Air Integration? SPG? or Both? - Here's what the Pros use

[@bjham13]

Definitely like having air integration. I run a Mares Icon, and the amount of great data that is captured by it is great. SAC rates, Start and End tank pressure logging. It's amazing. That said, I still have a backup SPG. On another note, Tech Clark mentions not using them because they get damaged easily. Most of the people I dive with, and myself included, always put the transmitter on a short 6 inch HP hose so that it can flex and move should it ever take a hit.

[@e.pierrepoirier7694]

I do use à 6in hose to to my Ai

[@davidsanderson7948]

I moved over to GARMIN Descent MK2i air integration and LOVE it not just for the convenience but also for monitoring my kid’s air and all of the data that comes with it that you don’t get out of an SPG.

[@roelofco]

Air integration is perfect for convenience and monitoring other divers and I love that! Having said this, we as divers love to preach redundancy and therefore I still believe an SPG is to air integration as an Octo is to a regulator set. I have to add this as well, only having an SPG is probably hypocritical in my previous statement, however I suppose you could always just use the Edd Sorenson method.

[@Hippocrab]

Totally agree. They teach redundancy in the military and gov. I don't want to be caught with a broken computer. It only takes one time to send you to the grave. Air integrated is awesome but it's never going to be the only thing I have.I love these guys but I can't help but feel this may give people a green light for complacency. Gear is reliable until that one time and then the narrative changes just like with anything else. Keep up the good work, I'm in the process of watching from day 1.

[@Yggdrasil42]

@@HippocrabBut a broken computer or transmitter isn't an emergency. It doesn't reduce the amount of gas I have. I'm a cave diver and I check how much gas I have regularly. If a computer fails that's a gear malfunction and I call the dive, same as a broken light or mask strap. I've done my gas planning so I know I can make it out with the gas I had left even when I can't see it. On the other hand, I've had a broken SPG hose connection that was leaking gas. Meaning I either have to close the valve (in backmount) or feather it (in sidemount) to preserve that gas. I much prefer the first situation.

[@emilyscloset2648]

What is the edd Sorenson method?

[@totalenlighten]

@@Yggdrasil42 I agree. Air integration (without the HP short extension hose) has less o-ring potential leak points, one static o-ring and no dynamic o-rings for transmitter. I'm not concerned about not having flexible HP hose if the HP port is oriented on my first stage such that my transmitter is protected under my arm in Sidemount or pointed down and inward tucked in towards tanks for back mount. In my experience working around industrial machines with analog gauges and electronic pressure transducers, like what's used in air integrated transmitters, I've developed a few views on accuracy advantages for pressure transducers. In short I prefer the failure modes in digital gauges over analog gauges. My opinion is that digital gauges usually tell you I don't know the pressure when they fail, and analog gauges will lie to you and tell you a false pressure when they fail (and that false pressure is generally more pressure than you actually have as the gauge ages from my experience). Over years of use I've seen analog gauges lose accuracy and read falsely high from stretching bourdon tubes or springs. If over pressurized briefly, I've seen analog gauges always read high there after. Over the sensor range and sensor's life I've seen pressure transducers to be more accurate when new and old (industrial versions but same technology as SCUBA SPGs and transmitters). Final thought, in my factory experience, we get more consistent daily reports on machine checks from digital pressure transducer sensor values from operators since the digital display removes variables like gauge parallax, different operators reading value at left, center, or right of needle, people miscounting the gauge tick marks between numbered main ticks, etc.

[@snared_]

@@Yggdrasil42 A broken computer/transmitter would then make it so you can't view the O2 percentage in your loop and therefore your loop may get in theory too much or too little oxygen, depending on your depth and how o2 gets added. I suppose you are supposed to feel how much o2 is in the air you are breathing and adjust based off of that. But if you're on open circuit then I could see why a broken computer/transmitter wouldn't necessarily constitute an emergency for the reasons you shared, as long as the dive is shallow enough or you have a buddy with you. Still, you would want to know your depth at any given moment or at least have memorized the locations for where stops are supposed to take place and for how long. Then you have to operate by an approximate sense of time, where leaving or overextending a deep stop could be hazardous. I'm actually not following your logic on why it would be safe to have all computers in the cave shut down at once at the deepest part of the dive. Certainly if you brought a stop watch with you, or depth gauge with you, you are doing much better, but I guess without all of that is still fine as long as you are diving a very safe profile maybe one you've done many times before and so you know where the stops are and for how long and all that. And of course being with a buddy whose computer isn't broken would also be fine since you can follow their navigation. So in that case losing your buddy would constitute an emergency, or not? But still the computers are redundant systems so overall if you are diving with a buddy or group then somebody's computer will be working almost surely - though their stops would be affected by their specific dive profile, not yours, so it still wouldn't really be as safe, though still not necessarily an emergency.

[@PanamaDiveAdventure]

Hello Gus and Woody, this video is very nice.. For me, the integration of gas is very reliable, technology has advanced so much that a modern transmitter is already safe as spg, however, at first it might give you a bit of nerves knowing that you do not have a mechanical instrument. I have a Scubapro G2 computer and its transmitter and in 700 dives it has never failed.

