Which divers (scuba) watch?

Which divers (scuba) watch?

Author
Discussion

Silver993tt

9,064 posts

238 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
sjg said:
I'm actually not sure what the Vyper offers for the extra £50 or so these days - the low-end Suunto these days does nitrox, does PC link (not that I've ever used it), dive planning, etc. It even seems to use the same case and display now.
yes, that's what my dive club also recommended. The basic model does much more than you need if you're up to AOW plus a few specialities. In fact some of the dive masters at the same club who had clocked several hundred dives (some over 1 thousand) still use the basic Suunto dive computers.

sjg

7,444 posts

264 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
Only difference I found by looking at spec sheets is that the Vyper is backlit, Zoop is phosphorescent. I'd actually prefer the latter (as a Vyper owner).

marcosgt

11,011 posts

175 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
The Vyper's got a back light (The Zoop doesn't), which can be useful in the dark waters of the UK and if you don't have a spare hand to hold a torch at any particular moment. (each to their own though, as the previous poster shows).

When I got mine the Zoop couldn't download to a PC (or at least that was my understanding, perhaps I was misled).

A quick scan shows the Vyper also offers variable sampling rate, dive simulation and gauge mode. Nothing that sounds MUST have, to be honest. The daily alarms and Calendar clock really seem like "don't needs" smile

M

troc

3,740 posts

174 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
I use a Vytec with remote transponder and my old Mares Nemo as a bottom timer on the other wrist.

The Zoop is an excellent entry-level computer. Just make sure you get one that can do up to 50% O2 for nitrox diving as you should be diving enriched if possible tongue out

alfaman

6,416 posts

233 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
Just to add - I am new[ish] to diving - have done 30-40 dives.

I was a bit unsure about whether to go for a D series or one of the cheaper /larger models like a Zoop or Vyper..

in the end I went for a D4 [the previous series non 'i' version] .. I was able to buy it for about 50GBP less than a D4i .. so not much more than the entry level Zoops..it has some more functionality and I prefer the more compact size [ still easily readable when diving] - and it is wearable as a normal watch - has a 'time' mode.

the Zoops are fine , but you may end up wanting to upgrade after a while anyway.. so if you can find a D series for only a little more ..may be worth it..just my 2p.

172ff

3,649 posts

194 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
I have used a Suunto Vyper for nearly 100 dives now. Its great and you see so many people using them so we cant all be wrong. However, I was at Stoney Cove yesterday and my Vyper was showing a depth 30cm deeper than my buddys at the bottom of the Hyrobox.

If I replace mine I might go for a Mares Icon HD with the air integration. Obviously work off bar but I do like the idea of seeing my live SAC rate and est bottom time based on how much air I'm using.

If you want a old school watch subscribe to Diver magazine. They usually give you a Apeks similiar to the citizen above for signing up for 6 months.

CaptainSlow

13,179 posts

211 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
As others have said an entry level Suunto will last you for a good few years. I have a Gekko that thinks it is a Vyper so I can download from it.

If you want a back-up, I have a uwatec dive timer, these are quite popular as back-up, or were when I was buying kit.

If you want a watch to wear whilst diving then a £30 Casio G-Shock is most suitable.

Forget dive style watches from Seiko, Omega et al - these are for the bar afterwards when talking about diving and have no place on your wrist when actually getting wet.

alfaman

6,416 posts

233 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
CaptainSlow said:
Forget dive style watches from Seiko, Omega et al - these are for the bar afterwards when talking about diving and have no place on your wrist when actually getting wet.
tend to agree with that - I wear my G shock as a backup timer when diving - but it can take knocks without scratching - and I dont care if I drop or damage it.

I'd dive with a Seiko - but NO way would I dive with a 3000 - 5000 GBP Omega or Rolex.

[ though someone in my dive club regularly dives and mtn bikes with his Seadweller eek ... it is rather scratched ..]

themanwithnoname

1,634 posts

212 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
I can only mirror everything above.

I dive a Zoop, but will be switching to a Vyper Air (gas switching) or may take a leap straight to the HelO2, as I am sorely tempted by a yellow box after an amazing try dive on one last weekend, get onto the trimix.

The D series computers are nice to look at, but I prefer the size of the larger Zoop/Vyper/Vytec/HelO2 etc. I find them better to read at depth.

I can't say anything positive or negative about any other manufacturer, but I can say that I've dived with a lot of people, and run a club with 80+ members, and every singe one has used either Suunto or Uwatec (or fancy rebreather integrated things)


StevieGee

91 posts

193 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
Watched a TV prog a while ago now about wildlife in the deep. The divers where regularly diving to around 300' and a few times they dove to 700' and had to have a special oxygen mix. I don't pretend to know anything about scuba diving or such but I did notice what watches they were wearing lol.

One of the divers was wearing a Seiko black monster and the other was wearing a Citizen Promaster Pro Diver.

themanwithnoname

1,634 posts

212 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
StevieGee said:
Watched a TV prog a while ago now about wildlife in the deep. The divers where regularly diving to around 300' and a few times they dove to 700' and had to have a special oxygen mix. I don't pretend to know anything about scuba diving or such but I did notice what watches they were wearing lol.

