14 New Computers
The future of digital diving has arrived.
 14 New Computers - Features Chart--(3.9MB PDF) |
| 14 New Computers - Chamber Test--(292k PDF) |
At Scuba Lab, part of our mission is to help you stay informed about what's new and "state of the art" in dive gear, but when it comes to dive computers, that's a tricky thing. The pace of electronic evolution is so fast that each new generation of machines takes what seems like a quantum leap forward in features and new functions. That's certainly the case with the 14 new dive computers in this year's review. Of course, the one thing that hasn't changed in the equation is divers. We still need computers that are easy to read, understand and that will grow with our diving needs.
How We Tested Them
Scuba Lab contacted all major manufacturers and rounded up 14 of the newest dive computers. For the purposes of this review, we divided them into three categories:
Single-gas computers that are nitrox-capable to at least 50 percent. Computers in this category tend to be good for recreational diving and they can function as a backup computer or simple bottom timer for deep or technical diving.
These are multiple-gas computers for divers who stretch the recreational limits, and want the option of making safety stops with nitrox mixes up to 99 percent oxygen.
In this category are air-integrated computers (including wireless systems) and those with unique features or functions that advance what is state-of-the-art in this product category.
We put all 14 computers to the test following our standard three-phase protocols. In phase one, the Scuba Lab staff checked each computer to ensure it was functioning correctly. We reviewed owner's manuals, charted features, and talked to manufacturers to confirm the specs included on the features chart. In the second phase, we went to the USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber and subjected the machines to a four-dive profile to see if their algorithms trended either liberal (more bottom time) or conservative (less bottom time). Those results are charted and noted in each review. Finally, the Scuba Lab staff took each computer on multiple dives, writing down comments and observations on how each computer operated in real-world conditions. With all tests complete, we gathered our notes and compiled the following reviews.
Basic Computers
What we liked best: Low MSRP; simple operation; excellent owner's manual. What we would change: Add a backlight. The Review: The Aeris XR1 and Oceanic Veo 100 Nx are basic computers with nitrox capability for mixes up to 50 percent. They display only essential information in easy-to-read digits; use effective bar graphs to present nitrogen loading, ascent rate and oxygen exposure; and offer useful features like an automatic safety stop timer that ticks off three minutes when you ascend to 15 feet. A single push button is all that's required to navigate the settings and the sequences are fairly intuitive with help from the excellent owner's manual and waterproof prompt card. At this price point, you are giving up bells and whistles--most notably audible alarms, a backlight and the ability to download dive profiles--but these are excellent choices if you want a simple, low-cost computer. The Oceanic Veo 100 Nx and the Aeris XR1 are nearly identical, but differ slightly in how they display data. The depth and NDL digits are larger on the Veo, but the XR1 has more prominent nitrogen-loading, oxygen exposure and ascent rate graphs. We recommend comparing them side by side to see which style you prefer. Liberal or Conservative: The XR1 and Veo 100 Nx use a tried-and-true Modified Haldanean algorithm for liberal amounts of bottom time. Price: for computer only, with Aeris 2-gauge console or Oceanic Swiv Combo. |
What we liked best: Four primary display screen options; audible and visual alarms; excellent owner's manual. What we would change: Use the Aeris bar graph display on the Oceanic. The Review: The Aeris XR2 and Oceanic Veo 250 are still basic computers, but they come with features including a Dive Simulator function and a full menu of audible and visual alarms for everything from nitrox settings to depth, time and deco status. With both of these computers you also get a backlight function (you set the duration) and the option of downloading your profiles to a PC. Our favorite feature: Underwater, you can select one of four different primary screens for as much or as little data as you want. Both computers feature well-designed bar graphs to make monitoring your ascent rate, nitrogen loading and oxygen exposure easy, but the XR2 layout seems more intuitive, thanks to segments that grow larger as you move across the scale. On the other hand, not having the tissue-loading graph cut across the middle of the screen lets the Oceanic have larger numbers--it's really a matter of personal preference. Liberal or Conservative: The XR2 and Veo 250 use a Modified Haldanean algorithm for liberal amounts of bottom time. Both also feature a user-controlled alarm to signal when you reach a specific segment in the nitrogen tissue-loading bar graph. Price: for computer only, for Aeris 3-gauge console, for Oceanic 3-gauge Swiv Navcon QD console. PC interface kit, . |
