Dive Computers

Suunto - Aqua Lung, Cobra Dive Computer

Gear Snapshot

My trusty Oceanic Veo 250 was stolen with the rest of my gear so it was time to get a new computer.  Ah, what was a Divemaster to do?  The Veo is a very liberal dive computer granting you tons of down time with barely a beep and only two bits of info on the screen, depth, and time remaining at depth.  But being just a little anal and always wanting just a little more info, I was constantly mashing the button to go to the next screen.

The Suunto Cobra is substantially different.

Information, more information, and if you want to download it, a ton more information.  This very conservative RGBM dive computer packs more info into its small screen that you can shake a stick at and with a simple mash of a button, there is even more.  For all us info junkies its like Christmas.

Accessing information and programming at first looked really intimidating.  There is so much power packed into this little computer.  Opening the very good manual and spending an hour or so soon had me up and running.  The three button system is actually very easy to use.  I think it is actually much easier and more logical than the Veo's.

All dive computers have their pros and cons.  The Veo defaults to 50% O2 after every nitrox dive to keep you safe.  Good idea, just a pain to reprogram.  The Cobra retains its mode until you change.  I prefer this method.  The Cobra is a conservative dive computer that keeps an eye on your every move, especially ascents where the Veo is very generous.  Dive the Veo and you will almost always get at least a few more minutes down time.  Will this get you bent?  Probably, and I repeat, probably, not.  On the other hand, The Cobra's RGBM model and conservative dive algorithms will keep you diving with any worries.

The Cobra is a serious task master. Get caught going up too fast and you will end up in a mandatory stop designed to keep you safe from DCI.  Ignore the computer and blow through your stops and it will go into an error mode for 48 hours to teach you a lesson!  These guys are really serious about safety.  The ascent rate indicator is located on the right hand edge of the computer.  Unfortunately, this can be hard to see unless viewed from the proper angle. I ran into a guy the other day who has three of these, one for himself and each of his sons.  He claims that the computers have worked flawlessly for six years and he has only "er" out once.

Air integration is a sweet thing to behold.  Not only is your air pressure displayed, but it projects how much "air time" you have left based upon your current air consumption.  And of course there are all those wonderful beeps that warn you that you have only 750 or 500 psi left.

Although the Cobra has tons more info displayed than the Veo, the Veo beats it in one little thing, the safety stop count down. The Veo counts down the three minutes displaying each second as it zips by.  The Cobra only displays whole minutes.  A little nuisance, but one I can live with.

Finally, one has to face the decision of whether to go connected console or wireless wrist console.  I am a creature of habit and like my gauges clipped to my BC at a particular spot.  So for me, the decision was easy, I bought the connected console.  Underwater wireless air integration has come a long way, but it is still not perfect.  Perhaps when I can be guaranteed that my precious stream of dive data will never be temporarily interrupted I will consider a change.

http://aqualung.com/us/

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