Watch this beautifully made video by Citizen:

Sexy, isn’t it?

It leaves the buyer to wonder.  Should I drop $400-$1,500 on a Dive Computer (Dive Rite Nitek Trio, Oceanic OC1, Oceanic Atom 2.0) or can I get away with a Dive watch, for $200-$700?

Dive Computers

Many divers who are professional, military, recreational or even competitive freedivers that insist on accuracy and “simplicity in the sophistication” (mashing a button for depth and time, mashing the same button again for compass heading) swear by their dive computer as an invaluable diving aid. The thing that distinguishes these devices from all the other dive modalities (dive watches, slates, dive tables) is that not only does its state of the art features fit perfectly for all sorts of diving but they are committed to promoting diving safety in all areas of the dive ( i.e. . . No square profiling limitations, decompression calculations on the fly. . .).

The Features inherent in the $1,000+ Computers

Digital Compass

The Nitek Trio ($499) and the Oceanic OC1 ( $1,350) have an integrated digital compass. In this compass, the general direction is shown through a digital compass rose. Exact bearings can be shown in a numerical display while the headings can be stored in memory for further analysis.

Air Integration/Optional Wireless Transmitter

This is the claim to fame of the Oceanic Series (DataMask, Atom 2.0, VT3, OC1) This feature allows the diver to monitor vital information like air consumption data and tank pressure from the dive computer. The remaining tank pressure is displayed both numerically and graphically, and an estimation of the remaining air supply throughout the entire dive is given by this dive computer which is useful as it gives divers a good idea of how much time they have left to stay underwater. It is a very handy feature, particularly for technical divers and dive instructors. The real time for air supply can be stored in the memory as well.

Further, step up to the OC1 able to wirelessly monitor three divers air and gas consumption at one time.

Deep Stop and Gas Mix Options

The Nitek Trio diving computer can be used with up to three different gas mixes containing 21-100% oxygen which allows you to switch gases during the dive. The decompression calculations are based on the Buhlman Model and it provides iterative deep stops as an alternative to traditional safety stops which adds extra safety. This feature suits deep and technical divers as it also has a maximum depth display set to approximately 200m (660 ft.).

Built-In Dive Logbook

Pretty much all dive computers on the market now come with  built-in dive logbooks as standard.  Your logbook provides a graphical data profile where real time water temperature and tank pressure data can be analyzed on the dive computer. The Oceanic comes with PC software and is USB compatible, this dive log also enables you to store extra information about the dive site, conditions, equipments, notes, and photos from the dive.

A Few Weaknesses:

Some reviews on the Oceanic dive computers state that the transmitters were faulty and lost signal while underwater. 

This is thoroughly not true.  I have dived the Oceanic DataMask with the hoseless the air integration wireless transmitter  and never lost signal.  Word to the wise, it is prudent to purchase a back up battery for your hoseless computer  as a weak battery can degrade signal.

Not syncing a new unit can be a problem only if you forget to check it and activate it before the dive. When this happens and you’re not equipped with a spare SPG then you will need to return to the surface to activate it. As of this writing the Oceanic Software is USB and PC software compatible, the OC1 software it has is not yet available for Mac.

Dive Watches

The basic tenet of a dive watch is that it be waterproof, have a depth gauge, and be easily seen underwater and in low light conditions.  What I just described will set you back $200-$400 the following features are the upgrades to this base price.

Let me also say that you can find a “water resistant watch” meaning if you don’t press buttons underwater while in a pool, you will have a working $60 watch.  But take it down to 100 feet of seawater and it will implode  (more like a russian roulette type of thing)/

What Makes a Dive Watch, A Dive Watch

The Clasp

The first accoutrement is a stainless bracelet and diver flip lock clasp. Watches also come with a dual-deployant clasp, but a better fit can be had with the micro adjustments available on the diver clasp by links taken out and put in by your watch repair shop. There is also the option of a less expensive strap. there are a lot of options with the the different manufacturers

The Movement

Depending on your watch manufacturer, prudence dictates that you look into where your movement is manufacturered.  Swiss is more expensive that Japanese which is more expensive than Chinese. 

Cost, reliability, and accuracy are serious considerations.  What good is it to have a waterproof spiffy dive watch that doesn’t keep time?. In the first week of ownership, your high end dive watch movement should be accurate to within 1 second per day.