What we liked best: Clever ascent rate monitor; easy-to-read graphics; big control buttons; great styling. What we would change: Include a laminated prompt card. The Review: The Nemo Excel is an edgier version of the original Nemo wristwatch computer. With a brushed stainless case, black-matte faux bezel and a full slate of watch functions, it's at home on your wrist whether you're diving a reef at 60 feet or giving a 60-minute presentation to the board of directors. Underwater, the Excel is good to go for single-gas air/nitrox diving up to 50 percent. It can also be converted to a straight bottom timer and features a special free-diving mode to boot. The four big control buttons make navigating menu options as easy as full-size computers, and for a watch-sized display, we found the Excel pretty easy to read. In dive mode, depth and NDLs are constant on every screen while max depth, PO2, dive time, temperature and deep-stop data are available at the press of a button. The ascent rate monitor is the best we've seen yet in a wristwatch computer, offering an ascent rate bar graph and a numeric display of your speed in feet-per-minute. Dive time is also graphically presented with dashes along the perimeter for the display, a nice touch. Liberal or Conservative: In our chamber tests, the Mares-Wienke RGBM algorithm was consistently one of the most conservative on bottom time. You can also choose to make it more conservative through the use of three altitude and two "personal correction" settings. Price: . PC Interface kit, . |
What we liked best: Ascent rate bar graph with numeric speed indicator; easy-to-read screen; low MSRP. What we would change: Nothing. The Review: The Puck is an elegantly simple computer that offers single-gas diving on air or on nitrox mixes up to 50 percent, and it can serve ably as a bottom timer/backup computer. It features a high-resolution, high-contrast display with large digits and backlight illumination on demand. Single button operation makes it easy to quickly scroll through the menu options. Underwater, the layout is simple and uncluttered with depth and NDLs prominently displayed on screen while secondary data such as temperature and dive time are found in smaller script below. The nicest feature was the ascent rate bar graph with ascent speed also displayed numerically. For divers who like a simple, affordable and low-hassle computer, the Puck is an excellent choice, and it has the ability (with the optional download kit) to store dive profiles on your home computer. Liberal or Conservative: The Puck tends to be one of the more conservative models in this review and can be made more so with two personal conservative factor settings. Price: . PC Interface kit, . |
What we liked best: Very light and compact on the wrist; feature-packed free-dive mode. What we would change: Include a digital compass feature. The Review: The D4 is a lightweight entry-level model new to the "D" line of Suunto wristwatch computers, including the D6 and D9. It comes in a lightweight composite case with metal backing and trim ring, and while it lacks both the cool styling and digital compass feature we found appealing in the higher-end units, it offers everything you need in a basic computer. It's a single-gas computer that handles air or nitrox mixes up to 50 percent, plus it has an unusually rich free-dive mode, including a daily history page, depth alarm and a surface time alarm. The screen makes efficient use of the space with just the essential data displayed: Depth and NDL with an ascent rate bar graph on the right and nitrogen bar graph on the left. Smaller numbers on the bottom give alternate data. Liberal or Conservative: In chamber tests, the D4 was one of the more conservative computers in this review. To make it more so, there are three personal adjustment and three altitude settings. Price: . |
Advanced Computers
What we liked best: A nice digital compass feature; upgraded screen prompts and four-button operation; excellent logbook function. What we would change: Add a laminated prompt card. The Review: This upgraded version of the original Vyper boasts an electronic compass, a new matrix display screen and multi-gas programming for mixes ranging from 21 to 99 percent oxygen. Also new to the Vyper 2 is a fourth control button and an intuitive system of well-marked screen prompts that make scrolling through options easy. Underwater, the screen is clear and uncluttered, with big, bold digits presenting depth and NDLs, while dive time, temperature, max depth and time of day share space at the bottom. A tall ascent rate bar graph runs along the right side with a nitrogen bar graph on the left for quick reference. The digital compass feature is a very nice addition. It responds quickly to course changes, and displays numeric bearings when the unit is level. If you like keeping meticulous records, the logbook mode on the Vyper 2 displays three pages of info for every dive, including a graphic dive profile with real-time water temperatures. Liberal or Conservative: The Vyper 2 was one of the more conservative computers in this review. Three personal adjustment settings and three altitude settings allow you to make it more conservative. Price: for wrist, for 2-gauge console (as shown). Download kit, . |
