Alec you're a great man serving the scuba community...Wish you were in Australia... A new diver like me has learnt a lot from his videos and advices...God bless!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Glad your gaining some new ideas. I dove the barrier reef many years ago and loved it. So much to do in Australia I would have liked to stay much longer. Alec

Very informative video, covers all the basics with a humorous flare. Thank You.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Scott, hope your learned something new. Alec

Sir I always watch your reviews before I buy any products thanks 🙏 again you’re such a gentleman

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

2 жыл бұрын

So nice of you Marwan. Thanks for watching.

Thank you for all of the entertaining and informative videos! I recently bought an air integrated computer, and will be buying the transponder for it once I can afford to.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

You will find it a very easy and useful gear that you will soon not be able to dive without. Alec

Awesome information. Thanks Alec.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! S

Thank you for the video. Appreciated it. Hope to see more videos from you. God Bless.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, I will.

One advantage of the latest air integrated units from which you can upload your dive "data" is that they enable to you to get a really good handle on your particular air consumption at any given depth or under any given dive conditions (water temp, current etc) That data record allows you to fairly accurately dive plan for any given future dive under similar circumstances! Otherwise, at best you are stuck with "well last time i did a dive like this it lasted 53 minutes" or similar! If you can afford it, air integration is very useful! (i've ditched my SPG, i use a wireless tank pod with an EON core, i have less hoses (less drag, neat and streamlined), and all my data is on my wrist in one place for easy reference)

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Right on Max. The data downloaded from dive computers today can help replay a bad dive and plan future ones safer. Plus gear lists (for buoyancy), who, where, what you saw. It's a central database to complement a paper dive log. Alec.

I have a Cobalt 1 and it makes life easier getting ready to go to Perdix AI. Because of you and your guidance I am getting into tech diving with doubles I wouldn’t have gotten my initial open water if it wasn’t for your videos

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Enjoy tech diving Ivory, its new skills, gear and dive profiles but remember to have fun too. Alec

Just getting back into diving after a couple decades. Getting my re-cert next month. Never used a dive computer but am going to buy one. Was leaning toward the watch style...until I watched your vid. Great reasons to go with an air integrated computer. Thanks for what you do! And wow! 1958?? Did you learn from Jacques Cousteau, himself? Haha You are def a man to listen to!!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

I did dream of diving with Mr Cousteau but he never returned my letters! Enjoy your AI dive computer and remember to rinse / soak it well and to work all the buttons after each dive. Take care Mike.

Another great video👌🏼

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Carlos. More interesting subjects to come, like hydro testing a scuba tank. Alec

Love this guy

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Sterling. Now to get my wife to do the same...

LOL! Your description of your equipment when you started out reminds me of when I started in the early '70s. I wore an aviator style inflatable life jacket which was only for emergencies, no buoyancy compensation, and sometimes had a pressure gauge. J-valve regulator on the tank with a long handle to pull to get the spare air to surface if my calculations weren't spot on. Don't know how I survived. Excellent explanation of air integration. Was just contemplating adding that to my kit.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Today's divers think I'm nuts when I tell them I carried 2 rocks to get be down to my planned depth. Drop 1 to start my dive and the other to go up.

Thanks again sir - I just started my certification and i always come to see your videos to see what you say compared to them...THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE DOING THIS....Hope all is well

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Best of luck and glad your going to be the smartest in the class.

@recreationalvehicle5212

3 жыл бұрын

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter thankyou Alec...this USCG VET/SHELL BACK APPRECIATES ALL YOUR KNOWLEDGE SIR

Any technology that can make the dive more enjoyable, easier and safer at the same time is a win-win scenario.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely. I have said that dive computers made my diving fun again. Alec

I even learned how to use the dive table during my open watercourses. I guess I don't even need to use it for anytime soon

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Tables are a personal choice but modern computers make diving much safer, continuous calculation of dive time remaining, easier and can export and analyze log data. Dive tables are a shrinking skill as many dive operators require computers for everyone. Thanks for watching. Alec

I remember diving with a capillary tube depth gauge. 1970's It was also back plate diving. The BC was separate. If need be you could ditch the tank and weight belt and snorkel to shore. Nobody ever did that I know of.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Heck, sometimes I dove without a weight belt but carried a big rock to make me negatively buoyant to my dive depth. Check out my Vintage Scuba playlist for interesting and entertaining dive stories, gear and memories from the stone age of diving. Thanks for watching Danny.