Sex Appeal

One thing that dive watchs spank dive computers on is ease of wear and sexiness with the attire you spend most of your adult life. . . above the water.  The elegance of a hockey puck that swallows your wrist underwater, and also gives you ease of big ol numbers underwater, falls flat on its face when it comes to peep toe pumps, black stockings and a cocktail dress.  This is the purvue and home court advantage of the dive watch.  Where it transmogrifies into a fashion accessory that can also do double dut at depth.

I have been pleasantly surprised with the fit and finish of the St Moritz. The serially numbered engraved caseback is very nicely done. There are many nice details in this design that I enjoy. The contrasting color of the red second hand, and the AR coated sapphire crystal makes the watch very easy to read. The SS bracelet and solid end links are all attached by screws, which I appreciate, especially on a heavy watch. The oversized, machined, screwed down crown is very easy to manipulate. The Super Luminova treatment on the indices and hands provides good dial illumination in total darkness.

. . . yadda, yaddda, yaaaada!

and also goes with my oxfords.

Do you get my point?

Thanks for reading this far.  It is my hope that I have given you a broad overview of the differences and similarities of Dive Computers and Dive Watches.  Any questions,  post a comment, I will do my best to respond in a timely manner.  Also, don’t hesitate to comment your experiences with this stuff below. 

Hi folks, lets first discuss what Nitrox Scuba Diving is, and why or why not nitrox is important.  Then we are going to get into the best Dive Computers on the market today the Oceanic Atom 2.0, and the Dive Rite Trio Technical Computer.

Everyone of us has breathed nitrox.

Nitrox means a mix of nitrogen and oxygen and the word "nitrox" doesn’t tell the relationship of those elements. So air is nitrox too because it contains (basically) nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%).. . . and a little bit of trace elements like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, smog, arsenic, cigarette smoke. . .etc. . .The base of word nitrox is the expression Nx/Ox, where N is the chemical sign of nitrogen and O is the chemical sign of oxygen. So as an example N(50)O(50) would be 50% oxygen. So basically nitrox can be any mix of nitrogen and oxygen containing 1 to 99 % of oxygen (and rest is nitrogen).

Back to our story. . .Also EANx40 label is used sometimes (the letter "x" is preserved in the label). Usually people mean EANx when they say "nitrox", and so do I further here. Then we say that the mix is hypoxic, ie. it has less oxygen than 21%. Hyperoxic nitrox is EANx, and normoxic nitrox is basically air, 21% of oxygen and 79% of nitrogen.if you dive to 100 feet of seawater (fsw) you can calculate it at 80 fsw  (100 – (100 x 20%) = 80 fsw!

At EAN32 (that is 32% oxygen) you get a 20% get out of jail free card. if you dive to 100 feet of seawater (fsw) you can calculate it at 80 fsw  (100 – (100 x 20%) = 80 fsw! and using the rule of 120 ( 120 – depth = time) 120 – 80 = 40 minutes so bottom line, you can stay at 100 fsw for 40 minutes, instead of the 20 minutes that your dive tables tell you.

Now the computers:

Oceanic Atom 2.0

Standard Features
Equipped with all of the standard dive computer features, the Atom 2.0 measures temperature, depth, dive time, and no-decompression limits over multiple dives. It will work with air and nitrox and will operate in normal time mode when you’re not underwater. It can also be used in gauge and freediving modes with adjustments for altitude. The Atom 2.0 is user changeable between Metric and Imperial.

Air Integration
Using up to three transmitters, the Atom 2.0 can monitor the tank pressure of three different tanks simultaneously, allowing it to act as three SPGs in one. The Atom 2.0 can also be operated in buddy mode which will allow the computer to scan for and display the air pressure of another transmitter within 4-6 feet of the computer. This is a great way to keep an eye on the remaining air of either your buddy or student.

Multiple-Gas Mixes
The Atom 2.0 can handle up to three different gas mixes containing 21-100% oxygen and even allows you to switch gases during the dive. This feature makes it particularly attractive to deep and technical divers.

User Replaceable Battery
This is one big advantage that the Atom 2.0 has over its competitors. The computer is powered by a CR2430 battery that can be easily purchased at an everyday watch shop and replaced by the user. This is a big time and cost saver that helps the Atom 2.0 stand out from the pack.

Dive Logging
The Atom 2.0 comes with a USB interface and OceanLog PC software to allow for dives to be easily logged on your computer. The dive data is easily formatted for easy reference, sorting, and printing. The software allows to you add additional data to your logs to keep track of dive sites, dive buddies, and notes. Unfortunately, the software is only available for PC.

