This week in Gearhead we discuss diving computers — computers that make diving safe by calculating how to optimize your “bottom” time and your ascent stops to avoid the bends. We asked for you recommendations and …
first in was from reader Ted Lavino who is obviously an old hand at diving: “I started out with the first air integrated computer, the Oceanic DataMax Pro back in 1988 and now use a Suunto Vytek.” Ted recommended a diving computer we hadn’t come across which he described as “the Grand Pubah of GearHead diving computers”, the VR3 from Delta-P Technology Limited in the UK (http://www.vr3.co.uk/). The VR3 has an amazing specification which includes unlimited mixes, on the fly mix change, choice of decompression models, closed and semi-closed rebreather support, and a full color display! To download your dive data to your PC the VR3 uses an IR connection which we believe is unique in the diving computer market. The only disappointment is the software which while it is comprehensive is ugly — obviously derived from some older character-based system with very low rez graphics tacked on. The reviews of the VR3 are all positive and at a price of around $1,200 is competitive with the likes of Suunto. If you have any experience of using the VR3, we’d love to hear from you.