@bugman9787

Жыл бұрын

Yes, that is how I started in 1972. You had the Bernoulli depth gauge, your watch, your compass, weight belt, horse collar buoyancy compensator that you inflated manually, your back pack that held your steel tank, your pressure gage and your knife strapped to your leg. The last time my wife went diving was 1975 off the Kona Coast in Hawaii. I started my venture into diving again in May of 2021. Bought new equipment, BC dive computer new regulator, second safety, dumb, lead shot pouches instead of the solid lead. Started watching You Tube videos and practicing in mu pool yo get my proper weight and work on my buoyancy, got into the lagoon to get my weight right for salt water, then went to Beaches at Turks and Caicos. Had to take their refresher course since I had not been diving forever. Also found out I needed two more pounds for the salt water in Turks. Made three dives and it was like riding a bike. Felt very comfortable like I had been diving all the time. Went back to Beaches in May 2002 and took their advanced diving class. I had an advanced class in 1972, but NAUI never got the records of it. One class I had in Turks was performance buoyancy, really helped with my buoyancy control. Made 5 dives for the class then did two more dives before coming home. I’m going back in May 2023. Things sure have change since 1975! But the thing I noticed most is now the equipment is a lot heavier! Lol! I’m having fun and am glad I started diving again!

Just a technical note, probably shouldn't hold up an air integrated dive watch when referring to it as just a basic wrist computer. OCI has air integrated capabilities with a transmitter. Took me a while to figure out you weren't using the OCI as an air integrated example. I used to own one ;) Keep the videos coming!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

The OCi is a great dive computer even without the transmitter for air integration (which most divers get). Both computers are Kevin's as he dives with both for backup. Thanks for watching. Alec

Thanks Alec! Do you consider old sunnto wireless computers air intergrade, or do you think the hose computers ar more safe? I use the transmitter style dongle, it usually connects w/o problems but some tims it need little love before it connects.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

I have a hose-less dive computer video in 4 episodes from now. That should answer most peoples concerns around are these safe. Alec

The air integrated demo that Alec holds appears to be an Atomic Aquatics Cobalt 2. Only 19 reviews on Amazon, but over 50% are negative based on poor reliability. That worries me. Other reliability issues reported on DiveRightIn and Leisure Pro. Many love the things that Alec pointed out, like the very readable screen, but the reliability issues seem to trump the positives. Alec has convinced me to move to air integrated. But which one? My wants: 1. Excellent reliability 2. Bright LED screen 3. Rechargeable battery or diver replaceable battery 4. "Hard to misread" info on the screen 5. Automatically turns on for a dive 6. Shows decompression stops should the need arise 7. Reasonably priced. I'd love some suggestions from those with experience with a variety of air integrated computers! Note: I buy from my local dive shop, but I will read the reviews of specific products wherever I can find them.

@seikibrian8641

4 жыл бұрын

Aqua~Lung i550. It uses an LCD display, not LED, but meets all your other wants.

@thegreatneess

4 жыл бұрын

mares quad air (big screen, user replaceable battery) + transmitter

@ghostbear8597

4 жыл бұрын

Shearwater Teric or Perdix! Buy once cry once...

