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isp475 · 05-30-2002, 05:26 AM,

was wanting some advice on the Oceanic, Uwatec and Suunto line of computers. I am relatively new to diving having recently been certified after performing the OW dives in Hawaii for a universal referral. I am interested in purchasing some equipment but I can't make up my mind on the computers. I dove with a Oceanic Prodigy while performing the OW dives and really liked it, but I have heard some real good reviews on the Suunto and Uwatec computers. Price wise, I know the Oceanic is cheaper, and the others are more expensive. If I remember correctly, the Oceanic was more liberal than the Uwatec and Suunto. What type of algorythms do the three computers use and which is better? Any advice is appreciated. I was looking at the Oceanic Versa Pro, the Suunto Cobra and an Uwatec computer that was nitrox capable. Thanks. Tim

Chris · 05-30-2002, 05:37 AM,

If you're looking for console mount: Uwatec Smart Com Suunto Cobra If you are looking for wrist mount: Uwatec Smart Pro Suunto Vyper or Mosquito If you are looking for air integrated wrist mount: Uwatec Aladdin Air Z (I would recommend the Suunto Vytec, but it just came out this year and seeing as how it's air integrated I'd wait until it's had some exposure.) Of all computer brands, I believe Uwatec has the best performance available. They are generally more expensive, but worth it. Next year I may get out of my Mosquito and into a Smoart Pro or air integrated Air Z. My Mosquito has everything I need and it was a low cost option with Nitrox capabilities.

Chris · 05-30-2002, 07:02 AM,

"Just a background, I like to keep a 1.4 ata partial pressure (p.p.) profile. I don't usually enjoy pushing the envelope into the 1.5 ata or 1.6 ata, though I've been there and my Uwatecs worked like a charm. Concerning algorithms: The opinion that the Suunto and Uwatec computers are more conservative is false. If the computer's O2 ata p.p is programmable, then the maximum depth and bottom time algorithm is adjusted. Most computers come set at 1.4 (which most dive tables are set for), then they can recalibrate for your current location in the water throughout the dive. Others come with 1.5 ata. Which is halfway between the 1.6 emergency contingency models. (In most cases, most educated divers try to keep their p.p. at 1.4 no matter what their depth or dive profile. Even in extreme technical diving). My hose-less Uwatec for example can be set from a Maximum Operating Depth (MOD) from 1.2 ata to 1.95 ata. (John Hardy, who has since passed away, was the leading editor for scuba diving's scuba lab, which tests a variety of brands of dive gear. He said that they initially made a mistake in publishing that some computers were more conservative than others, but because of content space they couldn't fit everything in they wanted -which happens quite often) When I spoke with Mr. Hardy, he also mentioned an upcoming side-bar editorial that was being published afterward. It came out explaining that most of the dive computer manufacturers had not been making any advances to their algorithms, though medical research and advancements had forecasted some of them could be changed. Many were based solely upon the Navy tables (that's about 50 yrs old now) and Haldane's gas theory research, without adaptations to any current research. This publishing angered many advertisers as they were promoting "latest and greatest" computer advances with only a name change and new packaging. (This is still occurring, you can see the same computer under many different brand names with maybe just a slight change of read-out, etc) I started looking into the Uwatec line of computer long ago because Uwatec was considered by many to be the brains behind the scene when they were partnered with Drager Rebreathers. I bought into the Uwatec computer line long ago because it had the most reliable and proven track record in the tech-diving community. Everyone was using the Aladin Pro at that time because it offered all the liberal profile you wanted along with the most accuracy for the depths you wanted to go. They also offered an adaptable algorithm, which was accounting for and adapting to the ACTUAL diver behavior, temperature of the water, as well as the workload. That's important to me here in Minnesota especially for temperature changes and the environment your in, the effect of your workload and movement, and a combination of these things. This was by far and huge advance in the development of a profile, based upon newer research on Doppler examination of bubble formation. (Remember that PADI RDP Wheel that was designed, it offers multi-level dive profiling, which none of the tables were designed to do. The tables were designed of the Navy's basis of having divers descend for a specific task and ascend. That's not the recreational diver, we dive multi-level profiles on almost every dive.) Later I started using some of the Oceanic computers, but my DataMax went on the fritz, and then the company started recalling them. (All Aeris have been recently recalled as well, SAME manufacturer). I got rid of it and kept with my Uwatec. I've only dove the Suunto computers once and for my dive profile, it was not a computer I wished to have. I like long, deep dives, especially on vacation. There were two others with the Mosquito, same result, but even more conservative profiles than I. The Suunto's were locking out on a regular basis, though the Uwatec Aladin Pro and hose-less Air Z-Nitrox computers were all showing accurate profiles and matched with the freedom I wanted for my own diving, yet still trying to avoid decompression diving. Recently, there is a breakthrough with the Uwatec Smart Pro (and all the Smart series). They still utilize the adaptable micro-bubble level. But more importantly for the smart series is the level stops it can recommend for micro bubble build-up. I recently read the debate of Haldane's off-gas theory versus Hill's, from Alert Diver (DAN research). Haldane said that by stopping half-way to the surface from your depth, you decrease the 1/2 life p.p of the gas, improving deco and safety. Hill suggested that a divers profile could go straight up to the safety stop. (Both following a slow ascent rate) After a long debate and a lot of research, Haldane was proven the superior method. Hill theory could potentially increase your chance of type II DCS (neurological sickness - very common), more so than Haldane's theory. And the Smart series of computers now advice you of the micro-bubble level stops, without limiting your dive freedom or profile. I hope that some of the other manufacturers and distributors continue to improve upon their dive computers and their potentials as I'm always looking for my next safe, fun and reliable toy."

isp475 · 05-31-2002, 05:38 AM,

Thanks for the information thus far. It is helpful.

isp475 · 06-04-2002, 05:58 AM,

I was reading a little more on the Uwatec, Suunto and Aeris/Oceanic lines and found that each run a different algorhythm. The Aeris and Oceanic: modified Haldanean which utilizes 12 tissue compartments. The Uwatec: Buhlman which checks 8 tissue compartments and in some models monitors microbubbles and the Suunto which is a RGBM model. Does anyone know enough about these models to explain the benefits or not of them, such as monitoring 8 vs. 12 tissues. I guess it really comes down to what your LDS sells unless you want to drive several hours to make a purchase from a different shop and then mail the product each year for it annual service? Thanks.

**freedivernd** · 06-04-2002, 03:27 PM,

Hey Chris, Next year when/if you "get out of your mosquito" ... maybe you'd sell it to me? Â I have one now and really like it but would like to have another for when I get someone talked into diving with me who is depth gauge and dive computer-less.... Tim - I'm familiar with the mosquito and like it very much but I've only used it in the "freedive" mode...and sometimes as a wristwatch .. (yeah, I know.. most scuba divers could care less about a "freedive mode") I did dive with a scuba diver last winter that had a suunto cobra or viper (can't remember for sure which) and he really liked that one.. Fred Johnson