New Wrist Computer - Thoughts?

[inseader]

Hi Eric,

I am one happy owner, and even more happy user, of a F1 (first batch) and I believe I missed the switch to the X1. This is most probably a wise business decision as it will be less difficult for you to recoupe your (considerable) investment with a larger potential group of customers. I would appreciate if you could elaborate a little and also maybe clarify a few things for me:

- Is the X1 the same hardware with different software or a completly different product ? If so how do they differ ?
- Does that mean that my blue F1 is now a true collector that you won't be manufacturing anymore ?
- Will the (old) F1 be compatible with the X1's hardware add-ons and softwre updates ?

Many Thanks again for creating those wonderful toys for us !
Jacques.

 

[billder99]

Thanks for the input Eric. I am not too concerned about a depth alarm, as I doubt I will ever dive more than 30-35m. It sounds like the Citizen Hyper Aqua or Suunto D3 will be my choice:

• D3 ends up costing quite a bit more because you have to by the $110 docking piece to download to a PC. D3 is all plastic, so will scratch easily, but many divers swear by this watch.
• Hyper Aqua is stainless with glass front, should be durable, appears to do everything D3 does, easy battery change.
• Best prices I have found for both: princetonwatches.com

Best wishes on your success with the X1... incredible, unique piece of equiment for serious competitive divers, freedivers, spearfishers.

 

[Amphibious]

[*]D3 ends up costing quite a bit more because you have to by the $110 docking piece to download to a PC.

I paid $25 for mine, an aftermarket cable made by somebody from scubaboard.com. works great.

 

[DeepThought]

You can also find hommade interfaces on e-bay.

 

[DeepRN]

I've had a manta for a few weeks now and have posted a bit of a review:

http://forums.deeperblue.net/freediving-equipment/70515-oceanic-geo-vs-suunto-d3.html#post635997

cheers

 

[Mullins]

I bought a Cressi Edy a few days ago so I thought I’d add a brief review comparing it to the D3 and Mares Nemo, both of which I’ve used recently.

Basically it has the same functionality as a D3, minus a few features and with a somewhat fiddly interface.

- The alarm is quieter than both the D3 and the Nemo
- It does not store a historical max depth/time, only a daily one that is erased at 12:00am
- No stopwatch (bit of a pain if you do statics)
- The dive log software isn’t as comprehensive as Suunto’s dive manager – this is only my opinion though
- Rated deeper than the D3 (150m or 200m I think, would need to check the manual when I get home…)
- Construction is much more robust than the D3
- It looks a hell of a lot better
- I haven’t been able to find out if the face is glass or plastic. Hopefully it’s glass and will resist scratches better than the D3. It’s flat, which suggests it might be.

Otherwise it is all the same as the D3: 1s sample rate, depth, max depth, temp, dive time, surface interval etc etc, and the ability to replay a dive profile so those without download cables can type the numbers into a spreadsheet. The Nemo, as people have mentioned, has a 4s sample rate (but a 1s refresh rate), a freshwater setting and an alarm you can set to go off at Xm intervals. The alarm is about midway between the D3 and Edy in terms of volume.

Of course the Cressi is also a dive computer accommodating air and nitrox (and apparently quite a good one at that), which the D3 isn’t, hence the difference in price – but I am only concerned with the freedive features. I bought it because I was sick of my D3s dying and I certainly expect it to have more staying power than those little plastic jobs. The only thing I am really disappointed about is the volume of the alarm. I’m going to need to wear it on my upper arm, and putting holes in my hood should also help a bit.