The new Vyper Air has an integrated electronic diving compass that continues to work within a massive 45 degrees tilt range. The [...]]]> The Vyper by Suunto has been a well known dive computer model for several years. Now an upgraded version has been released that has provision for adding a wireless receiver to manage gas consumption.

The new Vyper Air has an integrated electronic diving compass that continues to work within a massive 45 degrees tilt range. The wireless transmitter allows the user to monitor tank contents (one gas mix only) and gas consumption rate.

This is an easy to use computer that will suit most divers taking their diving up to a semi-technical standard. The next step would be a Suunto Vytec which would give you three gases for a few pounds more or a Helo2 which would allow trimix within the different gases on a complex dive.

As a step up to your Gekko, the Vyper Air is a good value diving computer that is more advanced than it brother the Vytec, which has been around for a while now. The Helo2 does everything the Vytec does with the addition of multi gas and helium for £250 more. I would leave the Vytec out of the equation and choose between the Vyper Air and the Helo2 depending on what your short term plans are! Personally I have decided on the Vyper – and if I do have a go with Trimix in the next year or two I will use it in gauge mode while I am learning to cut my own decompression tables!

This is something people forget – when choosing a computer get one that is ideal for your diving now, not what it might be in a year’s time. If I bought a helium computer now I would be tempted to use it and not get acquainted with the new deco regimes. In a similar way I believe my air diving was so much safer for spending years on BSAC 88 tables before I even owned a computer!

Technical specifications:

• Reduced Gradient Bubble Model
• Option of 1 or 2 minute deep stops
• 4 button ease of use
• Air, nitrox, gauge modes
• Option of secondary deco gas
• Personal safety adjustable
• Back light – soooo important!