Dive Computers: Part II: Undercurrent 06/2005

Dive Computers: Part II

from the June, 2005 issue of Undercurrent

Last month we reported on a study that compared performance of the Suunto Solution and Vytec, Uwatec Aladin Pro and Aladin Smart, and Oceanic Versa. Earlier models (the Solution and Aladin Pro) were tested because they are still commonly used, and to determine differences in the updated decompression algorithms incorporated into the newer models. The Aladin Smart proved more conservative on the multilevel profiles than the Aladin Pro and all the other units tested. The Oceanic Versa was consistently less conservative than the other dive computers and the DCIEM tables, except on a series of deep, repetitive “bounce” dives.

The following tables were inadvertently left out of that article. Table 1 compares initial no-decompression stop limits at various depths, and table 2 shows no-stop times on typical multilevel dives.

Table1: Initial No-decompression Limits (Min) For Depths From 9 To 42 msw

Depth (m)	Solution	Vytec	Aladin Pro	Aladin Smart	Versa	DCIEM
9	222	204	334	324	283	300
12	127	124	121	124	184	150
15	72	72	70	70	85	75
18	52	52	50	50	59	50
21	37	37	30	36	41	35
24	29	29	28	27	32	25
27	23	23	22	21	25	20
30	18	18	16	16	20	15
33	13	13	14	13	17	12
36	11	11	12	11	14	10
39	9	9	10	10	11	8
42	7	7	9	9	9	7

Table 2: Multi-level Dive With Reducing Depth

	Solution	Vytec	Aladin Pro	Aladin Smart	Versa	DCIEM
Level 1 Depth = 30 msw: Time at level 1 = 5 min: No-stop time allowed (min) Ascent to level 2 = 1 min	18	16	16	16	20	15
Level 2 Depth = 20 msw; Time at level 2 = 10 min: No-stop time allowed (min) Ascent to level 3 = 0.5 min	32	29	27	14	39	23
Level 3 Depth = 15 msw No-stop time allowed (min)	44	40	37	23	61	35