The Best of Everything Gear Guide 2003: Dive Computers
Dive Computers Reviewed in This Article
| AERIS 100S AERIS 300G AERIS 500AI AERIS 750GT AERIS ATMOS Pro AERIS ATMOS Sport AERIS Savant GENESIS SCUBA React GENESIS SCUBA Resource MARES Surveyor MARES Surveyor Nitrox MARES Tutor OCEANIC Datamax Pro OCEANIC Datamax Pro Plus |
OCEANIC Data Plus OCEANIC Data Plus 2 OCEANIC Datatrans Plus OCEANIC Prodigy OCEANIC XTC-100 SCUBAPRO Air Z Nitrox SCUBAPRO Aladin Air Z O2 SCUBAPRO Aladin Pro Ultra SCUBAPRO Aladin Sport Plus SHERWOOD SCUBA Logic SUUNTO Cobra SUUNTO Favor SUUNTO Stinger SUUNTO Vyper |
Dive computers continue to get better, cheaper and easier to use. Most offer diver-friendly graphics like bar graphs and green-yellow-red coding. Increasingly common is the ability to download data to a laptop or Palm Pilot so you can later analyze your dive habits. Visual and audible alarms are other trends, as is the dive computer's ability to handle various gas mixes.
Scuba Lab tests dive computers both in a pressure chamber and in the ocean for accuracy and ease of use. And only Scuba Lab rates all computers on a "Freedom vs Risk" scale so you can find the computer that matches your style of diving.
No dive computers were reviewed by Scuba Lab in 2002; however, here are the top performers of the last Scuba Lab tests that are still in distribution.
AERIS
100S A price-competitive computer with a unique feature: it comes with a submersible pressure gauge and shares some of its functions with the SPG. $489.95 NOTE: Discontinued; limited quantities may be available in 2003. |
300G The nitrox-capable version of the 100S. With PC interface. $599.95 |
500AI Offers hose-mounted gas integration and the ability to display both gas time and no-decompression limits simultaneously. Nitrox-capable. With PC interface. $739.95 NOTE: Replaced by the ATMOS ai. |
750GT A hoseless high-tech dive computer with features not found on other computers, including a breathing rate indicator and extensive personal settings. Gas-integrated. Nitrox-capable. $1,099.95 |
ATMOS Pro A 300G without the submersible pressure gauge, making it even less expensive. Nitrox-capable. PC interface. $399.95 |
ATMOS Sport Offers all the features of the Atmos Pro with the exception of nitrox compatibility and PC downloading. $339.95 NOTE: Replaced by ATMOS 1. |
Savant Can be used with nitrox, has an excellent PC interface and an extended deep-diving algorithm. $499.95 |
GENESIS SCUBA
React Features the best graphic display of nitrogen loading. Nitrox-capable. Optional PC interface. $400 |
Resource Budget computer that uses effective and intuitive graphic displays. $300. |
MARES
Surveyor A user-friendly model that logs and profiles more dives than the less expensive Tutor. With PC interface. $479 |
Surveyor Nitrox Gives you the option of making a dozen different gas settings, customizing as much as possible to your diving. Nitrox-capable. With PC interface. $514 |
Tutor Very easy to use, thanks to two buttons and on-screen prompts. With PC interface. $379 |
OCEANIC
Datamax Pro Least expensive air-integrated dive computer available. $599.95 NOTE: Replaced by the Pro Plus 2. |
Datamax Pro Plus Just about the easiest-reading computer around; makes excellent use of color-highlighted graphs. Gas-integrated. Nitrox-capable. With PC interface. $735; with compass & quick disconnect. $835 NOTE: Replaced by the Pro Plus 2. |
Data Plus Reasonably priced, nitrox-capable and made for extended-range diving. With PC interface. $379.95 NOTE: Discontinued; limited quantities available through 2003. |
Data Plus 2 Has two buttons instead of the Data Plus's one, adding functions, including a simple walk-through method of use. Nitrox-capable. With PC interface. $419.95 NOTE: Replaced by the Versa Pro. |
Datatrans Plus Nitrox-capable. Uses a color-enhanced graphic display for nitrogen loading, breathing rate, air remaining and ascent. Air-integrated. Hoseless. With PC interface. $799 NOTE: Replaced by the VT Pro. |
Prodigy Most economical model in Oceanic's family of computers. $305.95 NOTE: Replaced by the Versa. |
XTC-100 Large display numbers make this user-friendly wrist computer ideal for older eyes. Nitrox-capable. $499.95 NOTE: Discontinued; limited quantities available through 2003. New Versa Pro is available as a wrist unit. |
SCUBAPRO
Air Z Nitrox Variable ascent rate indicator for improved dive efficiency. Illumination comes standard. Oxygen function does not default. Excellent oxygen warnings. $1,260 |
Aladin Air Z O2 Hoseless, gas-integrated and nitrox-capable. Optional PC interface. Can be used with a rebreather. $920 |
Aladin Pro Ultra A Pro Nitrox (discontinued) with the addition of a screen cover and backlighting. Nitrox-capable. Optional PC interface. $500 |
Aladin Sport Plus A Sport (discontinued) with the addition of a screen cover and backlighting. Optional PC interface. $350 |
SHERWOOD SCUBA
Logic Features clear nitrogen-loading graphs with three-color highlighting. Nitrox- capable module, $350; 3-gauge console, $490 |
SUUNTO
Cobra Packs more features and functions into a small space than any other dive computer we've tested. Gas-integrated. Nitrox-capable. Optional PC interface. $750 |
Favor Features a date and time function that stays on as a watch even when the computer is at rest. Wrist unit, $240 NOTE: Replaced by the Favor S. |
Stinger It's a dive computer, it's a watch. It's also highly adjustable with a wealth of settings and extensive memory. Excellent for decompression dives. Nitrox-capable. Optional PC interface. Also available with silver band and in titanium and silver. Basic model, $745 |
Vyper Features include the ability to make a "bookmark" at any point during a dive; this then shows up on the profile when reviewed so you can tell just when an event occurred. Nitrox-capable. Optional PC interface. $475 |
