Best computer for freediving and spearfishing ?

[Bleeth]

Well, if you want a Chinese computer, look for the Snorkeling master from Latitude Ltd in Honk Kong - they manufacture it as OEM also for Omer (MIK1) and Sporasub (SP1), so I bet some of the Chinese online stores offers for just a few bucks. I already saw it for under $50 on eBay. However, you will get what you pay for, and there is also always certain risk at such transactions. The original version of Snorkeling master did not display the surface time. In the latest OEM version for Sporasub they added it, but it is hard to tell whether the Snorkeling master has the firmware modification too.

The company's wbesite is at $title$, but it is just for wholesalers

You got me wrong, i wasn't talking about buying an Chinese watch, just wanted to say that when i buy cheap things (for instance 5USD cable) on ebay i get a free shipping from China, so how is it i can't get 3-4 hundred USD item shipped at some normal costs (20-30 bucks tops). I've been getting relatively big packages from USA shipped for 10 bucks before so...

I was thinking of buying Sporasub watch for around 200 EUR (it has enough features for me) but since it's a relatively new watch and there's no much info about it, i'm concerned about possible malfunctions and the duration of the batteries in dive mode. (you can easily find do it yourself battery kits (battery and o-ring) for Suunto or Aeris on ebay, but Sporasub or Omer not so much (i have to send it to authorized OMER dealer every time my battery doesn't have the will to live any more and pay who knows how much))

 

[trux]

Well, the costs are lower in China, and paradoxally there is much less bureacracy and laws that rise up the prices in the western world. For a Chinese company doing a profit of few cents may be still interesting and sufficient for a decent life, but a US or EU dealer could not survive with the same margin. That's why I wrote you can buy the cheap watches dirrectly from China rather than buying them from Sporasub or Omer. If you want a quality product, with reasonable funcionality, China does not offer much for now, so you'll have to accept that the living standard in the US and EU is higher and that people working there can't survive with the same margins the Chinese do. If you think the margins of the US dealers are too fat, simply launch a company, buy the computers in bulk from the manufacturer, and sell them with as low margin as you can, and with free shipping - everyone will buy them and you'll be rich.

 

[Bleeth]

Well, the costs are lower in China, and paradoxally there is much less bureacracy and laws that rise up the prices in the western world. For a Chinese company doing a profit of few cents may be still interesting and sufficient for a decent life, but a US or EU dealer could not survive with the same margin. That's why I wrote you can buy the cheap watches dirrectly from China rather than buying them from Sporasub or Omer. If you want a quality product, with reasonable funcionality, China does not offer much for now, so you'll have to accept that the living standard in the US and EU is higher and that people working there can't survive with the same margins the Chinese do. If you think the margins of the US dealers are too fat, simply launch a company, buy the computers in bulk from the manufacturer, and sell them with as low margin as you can, and with free shipping - everyone will buy them and you'll be rich.

Good one Trux, but although i did study economics at the university the only gift that i have in that department is the one of spending money (and the shipping costs from Croatia to anywhere are an even bigger robbery than the above-mentioned). I only don't understand why i can get one package from the one country (talking USA now) shipped for 10 bucks and the other aprox the same size package costs me 90 bucks for shipping. Obviously a marketing strategy but i hate this stuff, just say it like it is, the real price is not 250 but 320 with 20 bucks shipping costs (or maybe i'm wrong and my package needs an armed escort).

It would be great if everything would be like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aeris-F-10-...ultDomain_0&hash=item3cc56f3897#ht_802wt_1031

I'll try to get this Aeris from UK for 230 EUR + 7 EUR shipping (as that seems to be a much better value than 200EUR Sporasub SP1), all i need now is to figure out how to get by 5% custom +25% VAT (who knows maybe miracles do happen )

 

[trux]

all i need now is to figure out how to get by 5% custom +25% VAT (who knows maybe miracles do happen )

Just wait till June 2013 when Croatia is scheduled to join the EU (if it still exists in that time). You will then pay no extra custom and VAT when ordering from the EU (the VAT is already included in the prices in EU countries).

 

[martin366]

Is 230€ lowest price for F10v2 in Europe ?
Or is it cheaper somewhere ?

Big thanks!

