 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeArticlesDiving DestinationsLearning Scuba DivingMarine LifeMiscellaneousDiscussion GroupsGeneralScuba EquipmentScuba LocationsAustralian ScubaUK ScubaDirectoryScuba Clubs |
Scuba Forum / UK Scuba / March 2007Cheap diver watch?
Hi, As a SAA trainee, I've been advised to get a cheap watch until I've dived enough to get a computer. I've got an analogue Tissot PRS200 that is waterproof and I've dived with it a few times without leaking problems but the face is not very clear especially for things like timing a three minutes stop at 5m. Can anyone recommend a suitable watch? What about the Casio Sea Pathfinder (from Argos for £20). Anyone used one of these or similar? Thanks in advance, Steve >Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >Thanks in advance, >Steve Its not a question of Until. Get a fairly decent watch. Even when you get a computer you are still going to want a watch as backup.  SignaturePeter R Cook >>Hi, >> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Its not a question of Until. Get a fairly decent watch. Even when you get > a computer you are still going to want a watch as backup. Yes - I know where you're coming from, but think about it. Suppose you are NOT a solo diver, and so you dive buddied. OK, we've all heard the blurb about YOUR computer for YOUR profile, and NOT your buddy's. Of course. But how much redundancy do you want? Your buddy has a depth gauge on his console, as you do. He and you each has a computer that also is a depth gauge. So you have 4 depth gauges between you, and chances are you'll be within a metre or two of each other at any time during the dive, and in any case, as near identical as makes no difference a time-weighted average depths for as near as makes no difference identical times on a profile which is almost identical too. Try printing out yours and your buddy's profile, and see how close they are. He and you each has a computer which is also a timer, and each of you also has a watch. Again, between you, you have FOUR timepieces. Hell, given THAT degree of duplication and redundancy, how good does each of them have to be before you accept they're good enough? Ken > Your buddy has a depth gauge on his console, as you do. He and you each > has a computer that also is a depth gauge. So you have 4 depth gauges [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > difference identical times on a profile which is almost identical too. Try > printing out yours and your buddy's profile, and see how close they are. That seems like a lot of assumptions in there. Most divers I now do not carry both a depth guage and a computer. The computer serves as both. You're also assumed that both divers are with a metre or two of one another, something that's probably true in the UK, but less likely in waters where visibility permits divers to see one another clearly from further away. I believe in self sufficiency. I have my computer, and my Citizen Hyper Aqualand watch. Both are dive timers, both can tell the time and both track depth. Only one tracks oxygen, nitrogen and helium issues, but that's enough for a dive that's planned in advance. The backup to the computer, assusted by depth and time tools, is in my head. In the normal dive, sychronized with a buddy, his equipment is my backup. In a less normal dive, where our profiles are not as synchronized, I have my own backup. Should we become separated, where I'm totally dependent on my own equipment, I still have that backup. Lee >> Your buddy has a depth gauge on his console, as you do. He and you each >> has a computer that also is a depth gauge. So you have 4 depth gauges [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > That seems like a lot of assumptions in there. Most divers I now do not > carry both a depth guage and a computer. Most I know do. Perhaps its a cultural habit on either side of the pond? > The computer serves as both. Yes - and the depth gauge on the console AND the watch serve to back up the computer on the wrist > You're also assumed that both divers are with a metre or two of one > another, something that's probably true in the UK, but less likely in > waters where visibility permits divers to see one another clearly from > further away. Well, perhaps it's the habits instilled when training in thin mud, but at virtually all times when diving in the Red Sea (where I do most of my diving these days) my buddy and I can touch each other if we extend arms in the right direction. That you can see each other is all well and dandy, but lime of sight really doesn't help in an out-of-air scenario - you need physical proximity too. But come on Lee, you're splitting hairs here! We're talking about a brand new diver - cut him some slack, and keep close to him when in the water! > I believe in self sufficiency. I have my computer, and my Citizen Hyper > Aqualand watch. Both are dive timers, both can tell the time and both [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > backup. Should we become separated, where I'm totally dependent on my own > equipment, I still have that backup. I did make the assumption that he and his diver were similarly equipped - and declared it. That he is not solo diving nor doing trimix is pretty self evident given he's just starting out! Ken >> That seems like a lot of assumptions in there. Most divers I now do not >> carry both a depth guage and a computer. > > Most I know do. Perhaps its a cultural habit on either side of the pond? Could be. >> The computer serves as both. > Yes - and the depth gauge on the console AND the watch serve to back up > the computer on the wrist Interesting. My computer is in the console, right where the depth gauge used to be. For the most part, those that I know who wear a computer on their wrist, don't have a console. Most have only a contents gauge. Those that have wireless air integrated computers, don't even have that. As it happens, I now wear a wrist mounted computer on my more advanced dives, a Nitek He. It was, however, an upgrade from my original computer, an Oceanic, which is still in the console. I still use the Oceanic for most recreational diving and, except when I deliberately bend it just for fun, I don't turn it on when diving beyond its