From: pyron@skndiv.dseg.ti.com (Dillon Pyron)
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
Subject: Re: computer recomendations?
Date: 20 Aug 92 17:45:17 GMT
Reply-To: pyron@skndiv.dseg.ti.com
Organization: TI/DSEG VAX Support


In article <10369@sun13.scri.fsu.edu>, mayne@ds1.scri.fsu.edu (Bill Mayne) writes:
>In article <1992Aug13.213754.2933@mksol.dseg.ti.com> pyron@skndiv.dseg.ti.com writes:
>>In article <1992Aug12.232747.21137@ads.com>, patterso@ADS.COM (Tim J. Patterson) asks about the Skinny-Dipper versus U.S. Divers Monitor II.
>>
>>My wife and I have rented the Skinny Dipper, and several of the instructors I
>>work with use them.  They are simple and have VERY LARGE numbers.  On the
>>negative, you have to turn them on, and they earned a nasty rep for flooding. 
>>I believe the Monitor II is the same machine as the Aladin?  If so, I have the
>>Pro, my wife has the Sport.  I really like it.
>
>I have the Sport and I like it. I would like to have the Pro to get projected
>time to surface when in decompression mode. Otherwise the differences between
>the Pro and the Sport are too small to justify the bigger price tag on the
>Pro for me. The best prices I've seen have been $410 for the Pro and $240 for
>the Sport, and usually the difference is more (both $ and %). Hence if you
>are committed to strictly no-decompression diving the Sport is a better deal,
>IMO. I believe that the Monitor II is the same as the Pro. Hence an Aladin
>Sport might be a more economical alternative. They seem to be reliable and
>don't have to be turned on. In fact if you don't use the logbook or dive
>planning features you never have to touch a control to use these computers.
>Don't underestimate the value of that simplicity.

I like both the simplicity and the compact size, although the latter is getting
to be less of an advantage with some of the new computers.

One other feature which I like is related to instruction.  The scenario is that
you are at 35 ft. with the student and signal "You are out of air, make and
ESA".  Next, grab your inflator and raise it, which brings the computer into
view of both you and the student.  With your right hand, grab the student's BC
and subtly wrap your leg around the ascent line.  If the little SLOW arrow
starts flashing, apply a little brakes.  If you hear the beep, lock 'em up! 
And the student knows why!  The ascent monitor (which is becoming more common)
is probably the second most important feature on dive computers.  (The first is
brand, right?? :-)

>
>On the negative side Aladins (and Monitor IIs, if indead they are the same)
>are so conservative I wouldn't be very happy with them for no-decompression
>diving. The NDL at 100 feet is 16 minutes versus 25 minutes for the USN
>tables, for example. I do mostly decompression dives, and let the dive guide
>the decompression rather than the other way around, as is usual for
>no-decompression divers. That is I do whatever dive I want and whatever
>decompression is required for that dive, plus padding. If I was shortening
>my dives rather than lengthening my stops I'd be less happy with the Aladin.
>It is not true that computers necessarily give you more bottom time.
>
>Consider carefully what you are buying a computer for. If you are doing a
>lot of multi-level dives with a significant portion of the dive much
>shallower than maximum depth, or are willing to either give up bottom time
>or increase decompression time for more safety I think computers are great.
>
>The Skinny Dipper is less conservative and not suitable for serious
>decompression diving, according to people who have looked into it
>and whose opinions I respect. This isn't necessarily a slam. It just
>depends on what you want. How many recreational divers besides wreck and
>cave divers do major decompressions? (For present purposes consider
>"major decompressions" as involving more than a fairly short 10 foot
>stop, or at most starting with a very short 20 foot stop.) A less
>conservative computer with minimal provision for decompression might be
>just the ticket for many divers.
My only two decompression dives weren't planned as such, I was lead man on the
first buddy team for a deep dive class and drag on the way up.  Well things got
drawn out, people got delayed and next thing you know ...  (Not diving your
plan is never an excuse, mea culpa)
>
>>BTW.  If you're going to dive with one for a week, get ready to buy one when
>>you get back!!!  You'll be addicted.
>
>And in that case it might be worth buying one before you go so the rental
>cost can be applied to purchase - unless you can work out a good deal on
>renting with option to buy. It only hurts once when you pay for it and
>it helps every time you use it.
>
>Bill Mayne
>
--
Dillon Pyron                      | The opinions expressed are those of the
TI/DSEG Lewisville VAX Support    | sender unless otherwise stated.
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