 

[martin366]

I did get hold of Aeris F10v2, from DiveInstinct.com

First imperssions was very good, nice piece. I adjusted it for upcoming trainingday in pool (which was today). On dry land everything worked perfectly. Until in water, i did semy-max DNF attempt (about 1:30min). Elapsed time alarm was working (at least i heared beeps), after dive screen was crazy, all digits was working. Some time later happend "black-out" :head
I did picture at home:


As seen, seems like water has entered inside, moisture is on inside screen

PS! Sorry for my bad English.

 

[azapa]

wow, that sucks Martin. It looks like it flooded. Aeris support are excellent (the guys I deal with in the US), i hope your local after sales is good too.

 

[maui400]

wow, that sucks Martin. It looks like it flooded. Aeris support are excellent (the guys I deal with in the US), i hope your local after sales is good too.

Really? How did you contact them? I wasn't able to get in contact with them so far. I asked them about whether there are updates for the v2 and if they could make the depth alarm louder.
I asked them twice via different addresses but never got an answer.

@martin:
I'm sorry to see your broken watch. Good luck on getting a replacement.

 

[azapa]

Really? How did you contact them? I wasn't able to get in contact with them so far.

DiveAeris.com - Contact Us, I phoned, you will either get Ron or Royce, they are both really helpful.

 

[Bleeth]

Sorry to hear this horror story Martin, i was about to order Aeris form the same store but now i'm scared shitless, i think i'll wait to see how your case develops before i make any orders.

 

[Fondueset]

Looks like maybe the battery door was not on right. Get hold of Aeris or return it where you got it. They should make it right.

 

[Apneaddict]

My Aeris V1 is working great - but I recently replaced the battery and the door doesn't look 100% flush with the watch back... No matter how I tighten it.

The problem is tha I do t remember what it was like beforehand.

I've been in a 5m pool with it Since and no issues.

Is anyone else's Aeris battery cover a bit raised in one part?

 

[trux]

Looks like maybe the battery door was not on right. Get hold of Aeris or return it where you got it. They should make it right.

On most diving watches the battery compartment is completely and watertightly isolated from the watch, so even if you do not close the cover properly, or let a hair in the sealing, there should be no more harm than just the discharged new battery. I would wonder if Aeris did not use the same system. So I think the flooded watch has another reason, and unless it was mechanically abused, I think Aeris will replace it without any problems.

 

[martin366]

DiveInstinct havent answered yet
Battery cover is correctly closed.
I have not abused this computer, which is obvious, 230€ :blackeye
Just bad unit

 

[woods]

im also in the market for a freedive/spearfishing watch. and after reading through the thread, its looking like the aeris f10 v2 is most recomended. but im not sure if i need a watch this good! i am relitivly new to the sport and mainly looking for basic freediving fuctions.so i would settle for somethingwith basic functions......as long as it works! the cheepest watches i can see from the online shops are the omer MIK1 and sporasub SP1. but what i have seen mentioned on this form is the snorkeling master/ dive time watch-- itlooks basic, extreamly cheep and from the listed functions i think it has what i need. BUT IS IT ANY GOOD AND DOES IT WORK?? anyone had one in the past? i have read the online discriptions but info from some one who has actually used something befor tells a better story!! i have heard that the buttons on it are too sensitive and not reliyable?
or am i just better saving up a bit more cash and getting the omer/sporasub or even the f10v2?
cheers guys,

 

[Fondueset]

Woods - I don't know if it's available to you - but here leisure pro still has good prices on the old version of the aeries manta/oceanic geo. I know a couple people who have them and are quite happy.

 

[martin366]

MIK1 aint so good.. Sporasub is better, but price difference is so small with F10v2.
Choose F10 and hope you get working product, not like me

 

[Bleeth]

Did you get the replay from DiveInstinct yet Martin ?
I think you'll be all right, i contacted them today to ask about buying F10 and i mentioned your problem.

This is the replay:

"The computer comes with 1 year warranty. We have never received a claim for a flooded f.10, please advise your friend to contact us direclty to resolve the problem"

Sounds encouraging to me.

GL

 

[martin366]

Yes, we are chating via e-mail, but things are not progressing...
I will tell, if something happens

Did you get the replay from DiveInstinct yet Martin ?
I think you'll be all right, i contacted them today to ask about buying F10 and i mentioned your problem.

This is the replay:

"The computer comes with 1 year warranty. We have never received a claim for a flooded f.10, please advise your friend to contact us direclty to resolve the problem"

Sounds encouraging to me.

GL

 

[Bleeth]

Martin did your watch come in deep sleep mode, or was it activated when you received it (mine was activated and according to the manual it should be shipped in deep sleep mode) ?