What software for exploring deco/gas planning?

**neilh** · January 4th, 2006, 09:39 AM

The ratio deco vs computers thread has been a fascinating read, but most of it has gone waay over my head

So much to learn yet, so I started looking at some of the software mentioned in the thread to explore some of the numbers and examples and try to help me understand.

There seem to be quite a few programs out there that people are using (V-planner, HLPlanner, DecoPlanner, etc) - are they all pretty similar or is there one that stands out from the rest? Are there any to avoid like a BCD and bungeed octopus

JimC · January 4th, 2006, 03:33 PM

The 3 you listed all give very simmilar stop depths and times.
V-Planner is used the most
DecoPlanner provides the most information
HLPlanner is free

**neilh** · January 6th, 2006, 04:07 PM

Thanks Jim, I'll have a tinker with a couple and see how I get on!

jluttichau · January 6th, 2006, 05:02 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by neilh)

Thanks Jim, I'll have a tinker with a couple and see how I get on!

GAP uses RGBM and Buhlmann and you can get a free trial version from www.gap-software.com.

Cheers
Jonas

Alex · January 6th, 2006, 06:09 PM

V planner also gives a free trial period. It is a very user-friendly and easy to understand program

http://www.hhssoftware.com/v-planner/

Alex

JimC · January 7th, 2006, 12:34 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Alex)

V planner also gives a free trial period. It is a very user-friendly and easy to understand program

http://www.hhssoftware.com/v-planner/

Alex

V-Planners trial version is completely usless.

Mark Chase · January 7th, 2006, 07:53 AM

V planner is good for profiling but Decoplaners user interface is the most easy to use dive planning software out there. the information you need is all there clearly laid out and self explanatory. I hope the new VPM version offers manual stop adjustment if it does it would be perfect for OC planning.

Unfortunately it doesn't cover CCR so i have been getting to grips with Vplanner. its a brilliant package but the way it presents the dive data is a jumbled mess of figures that IMHO takes getting used to.

I posted this before and Ross picked up on it and emailed me which was a bit embarrassing but I have been using the Vplanner now for about 18months and I still find it annoying. So sorry Ross.

ATB

Mark Chase

Alex · January 7th, 2006, 11:44 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by JimC)

V-Planners trial version is completely usless.

Its not the trial version- it is the normal version, which just starts working slower after 30 days. This is from their page:

"V-Planner is a Shareware program. You are granted license to view and evaluate the program free of charge for 30 days. After this period, you are requested to either register the program and pay the registration fee, or to cease using the program and remove it from your computer. After the evaluation period has expired, the program will continue to function normally, but it will begin to nag you."

The cost of registration is 45 pounds.

I like this program, never used the Decoplanner though, so cannot compare.

Alex

Mark Chase · January 7th, 2006, 12:14 PM

Heres a Decoplanner interface:

You can get all the info at a glance, dive time deco time stop duration and run tim CNS gas required with what reserve, GFs its all clearley laid out.

Chris B · January 7th, 2006, 04:03 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by neilh)

The ratio deco vs computers thread has been a fascinating read, but most of it has gone waay over my head

So much to learn yet, so I started looking at some of the software mentioned in the thread to explore some of the numbers and examples and try to help me understand.

There seem to be quite a few programs out there that people are using (V-planner, HLPlanner, DecoPlanner, etc) - are they all pretty similar or is there one that stands out from the rest? Are there any to avoid like a BCD and bungeed octopus

I dont have the latest version of Deco Planner but I do have the latest version of V-Planner. For the standard, 45m for 30mins BT dive (ratio deco set point) it gives the same time as DOTF calcs to within 1min, also the curve looks pretty good.

I have to admit, I prefer to work it all out in my head along with gas plans, so then I am really comfortable with what ever thing should read at each point in the dive and how much leeway I have.

I still run plans through software from time to time and tend to stick with V planner and Deco Planner.

