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Ive been diving for almost 30 years and still don’t own a full blown dive computer. I do have a digital dive timer by Suunto that keeps track of each of my bottom times and surface intervals. I don’t push the tables and have done plenty of repetitive dives. Even if your using a computer you need to be able to go back to your tables if it pukes on you. If your going to be doing a lot of repetitive dives and are looking to maximize your bottom time safely then a computer would be great but only for dives where your changing depth frequently. I look back at all the dives I’ve done where others were using computers and there were only a few that the computer users were given more bottom time because of getting credit for spending time at a shallower depth during the dive. If you think about it computers actually go against the basic training of "Plan your dive and dive your plan"
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A good starting computer would be the Hollis DG03 from Dive gear Express for $245, does everything you need as a Rec Diver. Another good one would be the Mares Puck at under $200
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Agojo - 8/09/2014 4:52 AM 
I would do the [$200 puck, use your gauges with it and later upgrade to full computer and keep puck and gauges connected as backup and you won’t lose any diving when you use a charter if computer fails. Oceanic ProPlus 2.1 computers with compass are available under $500, I’ve been using same one for 11 years (500+ dives).
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I have the Suunto Zoop computer. $225 from LeisurePro.com.
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I have learned that no matter what you choose make sure you still have manual gauges too. I have seen people dive then while under water the computer has a glitch and it ends the dive too soon. If you still have the manual gauges with a computer then go back to reading the manual gauges and basic plan to not interrupt the underwater experience.
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IMHO
I would go with a NEW nitrox coomputer unless you can steal one really cheap on Craigs list.
With the prices so low you can find a computer that will serve you well for years to come as a recreational diver. If you decide to dive nitrox you wont be stuck trying to re-sell your first computer. I like to have manual gauges as well.
As far as which computer to buy, it’s up to what you like and your budget. Check out as many as possible. I like some of the ScubaPro computers because of the SmartTrak software and the fact that with the infrared link you don’t have to pay $100 + for a bastardized USB cable that’s worth $5 to download your dives to PC.
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MDW - 11/12/2014 8:37 AM
I would suggest the DiveRite NiTek Trio (aka: Apeks Quantum, Cressi Giotto C3, Tusa IQ750, Zeagle N2ition, all made by Seiko). This model is a 3-gas nitrox computer that can be had for $350 new or as little as $150 used. This model will work fine as an air computer, then support you as you graw into Nitrox and even as far as deco on richer Nitrox blends, all at a pretty low price point. It also has a gauge mode which makes it a simple bottom timer (no alarms, calculations, etc.) which becomes useful if you move into mixed gas diving later or buy another computer and make this a backup at some point.
If you don’t want to go that route, I can also recommend the Cressi Leonardo. It has more or less the same display as the others, but supports just one gas (Air). It, too, has a gauge mode, so when (if) you move to Nitrox later you can buy a Giotto C3 (or other brand above) and put the Leonardo into gauge mode as your backup. This will allow you to retain the familiar screen layout (and have the same layout on primary and backup) while moving up to more advanced diving.
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