capacity. It doesn't understand trimix or use of a different deco gas. At any rate, we're both looking for a similar minimum level of backup. Your experience with the items normally carried by a diver is much the same as mine, but represented by different bits of equipment. I use a watch with a depth gauge and timer feature built in, you use a depth gauge retained in the console. Same function, different device. Lee >>> That seems like a lot of assumptions in there. Most divers I now do not >>> carry both a depth guage and a computer. [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > watch with a depth gauge and timer feature built in, you use a depth gauge > retained in the console. Same function, different device. The more things change etc. etc. The norm in the UK from what I see is a console with 2 instruments - cylinder pressure and depth, or 3 instruments, add a compass to the above. Computers live on wrists. THAT is v useful when in the UK as it saves dragging the computer around the ground when moving your rig, and is also useful at the favourite of UK warm water destinations, the Red Sea. The norm there is to leave all your equipment aboard the boat throughout your week's diving. If your computer is in your console, it stays aboard the boat OR you dismantle the console every evening. By having it wrist mounted, it returns with you to your hotel more easily for log writing and backing up to your laptop. Different environments demand different solutions - hence evolution! K > S W <anonymousgravy@msn.com> writes >> As a SAA trainee, I've been advised to get a cheap watch until I've >> dived enough to get a computer. > Its not a question of Until. Get a fairly decent watch. Even when you > get a computer you are still going to want a watch as backup. Totally disagree. If you really want a temporary watch get a really cheap one but do get 200 meters depth 'rated'. Watch makers use a different meter from the rest of us but fortunately they can be inexpensive. Personally I wouldn't bother. It's throwing money away. Nobody uses a watch to time dives these days. It's all computers or Depth/timers. They are too cheap to settle for second best. Buy a cheap air computer from somebody who has realised that not buying the nitrox model was daft but don't pay even a fraction of list price. nigelH Owner of a Casio G-shock that dives with me but I never note the start time. > Personally I wouldn't bother. It's throwing money away. Nobody uses a > watch to time dives these days. It's all computers or Depth/timers. They [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > nigelH > Owner of a Casio G-shock that dives with me but I never note the start time. That is an idea actually, I'll have a look on ebay over the next few weeks. Steve > Nobody uses a watch to time dives these days. It's all computers or > Depth/timers. Citizen Hyper Aqualand, a watch and depth/timer in one. > Owner of a Casio G-shock that dives with me but I never note the start > time. An excellent watch, particularly the solar models. They never need batteries and work great on the surface or under it. For diving, though, I still prefer my Citizen. > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Thanks in advance, I bought something very similar for an identical price from Argos, also Casio, in 2000. It's been on ALL dives I've done since, and when I go on a dive trip it's the only watch I take with me. I never use the backlight (never needed to) or alarm (use my mobile 'phone's - the watch alarm is so feeble I doubt it could wake me). Has a useful countdown timer when it comes to a 3min stop @ 5m! Mine is rated as 200m, this one says 100m. For the price, you can't go wrong really. When I first bought mine I took it to the bottom at Stoney and when there pressed all the buttons several times. It has never let me down. The difference between an expensive Swiss watch and a cheap Japanese, apart from the price, is that the Japanese keeps better time. K Ken > I bought something very similar for an identical price from Argos, also > Casio, in 2000. It's been on ALL dives I've done since, and when I go on a > dive trip it's the only watch I take with me. I never use the backlight > (never needed to) or alarm (use my mobile 'phone's - the watch alarm is so > feeble I doubt it could wake me). Has a useful countdown timer when it comes > to a 3min stop @ 5m! That's just what I'm after. I think I might need the backlight though occasionally if things get a bit murky off the northwales coast! > Mine is rated as 200m, this one says 100m. For the price, you can't go wrong > really. When I first bought mine I took it to the bottom at Stoney and when > there pressed all the buttons several times. It has never let me down. > > The difference between an expensive Swiss watch and a cheap Japanese, apart > from the price, is that the Japanese keeps better time. I have to say, the Tissot keeps excellent time, the only time I need to adjust it is twice a year for BST. > K > Ken What about the length of the strap? Will it go around a dry suited arm? Steve > What about the length of the strap? Will it go around a dry suited arm? Ah - no! Around a 3mm wetsuit it JUST managed, I used to attach it to the strap used to pull the BCD tight on after clipping. My strap gave up some time ago, and I took the opportunity to replace it with a pinch clip and nylon strap of diminutive proportions which I bought from a camping and caravning place which has many useful things for divers which are not marketed as such and therefore cost a fraction of the (seemingly identical) stuff with a "diver" label in a dive shop. The strap is one length of nylon which winds its way under both sprung bars, and came in 0.5m lengths. Methinks THAT should suffice length wise? K > That's just what I'm after. I think I might need the backlight though > occasionally if things get a bit murky off the northwales coast! The Casio G Shock watches have an excellent backlight. > I have to say, the Tissot keeps excellent time, the only time I need to > adjust it is twice a year for BST. My Casio not only sets itself based on a radio signal from an official atomic clock, it recharges from a solar cell. Lee > My Casio not only sets itself based on a radio signal from an official > atomic clock, it recharges from a solar cell. What, underwater? Cool! R. >> My Casio not only sets itself based on a radio signal from an official >> atomic clock, it recharges from a solar cell. > What, underwater? Cool! It only lives a small portion of its life underwater. It resets itself from an official atomic clock signal every night and recharges itself any time it's got sufficient light. I'm not sure how long it will run between charges, but it must be a pretty good while. I don't always wear that watch and I can't remember ever seeing it with less than a full charge. Lee > It only lives a small portion of its life underwater. It resets itself from > an official atomic clock signal every night and recharges itself any time > it's got sufficient light. I'm not sure how long it will run between > charges, but it must be a pretty good while. I don't always wear that watch > and I can't remember ever seeing it with less than a full charge. To be fair though Lee, you do live in a place that has slightly more sunshine than the average! Cheers, Ben SignatureBen Panter, Edinburgh, UK. Email false, http://www.benpanter.co.uk or you could try ben at ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >> It only lives a small portion of its life underwater. It resets itself from >> an official atomic clock signal every night and recharges itself any time [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > To be fair though Lee, you do live in a place that has slightly more > sunshine than the average! Hey mine works in Sussex, even living up my sleeve most of the time. It couldn't keep up if I left the light in 'auto' mode but if I put it in push-the-button style and just let it run the 'clockwork' it's been OK for four years now. I'm rather wondering how long the rechargable cell will last. Sync to the radio just suits the gadget freak in me. 8-) It's been to 50/60m enough times and went Ice Diving the weekend before last but round my wrist seal and under my glove so I could look at it if I needed too. nigelH SignaturePosted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com >> It only lives a small portion of its life underwater. It resets itself >> from an official atomic clock signal every night and recharges itself any [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > To be fair though Lee, you do live in a place that has slightly more > sunshine than the average! True, but I don't get out into it nearly as often as I should. Lee > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Thanks in advance, > Steve I use a Timex Ironman, wear it everyday. Cheap, and it takes a beating. > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Thanks in advance, > Steve Steve, Having been in your position, I would advise you to get a Uwatec dive timer or similar. It will cost somewhere in the region of £70 and has the advantage that its automatic so you don't need to remember to note the time or turn the bezel before you dive. As a beginner, you will be task loaded enough at the start of a dive so one less task can only be good. The strap will go round everything, from bare wrist to drysuit. It will show you ascent rate and record basic details from 9 dives. It is also a great back up to the computer that you will buy later. A word of warning though, they are not a good second hand buy as the batteries are not changeable and guaranteed for 5 years to the original owner only. Keith > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Thanks in advance, > Steve Take outa 12months subscription to Diver magazine and you get a free dive watch ... >Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >Thanks in advance, >Steve There's a decent enough watch you can get if you subscribe to Diver, which is itself a decent magazine, and subscribing saves you money on buying it in Smiths. Probably wouldn't take it to 50m, but fine for a newbie. ------------------------------------- York BSAC Web Page: http://www.york-diving.co.uk > There's a decent enough watch you can get if you subscribe to Diver, > which is itself a decent magazine, and subscribing saves you money on [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > York BSAC Web Page: > http://www.york-diving.co.uk When I looked on www.divernet.com the free offer if you subscribe was a torch. Where is the watch on offer? Regards Steve >> There's a decent enough watch you can get if you subscribe to Diver, >> which is itself a decent magazine, and subscribing saves you money on [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Regards > Steve I vaguely remember seeing one offered in the hard copy magazine. >>> There's a decent enough watch you can get if you subscribe to Diver, >>> which is itself a decent magazine, and subscribing saves you money on [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > I vaguely remember seeing one offered in the hard copy magazine. watch offer on page15 right hand corner >>>>There's a decent enough watch you can get if you subscribe to Diver, >>>>which is itself a decent magazine, and subscribing saves you money on [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > watch offer on page15 right hand corner Yes, I bought a mag at the weekend, I see it! Looks like a good watch for "thank you very much". I would enjoy reading the mags as well. Thanks for all the advice, Steve > Yes, I bought a mag at the weekend, I see it! > Looks like a good watch for "thank you very much". I would enjoy reading [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > - Show quoted text - watch is good ... and it's rated far deeper than I want to go, seems solid & well built and has a good strap. Getting the mag for a discount deliverred to your door is worth it - watch is a bonus. > > There's a decent enough watch you can get if you subscribe to Diver, > > which is itself a decent magazine, and subscribing saves you money on [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Regards > Steve I ain't no newbie .. but won't be going past 50m .... You can call or go to website ... get 12 months subscription - cheaper as pointed out, and free watch included ... can't go wrong with that. It works, waterproof, proper diving style strap ... and it's free. |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.