Northwest Dive Club

Would like to add a bottom timer to my stable of gear. What do you like and why?

Simplicity, readability, and price are what is most important to me at this point. Should there be other things I need to consider?

Thanks in advance!

I have to say that, once you go OLED, you won't go back . . . especially for those of us of a certain age. The Liquivision Xen, now that they have worked out all the early bugs, is one nice piece of equipment.

The UWATEC is about $200, has average depth and temp, logs the last 10 dives, they never seem to leak or have "issues", and battery lasts for 10+ years.

Uwatec has a long history as a reliable BT. The batteries last forever, it has big numbers and it is cheap.

As nice as an OLED screen is, personally, I don't think the Xen is worth $500.

If its just a backup device, I would either look at the Uwatec or a cheap computer that you could put into gauge mode.

Hard to beat the uwatec.

Do they still make these? Where do you buy them? Yes, I'm aware you can buy them used on ebay. I don't want one, just curious...

diverden wrote:Do they still make these? Where do you buy them? Yes, I'm aware you can buy them used on ebay. I don't want one, just curious...

You pretty much need to order the UWATEC from a scubapro dealer. Even "full retail price" they are still a good deal. Then add a DSS bungie mount and you're done for ~$250 total including tax etc.

I'm not willing to waste more than 30 minutes trying to find one but did here:


You pretty much have to search for "uwatec timer -computer" to get rid of all the Galileo and Aladin noise

diverden wrote:I'm not willing to waste more than 30 minutes trying to find one but did here:


You pretty much have to search for "uwatec timer -computer" to get rid of all the Galileo and Aladin noise

Be careful you don't accidentally order the metric version. Some of those retailers going through Amazon normally won't ship to the USA, some will. I am pretty sure mine was actually cheaper than that at my LDS. I replaced it just last year after losing one overboard in yellowstone lake (sigh).

Don't mean to hijack at all, figured this goes along with bottom timer talk.

(disclosure, I'm not DIR)
Would a uwatec bottom timer on a bungee mount mess up a compass (sk7) bungee mounted on the same arm. Reason I ask, I have a wrist computer on one arm and compass on other. It'd be nice to have backup bottom timer and compass on one continuous bungee loop. Does this make sense? Just don't want to screw with compass reading correctly.

Thanks! Anyone else do this?

mancub wrote:Don't mean to hijack at all, figured this goes along with bottom timer talk.

(disclosure, I'm not DIR)
Would a uwatec bottom timer on a bungee mount mess up a compass (sk7) bungee mounted on the same arm. Reason I ask, I have a wrist computer on one arm and compass on other. It'd be nice to have backup bottom timer and compass on one continuous bungee loop. Does this make sense? Just don't want to screw with compass reading correctly.

Thanks! Anyone else do this?

You can put them on the same arm, but don't put 2 DDS boots together on one bungie. You will pull sideways on the bungie holes too much getting them on and off and rip out the holes rather quickly. Use independent boots & bungies so your can take them on and off seperately (and gently).

A couple of thoughts on OLED newer BT devices versus the older lcd style.

- You get LARGE display thats elf ilunimated, no need to light it up.
- Readable from virtually any angle (i.e. I scooter and can glance over and see it clearly)
- You get a full featured stop watch feature including manual/auto enable/disable with reset
- You get seconds display or analog seconds
- Resettable average depth.
- Ascend/Descend rate indicators
- multiple views (simple with huge numbers or more complex)
- Alarms for Ascend Rates, Depth, Time.
- You can download your dive profiles to PC and Mac
- The firmware is upgradable
- Batteries are user replaceable, including rechargeable option.
- Units are potted and will never flood, even if battery cage floods.
- It comes bungee ready (dont have to buy extra boot)
- You can manually switch between Metric and Imperial.
- built-in dive logs including dive depth and temp graphs
- Patented no-buttons "tap interface"

If you want to try one to see if its for you, feel free to PM me and we can make a plan for you to dive one and see if its worth the extra dough to you.

Certainly is not for everyone and cheaper alternatives could work very well for you, its up to you to decide if the extra features/benefits outweigh the extra cost.

good luck and hope you find what you are looking for.

best,

Koos

Where do they put the elf?

Blitz wrote:Where do they put the elf?

bottom right hand corner.. its been found that the patented no-buttons "Tap interface" gives the elf a concushion in any other position

When I had trouble reading the LCD on my wrist yet could easly read the OLED on the wrist of my dive buddy 8' away, the answer was a Zen. Aging eyeballs will make decisions for you.

Xen is great. I can't imagine going back.

Tom,

I just picked up a uwatec off ebay for $55. DSS boot for $8. Tough to beat and works just fine. You have to watch for them, but they show up frequently and usually go for less than $100.


-Mathue

Here's one for $95.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110941377520

Tom i have a g shock watch that has a stop watch on it. Sell it to you cheap

I got HUGELY busy diving and have not had a chance to get back to this thread.

THANK YOU ALL for awesome, thoughtful, educational, and helpful recommendations / responses (except for Buck's, of course). It is those kind of responses that make NWDC such an awesome place to come for info when you need it.

I was able to solve my equipment issue without an immediate purchase (YAY!), but when I get ready to pull the trigger I will come back to the recommends on this thread.

Thanks again!