@gnoahg5456

4 жыл бұрын

Oceanic pro plus 4 or the wisdom 4 big numbers good price

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Lloyd. The Cobalt 2 and Oceanic OCi are Kevin's personal dive gear. He dives with both with no problems over hundreds of dives in some remote locations. Online reviews should be taken with care as there are personal agendas for example: I hate brand ABC so every product review is bad or I sell only brand YYY so I'll knock brand ZZZ. Gear manufacturers know their products are life saving so there is little room to cut corners with safety. Discussing your needs with a respected dive shop can educate divers more than reading reviews. Thanks for the comment and discussion. Alec

With all the equipment and knowledge you have, have you ever considered opening "The Alec Peirce Museum of scuba" and doing videos with visitors that have question. Kind of makes it more personal and feels like it would be better content because you would be interacting with another person. Just a thought. Love the videos either way.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

I'm so busy with this channel and my At The Ranch channel for a museum. My goal is that through these videos, I can share my experiences and gear with others around the world who may never know how our sport came to be so popular and safe. Alec

Was that the 1st gen or 2nd gen? That’s a very nice integrated system. The compass is cool as well. That one u can put your age ect and it will give u the best dive configuration for your personal data. Nice

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

It is a Cobalt 2 air integrated and Oceanic OCi wrist with transmitter. All Kevin's personal dive gear too. Thanks for watching. Alec

@Will-ol9lp

4 жыл бұрын

Alec Peirce Scuba I was looking at that Colbalt 1 when they first came out. Thinking about getting one. Thanks for the great videos and tips Will

Can u do a tech tip on how to thread a harness through a backplate ?

@marcin.j.wasiak

4 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5hqrcV6kpqoYto.html

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Marcin shared a good video. Lots more available plus mine on threading a tank strap which sometimes is very frustrating to get right given all the variations on tank straps and buckles. Alec

Good job Alec! I've heard that the dive computer has replaced the regulator as the first piece of equipment new divers buy. (Makes sense because it takes time to learn how they work in detail.) I'm not an integrated enthusiast. I've seen too many break down on dive trips. I'm sidemount these days anyway so checking gas is no problem... What people DON'T always realize is that the computers (with native settings) vary with respect to how conservative they are. It is critical to check that before you buy. For example, bubble models can be VERY conservative, especially on a second dive (if you don't want to be sitting on the boat before everyone else..). People think brand, they don't think algorithm.... BUT algorithm is critical!!! I prefer Zurich algorithms personally, Huggins has a great paper on how dive computers vary. Might be a good topic for one of your great and informative presentations Alec!!!

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Good point Richard. However dive computers people trust out of the box and other than setting the date and O2, probably never read the many other settings. I think of it like a shinny new expensive DSLR camera with dozens of creative settings/options BUT is left on AUTO all the time. You get the picture the camera likes, maybe not what you like. Thanks for sharing. Alec

@bugman9787

Жыл бұрын

I have a pressure gage to back up my computer. My dive computer died, luckily after my last dive I did at Beaches Turks and Caicos. One of the dive masters told me that is why she has two computers, I’m thinking about that. A month later and after I received a new computer from the manufacturer, I only had 10 dives on it and it was under a year old, I went diving in Cancun. I could not get my computer to pair with my transmitter. It was a good thing I had my back up pressure gage. It did not pair on the second dive either. I got home to check it on my tank, and it paired right away. Check your equipment at home before you go on a trip!

Dive computers are great tools to make diving easier. I have a dive computer myself and it's the best investment I could ever made. Some dive computers are too expensive.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Dive computers are like cars, pick from a VW beetle to the Bugatti Veyron, someone buys one and either loves or hates it. Hopefully they learn more about what they really want and not just spending more. More on dive computers coming Jess. Alec

I'll never give up my J valve

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 ай бұрын

J - valves forever. Sounds like a nice t-shirt. A

@Isomage2010

3 ай бұрын

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Sorry... I couldn't resist when you were talking about divers holding on to the SPG and thought.... Hell NO! I'm not using some new fangled gauge when I have my trusty J valve and metal rod to pull down. Have a great day!

Alec what do you think of the Mares Nemo?

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

3 жыл бұрын

Wrist mounted dive computers are similar for most scuba functions, most are just using larger displays or adding colour. The interesting trend is surface applications like Kevin's Garmin Mk2i has lots of standard or add-in apps like walking/hiking/swiming/golf, etc, things he has little interest in. Until they add a 'bacon locator' app, he will be happy with u/w functions. As I said before, there is no best, just what you like and can afford. Thanks for watching John and enjoy the Nemo.

