NERD2 early impressions

nickb

nickb

The JJ Kid
This relates to the DiveCAN NERD2 on a JJ-CCR but there is nothing unit-specific about my comments.

After a week or so of using it I can sadly reveal that I'm not particularly impressed.

The effective display is a lot smaller than that on the NERD1 (I think they say it's the equivalent of a 25" screen at 12' whereas the old one was like a 32" screen at the same distance. This has the slight 'advantage' that one doesn't need to direct it quite so precisely in order to see the whole display, but that's probably me just justifying the expense to myself.

I have no need of AI so I'm struggling to see what I'm gaining. I do like getting rid of the battery box but I've only got through 3 or 4 SAFTs in 2½ years of using the NERD1 (maybe 250 dives)

All in all, I'm regretting upgrading and am seriously considering offloading the NERD2 and reverting to the old one, which I've still got for sale.
 
not to justify it, but I think Becky has been using the AI transmitters for her onboard dil/o2 to remove the SPG's from them
 
nickb said:
I only use my gauges to check pressure before a dive. Not interested when I'm in the water.
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Yeah, outside of a boom drill I don't look at them during a dive. I guess it's helpful if you actually have a gas leak, although you will know soon enough either way!

I don't like rechargeable batteries in applications like this. I like having a couple of AA batteries in my dry box that I can put in as needed. I don't see the big advantage of getting rid of the battery box (I don't notice it myself, but maybe that's unit specific).

I'm happy with the NERD 1. One thing that would be a good addition would be a buddy light on the back of the NERD to flash an alert - that's the only thing I miss from the standard HUD.
 
nickb said:
I only use my gauges to check pressure before a dive. Not interested when I'm in the water.
Click to expand...

I'm not either, but it's a thing for some people. I just use button gauges.

I will say that now that I'm using a rack, I do have them on the dilout LP50's since they aren't manifolded, but again, those could easily be done with button gauges or a standard pressure gauge anyway.
 
nickb said:
I only use my gauges to check pressure before a dive. Not interested when I'm in the water.
Click to expand...

That is craziness - I have lost count of number of times that I have wanted (needed) to know pressure. Of course if your dives are limited to 90min or so then maybe you might feel like you don't need to know pressure, until that is you will want to know it. I sold my nerd 1 after 1 dive as I don't find it arduous to check wrist for depth and time
 
eh, no offence, how long have you been diving ccr? after 7 years, 02 rate is pretty steady, I know how long i'm good for. besides, if you run out of 02, can always go semi closed until you get to your bo deco bottle with 02 that can be offboarded.
 
s115 said:
eh, no offence, how long have you been diving ccr? after 7 years, 02 rate is pretty steady, I know how long i'm good for. besides, if you run out of 02, can always go semi closed until you get to your bo deco bottle with 02 that can be offboarded.
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Since 1999. Try doing some dives that require you actually stretching your ccr and you might see what I mean. If I was doing 90-120min then I wouldn't bother either. Try 6h+ and blue water ascents not hanging on a line - you might find your gas usage has a few more variables than you thoughts.
 
hahaahah, I don't get in the water for less than 3 hrs these days, more commonly 5. I've done plenty of blue water ascents, with long decos. Not sure why i'd need to know my 02 rate, which is a steady solid usage. unless you are flushing or something for some reason. or are you referring to dil usage?
 
s115 said:
hahaahah, I don't get in the water for less than 3 hrs these days, more commonly 5. I've done plenty of blue water ascents, with long decos. Not sure why i'd need to know my 02 rate, which is a steady solid usage. unless you are flushing or something for some reason. or are you referring to dil usage?
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Then you must have perfect buoyancy control or not dive where there are any waves / tide / current. I can easily maintain same o2 usage if I swim at same pace and climb up a line on ascent - but its meaningless for real world situations
 
I just picked up a used NERD 1 so I could use that instead of my Petrel. I run a modified AV1 head Meg without a HUD so the NERD was something that would cover both a backup computer and HUD.

I have thought about buying a Teric for my Rec/Tec OC and as a small backup computer and using the AI on that for my pressure gauges.
 
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