic and the automatic low light back light is fantastic

VR3 color screen is good for people with bad eyesight but its just a fancy add on for me. I could read the old mono screen VR3 without difficulty.

VR3 variable ceiling deco is a nice function (man on the rope). The Shearwater apparently copes but its doesn't specifically handle it in the same way the VR3 does.

OC bailout on the Shearwater is simple but i here they have at long last addressed this on the VR3 (my one was awful in this department)

NEITHER the Sherwater or the VR3 allowed you to adjust deco safety settings mid dive. This is a major pisser but apparently Bruce has said no to the idea

I ran the VR3 on zero safety and its still pretty conservative and slow on deco matching up to something like a 20/85 run time on GF. The Shearwater is a lot more flexible and allows custom gradient settings so you could run much more aggressive deco i you so desired.

As i said the bummer is you cant switch from say 20/80 mid dive on to say 30/100. So if you bailout and are short of OC gas the computer becomes useless.

Thats very annoying.

You can do this on the Vision and on the Hammer Head but they don't do stand alone computers. (In the case of the HH i don't know why?)

Despite this major shortfall i would still opt for the Sheawater. If someone brings out a 3cell monitoring unit running GFs that DOES allow you to swap mid dive ill buy it. Till then ill stick with the SWP and keep hoping Bruce will wake up one day shouting Eureka and sort it out..

ATB

Mark

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See my "Doing It Chasey" video where I'm locked into a padded room, naked, with two ball bearings and within an Hour, I manage to lose one and break the other!!!

Kevin Juergensen 16/11/08
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Jimmer

Thanks Rob. The other thing that Shearwater has going for it, is they are Canadian. What about a used VR3? I hear people talk about upkeep, I assume they are referring to software updates?

Mark Chase

I had V2.1CXI VR3s and they were solid and reliable. I never felt there were any upgrades that would be of benifit to my diving so I didnt bother upgrading.

Apart from the much desired but sadly disapointing VPM option and a easy path to OC bailout (id have gone for this) on the VR I dont think there are any significant upgrades since V3.0

ATB

Mark

__________________
See my "Doing It Chasey" video where I'm locked into a padded room, naked, with two ball bearings and within an Hour, I manage to lose one and break the other!!!

Kevin Juergensen 16/11/08
[/quote]

decoweenie

Mark,

I am sure you are aware the differences between 20/80 and 30/100 are just:

• slightly shallower first stop
• shorter duration on the last stop (3m) primarily, with very slight shorter duration on the stop before that (6m)

So my question is...

How much longer are you going to remain u/w to complete your last stop after your deco gas has ran out ?

Nad

I'm using VR since years now and never had major issues, sorry, nothing at all. Anyway I don't know liquivision and Shearwater so I can't be of much help.

Important for me is (beside the reliability of the computer and software, of course) the after sale service.
Delta P is great on that.

Probably I would choose the easier to have for cost and time delivery. Sherawater is Canadian as you are so...

Nad

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The Impossible is often the Untried

Skipbreather

Everybody’s head is wired differently. Methodology & logic paths that seem intuitive to one person can be cumbersome to someone else who might have the same native intelligence. My suggestion would to find a way, at the very least, to get an above water demo of any computer you are seriously considering. Punch the buttons. See what happens and if it makes sense to you. A couple of actual dives, if possible, would be ideal. Yes, easier said than done, but IMHO worth the effort.

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