Dive Computers: A Guide for Recreational Divers

Tables used to be how everyone dived. At this point, the majority of divers dive with a personal dive computer and they should.

A dive computer monitors depth, time, ascent rate, and NDL in real-time. Tables give you a static plan. related site When you move between depths partway through, the computer recalculates. Tables don't.

Wrist-mount computers are the most common use now. These are compact, readable underwater, and you can use them as a regular watch as well. Console computers are an option but less buyers choose them these days.

Entry-level computers start around $250-400 and handle everything a recreational diver requires. Features include depth, bottom time, NDL, a logbook, and usually an entry-level apnea mode. The $500-800 range includes air integration, nicer displays, and additional nitrox modes.

The one thing new divers don't think about is algorithm differences. Some computers are more conservative than others. A conservative setting means less bottom time. Looser algorithms give more bottom time but at a thinner buffer. Neither is wrong. It just personal preference and experience level.

Ask people at a dive shop who uses a few different models before buying. They'll have real-world feedback on what works and what's just marketing. Decent dive shops put out buying guides and honest reviews online as well