[@epic27]

Thanks for your comment! I've bought a G2 w/ transmitter from my local dive shop on clearance and haven't decided yet if I want to remove my SPG or keep both. I think doing a few local lake dives or pool dives with both may help me become familiar with its behavior first.

[@PanamaDiveAdventure]

Hello Steve, I tell you, my G2 is wonderful and coincidentally today, Sunday, December 3, my transmitter's battery ran out, after having made 500 dives. He is happy with my computer. Now I'm going to change the battery. Happy bubbles.

[@CubanazoJB]

Definitely I use both… I relied on the air integration transmitter but have an SPG in all 3 of my setting!! Never had a failure but keep them clean and well maintained!! I religiously change all my o-rings once a year.. regardless!!

[@georgeluacesjr.3264]

I recently switched to full air integration and I love it. It certainly makes my set up streamlined and that is a plus for me. I use two AI computers (primary/back up) and neither has failed during a dive. Technology of the transmitter has come a long way and will only improve over time.

[@williamwells8672]

I use two AI as well, and two Swift transmitters.

[@whaleshark2625]

I use both - very glad of that because I had what I thought was a transmitter battery failure, and it turned out it was actually my Teric's antenna breaking. I would have lost 6-7 dives if I didn't have a backup SPG on that trip.

[@blakepetersdiving]

I always keep an SPG in my gear bag for this reason!

[@ArsenicApplejuice]

Just the topic I’ve been thinking over myself recently. Glad to hear your informed thoughts.

[@flhrci1]

I use both for OC and CCR. I like having the SPG as a backup and the AI for my log information.

[@seanstevenson8038]

I use both, but the SPG is my pressure indication, and the AI is the backup. Realistically, I use the SPG at all times, and may add the AI for datalogging in order to track my SAC / RMV, but it is always the secondary device. On open circuit doubles, using both also provides a pressure indication on each side in the event that you have to isolate.

[@cameronmahaffey3798]

My best argument, which I have actually done before in a smaller scale. Hook up 10 spg to a single tank, then hook up 10 transmitters to a single tank. The spg will all give different pressures +-20%, sometimes more 😳 Transmitters will give the same pressure within a few digits. “Redundancy guys”, do you have a backup spg for your spg? Lol I know I don’t. Especially when every 10 dives you see a hp hose or the spool leak from an spg.

[@bryanhylton0]

I started out SPG only, so it’s built into my philosophy, gradually mixing in AI, now use both but SPG only as a safety backup and primarily use AI computer.

[@toriedwards126]

This was great to hear how the different pros do it! Learning curve! I would love to visit DEMA and ask millions of questions and eyeball all the awesome stuff XD

[@MiladCerkic]

I use both. Shearwater Teric + Swift + Apeks Tech SPG. On the last dive trip of the season, couple of weeks ago, my Swift stopped working, transmitting unreliable pressure (random from 0 to 344 bars). I switched to SPG and completed my dives. Shearwater confirmed I had a failure and they were happy to replace it for me. But without my SPG, I would be...

[@TheGrobe]

I wish this was pinned!!! Humans can't build gear that doesn't fail and especially electronics!

[@mikesbigadventures194]

Team both here - I am all about redundancy. Plus AI is great on sidemount because I don’t need to change my trim to see what my pressure is and when to switch tanks, just look at my wrists. And in the unlikely event both my Perdix fail…or if I run into my Fundies instructor Beto Nava while diving I can lol at the SPG (yes, it’s happened).

[@donnakawana]

✌🏼🤗🤣😂

[@luisnouel3407]

I use both, the reason being is that I use a Suunto Eon computer and cannot check the battery status of the transmitter (pod) so in case of battery failure I don’t have to cancel the dive. Having said that, I have no connectivity issues whatsoever with that set up.

[@kristoffernielsen2885]

I use Swift transmitters on both SM tanks as well as o2. Love the convenience. I will say that they transmitters absolutely DO FAIL, I have personally had 2 Swifts fail, and I have witnessed a friend's fail first hand as well. But as always Shearwater's customer service was second to none. Love Shearwater!! I do use button SPGs on my SM tanks but not as a backup but as a convenience tool. I use several difference sets of tanks and I can't always remember how much gas is left in a set from previous session, so with the buttons I can quickly verify I'm on a fully filled set without having to turn on computer, sync, etc (yes I could just use a standalone gauge, but I just don't). I don't need a backup SPG for my way of diving where I always know roughly how much gas I have and if I do have a failure on a more critical dive, then it's just time to call it and go home.

[@Just-Another-Gun-Guy]

I use both Air integration and SPG when I dive jacket/backplate and wing, when I dive sidemount I only use SPG. The reason I personal use both when diving a jacket/backplate and wing is I can always confirm my pressure and it also shows to my students when I teach open water that I look at my SPG as well.

[@samueldeter9735]

Why do you eliminate it for side mount?