@brazeagle

3 жыл бұрын

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Thank you for that answer. I am a owner of a Garmin Descent Mk2i with transmitter, I have used twice only and LOVE IT, amazing piece of art, however, bein 54 yrs of age and having a weak near sight...I will sell my Mk2i with transmitter and get a EITHER larger wrist (preferable) or something like you showed in your video because I CANNOT SEE MUCH underwater with my Mk2i...SAD. NOW...Mares NEMO, it is nice, cheaper and does the job, however I would ALWAYS go for a Air Integrated as Alec says, it is so much safer and better in my opinion...and I think the NEMO does not have air integration.

I went to a scuba diving shop in Chatham Kent Ontario that guy was so intimidating not to scuba dive it made me feel like I have to go buy it off-line now and fix it myself if you are wondering why the reason is I went and asked about scuba diving I’m getting interested he threw a package on the table and said it’s 300 now 700 later and if I didn’t go scuba diving with him after the courses was done He said he doesn’t like that if he trains them or teaches them he expects them to go with them and he said he doesn’t care and we only have one scuba diving shop around here just like you said you had to find a good scuba diving shop I cares about the person he wanted seven weeks every Wednesday or Wednesday people work seven weeks whatever happened to the weekend he didn’t wanna show me no suits no airlines no tanks no nothing I watch your videos you’re amazing at what you do that’s for sure thanks for all the tips when I move to I’ll see if I can find somebody new there but I will still watch your videos

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

I'm very happy you learned how to make decisions for your best interest, not the dive shop Christopher. Thanks for sharing.

@theadventurer3234

4 жыл бұрын

Not trying to be nosey are you located in Barrie Ontario clearly do you have a scuba diving shop or you are selling equipment I would rather drive from Chatham Kent Ontario all the way up there to feel comfortable with someone like you to buy equipment and to get a vice if that would be OK or if you even sell any equipment because last video I seen you said you’ve retired which is good

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Sorry Chris but I sold my last dive store Scuba 2000 and retired. KZread videos are Kevin and mine hobbies now. I have shot videos in 5 difference dive shops so far. We shoot a lot at Simcoe Diving as Chris allows us to mess up his store and its close for both Kevin and I. The lockdown has stopped us going to new stores (they keep asking us to come). We are both at risk ages so we take very careful precautions when shooting and have cut back to bi-weekly from weekly videos. Until there is a vaccine, I have cut back all outside visits, even to my kids, for now. When this is all over, glad to meet up with you for a day. Thanks for watching Chris.

I would love to hear Alec speak about the new Heater Coil from Atomic Aquatics that warms the air from the 1st to 2nd stage reg. I would love for anyone to talk about it for that matter.....is it worth the enormous price....

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Core heater suits are becoming better and cheaper for sure. I don't have access to a suit but other YT channels have probably done reviews. Check out Simple Scuba or LakeHickoryScuba, they may have done one or have access to a suit. Alec.

@jayhome2715

4 жыл бұрын

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter mmm no, I was referring to this. www.atomicaquatics.com/products/accessories/scuba-heat/ heats the gas you breathe from the tank. Or is it just a bunch of hot air..lol :D

Hello there what do u think of the sunnto zoop orange computer it's a older computer but what's your input? Thx

@alaind831

4 жыл бұрын

I don't think the zoop is air integrated... I have the cobra which does and can be had for cheap these days. I got my buddy to buy one when they were on sale for half off and I would never not use an AI computer once you use one. It does show both air and deco time left so you can decide to come up a bit or relax if you are low on air time, or conversely if you want/have to do a deco you can see the remaining air time.

@rodrigodiaz1535

4 жыл бұрын

@@alaind831 thx I just looked them up n considering buying one do u still use the Cobra ai?

@alaind831

4 жыл бұрын

@@rodrigodiaz1535 I sure do. I have one that's >13y and still working just fine (they had recalls on some that had depth sensor failure). I replace the battery every 3 years (40+ dives a year). There might be cheaper/more modern models out there but for the price and compact with real compass (cobra 3 has digital) it's a solid choice for me. Only downside as I find it a bit conservative when doing 4-6 dives/day I had to do nitrox half the time to not deco (and one time had a long 14+ min deco with plenty of air) vs maybe other models, but rather be safe as I get older anyway...