Cheers

Chris B

January 4th, 2006, 09:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
neilh (Online) Haemoglobin on the bus... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Barnsley, UK Posts: 1,900	What software for exploring deco/gas planning? The ratio deco vs computers thread has been a fascinating read, but most of it has gone waay over my head So much to learn yet, so I started looking at some of the software mentioned in the thread to explore some of the numbers and examples and try to help me understand. There seem to be quite a few programs out there that people are using (V-planner, HLPlanner, DecoPlanner, etc) - are they all pretty similar or is there one that stands out from the rest? Are there any to avoid like a BCD and bungeed octopus

January 7th, 2006, 07:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
Mark Chase(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent England Posts: 905	V planner is good for profiling but Decoplaners user interface is the most easy to use dive planning software out there. the information you need is all there clearly laid out and self explanatory. I hope the new VPM version offers manual stop adjustment if it does it would be perfect for OC planning. Unfortunately it doesn't cover CCR so i have been getting to grips with Vplanner. its a brilliant package but the way it presents the dive data is a jumbled mess of figures that IMHO takes getting used to. I posted this before and Ross picked up on it and emailed me which was a bit embarrassing but I have been using the Vplanner now for about 18months and I still find it annoying. So sorry Ross. ATB Mark Chase __________________ The only DIR Inspiration diver in the village

January 7th, 2006, 12:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mark Chase(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent England Posts: 905	Heres a Decoplanner interface: You can get all the info at a glance, dive time deco time stop duration and run tim CNS gas required with what reserve, GFs its all clearley laid out. __________________ The only DIR Inspiration diver in the village

January 7th, 2006, 04:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
Chris B(Offline) Chris B Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NW UK Posts: 229	Quote: (Originally Posted by neilh) The ratio deco vs computers thread has been a fascinating read, but most of it has gone waay over my head So much to learn yet, so I started looking at some of the software mentioned in the thread to explore some of the numbers and examples and try to help me understand. There seem to be quite a few programs out there that people are using (V-planner, HLPlanner, DecoPlanner, etc) - are they all pretty similar or is there one that stands out from the rest? Are there any to avoid like a BCD and bungeed octopus I dont have the latest version of Deco Planner but I do have the latest version of V-Planner. For the standard, 45m for 30mins BT dive (ratio deco set point) it gives the same time as DOTF calcs to within 1min, also the curve looks pretty good. I have to admit, I prefer to work it all out in my head along with gas plans, so then I am really comfortable with what ever thing should read at each point in the dive and how much leeway I have. I still run plans through software from time to time and tend to stick with V planner and Deco Planner. Cheers Chris B __________________ www.merseydivers.com www.boardmanbikes.com

January 4th, 2006, 03:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
JimC(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ottawa Posts: 18	The 3 you listed all give very simmilar stop depths and times. V-Planner is used the most DecoPlanner provides the most information HLPlanner is free

January 6th, 2006, 04:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
neilh (Online) Haemoglobin on the bus... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Barnsley, UK Posts: 1,900	Thanks Jim, I'll have a tinker with a couple and see how I get on!

January 6th, 2006, 05:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
jluttichau(Offline) Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 437	Quote: (Originally Posted by neilh) Thanks Jim, I'll have a tinker with a couple and see how I get on! GAP uses RGBM and Buhlmann and you can get a free trial version from www.gap-software.com. Cheers Jonas

January 6th, 2006, 06:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
Alex(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nottingham Posts: 74	V planner also gives a free trial period. It is a very user-friendly and easy to understand program http://www.hhssoftware.com/v-planner/ Alex

January 7th, 2006, 12:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
JimC(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ottawa Posts: 18	Quote: (Originally Posted by Alex) V planner also gives a free trial period. It is a very user-friendly and easy to understand program http://www.hhssoftware.com/v-planner/ Alex V-Planners trial version is completely usless.

January 7th, 2006, 11:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
Alex(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nottingham Posts: 74	Quote: (Originally Posted by JimC) V-Planners trial version is completely usless. Its not the trial version- it is the normal version, which just starts working slower after 30 days. This is from their page: "V-Planner is a Shareware program. You are granted license to view and evaluate the program free of charge for 30 days. After this period, you are requested to either register the program and pay the registration fee, or to cease using the program and remove it from your computer. After the evaluation period has expired, the program will continue to function normally, but it will begin to nag you." The cost of registration is 45 pounds. I like this program, never used the Decoplanner though, so cannot compare. Alex