[@Just-Another-Gun-Guy]

The reason why I eliminated the air integration for sidemount is that I had my spgs to where I can look at them. Also I wanted to reduce failure points when I am doing deep dives.

[@nathanmesser56]

I've been AI with backup SPG on OC for a while (on backmounted twins, AI on one 1st stage, SPG on the other. Currently SPGs on a CCR. I'm curious, assuming you're on Shearwaters, what info have you got it configured to show, as well as your o2 and dil levels?

[@davidbonnichsen2901]

Love AI and love my Shearwater. But all it took was for my transmitter battery to die on a dive. I will always dive with a backup SPG. Redundancy is a must.

[@pablorivera376]

I prefer an SPG, with a transmitter you have to worry yet about another battery for something vital as your air pressure. It is fragile and easy to lose. I am a recreational diver who likes to rely on electronics as less as possible. I use a computer but also a mechanical automatic diver's watch and even consult my decompression table. Most new divers don't even know how to use a decompression table anymore so if their computer fails they cannot dive, but I do!

[@jonathanplant935]

I’d love to to see you guys do more of this “game show” theme .. maybe see if you guys can stump each other with some questions .. I learn something new in every one of your videos

[@thejohnnybob]

I just got my first Swift. Excited to use AI and SPG, but not opposed to either or both.

[@SaltyBrett]

AI + SPG and keep a Spare SPG in my bag. If the transmitter breaks I have the SPG. If the SPG breaks, I have another.

[@HarvesteR21]

I've only just installed the Shearwater transmitter to pair with the Teric and have only done 3 or 4 dives with it. For now I am keeping the SPG until I feel confident that the transmitter works flawlessly every time. Good to hear other people's praise about modern transmitters though, that gives me a lot more confidence. I expect the SPG will be heading the way of the dinos soon enough.

[@craiglowe5412]

After 45 years I’ve never used Air integration but I’d love to try one but I’d always have a SPG as back up. I’ve heard story’s of SPGs blowing up when air is turned on or on pre dive check the needle jumping around indicating a SPG problem but I’ve never seen either myself. So I’d always use a SPG 110%.

[@SpanglerRob]

Glad you said this! Exactly what was going through my mind...24 years and I've never seen an explosive SPG failure. My training is to be sure to aim the SPG face away when you turn on the air in case of a failure, but never seen that happen ever...not saying it couldn't, and I do turn it away towards the ground...but I also hold the LP inflator on when I open the tank valve too...

[@Direkin]

I've always been SPG only (not the cluster type); never really trusted those transmitters much, but when I /finally/ make the switch from SCRs to CCRs then I'll probably go integrated and still have an SPG for backup.

[@lastSgt]

I'm diving SPG only. For me both is fine I'm just used to the SPG and its a little cheaper to carry replacements to more remote dive sides :)

[@pablorivera376]

I prefer an SPG, with a transmitter you have to worry yet about another battery for something vital as your air pressure. It is fragile and easy to lose. I am a recreational diver who likes to rely on electronics as less as possible. I use a computer but also a mechanical automatic diver's watch and even consult my decompression table. Most new divers don't even know how to use a decompression table anymore so if their computer fails they cannot dive, but I do!

[@Scheistermeister]

I use both. Funny about the Swift never failing. A buddy of mine bought one when they first came out. They have a vent port that apparently is prone to clogging and blowing out when you pressurize them. It is a little round rubber plug looking thing. Sounds like an electrical crack when it happens. They replaced it free of charge, but he had a backup SPG he could keep using on our trip.

[@OrionRox]

Love the air integration, however, if you are on a dive trip, either assemble your gear yourself or tell the guy who assembles your gear NEVER to use that transmitter as a handle to lift the entire BCD + tank. I've seen 2 people's transmitters get broken on my last dive trip because of this.

[@meltingfeather]

In backmount doubles both here. Garmin transmitter on my long hose (right) first stage, SPG clipped to waist D off my left tank.

[@mannydib]

seems like the best answer to me, esp for tech & overhead. If you had to shut down a post or isolate you could still see the gas you had left.

[@sandygrogg1203]

Good morning, from Cincinnati! Love you guys.. ❤

[@NishchalGautam]

I thought we should use both. We take backup masks, backup cylinders for a reason. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. When the air integration fails (not IF but WHEN), having a backup will be helpful :)

[@Krudtbasen]

But with this statement if a diver don't have air integration should the diver then dive with 2 spgs ?🤔

[@pablorivera376]

I prefer an SPG, with a transmitter you have to worry yet about another battery for something vital as your air pressure. It is fragile and easy to lose. I am a recreational diver who likes to rely on electronics as less as possible. I use a computer but also a mechanical automatic diver's watch and even consult my decompression table. Most new divers don't even know how to use a decompression table anymore so if their computer fails they cannot dive, but I do!

[@kenj6398]

I use both. This past summer in St. Croix my Teric stopped communicating to my transmitters. I later tested the transmitters with my Perdix and they worked. It turned out it was the wifi antenna in my Teric that was faulty. Shearwater was great and had it fixed in less than two weeks!