Downside

This computer was voluntarily recalled in 2007:

Oceanic is recalling all ATOM 2.0 Dive Computers
Serial numbers 1 – 2079
Sold between: August 1, 2006 – February 7, 2007
Oceanic has been informed by it’s supplier that they have received isolated reports that two Atom 2.0 dive computers locked into the Gas Switch-to screen and did not return to the Main Dive screen when the divers switched the units from Gas 1 to Gas 2 during dives when they were only using one transmitter and Pressure associated with Gas 2 was being provided by an Analog Gauge.
You must discontinue all diving activities with this computer until a software upgrade has been accomplished by Oceanic, your local Authorized Oceanic Retailer or sending it back to us.

So beware when purchasing this computer used.  if you are going to make this purchase, seriously consider purchasing a new unit.  You can read more here:

http://www.k2scuba.com/product_description.php?category=5&sub_cat=29&product=299

Conclusion

The Oceanic Atom 2.0 is a fantastic bundle of dive gauges in a neat sporty little wrist watch. The only place it falls short of being the complete package is not having a built in compass (the new Oceanic OC1 now DOES come with a built in digital compass).It makes up for this shortcoming, however, by featuring a user replaceable battery and every other fantastic feature a diver could hope for. Maybe not quite the perfect accessory to a three piece suit, but with great features and sporty styling it definitely works with just about any other outfit.

The Dive Rite Trio Three Gas Dive Computer

This is a true technical computer for the recreational and technical diver. The new NiTek Trio is a three-gas Nitrox computer that is easy-to-read and easy to use.

Worn on the wrist or as part of an SPG console, the NiTek Trio turns on automatically upon descent is an ideal primary or back up dive computer. Underwater, divers can switch between mixes with the push of a button. Upon surfacing, the NiTek Trio will maintain the gas mixture entered until midnight, when it clears and must be reset the following day. Using a modified Buhlmann ZH-L16 algorithm, the NiTek Trio can calculate decompression stop times for required stops as deep as 90-feet.

See tech specs for a complete list of product features.

It includes all the attributes of the popular NiTek DUO, plus the following new features:

1. Dot matrix LCD displays dive profile in a graph format

2. Diver can enter a custom message of up to eight (8) characters in two rows that will display at the top of the screen

3. All three mixes are programmable from 21%-99% Nitrox

4. A deep stop feature allows for safety stops at deeper depths

5. Three user adjustable safety factor levels

6. Digital compass integrated into the dot matrix display

Downside

This fine instrument is a product of Seiko Watches.  You will see this product branded by Zeagle as the N2ition, TUSA as the Hunter, and a host of others.  What i have found out, and this is no reflection on Dive Rite, of which we are a proud dealer, is that because the scuba market is so small, Seiko wields its powerful hand and limits the warranty on this unit. . . leaving Dive Rite and the others holding the bag should a unit go bad in two years.  It is ridiculous to only warranty a $450 technical computer for a period of a year. . .stay tuned for details.

Conclusion

Dive Rite reports new software called Dive Logbook for the NiTek Trio and NiTek Duo computers. The scrolling marquis on the NiTek Trio can be changed via the software. Dive Logbook is not compatible with NiTek Logic, so any dives recorded in Logic will not incorporate into Logbook. The NiTek Plus will continue to use NiTek Logic software. Dive Logbook is available for download listed under the “Downloads” tab in the NiTek Trio page of our online catalog.

The NiTek Trio uses the Bulhman algorithm like the NiTek Duo and other Dive Rite computers. The deep stop feature is not new gradient factors in the computer, but rather a simple method of incorporating deep stops without adding time to the shallower stops.

When deep stops are turned on it will add deep stops to any dive with more than 5 minutes of decompression. Deep stops are calculated by splitting the difference between max depth and the first scheduled shallow stop. For instance if you make a 100’ dive for 60 minutes and have a 30’ stop the first deep stop will be at 60’ for 1 minute. It will continue to give you 1 minute stops every 10’ until you get to the scheduled 30’ stop. The Trio is not designed to be a technical computer, but an advanced recreational computer. It doesn’t do Trimix so deep stops will not be accurate for helium. The Trio will slow your ascent and let you do deep stops without suffering increased time at shallower stops.

thanks for reading. . .

These reviews are driven by your questions, comments, and concerns.  I feel you as there are a LOT of products out there. . . . how do you wade thru the hype to find what you are looking for?  Well we are here to help, with fair and balanced reporting of the pros and cons of dive product on the market today.

don’t hesitate to contact me at admin@k2scuba.com

I’m listening, and we will keep the lights on. . .

Tevis