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I was already on the dive site and thought I was in trouble when I couldn’t find the instruction manual. When I obtained the console, I was given a quick rundown of features and how the air integrated computer worked. In a hurry, I was off and running, knowing I could just read the manual later.
But now I was ready to go diving with this very sophisticated device, full of more features than I could ever imagine, and barely remembered how to turn it on. Begging my dive buddy’s forgiveness, I asked for some time to make sure I would get at least the most basic of functions.
Click—I turned the unit on. With only two buttons, how hard could it be? With a touch the unit was on. Holding both, I was able to access the menus that allowed me to customize the computer’s settings to my personal diving preferences. Top button was function, side button to scroll through the settings. Wow—this was easy! The unit was very intuitive.
The Atmos ai console from Aeris is an “air-integrated” computer, meaning that not only is your dive time, depths, nitrogen absorption, etc., recorded and calculated digitally, but your tank pressure and air consumption as well. For those who currently dive an ordinary dive computer, this is the most significant difference about the Atmos ai. And it does this very well. Tank pressure is displayed at the bottom and fluctuates in 5 p.s.i. increments. (Show me an analog dial gauge that can do that!)
But what impressed me most about this console is what Aeris calls its Dive Time Remaining display (patented). This display indicates the dive time you have remaining that is most critical for you, during the dive, at that particular moment (i.e., whichever time is least amount available). Most often this will be your breathing gas remaining. For time remaining, based on air consumption, this computer automatically calculates your current rate of consumption, at your current depth, and then estimates the time you have remaining. And it also takes into consideration how much air needed for safety stops, decompression stops (if needed) and the amount of air you would like remaining on surfacing (custom set by you). If your time remaining is contingent on nitrogen absorption or, as with nitrox, possibly oxygen saturation, your Dive Time Remaining will be based on these figures. And the best thing about all this: you can set an audible alarm to tell you when you’re getting close to zero time remaining. Again, this can be custom set my yourself. Mine is currently set for three minutes. For more advanced or difficult diving situations, I will probably set it for more.
Just about any feature you would find on any excellent, hi-end and advanced dive computer you will find on this one. It is nitrox compatible and fully adjustable. Bar graphs show nitrogen saturation and oxygen saturation (in the nitrox mode). It is activated both manually and by immersion. Batteries are user replaceable and data is PC downloadable.
Some of the appreciated features in this computer that I have not seen in many other computers include a bar graph indicating ascent rate and a countdown timer for safety stops at 15 feet. The entire unit is very compact—about the size of most non-air integrated computers. Optional features include a quick-disconnect hose—a useful feature for packing or bringing your computer into your office to download data to your PC. Another option, one that I highly recommend, is the compass. It is mounted in a unique configuration that makes navigating very easy, while keeping your eyes on your computer at the same time. I have always been a good underwater navigator, but with this console I have been nearly pinpoint.
The only thing that you might find tough to swallow about this computer is its price—between $700 and $850. But when you consider that this console has more features than any other computer, including some that others don’t, and in an excellent configuration, you should front the bucks. This is an excellent value for the huge amount of very usable features.
For more information, visit the Aeris site on the web at http://www.diveaeris.com.
Dale Sheckler is Editor and Publisher of California Diving News, Producer of the annual SCUBA Show expo held each June in Long Beach, CA, and co-author of the book A Diver's Guide to Southern California's Best Beach Dives, 3rd Edition.
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