[@leemiller358]

Air integrated but connected by hose + backup spg. Will upgrade to shearwater with transmitter some day and keep the spg as backup.

[@AlekTheExplorer]

I feel like it's also important to consider the configuration and diving conditions. I mainly dive OC backmount and water temp is in the 40F range most of the time. I would feel a little uncomfortable solely relying on a battery-driven transmitter in those conditions. So, I use a transmitter and an SPG. I just get a bit anxious whenever I put something with a battery in the ice cold water :) same goes for my computer, I carry a backup bottom timer, which would allow me to deco-on-the-fly my way out of a dive. With all this said, I've never had any issues with my transmitter, so it might all just be in my head!

[@EmiMae0117]

Not even a diver but I loved this. I love learning about this stuff though. Oh, and PLEASE do more games for Woody!! Y'all make my day better when you post. Keep up the great work!

[@willfrye4736]

Super interesting to hear such a wild difference between the different pros on their setups, though it sounded like a lot of them weren't hard and fast set. On an unrelated note, any chance we can get Gus to walk us through the Dive Talk setup for streaming and recording 🤔. Wanna see the setup!

[@YukonSeanHolland]

I used tobuse a splitter with myvside mount so I had AI and gauges. That just created more failure points so now I just do AI. I read an article that really made great points. In the end, any failure, you thumb the dive. If a computer or transmitter fails, you should know how much air you had within 5 minutes. And ifbyou plannrd your dive correctly, you will have enough air to reach your exit.

[@DIVETALK]

Plus when a transmitter fails? You just don’t get the number on the computer. When an SPG fail you have a leak!

[@kristoffernielsen2885]

@@DIVETALK Swift transmitters will leak on certain failures as well-I've had two such failures. Have a look at the little black rubber OP plug on the bottom of your Swift. When that fails they leak. Also, some SPG failures leak some don't. I've had an SPG failure where it just read off by 20 bar.

[@XxbjaixX]

I was diving doubles and I actually had the swift flood on me during a decent. I switched to my spg and was able to continue the dive. I still use ai on my liberty. Also I currently have 4 ai and only one has had a issue, which was quickly fixed by shearwater. Still using and loving their products. Just put it out there.

[@hdors13]

What a fun video! I'm with Mehdi, SPG due to lack of funds!

[@jonniegee]

After years of doing both on OC rec diving and no issues with the transmitters with my Suunto EON steel, I made the switch to only AI when I went CCR, however at that point I had switched to the Shearwater swift transmitters and had no issues until one day they both died in different ways when I was luckily doing my unit build check list. One started leaking from the over pressure port, the other just stopped transmitting :/ but shearwater support was great and mailed me replacement transmitters right away. So bit of mixed feelings about relying solely on transmitters without at least bringing backup SPGs/transmitters so i don't have to lose out on a weekend of diving.

[@padraicmcgraw]

I have both, but I really only rely on my AI, and plan to end the dive if something goes wrong with the transmitter or my computer even though I do have a console with depth, spg, and compass.

[@kenmh7357]

Most of the Tech divers I did recreation had watch computers. I had a Suunto D5 air integration w a backup SPG. Now I have Suunto cobra which replaces my simple SPG

[@stefanw1686]

Don't have enough Transmitters to put one on every first stage I have on a dive. But have them on rebreather cylinders, and move them to other first stages for open circuit diving. I never use backup spg's. I have had many failures with spg's and their spools, and almost none with ai's.

[@jamessarrett4169]

I'm SPG only, for two reasons. First, they've been incredibly cheap and reliable (10-20% accuracy is plenty, since on a no-deco plan you really just care about what fraction of your tank you have left). Second, I have a few different computers and a few different regulators & Rebreathers which means my gear configuration is not constant and trying to deal with pairing the right things with the right computer is extra hassle/task loading that I don't need. It's enough to have to verify the mix on the tank with the computers. I also know salt water and electronics don't mix, so I try to have less of that, though it's not a deciding factor.

[@pablorivera376]

I prefer an SPG, with a transmitter you have to worry yet about another battery for something vital as your air pressure. It is fragile and easy to lose. I am a recreational diver who likes to rely on electronics as less as possible. I use a computer but also a mechanical automatic diver's watch and even consult my decompression table. Most new divers don't even know how to use a decompression table anymore so if their computer fails they cannot dive, but I do!

[@qwertyuiop20520]

I dive with a shear water perdix 2. I use a shearwater transmitter on a short hose. I also carry a backup SPG. On a few occassions while diving my transmitter has lost connection to my computer and I have had to move to my back up SPG. In the shearwater manual it states you shouldn't be diving with only air integration and should have an SPG as backup. While I'm no expert in diving only having been in the sport for just over a year; to me it makes logical sense to always carry redundancy. I'm surpised a few of the cave divers mentioned don't, considering their training would most likely focus on building redundancy. You carry 3 maybe more torches so why wouldn't you carry 2 methods of monitoring the amount of gas in your cylinders.