What we liked best: Lowest MSRP multi-gas computer in this review; large color-coded bar graphs; user-replaceable battery. What we would change: Add a screen guard. The Review: This new computer is user-friendly, versatile, very easy to read and it comes with a reasonable price tag. It features an expansive display, big, bold digits and the best bar graphs of any computer in this review. A trio of control buttons takes any confusion out of navigating through the system, but what makes the N2ition versatile is its dual-gas mix capability. You can program it to monitor your dives using a primary gas in the 21 to 50 percent range and a deco gas up to 99 percent oxygen. At depth, the N2ition's primary display provides crucial depth and NDL data in big, can't-miss digits at the top of the screen. Just below, in smaller digits, you get dive time and nitrox data presented in an uncluttered layout. A push of the left button switches mixes. Push and hold the right button, and you get the alternate screen providing temperature, max depth and dive time. Large color-coded bar graphs provide at-a-glance tracking of ascent rate, nitrogen loading and oxygen exposure. Liberal or Conservative: The N2ition uses a Modified Buhlmann algorithm that tests show to be among the more conservative algorithms used in dive computers today. A Safety Factor feature allows you to make the calculations even more conservative. Price: . |
Cutting-Edge Computers
What we liked best: Hands-free diving with a readable display even in "blackout" conditions. What we would change: Add a digital compass. The Review: The word that comes to mind when using these new computer masks is simply "freedom." Your hands are free to work the controls of your camera and your mind is free to focus on the dive because all your dive-critical data--current depth, cylinder pressure, dive time, safe dive time remaining and a nitrogen tissue-loading bar graph--is displayed right where you can see it at all times. The magnified LCD screen is built into the right lens and displays everything in bright white numbers on a blue background. Additional information is accessed with the press of a button, and the user can control the intensity of the backlight to suit conditions. These are single-gas computers able to handle air or nitrox up to 50 percent, and in spite of their size, the masks themselves are comfortable and lighter than you might expect. Some field of view is lost to the LCD display, but after a few minutes in the water, we no longer noticed. Liberal or Conservative: The Modified Haldanean algorithm is on the more liberal side of those tested in this review. The user can make the calculations more conservative by activating a Conservative Factor setting or by using the tissue-loading bar graph alarm to signal when you are within a specific number of segments. Price: for the complete package, including one transmitter, PC interface kit and a protective case. |
What we liked best: Oversized screen; outstanding digital compass feature; rich logbook functions; ease of use. What we would change: Add e-mail capability. Why not? It's got everything else! The Review: If there's a computer out there with more features and functions than the Uwatec Galileo Sol, we haven't seen it, but what really impressed us about this cutting-edge machine is how simple it is to use. The display is huge and three function buttons move you through well-labeled menus so intuitively you might not even need the owner's manual. The Sol features wireless air-integration that reads up to four high-pressure transmitters at the same time. It can track three nitrox mixes up to 100 percent. It comes with a Polar heart-rate monitoring system to monitor your workload, and it uses that data--along with tank pressure, breathing rate, depth and upcoming decompression obligations--to calculate your true remaining bottom time. It also features the PDIS (Profile-Dependent Intermediate Stop) option, which plans an intermediate safety stop based on the current dive profile and residual nitrogen. A cavernous memory lets you store 100 hours of dive information at a four-second sampling rates and the logbook function stores six pages of information for each dive, including two graphic charts. And it's the only computer EN certified to 1,082 feet. The Terra is a slightly toned-down version of the Sol at almost half the MSRP. The primary difference is that the Terra isn't air-integrated. It also doesn't come with the heart rate monitor or the PDIS option, but these two features are available as upgrades. Taking advantage of their big