Which dive computer should you get?

Wrist or console

First we figure out your personal preference.

• Wrist: always in view. If you wear a watch every day, you might like a watch-style one you can wear out of the water too. The most popular choice.
• Console: sits on your hose with your pressure gauge. Bigger numbers, nothing on your wrist. But you need to own a regulator, because a shop most likely won’t let you install your console computer on a rental regulator.

For most people, price ends up deciding which computer they choose.

What really matters

What matters most on any dive computer is a screen that’s easy to read and a depth gauge that works. Everything else is the cherry on top.

• Nitrox: almost every computer handles enriched air today. Make sure yours does if you dive nitrox.
• Air integration: a transmitter on your first stage sends your tank pressure to the computer. It usually adds features like how much time you have left underwater at your current breathing rate. Handy, but optional.
• Screen: a bright color screen is easier to read; a simple display lasts longer on a battery. Try reading it in bright sun.
• Freediving mode: if you also freedive or spearfish. Garmin’s dive watches have one.
• Compass, multiple gases, app and Bluetooth: nice to have, not need to have.
• Simple buttons: you should be able to change your gas and see your limits without the manual.

Mistakes we see

• Not reading the manufacturer’s instructions. Learn it at home before your trip, not on the boat.
• Thinking two people can share a computer. Your computer tracks your dives, your body. Use your own for the whole trip and don’t swap between dives.
• Buying a computer you can’t read.

Batteries

Some computers have batteries you can change, some recharge, and some are sealed and go back to the manufacturer. We change user-replaceable batteries in the shop. Ask before you buy which kind it is.

Most computers warn you about a low battery for quite a while before they actually die. Pay attention to it and get the battery changed when it says low. With a rechargeable, start every day of diving fully charged if you can.

Why we require one

Besides keeping you inside your limits, a computer records your dive. In the event of an accident, every diver has a computer with them, and it will at least provide their depth profile and ascent rate.

Using it well

• Stay well inside your no-decompression limit, and do your safety stop.
• Do what your computer tells you. On a deep dive, we watched several divers’ computers lock up because they ignored what the computer was telling them. The ones who followed it surfaced with no problem. If you ignore it, many computers will lock you out of dive mode for a while to protect you.
• Use our flight timer and your computer’s no-fly time before flying home.