[@thatoneguy7047]

I have a Perdix AI with a swift transmitter and I'm on my second swift. My first one would randomly lose signal and I'd have to raise my wrist back towards the transmitter to reconnect. Interestingly, it would only happen on the ascent. 🤔 To Shearwater's credit, they promptly sent me a knew one before I could even ship my old one back. Worked great until this past weekend and this time it took much longer to reconnect. I'll be contacting them next week. To the point made about them breaking off the 1st stage, I have mine on a 6" hose to avoid that potential problem and a HP quick disconnect so that I can store it in a case when not in use. Everyone that I know, and myself, all have a backup SPG. Except for one friend, whose transmitter battery died and was unable to dive with us. She didn't realize it until we were gearing up and didn't have a spare. I can dive comfortably without a computer, but obviously not without a pressure gauge. J valves are long gone. 😅

[@gusmontano]

As a new diver, I'm surprised divers aren't using both, just from the perspective conservativeness. If only AI, and AI fails - then dive over; If only SPG and SPG fails - then dive over. If AI and SPG, and one fails - then dive *may* be over. Great point that there's no correct way! Healthy perspectives and GREAT VIDEO!

[@DIVETALK]

I think the biggest difference for me is: a. Air Integration is SUPER RELIABLE...like fin straps. Nobody dives with an extra fin just in case a strap breaks...could it happen? Yeah, but the chances of it happening to a good pair of fins is so remote that no one dives with extra fins. That's how I see Air Integration, the chance of it failing is so remote that if or when they do, I just end the dive. b. If a transmitter runs out of battery for example (it shouldn't because battery lasts for most people around 2 years and it should be changed every year to make sure it never goes low), nothing happens, your air is still in the tank, you just can't see how much you have left but if you were diving thirds you should be able to ascend at a normal speed and do your stop and everything, literally zero issues (other than ending the dive early). But when an SPG fails, well, you have an air leak, the last one I used failed on a boat while we were still at the dock waiting to leave, no foul play or dropping the tank or damage of anyway, it just imploded all of the sudden. Had to rush and close the tank. Luckily the captain of the boat had a backup and I could do the dives that day. So I don't see a need for SPGs.

[@gusmontano]

@@DIVETALK Thank you very much for the detailed response! As a new diver, this will assist me greatly! I just bought the Garmin AI, and have been wondering deeply about this topic. Another Q: I've been advised to buy a 6' high pressure hose to attach the AI to. I think I will also need a Metric Allen Wrench. What are you opinions here? Great content as always, and thanks again!

[@dansiegel9298]

First of all I love the Shearwater transmitters, and have one on all of my regs. For my backmount setup I'm transmitter only, but for sidemount/tec I run both. I have to disagree with Woody on the reliability from Shearwater though... I've had 3 Swift transmitters blow their OPV on dives. 2 have been on deco bottles that were pressurized and off, they blew during the dive which flooded the units and sealed them off from leaking. It was only because I had a backup SPG that allowed me to safely complete the dive.

[@georgekirkaldie5603]

I used to use a Suunto D9, and I couldn't trust the AI on it, so had the backup SPG. Now I have the Perdix AI (MH8A transmitters, not Swift) , and it's been rock solid, but I still have a backup SPG that I rarely look at. The analog SPG is still best for pre-dive verification of air being turned on properly.

[@williamwells8672]

I use two AI Shearwater Teric and TERN TX with two Swift. The main reason is because I have to travel to dive, and one less hose is better for me. I just traded out my Oceanic Pro Plus X for the Tern TX.

[@ChicksInTrim]

We're rocking our spg's would like to try a transmitter.. maybe one day!

[@pablorivera376]

I prefer an SPG, with a transmitter you have to worry yet about another battery for something vital as your air pressure. It is fragile and easy to lose. I am a recreational diver who likes to rely on electronics as less as possible. I use a computer but also a mechanical automatic diver's watch and even consult my decompression table. Most new divers don't even know how to use a decompression table anymore so if their computer fails they cannot dive, but I do!

[@YouTube_user3333]

Brass and glass will always last. This was the saying back in the day. AI relies on batteries for the transmitter and receiver, so potentially one of the batteries could die.

[@un_civilized]

I do SPG only, but when Garmin comes out with their decent Mk 3 I'll go to both. I dive solo a lot and redundancy could save my life

[@zhouyongkang5331]

Let's hope the Descent Mk3i transmitter won't make the same annoying high pitch chirping sounds as the current one.

[@TheSmileyTek]

I use both a transmitter and an spg. I may remove the spg soon, though. I think about it before every dive tbh, but I always decide to keep the spg. Good topic.

[@gabrielmedina8313]

Hello 1st I just wanted to say I love your show and videos. I’m super green to diving as I just finished my open water last week and have 6 dives total haha. But I already bought all my gear and decided for go with the garmin mk2i and on surface I had my tank pressure working and and began my dive it lost signal this happen 4 time in the 2 days I was in Mexico lucky I decided to run a pressure and depth gauge as a back up so I was able to continue. But honestly I was frustrated with the garmin so I came back home and am sending it back and buying a shearwater perdix 2ti. So long sort short for me I run two because electronic can fail or short.

