Reliability of Hoseless Computers?

[runway1]

What he was pointing out is that by paying attention just to the failures--which are much, much, more likely to be reported--we can lose sight of the sample size. If you hear from 10 people who tell you their Suunto malfunctioned you might not buy one. Because you don't know about the 999,990 people with flawlessly operating Suunto computers, for an admirable 99.999% reliability. So, yes, we do need to concern ourselves with the non-failures.

As a sample size, yes, hence my wetsuit analogy. If you're implying (maybe not) 3-nines reliability - I don't think so. Given just the feedback on this thread, you'd be lucky to see 85%/90%. One poster/shop owner just clamed 50% failure out of the box!

 

[akscubainst]

I stopped stocking Uwatecs in my shop, all models, when they hit a failure rate "in the box" of 50%.

I've had the opposite experience. I stock Uwatec and Suunto, both have been great.

Dave

 

[vladimir]

As a sample size, yes, hence my wetsuit analogy. If you're implying (maybe not) 3-nines reliability - I don't think so. Given just the feedback on this thread, you'd be lucky to see 85%/90%.

I wasn't implying any particular reliability, that was just an example to show you the information you lack. What I was stating was that anecdotal information like this thread doesn't give you a clue about the sample size, so the 85%/90% figure is as good an estimate as a dart throw.

Your wetsuit experience is not analogous to the feedback in this thread, because your wetsuit was presumably a random (albeit small) sample, whereas the anecdotal information is skewed towards reporting failure.

 

[SteveAD]

I got my first hoseless AI almost 14 years ago. It was a Dacor built by Pelagic and was an absolute POS. It dropped signal multiple times per dive, every dive, I swore I would never use a hoseless AI ever again. Well this year I broke down and got an Uwatec Galileo, I've been diving it for 6 months, have close to 50 dives on it , and it has been near flawless. On one dive I had a 28 second signal dropout. The technology and reliability have definitely improved.

 

[sanggapr]

I have a suunto d9 that failed on me on several dives. The air readings were inaccurate, ie. i had air readings higher than 250 bar (i also use a back up analog spg which shows max of 200 bar when tank full) then drop down to 35 bar the next 2 minutes, then goes back up to 150 bar and down to 50 and so on... The up/down or roller coaster line on the air consumption graph was shown in the computer download. Printed the graph and showed it to the suunto shop (which happens to be an authorized dealer). After moments of complaining, they replaced me with a brand new wrist unit (transmitter was not replaced). After replacement, the hoseless integration worked flawlessly.

Now i am more daring, and replaced my analog spg with a small button spg (pony gauge). Loved the setup; and i always tell my buddy where to look if i ever need assistance looking at that tiny gauge (not that it ever happened). The only minor complaint is when i have to press the light button to illuminate the computer on a night dive to see remaining air (you could shine your light to an analog spg, but not to a wrist unit because of the glare).

 

[ApexLongimanus]

Uwatec Aladin AirO2 ....never had any issues with it.

 

[Rhone Man]

Reality is that all new technology has issues when it first comes out - then it becomes more reliable. Stories are going to vary, but disappointment lasts a long time...

 

[radiocraig]

I have a suunto d9 that failed on me on several dives. The air readings were inaccurate, ie. i had air readings higher than 250 bar (i also use a back up analog spg which shows max of 200 bar when tank full) then drop down to 35 bar the next 2 minutes, then goes back up to 150 bar and down to 50 and so on... The up/down or roller coaster line on the air consumption graph was shown in the computer download. Printed the graph and showed it to the suunto shop (which happens to be an authorized dealer). After moments of complaining, they replaced me with a brand new wrist unit (transmitter was not replaced). After replacement, the hoseless integration worked flawlessly.

I forgot about this problem i was having when i used my D9 to read pressure...same problem...it was never solved like yours

 

[jviehe]

The primary benefit of a hoseless air integrated computer is streamlining, reducing failure points and convinience. If you are really concerned about the transmitter losing contact, keep your analog guage as a backup. As there are no statistics as to failure rates, we cant really argue that with any accuracy. Try it and see I guess. