Mares has bucked the trend and gone for a wide version of its previous model. Aptly named the Nemo Wide, it has been designed specifically to be easy to read and at the same time intuitive to use, and safe and reliable.  |
Today there appears to be a trend in diving computers towards miniaturisation.
Increasingly, manufacturers are cramming more and more information into a smaller space. Now this is not necessarily a bad thing. Indeed, Suunto’s D6 and D9 watch-style computers have almost become standard issue among dive instructors in the Red Sea. However, with the increasing number of mature divers dominating our sport the relatively small digits that these small watch-style computers display are not always easy to read. So with this in mind, Mares has bucked the trend and gone for a wide version of its previous model. Aptly named the Nemo Wide, it has been designed specifically to be easy to read and at the same time intuitive to use, and safe and reliable. Justin Hanning, Mares’ UK sales manager, was keen to point out to me the screen. Special attention has been paid to develop a high-contrast display with large digits and a unique back light function which gives this computer a super-wide viewing angle of 170 degrees.
After using it for 20 dives I can report that this computer achieves its manufacturer’s aims. The display is big, in fact, I would go as far to say huge. Unless you are one of those unfortunate people who requires bottle-end-type reading glasses I can guarantee you will be able to read the display underwater unaided. The four buttons to set everything up and to use the computer are relatively straightforward to get to grips with, although I did have to refer to the manual a few times. It’s the ‘enter your selection’ function that caught me out on a few occasions. I was quite happy switching the Nemo Wide between various nitrox mixes throughout the week with total confidence without the use of the instructions.
The algorithm that it uses is the Mares-Wienke RGBM (Reduced Gradient Bubble Model) which, in common with the majority of new dive computers, takes into account the phenomenon of micro-bubbles and includes the use of deep-stops. I compared it with the Suunto RGBM model and they were almost identical for all practical purposes. From time to time the Nemo would be slightly more conservative giving less bottom time at depth, but on ascending to around 12m the remaining times were very similar. This was confirmed by going in to the plan mode, which gives 16 minutes no-stop at 30m on the Nemo, compared with 18 minutes at the same depth with the Suunto algorithm. It can be used in one of three modes, air, nitrox (up to 50 per cent) or gauge mode (depth and time only) and all common parameters can be set by the user. These include, units (metric or Imperial), altitude, fresh or salt water, safety factor, PO2 (in nitrox mode) and a whole host of alarms.
The battery is user changeable and to help prevent the facia getting scratched it is made from mineral glass. Upon surfacing the Nemo will store, at 20-second intervals, the profile of your dives for the previous 40 hours. One of the features I found particularly useful is the minimum temperature reached on the dive – always good for those après-dive discussions on the dive deck.
All in all I liked the Nemo, it is easy to read, has all the functions that a sports diver would require, is fairly intuitive to use and if you have to refer to the manual is logically laid out. For less than £300 it represents good value for money.
User friendly and easy to read
VERDICT
Value 8/10
Performance 8/10
CONTACT
Company Mares
Phone 01539 724740
Web www.mares.com
