David Strike wrote :

>As Mike and Chuck have already pointed out, use a depth gauge that has a
>maximum depth indicator.  Even better - to my way of thinking, (and if you
>can't afford to rent or buy a computer) - is to have a combined digital
>timer/depth device.  Usually they will kick in at, say, 0.5 metre, and
give
>you a constant read-out of underwater time, (NOT bottom time!); your
present
>depth and the deepest depth reached during the dive.  Some even indicate
>water temperature so that you know how cold you are; and - depending on
the
>model - whether you're exceeding a safe ascent rate based on a
>pre-programmed algorithm!  :-)

   Are you referring to the Aqualand/Promaster watches ? Those things are
expensive, especially the Hyper Aqualand watch. At some stores here, the
Hyper Aqualand is even more expensive than a Suunto Vyper. In fact, I
wanted to buy one thinking they are a lot cheaper, but after being quoted a
price that is twice the cost of a Uwatec computer (I'm not exaggerating)
...... all I did was stare at the salesguy - said "YIKES !!" in my head and
then left to go shop around for dive computers  :-)

  With the capability of new dive computers to interface with a PC, why
would anyone still want to buy a dive "watch" ?


- Angelo