One of the divers was wearing a Seiko black monster and the other was wearing a Citizen Promaster Pro Diver.
300 or 700 feet they'll have been using trimix, that is oxygen, helium, nitrogen, where helium replaces some of the nitrogen and oxygen to a: reduce the narcotic effect of nitrogen at depth and b: to make the partial pressure of oxygen safe to breath at that depth (to prevent oxygen toxicity) pointless fact, is that the mixes you would use at 100m/300ft+ are not breathable on the surface.

troc

3,740 posts

174 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
themanwithnoname said:
pointless fact, is that the mixes you would use at 100m/300ft+ are not breathable on the surface.
Not pointless if you've labelled your second stages incorrectly and get your bottom gas confused with your travel gas smile

Which I have, of course, never done.

themanwithnoname

1,634 posts

212 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
troc said:
Not pointless if you've labelled your second stages incorrectly and get your bottom gas confused with your travel gas smile

Which I have, of course, never done.
Ok, ok. Pointless fact for a newbie to the sport! Also, scary stuff the prospect of a bad gas switch, really doesn't bear thinking about.

Always, always check your mixes and make sure your labels match, andd that your drills are up to date so you know which stage you need to going to chaps.

Dive safe guys.


chris56

556 posts

178 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
I dive with a Suunto Stinger on my right wrist and a Rolex Submariner on my left wrist. Never had an issue with any of my Rolex Subs when diving. Only issue I ever had with a dive watch was with a brand new Tag Heuer divers watch which failed underwater on it's first dive - took it back and got a full refund and I have never been interested in a Tag watch since.

thegman

1,928 posts

203 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
chris56 said:
I dive with a Suunto Stinger on my right wrist and a Rolex Submariner on my left wrist. Never had an issue with any of my Rolex Subs when diving. Only issue I ever had with a dive watch was with a brand new Tag Heuer divers watch which failed underwater on it's first dive - took it back and got a full refund and I have never been interested in a Tag watch since.
Next you'll be wanting a refund because you wore your Monaco and you didn't even get to race in le mans, let alone win.

/sarcasm

marcosgt

11,011 posts

175 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
thegman said:
chris56 said:
I dive with a Suunto Stinger on my right wrist and a Rolex Submariner on my left wrist. Never had an issue with any of my Rolex Subs when diving. Only issue I ever had with a dive watch was with a brand new Tag Heuer divers watch which failed underwater on it's first dive - took it back and got a full refund and I have never been interested in a Tag watch since.
Next you'll be wanting a refund because you wore your Monaco and you didn't even get to race in le mans, let alone win.

/sarcasm
If a watch claims to be water resistant to 200 or 300m it should withstand recreational diving.

Seems totally fair to me, although to write off a whole brand on the strength of one example might be a little unfair (that said, I've done similar things, life's too short smile ).

M.

Zod

35,295 posts

257 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
Mogsmex said:
I assumed the OP was asking for a dive watch in the watch forum

my mistake getmecoat

as above I use a Suunto as well, cracking bits of kit, but that doesnt give you an excuse to buy another watch does it biggrin
If you are going to dive a bit, then get a Suunto that will work with Nitrox too or you'll need a new computer if and when you start using Nitrox.

Of course, if you get very serious and start using different gas mixes, you'll need something more sophisticated.

thegman

1,928 posts

203 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
marcosgt said:
If a watch claims to be water resistant to 200 or 300m it should withstand recreational diving.

Seems totally fair to me, although to write off a whole brand on the strength of one example might be a little unfair (that said, I've done similar things, life's too short smile ).

M.
I agree. I just think most people who buy DIVE watches probably very rarely get wet

marcosgt

11,011 posts

175 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
thegman said:
marcosgt said:
If a watch claims to be water resistant to 200 or 300m it should withstand recreational diving.

Seems totally fair to me, although to write off a whole brand on the strength of one example might be a little unfair (that said, I've done similar things, life's too short smile ).

M.
I agree. I just think most people who buy DIVE watches probably very rarely get wet
That's probably true too smile

M.

Ganglandboss

8,294 posts

202 months

Sunday 7th October 2012
quotequote all
sjg said:
thegman said:
My suunto once fell off my dry suit in very poor conditions. Luckily I found it but I guess it pays to have a watch as backup.
Something like this:



tied through one of the holes on the strap avoids losing it if you didn't do it up properly, or something on the strap or springbars breaks.

There is a case for having another watch/timer as a backup (assuming you actually remember to set/start it) - a very good idea for deco (assuming your deco plans aren't all in the computer) but a little pointless for recreational diving. Should your computer fail, you go off your buddy's one, and if that fails too then head for the surface.
I use one of these.



Two separate pieces of bungee mean if one breaks, it is still attached. I used to use a wrist lanyard but find it a bit tricky to put on in thick gloves and I didn't like the string flapping about.