[@sethalton205]

Nope.. rely on the gear you have. Plan on how to react if it fails. It also helps if you regularly replace the battery. The transmitters are really simple in design which leads to minimal possibility of failure. You should also be comfortable with knowing your consumption rate (kinda like the old fuel gauges in cars that didn’t work… you knew you could get 300 miles to a tank) for rough estimation if the transmitter fails

[@NormaTLeon]

I do both. I have a Suunto Viper Novo with a transmitter and my Aqua Lung SPG that came as a package deal with my regulators, octo, i300c and BCD. So in reality 2 dive computers, one transmitter and 1 SPG.

[@timverkoyen8742]

I had my SPG flooded / break down a few months ago. But it still worked. Also had some issues with connection so from now on diving with both.

[@marksallows113]

The alternative to SPG is a 2nd AI Computer. I DO use Perdix AI and a SPG/Depth Gauge console but looking at 2nd Perdix 2 as I already have 2 transmitters for sidemount!

[@DarR1299]

Hosed Air Integration here (Oceanic PP3). Upon a failure, "Dive's Over". I pack a second Reg w/ SPG-DG for travel. I believe a back-up computer is better than a back-up SPG given my set-up.

[@mikeadam6776]

I always believe in the use of a backup. I do believe that the systems that are out there are good but any mechanical piece of equipment can and will fail. This reasoning is that you already have a an SPG why remove it.

[@DiverKnight]

I just use air integration, no backup spgs though I do have spare spgs in the save-a-dive kit. If a transmitter fails during the dive, which they haven't yet, I would just turn the dive.

[@josephshultz6726]

Hey dive talk guys, I met Medhi at Orange Grove Sink in FL last summer some time. Really a friendly and knowledgeable guy. I need to give him a call and get my diving skills progressing again. Hopefully it's not frowned upon to give a plug to someone but I know he and his colleague ran Tech Monsters in Tallahassee, FL. If you have any feedback I'd love to hear it.

[@SCUBATrey]

I have a Shearwater Perdix AI and associated Swift transmitter. I have dove AI for a long time, I had an Oceanic computer AI before my Shearwater. I just recently added a TINY SPG, ONLY BECAUSE: I am afraid of when the battery either in the computer or transmitter dies, mid dive and then I have no idea how much air I have left with just the computer. Just a little back up safety measure I put in place for myself for peace of mind.

[@bradfordfootman7495]

You should do a video on homemade shallow water dive helmets

[@MaddyBrayson]

Hey are you going to a video on what’s happening with AWP ? Much love from UK

[@FloatingBreeze]

I am an AOWD, I don't dive that much, mostly for pleasure. I caught myself thinking that I was constantly looking at the SPG, every 2 minutes, it distracts from contemplating the underwater world, prevents me from enjoying the beauty. Integration with air allows you to not only control the supply of the air mixture, but also make controlled warning points when its level is below normal. The decompressometer will notify you or your buddy with sound, vibration. In addition, it records statistics. This will be a great assistant in diving, but only as an addition to the SPG. I am ashamed to admit. I had a sad experience in one of the dives. My buddy and I spoke different languages. We communicated poorly in English. For some reason, we did not check each other's equipment, as required by PADI rules. This is the first mistake, that is, there was no communication as a buddy with a buddy from the beginning. In the Maldives, we dived at Manta Point. Our group of 12 people. We dove and froze when the mantas arrived. They arrived. They swam beautifully and measuredly, creating a crazy beauty of a completely different world, which is mesmerizing. I noticed periodic movements next to me, my partner was next to me. For some reason, I did not pay attention to this. Then I noticed it again. He was looking at his SPG. I looked at his readings, there were 50 bars. Something clicked in my head, but I did not pay attention to it, a thought flashed: “Why is he not surfacing? Why is he not telling me that it is time for him to surface? So this is how it should be! He is in control of the situation.” The whole group continued to enjoy the flight of the mantas, the partner was already looking at the SPG more often. 40 bars. I wanted to call the instructor, but did not do this until the instructor himself did not notice. The instructor immediately took control into his own hands, grabbed my partner and me, put my octopus in my hands. And the three of us began the control ascent. The instructor held my buddy's hand tightly, looking at my buddy's dive computer and monitoring me. At the safety stop, I caught my breath earlier and thought: "Well, since the instructor is next to my buddy, I'll go to the surface..." The instructor grabbed me by the buoyancy compensator and pulled me back. When my buddy caught his breath at the safety stop, we surfaced together. After everything calmed down, I was ashamed to look both the instructor and my buddy in the eyes. Years have passed, and I still constantly replay this dive in my head, constantly worrying in my soul how wrong I was, how many mistakes I made. But at the same time, I thought: "If my buddy had a decompression gauge with air integration, it would have beeped at the set mark. Let's say at 70 bar. And saved two stupid people from the human factor. So I am all for modern technology. But while the technology is new, it is better to combine it with SPG

[@richardbatchelder8841]

Both,as I added a transmitter after I had the SPG. Also had a transmitter fail during a dive and lost integration, so the backup was useful v end the dive.

