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  #26  
Old 07/12/2005, 11:23 AM
Tech Diver Tech Diver is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Concord, MA
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Quote:
Originally posted by rottielover
...We "upgraded" to a Suunato Gekko dive computer...
I don't know where you are planning to mount your computer, but given the choice, it is much better to have it on your wrist than in the console. The primary reason is that time and depth are things that should be monitored fairly often. If the computer is in your console then you have to unclip your console all the time to check it. If you are not clipping-off your console the you are creating a potential snag for yourself with a piece of dangling equipment that will knock into coral (I see it all the time). If the computer is on your wrist you can monitor it as you are ascending with your arm extended while you continue to look around you. It is also very convenient when you are holding the ascent line.

Ideally, the computer goes on your right arm so you can use your left arm to operate the inflator of your BC/wings while continuing to monitor your depth. This is particularly important if you have to control your depth in the open water column without any visual reference points.
  #27  
Old 07/12/2005, 03:53 PM
rottielover rottielover is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Saint Louis, MO. USA
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Oh, well the dive shop already put them in the console. It was a packaged deal, if you purchased the computer, they put it into a 2 gauge console and added a compass to the console. So we both have console's with three "gauges" on them in a row. They ziptied a brass clip to the console, but I was going to replace this with a "retractor" cord. I use these retractor's with my fly fishing vest already, so I was going to get some from the dive shop that are SW safe.

However, are there any sources for the same retractor's that are cheaper? I think the dive shop wants like $25 per, I know I can get cheapie style ones like for fly fishing much cheaper than that.
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  #28  
Old 07/12/2005, 07:27 PM
Tech Diver Tech Diver is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by rottielover
Oh, well the dive shop already put them in the console. It was a packaged deal, if you purchased the computer, they put it into a 2 gauge console and added a compass to the console. So we both have console's with three "gauges" on them in a row. They ziptied a brass clip to the console, but I was going to replace this with a "retractor" cord. I use these retractor's with my fly fishing vest already, so I was going to get some from the dive shop that are SW safe.
My wife originally had a 3-gauge console, but for $16 a piece I bought two rubber wrist-mounts from the manufacturer. I popped the compass into one that she wears on her left arm, and the computer (actually a digital depth/timer) into the other that she wears on her right arm. I fitted a stainless steel bolt-snap on the pressure gauge, which she clips-off at her left side. The console went into the trash can. She finds this configuration far more efficient. I use almost the same configuration except I attached my compass to a flip-chart slate that I wear on my left forearm, which holds my primary and alternate decompression schedules/dive-plans. For a $32 investment you can do the same if you so desire.

As for the retractor, they all seem to be fairly expensive (although I can't see why). I personally do not recommend it, but everyone has their own likes and dislikes. In my case it is a potential line of entanglement in a wreck penetration (and a Steel one no less). However, if you really have a burning desire to get one, make sure it is long enough so you can hold the compass in front of you while swimming.
  #29  
Old 07/13/2005, 08:34 AM
rottielover rottielover is offline
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Location: Saint Louis, MO. USA
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Thanks again Tech Diver!

That sounds pretty good to me as well, and it sounds like it won't cost that much.

I was sorta wondering how I'd deflate my BCD with my left hand (dump air when ascending) while holding my right arm up as well, and still check my ascent rate with the diving computer.

So far from the video and the book, it looks like they are going to teach us to ascend straight up and down with both arms raised to the heavens (left arm using the BCD inflator controls to dump air as you rise), not exactly sure why the right arm should be up and waving to the heaven's as of yet, but I'm sure they are going to tell us a good reason for it.
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  #30  
Old 07/13/2005, 09:09 AM
Tech Diver Tech Diver is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by rottielover
...I was sorta wondering how I'd deflate my BCD with my left hand (dump air when ascending) while holding my right arm up as well, and still check my ascent rate with the diving computer...
Exactly! Now you understand why I am suggesting the wrist configuration. Always think through in detail how you will use each piece of equipment for each task. It then becomes clear where items should be located.

Quote:
So far from the video and the book, it looks like they are going to teach us to ascend straight up and down with both arms raised to the heavens (left arm using the BCD inflator controls to dump air as you rise), not exactly sure why the right arm should be up and waving to the heaven's as of yet, but I'm sure they are going to tell us a good reason for it.
Since they are teaching you to ascend vertically (definitely NOT the method that I use) they want you to protect your head with your right hand. If secured with a bungee cord (see the thread on "Are you prepared for emergencies") your inflator hose will not be long enough to extend your left arm above your head. Thus the use of the right arm.

I know an instructor whose student ascended without looking and smashed his head on the bottom of the boat, knocking himself unconscious (fortunately he recovered fine).
  #31  
Old 07/13/2005, 10:01 AM
rottielover rottielover is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Saint Louis, MO. USA
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ouch! I assume he was ascending in the "prone" position? I'm glad the studant is OK.

Thanks again for the tip's, I'm going to start looking online for a deal on the wrist mount.
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