Charles Hood on the VR3 NHeO from VR Technology  |
VR Technology NHeO computer basic model (air/nitrox), £550; with trimix £605
It used to be the case that the VR3 from VR Technology was the de facto standard technical diving computer. It has all the functions that most technical divers require and had little in the way of competition. However, it is difficult to use – I find the design to be counter-intuitive and most people who buy them end up relying on a professional to set it up.
With the arrival of the Suunto HelO2 – an open-circuit mixed-gas computer with an easy-to-use interface, which costs a third less than the VR3 – VR Technology has had to raise its game. The company’s response is the NHeO, which is being marketed as having ‘the most streamlined, user-friendly interface of any mixed gas computer’. It also promises a ‘faster, more intuitive, screen navigation process and gas selection system, making programming and diving the NHeO simple’. We took one a way for a week’s diving to see if it matched VR Technology ’s claims.
Essentially, the NHeO is a cut-down version of the VR3. All the electronic wizardry is housed in a similar-looking case to the VR3, although it is plastic rather than metal alloy.
The battery compartment is also similar in design, as are the two spring-loaded buttons either side. The base model doesn’t include any closed-circuit functionality (but it can be upgraded at a cost of £112.58), and you only get a choice of four gas mixes instead of eight, although these can be changed underwater as with the VR3.
So is it easy to use? Unfortunately, no. While it is simpler to use than the VR3, that’s probably because there are fewer options to select so there’s less chance of getting lost in sub-menus. The main problem is the two-button menu system. This involves single presses, double short presses and double long presses – this can get tedious, and you can soon find yourself back where you first started.
That said, the NHeO is easier to use than its older brother. The basic non-colour version also costs £90 less than the HelO2, and once set up, it isn’t too difficult to adjust the gas mixes. The backlit colour display is excellent, although it sets you back another £160.83. The digits are perhaps a bit on the small side when viewed topside but become superbly clear underwater. We also compared algorithm performance to the Suunto with both computers set at factory defaults. As far as we could tell, the decompression obligations were not too dissimilar, with the Suunto being ten per cent more conservative.
The NHeO is powered by a single user-changeable AA battery, although you have to be quick when changing it to preserve the computer’s memory. What’s more, linking the NHeO to a computer is not a standard feature but requires a factory upgrade that costs an additional £128.66.
In short, the NHeO lags behind the HelO2 in terms ease of use, but if you require the possibility of upgrading it to closed-circuit mode in the future, this is the one to go for.
DIVE SAYS…
Has plenty of functions, but could be easier to use
Value 7 Performance 8
Contact
VR Technology • 01202 624478 •
www.vr3.co.uk