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

The ZOOP has been a round a long time and is an excellent, basic, on-AI dive computer. It's a good choice for the diver on a budget. Certainly much better than no computer! Alec

I hope any new divers watching this realise that if your air integrated computer says '20 minutes remaining' then you should probably already be at the surface as you should surface with plenty of air left in your cylinder. For example rule of thirds.

@Teampegleg

4 жыл бұрын

Plenty of air depends on the scenario, in cave diving due to the rock overhead things are a lot more conservative than planning open water dives, even tech dives. A 30 ft reef dive, a lot of air is 500-700psi. For me 500psi of gas is 12 minutes of diving at 33ft. Also it should be noted that almost all air integrated computers that provide a gas time remaining do so based on a pressure above 0 psi. Most base it off of something conservative like 700psi.

@RichardSlater

4 жыл бұрын

@@Teampegleg interesting, just to make sure I understand you correctly. Are you saying that if the dive computer said I had 0 minutes remaining then I'd actually have around 48 bar left in the cylinder?

@Teampegleg

4 жыл бұрын

@@RichardSlater Probably more IIRC metric reserve pressure is 50bar, so likely the 0 minute point is likely 70-80bar in metric.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

Most computers allow quite a safety margin for air supply and for NDT too. Many of the old "rules", Rule of Thirds, Ascent Rate based on bubbles, etc., no longer apply in the computer age. It is critical to know your computer and then to follow it, even when it doesn't look right. Alec

@Teampegleg

4 жыл бұрын

@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter I disagree, dive planning rules can still apply as gas time remaining is not a good way to plan a dive where you have to return to a fixed point.

I think this feature is only truly useful for those beginners who cannot manage air consumption well. Most of the time, my dives end because we're near the 60-minute time limit of the dive. In this case, we only need the computer to tell us how long we can stay at certain depth.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

That is true James for certain dive profiles. Many times new divers hit low air before dive time limits until they gain experience. Either way dive computers make diving simple and fun for many. Thanks for watching. Alec

@Teampegleg

4 жыл бұрын

It depends on what type of diving you do, if you are NDL limited, or limited by the time allotted for the typical charter I can understand your position. But when you get into more advanced diving, and you need to know precise figures of gas usage by phase of the dive, it becomes a useful feature again. My computer is also to tell me how much gas I use normalized for surface pressure, and I can even delve down and separate out the bottom portion vs deco/safety stop. I then can use that data to more precisely plan my gas usage. So I take that with how fast I swim (so I know the bottom time), and tell my dive planner to plan it out. And it then tells me how much back gas and deco gas I would consume, and I can figure out which tanks I need to bring for that dive.

Price must be considered in buying a piece of equipment like that. As mentioned in the comments, that specific unit is over 1k and absolutely unreliable. Precise dive table computers can be had now for not much at all. I would hope that every diver knows that "X min" remaining is not an absolute; nor would the numbers from an integrated system be. Since most divers do not log that many dives a year, is it that big of deal to even make a recommendation to dump so much cash of piece of kit you might use a few times a year? Are analog gauges that confusing? Has anyone here ran out air on a recreational dive due to gauge confusion? I have considered this myself of the past couple of years as I log more and more dives. I have upgraded nearly every piece of my gear. However I cannot convince myself to ditch my already compact and reliable SPG. There are to many other thing I would rather spend the money on first. If I was starting out with no gear, then perhaps I might buy in.

@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter

4 жыл бұрын

You have good points for your experience and diving. However, new Open Water divers learn to use a dive computer as most training agencies have fully adopted computers for safer diving. I remember when the first SPG came out, the Sea-Vue, we thought diving had reached its peak!! Thanks for watching. Alec

@scmsean

3 жыл бұрын

If you are only diving a few times a year then renting is a better option. Buying cheap usually means buying again. But you are correct these are unreliable. I had one. Broke on me 3 times, and the HP hose blew. Atomic charged me $160 to replace the hose as well. It should have been covered by the warrenty.