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Now’s the time to ask yourself what kind of diving do you plan on doing so you get a computer that grows with you.
Are you getting Nitrox certified?
Will you being deep dives with a deco bottle, stage bottles with EAN or helium mixes?
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I started out with a ZOOP and just stepped up to a Perdix AI. As Lat stated, what kind of diving? Do you want air integrated? My ZOOP is going to one of my sons and I bought a used one for my other son who also dives. This will fit their need for the next few years while they gain more experience. I’m doing more wreck diving and wanted Blue Tooth air integration, and that awesome color screen for my aging eyes.
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Getting my advanced soon. Will be doing alot of wreck diving
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MDW - 7/02/2019 5:34 PM 
I would recommend starting with something basic if you are not sure what your long term dive goals are. Something inexpensive and not gas integrated is a nice start to get used to using a computer without a huge investment. Then, if you really step up your dive game in the future, you can buy a fancier computer that does everything you could ever want (whether that be multiple gasses, air integration, or both, OLED display, games to play during long deco, etc.), and your first computer is now your backup computer or set to bottom timer mode it can be your backup time source and depth indicator.
Here’s what I did: Bought a DR Nitek DUO 10 years ago. Ran that as my primary for several years with analog gauge and watch for backup. Then I got a Nitek TRIO (3 gas) for deco diving with back gas and 2 deco mixes. I managed to lose that one out the back of my truck a couple years ago, so I then got a NitekQ with 7 gas Trimix capability and OLED display to see easily in low light. The original DUO remained my backup through all this (run in gauge mode). I recently picked up a second Nitek Q to be my secondary computer for trimix dives, but that good ald DUO is still my go to computer for shallow recreational dives. Keepin it simple and familiar.
I’ve seen a lot of divers lately with Shearwater gas integrated computers costing upwards of $1500, even though they only do shallow recreational dives on air or nitrox and are fairly new to diving. I feel this is not a wise move, as I spent less than that for all the computers I’ve ever had combined. I suggest waiting until just before you need the advanced features before buying the fancy computer you won’t have something whose features are obsolete by the time you go to use them (i.e. technology continues to improve, so the 2024 model will be better than what you buy in 2019). Same reason I have two $800 dry suits and 4 sets of $50 underwear instead of one $2000 suit and some $300 underwear. If something breaks, I’m not SOL and I spent less than the guy that bought the top of the line.
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MDW - 7/02/2019 5:36 PM
Also, I’m a bit surprised you have been certified for 7 years and are just now looking to buy a dive computer.
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Just upgraded to a Shearwater Terric. It’s unbelievably nicer than my previous computer, or any other computer that I’ve seen so far. The custom home line, in Tec mode is priceless.
Will be looking forward to losing my pressure gauge on my rec regs.
My only complaint, tie a cave line to the charger and clip it to your luggage. It’s very easy to lose, or forget.
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Dive computers come in many designs. Whether you are looking for a console, or wrist-mount, or wristwatch-style computers. For many people, an ascension rate monitor may be the most crucial reason to buy a dive computer. Every diver and even non-divers knows the risks of coming up too fast, and every diver does all they can to keep within the safe limits. The normal display features any good dive computer should show you the basics at a look, are maximum depth, current depth, dive time, and no-fly/no-stop time.
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Also consider:
-can the computer easily switch gases mid dive
-have a tech mode
-built in compass that works
-Does this computer have a rebreather mode, with bailout gas selection. Rebreathers are our future, and even though they come with console-ish computers, everyone still uses their old wrist one as a back up..
-gauge mode
-AI is only a plus if the computer can listen to 2 sensors at once. Otherwise, SPG’s are still king. AI is nice on single tank rec rigs, but not really a big deal at all. I only added mine because my computer records pressures for me in the log. Makes it easier to fill out my paper logs later on. $300 for the sensor is a tough pill to swallow.
I’d only go with a wrist watch or forearm mounted style. Not a console.
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