A scuba diving computer can be a divers best friend. It will allow you to stay down longer than if you were diving off of tables. There are many types and/or styles of dive computers you can choose from. Which one is best is really personal preference and is suited to the way you dive. The following are some of the choices you will have when purchasing your dive computer.Console Dive ComputerA console dive computer is attached to the rest of the equipment via a hose. The console dive computers typically come with a pressure gauge. The readouts are typically larger than on a wrist dive computer so they can also be easier on the eyes. There are also options for a scuba dive computer to be mounted on your hose (this is the type we currently use) or clip onto your BC. Choose whichever is more comfortable for you and fits into your price range. Wrist Dive ComputerThe wrist dive computer is very popular. These types of computers look like large watches and are worn on the wrist. They will tell you all you need to know at a glance. Some wrist dive computers are also able to be mounted in a console. Sometimes the faces may be a bit small for all the information the computer can display, so make sure you will be able to read it underwater. Unless they are air integrated and wireless (see below) wrist dive computers usually do not come with a pressure gauge. One small disadvantage here is that these can be pretty easy to misplace/lose. Air Integrated Dive ComputerAir integrated dive computers are becoming more commonplace. An air integrated computer measures the tank pressure and then calculates how much more time you have left at the current rate of air consumpetion. The air integrated dive computer will tell you how much time you can spend at any exertion level. An air integrated computer replaces the need for a submersible pressure gauge (SPG). One downside of an air integrated computer is that if it fails, you lose information on how much air you have left in your tank. Dive over.Nitrox Dive ComputerWith nitrox diving becoming more and more common, so are computers that are nitrox compatible. Even if you aren’t diving with nitrox now, if you are even thinking of diving with nitrox in the future, it is probably worth it to purchase a nitrox dive computer. This will save you the expense of buying a whole new computer in the future. However, if don’t think you will ever dive with nitrox, then there is no reason to pay for this feature. A standard air computer is probably $100+ less than its nitrox counterpart.Hoseless Dive ComputerThe hoseless dive computer consists of the receiver (typically worn on the wrist or mounted on the BC) and a transmitor. The transmitor attaches to the high pressure port of the regulator first stage and then sends your air information, wirelessly, to the receiver. The receiver looks the same as normal dive computers. This setup cuts down on the number of hoses you need. There are now even hoseless dive computers that can accept signal from multiple transmitors – so you can even keep an eye on your buddies air consumption. Of course, this capability is really for the more advanced technical divers who may use different tanks on one dive. And, of course, we are talking some pretty high price tags here.So just think about how you dive and what capabilities you need. The right dive computer for one person can be completely wrong for another person. Choose one that you are comfortable with and one that is right for you wallet.

More and more dive operators are making them mandatory. Some even include a wrist dive computer as part of the gear provided to their customers. This is especially true for live-aboard dive boat operations.
Of course that only makes sense for these “dive your brains out” deals. You’re doing a ton of diving, spending serious time underwater, and a computer not only makes it easier, but helps avoid compromising safety.
And don’t misunderstand, live-aboards are great. It doesn’t get much better than five or so dives a day, and merely rolling out of bed to get to the site. Put that together with great food, pristine reefs off the beaten path, & falling asleep under the stars, and it’s a super vacation recipe.
Aside from their obvious usefulness in the live-aboard world, dive computers make sense for most all diving situations. In fact, anyone serious about the sport shouldn’t make another dive without one. From maximizing bottom time to calculating complex dive plans without compromising safety, these wrist computers are invaluable.
Even the dive operators who don’t make them mandatory, will separate the computer divers from the non-computer divers, requiring those without personal dive computers to follow a much more conservative profile, which most often results in a shorter dive.
Now there’s nothing wrong with being conservative, but not to the extent of cutting a dive needlessly short. And that’s the whole point behind using a computer. It allows more time at depth and/or underwater while still helping you stay within safe limits.
There may be a handful of very experienced scuba divers who are so skilled with the dive tables, they can recalculate complex dive plans on the fly during their dive with some proficiency. But even they can’t beat a computer in terms of speed and accuracy. And most, if not all those guys, still use a computer simply because they prefer to get the most from their diving.
Whether you need the full functionality of variable gas mixtures, extensive dive logging, complicated multi-level dive profiles, deep or decompression dives, etc., or just want to stay safe while allowing for slight changes to your dive plan, a good dive computer is an excellent investment.
They really should be considered required equipment. Prices have come down so far that cost just isn’t an excuse anymore, especially when thinking about safety. Get the most out of your diving by making a wrist computer an integral part of your dive gear.