A scuba dive computer is a little device that helps you figure out how long and how far you can dive safely. Some people call it a decompression meter, but it is the same thing. The main purpose of a dive computer is to prevent decompression illness (“the bends”), which can be fatal at the worst and painful at the least. Let’s look at two popular dive computers on the market today: the Dive Rite Trio and the Oceanic Atom 2.0.
Dive Rite Trio Technical Computer
This is a good dive computer for someone who likes to go down to the abyss. It has a digital compass, an LCD display, programmable messages, and it works for three people at a time. You can buy it for about $450 in dive shops, but it costs less online.
Oceanic Atom 2.0
This device tells you your depth, dive time, temperature, and lets you know about your decompression limits. It even works on land, but of course, it also works with nitrox and air from your tank. It lets you choose between Imperial measurements or Metric measurements (for our European divers).
The best part of the Oceanic Atom 2.0 is that it can also monitor your two dive buddies if they stay close to you. It can actually find out the air pressure inside the other tanks, so you can keep an eye on everyone, especially the new divers in your group.
Unlike other dive computers, the Oceanic Atom 2.0 uses an ordinary, inexpensive CR2430 battery that you can find anywhere. You won’t have to visit a dive shop and buy an expensive battery ever again!
One word of caution: The Atom 2.0 computers made before 2007 have been recalled, so check the manufacturing date before you buy it.
Tags: decompression illness, digital compass, dive computer, dive computers, dive rite, dive shop, dive shops, dive time, imperial measurements, oceanic atom, time temperature