Air integrated comp for tech diving

[clayhwalker]

I am new to technical diving and have been using an Atmos AI air integrated computer for recreational diving. If i could get some feed back on the pros and cons of air integrated I would appreciate it. Cave diving is the direction I am going so keep that in mind.

-Clay-

[ppo2_diver]

You'll find that many tech divers do not use AI computers as it is a big failure point. If the comp craps out, you don't know how much gas you have. Many just use a simple SPG.

[clayhwalker]

What are some suggestions for a comp that I wont out grow? I might get into Trimix so that is a consideration.

[sobfrogg]

This is the only air integrated puter that will handle mixed gasses that I know of.
http://www.divecochran.com/computers/Gemini/index.html

[theskull]

I am new to technical diving and have been using an Atmos AI air integrated computer for recreational diving. If i could get some feed back on the pros and cons of air integrated I would appreciate it. Cave diving is the direction I am going so keep that in mind.

-Clay-

Many of my tech and cave buddies use air integrated computers and enjoy the convenience of the display. However, we all also have an SPG to rely on in case a computer or transmitter failure deprives you of your backgas quantity display. When diving multiple gases, as we often do in cave diving, most of us will use the AI computer as a bottom timer and use a multi-gas computer as our primary. Among the most popular primary multi-gas computers are the Cochran already mentioned, the SUUNTO VyTek, the VR3, and the DiveRite NiTek 3 or NiTek He (soon to be replaced by the DiveRite X), and the HS Explorer.

Don't be in a rush to buy your multi-gas computer, as improvements keep coming out, and you may want to end up with a computer that is similar to what your eventual tech buddies and/or your tech instructor use and recommend.

theskull

[clayhwalker]

thanks for the info. I will probably use what I have with a back up SPG as suggested.

-clay-

[clayhwalker]

Should I use a SPG and DG as a back up or is a SPG good enough?

[MgicTwnger]

I'm also getting into tech and am using a DiveRite Nitek Duo since it can handle two gas mixes. That will cover adv. nitrox/deco. It will be years until I get to trimix, if ever, so my thinking is like the Skull's and I'll wait to get something for multi-gas, saving the sticker shock for later.
I dive with the Duo, SPG, and bottom timer/depth gauge.

[theskull]

Should I use a SPG and DG as a back up or is a SPG good enough?

Most just have the SPG, since your computer gives you depth and you will probably have a back-up bottom timer which will also give the depth.

theskull

[scububa]

Wadda u guys think about the new SP Galileo SOL?

3 Nitrox Mixtures with gas switching
(plus your buddy if he has a SP transmitter)
Air Integrated
Work Load Compensation on heart rate (vs. temp)/ breath rate
Decompression mode
Gauge mode
Electronic Compass (1 deg) with tilt compensation
SW Upgradeable
Oh, and alarm clock

Some discussion about maybe being three gas upgradeable, but question of if current model will have enough memory to handle.

[DeepDiverBob]

Wadda u guys think about the new SP Galileo SOL?

3 Nitrox Mixtures with gas switching
(plus your buddy if he has a SP transmitter)
Air Integrated
Work Load Compensation on heart rate (vs. temp)/ breath rate
Decompression mode
Gauge mode
Electronic Compass (1 deg) with tilt compensation
SW Upgradeable
Oh, and alarm clock

Some discussion about maybe being three gas upgradeable, but question of if current model will have enough memory to handle.

I think its a lot of bells and whistles, personally. especially for the price, which I hear is going to be just short of 2k.

[SLIM]

The Galialo does only 3 EANx mixes and not any He. So I think for the price it is not worth it.

Always have a SPG, minumum of 2 BT or Computers. In the Tech, you have already planned for a failure, the question is can you still be abel to figure your Deco if one fails? If you just learn how to TRUST a Computer and have a failure, will you be able to figure your DECO? Reember, in Tech diving simple is better. Learn how to do the dives on tables and learn the deco curve/profile and then lok at a mixed gas computer if you still think you are going to be doing that kind of diving on a steady basis or just now and then?

SLIM

[MgicTwnger]

I think its a lot of bells and whistles, personally. especially for the price, which I hear is going to be just short of 2k.
Ulp..............

[DeepDiverBob]

Ulp..............

and to think you only got fins for your b-day...