screens, the Sol and the Terra have the largest and most user-friendly digital compass feature we've ever seen on a dive computer. With the press of a button the entire screen turns into a compass rose that lets you set bearings and perform navigation patterns while it still displays critical dive data in an easy-to-read format. Bonus: It even operates on a 90-degree tilt. The primary display screen can be personalized to your liking with three formats. The "light" screen is basic and uncluttered, the "classic" gives you more info and the "full" screen has it all. Common to all three displays are nitrogen tissue-loading and oxygen-exposure bar graphs that stretch the height of both sides of the screen, with the nitrogen bar graph doubling as an effective variable ascent rate monitor. The Galileo actually lets you view a graphic dive profile and track tissue loading via a detailed saturation bar graph, at depth, with just the push of a button. Liberal or Conservative: The Galileo uses Uwatec's Buhlmann ZH-L8 ADT MB PMG algorithm. In chamber tests, it tended to be middle-of-the-road when it comes to its liberal/conservative leanings. Users can make calculations more conservative using the six microbubble suppression level settings. Price: Galileo Sol with smart transmitter and heart monitor, ; Galileo Terra . |
What we liked best: Compact design; nice digital compass feature. What we would change: Not a thing. The Review: Like the original Cobra, the compact Cobra 2 is a full-featured, air-integrated dive computer. This new version lets you switch between two gases and program nitrox mixes up to 99 percent. The Cobra 2 also uses Suunto's Deep Stop RGBM algorithm, which gives you the option of choosing from either traditional safety stops or making deep stops to facilitate off-gassing. It includes a built-in electronic compass with tilt sensor and matrix display, and it now features a four-button operation. Screen prompts are clearly marked, and we were able to set time, date, and nitrox mix without referring to the manual. An optional quick-disconnect fitting lets you separate the computer from the high-pressure hose for easy downloading or safe packing. Bonus: The logbook mode has three pages of info including a very cool graphic profile of the dive with real-time tank pressure and water temp readings. Underwater the screen served up data in big, bold digits. The main display packs a lot of information into its compact screen: depth, air-time remaining, NDL, tank pressure and dive time. The bottom buttons bring up less critical information on alternate screens. A tall ascent rate bar graph runs along the right side of the display with a tank pressure bar graph on the left for quick reference. The digital compass responds quickly and displays a large compass rose and numeric bearings, while a tilt sensor lets you know when the compass is level enough for an accurate reading. Liberal or Conservative: The Cobra 2 is one of the more conservative computers in this review. If that's not enough, there are three personal adjustment settings and three altitude settings to make it more conservative. Price: . |
What to Look For
For more detail on each of the computers reviewed here--from batteries to warranties--turn to our Computer Features chart on p. 88 to 89. Given the seemingly endless combinations of styles, prices and feature sets, chances are, there's a computer out there that is exactly what you want. Don't settle for less. And don't forget these basic considerations:
Wristwatch, wrist-mount, console or puck? Wristwatch computers have the added utility of serving topside as a full-featured timepiece, and some have just as many advanced features as traditional high-end computers. The trade-off: Smaller screens may be more difficult to read, and smaller buttons may be harder to operate with gloved hands. Most divers are familiar with wrist-mount computers. They tend to have larger screens with plenty of room for bigger digits, bar graphs and additional information on the primary screen, but some can be bulky. Console computers allow for air integration without wireless transmitters and also tend to have large, easy-to-read screens. Many now offer quick-release options so you can take them with you after a day of diving. Puck computers range from ultra-simple to feature-rich and offer multiple mounting options.
There's a definite trend in computers and even wireless transmitters toward user-replaceable batteries, and we think that's a very good thing. Just be sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions for sealing the case when you put a fresh power cell in. Water and a computer's delicate electronics don't mix.
Given the new features and complex functions of modern dive computers, a clear, concise owner's manual is more important than ever. We're partial to those with screen diagrams and waterproof prompt cards. Just as important is an operating system that's intuitive and well-labeled.
| 14 New Computers Chart--(3.9MB PDF) |
| 14 New Computers - Chamber Test--(292k PDF) |
