ScubaLab: Dive Computers - SUBGEAR XP10
Specifications
| Mounting Options | Wrist-Mount, Console |
| Operational Modes | Air, Nitrox, Gauge |
| User Controls | Two push buttons |
| Air-Integrated | No |
| PC Kit | Included (Infrared) |
| Price | Standard, Wrist-Mount, $249; 3-Gauge Console, $349 |
| www.subgear.com |
The Swiss-made XP10 is a single-gas computer that also offers full watch functions. Critical dive info is displayed together on the primary screen, while an alternate screen displays Max Depth, Temp and Time of Day. Data digits tend to be the same size, which makes understanding what the DC is telling you not immediately apparent. However, clarity increases as you get accustomed to the screen. A three-color nitrogen tissue-loading bar graph makes it easy to monitor your nitrogen-loading status. A variable ascent monitor lets you control your speed back to the surface, and you can set the timer from one to five minutes to customize safety stops.
Bottom Line
Neither liberal nor conservative, the XP10 doesn’t offer any programmable safety settings, but the use of the bar graph lets you create your own safety cushion by keeping your N2-loading pixels out of the red zone. The XP10 offers most features common in other dive computers. It takes more practice to navigate through its programs than other models, but you can’t beat the price.
| September/October 2010 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links |
|---|
| Basic Computers |
| --- |
| We define basic dive computers as single-gas units, nitrox capable to 50 percent. Computers in this category are good for recreational diving, plus they can function as backup computers or simple bottom timers for deep or technical diving. They range from no-frills, budget models to full-featured DCs with air integration. None of these DCs come with onboard compasses, although many come packaged in consoles that include traditional modular compasses. |
| Genesis React Pro| Oceanic ProPlus 2.1 |
| Sherwood Profile| Sherwood Insight |
| SUBGEAR XP10| SUUNTO D4 |
| SUUNTO Zoop| |
| Advanced Computers |
| --- |
| These are full-featured dive computers designed for divers who want the option of ratcheting up their diving experiences. Advanced computers allow you to program multiple mixes up to 100 percent oxygen that can be switched while at depth. They often also offer features like onboard compasses. |
| Atomic Aquatics Cobalt| Mares Icon HD |
| Oceanic Geo 2.0| |
Specifications
|Mounting Options|Wrist-Mount, Console| |Operational Modes| Air, Nitrox, Gauge| |User Controls| Two push buttons| |Air-Integrated| No| |PC Kit| Included (Infrared)| |Price| Standard, Wrist-Mount, $249; 3-Gauge Console, $349| |www.subgear.com|The Swiss-made XP10 is a single-gas computer that also offers full watch functions. Critical dive info is displayed together on the primary screen, while an alternate screen displays Max Depth, Temp and Time of Day. Data digits tend to be the same size, which makes understanding what the DC is telling you not immediately apparent. However, clarity increases as you get accustomed to the screen. A three-color nitrogen tissue-loading bar graph makes it easy to monitor your nitrogen-loading status. A variable ascent monitor lets you control your speed back to the surface, and you can set the timer from one to five minutes to customize safety stops.
Bottom Line
Neither liberal nor conservative, the XP10 doesn’t offer any programmable safety settings, but the use of the bar graph lets you create your own safety cushion by keeping your N2-loading pixels out of the red zone. The XP10 offers most features common in other dive computers. It takes more practice to navigate through its programs than other models, but you can’t beat the price.
|September/October 2010 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links
|Basic Computers|
|We define basic dive computers as single-gas units, nitrox capable to 50 percent. Computers in this category are good for recreational diving, plus they can function as backup computers or simple bottom timers for deep or technical diving. They range from no-frills, budget models to full-featured DCs with air integration. None of these DCs come with onboard compasses, although many come packaged in consoles that include traditional modular compasses.| |Genesis React Pro| Oceanic ProPlus 2.1| |Sherwood Profile| Sherwood Insight| |SUBGEAR XP10| SUUNTO D4| |SUUNTO Zoop| | |Advanced Computers|
|These are full-featured dive computers designed for divers who want the option of ratcheting up their diving experiences. Advanced computers allow you to program multiple mixes up to 100 percent oxygen that can be switched while at depth. They often also offer features like onboard compasses.| |Atomic Aquatics Cobalt| Mares Icon HD| |Oceanic Geo 2.0| |
