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The Best of Everything Gear Guide 2003: Dive Computers

By Scuba Diving Partner | Published On October 18, 2006
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The Best of Everything Gear Guide 2003: Dive Computers

December 2002 By John Brumm

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

No other piece of dive equipment has moved from the category of "cool toy" to "gotta have it" as quickly and decisively as the dive computer. Never mind dive tables; only a dive computer is able to track your actual dive profile second by second so you know more accurately how much nitrogen you've loaded.

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| 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| 300G


The nitrox-capable version of the 100S. With PC interface. $599.95


500AI| 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| 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| ATMOS Pro


A 300G without the submersible pressure gauge, making it even less expensive. Nitrox-capable. PC interface. $399.95

ATMOS Sport| 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| Savant


Can be used with nitrox, has an excellent PC interface and an extended deep-diving algorithm. $499.95 GENESIS SCUBA

React| React

Features the best graphic display of nitrogen loading. Nitrox-capable. Optional PC interface. $400

Resource | Resource


Budget computer that uses effective and intuitive graphic displays. $300.
MARES

Surveyor| Surveyor


A user-friendly model that logs and profiles more dives than the less expensive Tutor. With PC interface. $479

Surveyor Nitrox| 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| Tutor

Very easy to use, thanks to two buttons and on-screen prompts. With PC interface. $379

OCEANIC

Datamax Pro| Datamax Pro

Least expensive air-integrated dive computer available. $599.95
NOTE: Replaced by the Pro Plus 2.

Datamax Pro Plus| 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| 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| 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| 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| Prodigy

Most economical model in Oceanic's family of computers. $305.95
NOTE: Replaced by the Versa.

XTC-100| 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| 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| Aladin Air Z O2


Hoseless, gas-integrated and nitrox-capable. Optional PC interface. Can be used with a rebreather. $920

Aladin Pro Ultra| 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| Aladin Sport Plus


A Sport (discontinued) with the addition of a screen cover and backlighting. Optional PC interface. $350
SHERWOOD SCUBA

Logic| Logic


Features clear nitrogen-loading graphs with three-color highlighting. Nitrox- capable module, $350; 3-gauge console, $490

SUUNTO

Cobra| 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| 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| 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| 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