Yes it was a very well engineered bomb proof and clever dive computer. You could [...]]]> I had always wanted a VR3 diving computer from makers VR Technology. When I finally bought one this year I was disappointed. Why? Because the pinnacle of diving computers turned out to be a heavy and impractical lump of confusing electronics!

Yes it was a very well engineered bomb proof and clever dive computer. You could easily change the batteries yourself and it was capable of adjusting to some very advanced scuba diving. At a cost you could upgrade to all sorts of things, so if your thing is diving to 1000 feet, with up to 8 different gas mixes, it was the bees knees of dive computers for the job.

The trouble is that I was moving into the slightly more technical arena – would be using air and various different nitrox mixes with stronger NO2 for decompression. I would also be instructing during easy sports dives, traveling to the Red Sea and other places to see new sights and perhaps try my hand at photography. The VR3 was more than I needed, ate through the batteries and was confusing to use.

Would the C be a better choice and should I trade in for one?

The makers claim that the NHeO is much more intuitive to use – however this turns out to be because they have simply removed many of the functions of the VR3. It is a cut down version of the VR3. One of the attractions to me of the VR3 was the great British engineering of the indestructible case – yet in use this computer was too clumsy. Fine on a dry suit but it would not seat well on a wet suit (forget a bare arm!) unless you tightened the strap enough to restrict your blood supply. The new NHeO is housed in a plastic case which promises to be a more comfortable item to wear.

The back lit display is smaller than many, but easy to read underwater so long as you opt for the colour option (at an extra £160). The VR Technology NHeO lags behind the Suunto HelO2 in terms of ease of use but is the choice (as was the VR3) if you are planning to upgrade to closed circuit diving.

I would rate it as a computer for the serious mixed gas diver who only needs up to 4 different gases on any one dive who also has an old Suunto Gekko for his or her holiday diving and instructing – and aspires to a Buddy Inspiration!

Marks: 6 out of 10 – Performance & 6 out of 10 for value