[@sebastianf.6063]

I use both. On my double 12, the transmitter is on the right bottle and the SPG is on the left. I like the redundancy. For normal diving I only use the transmitter but if it should fail I still have the normal SPG. My stage tanks only have SPG.

[@markusleitner3735]

Tec Clark is 100% right!

[@MrNeobuxer]

The nature of all mechanical pressure gauges is they are most accurate in the middle of the scale and least accurate at the ends of the scale. Even when perfectly calibrated in the mid-range, in our experience at the centre, all mechanical SCUBA SPGs have poor accuracy at the very low end of the scale; possibly indicating significantly more (or less) breathing gas than what is really in the tank - and that's OK! That is why divemasters are often heard to say "Be back on the boat with 500 psi." Just to be clear, this is not a reflection on the quality of the gauge but rather a limitation of the mechanical bourdon tube technology at the very low end of the gauge range. Air integration is definitely more accurate and they do not just simply "fail" by themselves (there are alerts for that anyway)... you NEED to do the checks and ensure the computer and emitters are good on battery.

[@williamsweet2253]

Shearwater AI but also both. I learned to dive with a depth gauge, a spg and a watch an did it that way for 10 years and 500 ish dives

[@quintaflo]

I use air integration and an spg as a back-up. I'm taught that redundancy is the most important factor to avoid risk for anything what can happen.

[@SpanglerRob]

Page 4, Shearwater Teric manual, "This computer will fail. It is not whether it will fail but when..." My wife and I both have AI and SPG. AI is super convenient, but after 24 years of diving it's hard to break the habit of checking the SPG, even when the numbers are right there on the computer! It's not the cool, minimalist thing, but we also have a backup depth gauge as well...downsized to a newer compact console a few years ago instead of the 2" gauges but still brass and glass...

[@DIVETALK]

Since I dive with more than 1 computer - all Air Integrated - my fear is more about the transmitter failing than the actual computer, but like I said before, the transmitter fails and you just end your dive.

[@scrappyweeman4952]

The older Swift AI transmitters can fail at the OPV. The little black dot. I have had to replace whenever I saw a constant stream of bubbles. MfG defect replaced under shearwater warranty. Stands behind thier equipment

[@phgachoud]

Dive SPG, am a computer scientist and definitly love technology but if I can avoid one more point of failure that would be my choice. BTW would like to trace my air consumption and stuff like that with air integration but dont like the idea of one more device that can fail easier, and thats a fact when we talk about complexity of device and reliability.

[@earlgrey2130]

They are just two tools to solve the same problem. People assume that it's a question of safety vs. comfort. But i think that's missing the point. Both can range from extremely reliable to safety hazards. It all depends on the quality of the product, how well it's maintained and how much punishment it has to endure. You can use either one and have redundancies of either one.. as long as it's a quality product that is tested to safety standards you trust and you maintain and protect that equipment.. it's all good, no matter what you choose.

[@fkrioters1000]

Both: AI because I found some used ones cheap. Button SPG, but not as a "backup." The SPG makes it easier to test tank-pressure without my computer. I'm a huge fan of redundancy, however, the AI fail so rarely if you replace the batteries maybe once per year, that in the 0.1% of dives it might happen, you can end the dive early and safely.

[@dutchdiver5323]

Team both here. Technology always fails in the end so redundancy is key!

[@urunancy2002]

I loved transmitters, actually I have 2. Unbelievable, 1 broken down and the second one broke down 2 weeks later while diving, in both cases the valve pressure protection blew out. I sent them to customer service Shearwater and they sent me back 2 new ones. Regarding what to do in the future, I would use a SPG back up, but in other hands I think it was a problem that this particular series had, my husband has 2 for many years without problems. I'm concern about another failure, but I don't believe both will broke down at the same time. So, I will use only AI redundant, just in case.

[@psychotimo]

obviously air integration is a good thing. it streamlines your equipment checking, you can get all the necessary info on your dive computer. as soon as I save some extra money for some upgrades, I'd prolly buy an air integrated setup. but use SPG as backup. like, there's tons of ways that either one can fail so you could argue that adding more means more things can break. but it's the same reasoning as to why every diver is supposed to have an octo, redundancy and safety is kept in mind for all aspects of diving, so why not for this as well? In my diving club I often see people putting their octo and SPG on a separate first stage on a second valve, while having their air integration and primary on the other valve. basically: full redundancy for everything they can possibly set up in a redundant way. Which makes complete sense to me.

[@brianbelson9462]

Both, recently put an spg on because my primary computer had battery leak and hated day being done at that point

[@220819908472]

Going now for transmitter in combination with a mini fini (just small button 20€), doesn't add more than a small button to the 1st stage. Thought process: if in emergency I need/want to hand over an entire stage, that person could in SM / CCR config see the mini fini...or myself had a backup if transmitter fails.

