A Dive Computer for the Tech Newbie

Jack911 · June 16th, 2009, 09:39 PM

So if a Tech Newbie came up to you and asked what computer he/she should buy, what advice would you offer?

This particular Tech Newbie has been considering the new VR3 HD 2008, VRx and Liquidvision X1.

So what say you?

Is the VR3 past it? Even with all that history and a new HD display?

What about the new VRx? Just a marketing exercise with a coloured case?

And the Liquidvision. Is it real competition or not?

**Spalek** · June 16th, 2009, 10:10 PM

I´d tell him to save the money for something more important and buy a simple bottom-timer

. But I´m a newbie as well...

What I like about the Liquivision X1 is the digits shining all the time....

MonkSeal · June 16th, 2009, 10:13 PM

Well, I would say that this was question made by tech wannabe rather then tech newbie. Education and bottom timer is way to go.

Jack911 · June 16th, 2009, 10:51 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by MonkSeal)

Well, I would say that this was question made by tech wannabe rather then tech newbie. Education and bottom timer is way to go.

Well, if we didn't wannabe then we never wouldbe.

Yes, I agree that education is the way to go.

But I think in this day and age we can do a little better than a simple bottom timer.

My concern is that I'd like to start my training with the hardware that I'll be using when I finish my training.

Is that such a bad thing?

Naomi S · June 16th, 2009, 11:03 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jack911)

Well, if we didn't wannabe then we never wouldbe.

Yes, I agree that education is the way to go.

But I think in this day and age we can do a little better than a simple bottom timer.

My concern is that I'd like to start my training with the hardware that I'll be using when I finish my training.

Is that such a bad thing?

You do know what forum this is don't you?

Good grief!

Jack911 · June 16th, 2009, 11:07 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Naomi S)

You do know what forum this is don't you?

Good grief!

Is there a problem?

Naomi S · June 16th, 2009, 11:14 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jack911)

Is there a problem?

Well this is a DIR forum and coming on here and saying things like, "I think we can do better than a simple bottom timer" is, well a bit rude IMO.

*David Martin* · June 16th, 2009, 11:17 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jack911)

But I think in this day and age we can do a little better than a simple bottom timer.

We can. We can buy a computer and put it into guage mode. This then gives us the advantages of a dive timer on the dive combined with a way of downloading the dive profile afterwards. Some of the computers even have stopwatches which are useful for deco, backlights which are useful in the dark and tell you things like temperature which are vaguely useful for putting in your logbook.

Quote:

My concern is that I'd like to start my training with the hardware that I'll be using when I finish my training.

In which case, you can still buy a dive timer or a cheap(ish) computer with a guage mode option

David

Jack911 · June 16th, 2009, 11:23 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Naomi S)

Well this is a DIR forum and coming on here and saying things like, "I think we can do better than a simple bottom timer" is, well a bit rude IMO.

Really?

Is that so rude?

Why?

If you guys are so technical, what are you doing fooling around with such outdated technology?

Or is it really that you're just adverse to any sort of criticism?

alexmzz · June 16th, 2009, 11:35 PM

You need to do some more research, but this forum is probably not the place to do it, as you've found out! Best thing to do is get on the net and browse around, plus when you get out diving, talk to other divers, see what they use and put some info together. Doesn't sound like there's any rush, and in the meantime, just get out there and log up some experience. You can do that with a basic computer, set in either computer or gauge mode. The market is changing all the time, have another look down the track when you're ready to go tech. In the meantime enjoy your diving.

June 16th, 2009, 10:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Spalek(Offline) A simple DIRX Supporter Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Prague, Europe Posts: 194	I´d tell him to save the money for something more important and buy a simple bottom-timer . But I´m a newbie as well... What I like about the Liquivision X1 is the digits shining all the time.... __________________ Špalek *Don´t di(v)e with PADI!* Btw. I´d never ever again buy anything from Mr. Black : www.divenow.co.uk www.kiwidiver.com/ScubaTraining.htm

June 16th, 2009, 09:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jack911(Offline) New Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: London Posts: 34	So if a Tech Newbie came up to you and asked what computer he/she should buy, what advice would you offer? This particular Tech Newbie has been considering the new VR3 HD 2008, VRx and Liquidvision X1. So what say you? Is the VR3 past it? Even with all that history and a new HD display? What about the new VRx? Just a marketing exercise with a coloured case? And the Liquidvision. Is it real competition or not?

June 16th, 2009, 10:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
MonkSeal(Offline) Old Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 566	Well, I would say that this was question made by tech wannabe rather then tech newbie. Education and bottom timer is way to go.

June 16th, 2009, 10:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jack911(Offline) New Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: London Posts: 34	Quote: (Originally Posted by MonkSeal) Well, I would say that this was question made by tech wannabe rather then tech newbie. Education and bottom timer is way to go. Well, if we didn't wannabe then we never wouldbe. Yes, I agree that education is the way to go. But I think in this day and age we can do a little better than a simple bottom timer. My concern is that I'd like to start my training with the hardware that I'll be using when I finish my training. Is that such a bad thing?

June 16th, 2009, 11:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
Naomi S(Offline) New Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 190	Quote: (Originally Posted by Jack911) Well, if we didn't wannabe then we never wouldbe. Yes, I agree that education is the way to go. But I think in this day and age we can do a little better than a simple bottom timer. My concern is that I'd like to start my training with the hardware that I'll be using when I finish my training. Is that such a bad thing? You do know what forum this is don't you? Good grief!

June 16th, 2009, 11:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jack911(Offline) New Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: London Posts: 34	Quote: (Originally Posted by Naomi S) You do know what forum this is don't you? Good grief! Is there a problem?

June 16th, 2009, 11:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
Naomi S(Offline) New Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 190	Quote: (Originally Posted by Jack911) Is there a problem? Well this is a DIR forum and coming on here and saying things like, "I think we can do better than a simple bottom timer" is, well a bit rude IMO.

June 16th, 2009, 11:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
David Martin(Offline) Instructor candidate Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: London Posts: 488	Quote: (Originally Posted by Jack911) But I think in this day and age we can do a little better than a simple bottom timer. We can. We can buy a computer and put it into guage mode. This then gives us the advantages of a dive timer on the dive combined with a way of downloading the dive profile afterwards. Some of the computers even have stopwatches which are useful for deco, backlights which are useful in the dark and tell you things like temperature which are vaguely useful for putting in your logbook. Quote: My concern is that I'd like to start my training with the hardware that I'll be using when I finish my training. In which case, you can still buy a dive timer or a cheap(ish) computer with a guage mode option David

June 16th, 2009, 11:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jack911(Offline) New Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: London Posts: 34	Quote: (Originally Posted by Naomi S) Well this is a DIR forum and coming on here and saying things like, "I think we can do better than a simple bottom timer" is, well a bit rude IMO. Really? Is that so rude? Why? If you guys are so technical, what are you doing fooling around with such outdated technology? Or is it really that you're just adverse to any sort of criticism?

June 16th, 2009, 11:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
alexmzz(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Australia Posts: 170	You need to do some more research, but this forum is probably not the place to do it, as you've found out! Best thing to do is get on the net and browse around, plus when you get out diving, talk to other divers, see what they use and put some info together. Doesn't sound like there's any rush, and in the meantime, just get out there and log up some experience. You can do that with a basic computer, set in either computer or gauge mode. The market is changing all the time, have another look down the track when you're ready to go tech. In the meantime enjoy your diving.