Hey Gangs
Wrist vs console mount; my preference is wrist. Some computers will fit into your console so that you can see you pressure & dive time at the same time.
If wrist, ensure that that strap will fit over your Wet or Dry suit wrist. Sometimes you can use 2 watch straps to enlarge the size.
Display; can you READ the display; is all the info that you want on the main display? is there an alternate display available too? If you are in the over 40 club a small display size can be problematic. lol
backlight; is there one? does it drain the battery? OR can you shine your light on the display & have it glow for a few seconds after
Conservatism; some computers are rated at an ascent rate of 30 fpm vs the old standard of 60 fpm. 30fpm is much safer.
Algorithm; usually based on Bulhman or RGBM; RGBM is the most popular today. If VPM is available i would definitely get this if you plan on becoming a tech diver. The Vplanner program (designed by Canadian Ross Hemingway) uses the VPM algorithm & is the most popular tech diving program in the world.
Download ability; does it download to your home computer? What kind of info can you get downloaded? The download software is usually free & the cables are usually up to $200. Wireless is awesome if it works. I have a Scubapro/Uwatec Tec 3 computer which uses infrared to downlaod & it works great & is so simple & there is NO extra cost! Some computer download cables have a flakey connection like the Cochran. The Cochran computer has the most comprehensive set of information that is stored in a computer that i have ever seen....if you want it.
Nitrox & multiple gases; a Nitrox computer is the minimum that you should buy today. Buying a multi gas computer is great if you plan on doing tech diving and plan on switching gases (eg. 100% or 50%) HOWEVER note that anyone today who does serious tech diving is using a Bottom Timer & Vplanner for dive planning. They may use a tech computer for a backup but normally not for the primary gas planning.
color; a useless feature as far as i am concerned due to the fact that it is battery draining.
HUD; finally you can buy a computer that has Heads Up Display in the mask. Oceanic now has one for sale if you have lots of $$ to spend.
http://www.oceanicw orldwide. com/p_computers_ iddm.html
air integrated; some consider this a nice to have feature but i have never purchased such a model. It will show your tank pressure in digital readout & show how much bottom time you have based on your current breathing rate.
BUDDY; it is always preferred to use the same computer (and bottom timer) as your buddy. This means that your NDL, deco & actually depth readings will be the same.
User changeable battery; take a spare when away on that dive trip. You must buy a computer with an USER changeable battery. Why wait 2 months to have your computer changed at the store or factory.
Watch/dive computer; Do you want your dive computer to double as your wrist watch? Suunto Stinger/Mosquito/ D6/D9 & Citizen Aqualand are the way to go....IF you can read the display...lol.
Digital compass; if you really are a gadget person you may consider this feature; I say keep it simple & learn how to use a real compass.
Failover band; Airborne sells a watch strap that will keep you from loosing the watch if 1 side breaks. You may consider using a bungy system which does the same thing. Be careful as this is the DIR (do it right) way.
perceived value; at the end of the day it comes down to this.
reliability; do some searches on the internet to look for problems. I had a great tech computer called a HSS Explorer & when i was repaired/replaced after 4 times i sold it. Suunto computers have never failed me.
Games; this feature is most common on tech computers so you have something to keep you occupied during those long decos.