[@Daniel-yg4fp]

I wanted to get the mares quad air after I qualified but my instructor convinced me to stick with a spg for now and it was quite a bit extra and I’ve still got a drysuit to pay for so SPG for now

[@theredrover3217]

As I see it depends on type of diving, open water and confined. I don't do confined or envision ever wanting to. Penetration and/or depth are not my thing and luckily where I live has great open ocean. AI w/o back up. I suspect not being (been diving) from the old school 'era' found it easier to trust the newer technology. Plus I like the streamlined configuration.

[@eddieadie8953]

I'm an SPG guy. Used to have a suunto transmitter, but had endless problems getting it to connect. Might upgrade to Shearwater AI in a couple of years, but for now happy to stay 'old school' 😅

[@sudokode]

I have no idea what any of those phrases mean (in context anyway), but this was still a fun time. Have you guys gone over AI vs SPG before? If not, please do!

[@Bananafeller]

SPG = Submersible Pressure Gauge, it an analog dial gauge connected via a hose that tells you the pressure in your cylinder. AI = Air Integration, it is a wireless pressure transmitter that communicates with your dive computer and displays your cylinder pressure on the computer screen.

[@mxcmead6]

Integration only. Also BCD with Air2, no additional octo. Guess that is a point on contention as well.

[@jfkalim]

AI is a nice gadget but the SPG is essential. I use the Perdix AI transmitter on my Rec setup (and an SPG) but not on my twins. I am a wreck diver and the protrusion of the transmitter is one more point of entanglement. I guess that is less of a risk with rebreathers. AI is also too expensive to have on my stages.

[@DIVETALK]

Essential? I've done hundreds of dives without it and I've been just fine.

[@jfkalim]

@@DIVETALK OK. I’ll bite 😊. To be clear I am no Luddite, in fact I am an avid gadgets guy and I love technology (that’s why I bought the Perdix AI in the first place). When I say essential, I mean it’s the base line, the reference. You need a way to see the remaining air. An SPG is an easy reliable instrument and I try to follow the KISS rule (The last S is for me 😀). My Perdix AI (or any other AI) as I see it, for my tec dives and setup and not considering cost, has 2 Pros and 2 Cons. Pros: Automatic SAC calculations, Auto logging of air. Cons: Requires power, Risk of entanglement. If you spend the money you could add to the Pros that you can have all bottles monitored by one computer but also add to the Cons the (big for me) risk of messing up due to complexity of making sure you monitor the right bottle. So given that I will always have an SPG, adding the AI just adds one more point of failure on my 1st stage and an extra point for entanglement. As i said if i was diving rebreathers it could be a diffrent issue

[@rcah6191]

I use Air integration on my GUE JJ CCR for both DIL & O2 with Petrel 3, no issue at all.

[@asmith5488]

SPG only AI is a luxury ( for open circuit) I cannot speak for Rebreahters. ... quick question does the AI affect your deco calculation by estimating your SAC... would that also affect a leak or gas loss at depth adding it to your deco? ,,, some questions which may need some discovery. [Some wrist-mount scuba computers, like the G2 Wrist and Galileo Luna, offer wireless air integration that monitors "tank pressure, provides true remaining bottom time (RBT) and allows air consumption" to be factored into the decompression calculation.] if the deco is blown out due to a calculation of consumption of another 500~750psi @ depth even aborting the dive now your deco is extended... am I wrong? would that blow out your SAc calculation and also increase your PO2 calculation?

[@nilotubes]

Woody, are you truely air integrated? Also on stages and bailout? PS: would love air integration but for now the transmitters are too bulky for me

[@DIVETALK]

Yes, all tanks Air Integrated.

[@rickvandijk8492]

Why would you need an spg on your RB? So no on both on the KISS Classic aswel as the Sidewinder. Bailout however has spg for me.

[@brois841]

Neat!! Wish you guys asked if it's for CC or OC. For CC it matters a little less and I'd use AI only, but for OC I use both Shearwater Swift and SPG. I've had BOTH fail (on the surface, pre-dive), so I'd remove the failed unit and go on with my dive. Cheaper to have a backup SPG than another transmitter.

[@anthonypiscopo6711]

I use the AI on my O2 & dil on my rebreathers, but I use SPG on bailout tanks in cave. For OW diving I use AI on mine & my girlfriend’s so I can keep an eye on her gas too.

[@GR-yf1cm]

Preference and application. If your is treated harshly or there is the risk of someone using it to lift your gear/tank then spg. If i did cave diving which i don't I would use both👌

[@UNgineering]

when i first got the transmitter, i would look at SPG to "verify" my computer, now i almost never look at the spg, but i still keep it; two is one and all...

[@frogbmth]

I would love to know once and for all the true failure rate of mechanical Spg vs AI. I have seen multiple spg’s blow but never a transmitter in 25 years of diving. As for breaking them off, this is why we put them on a hose like you do an Spg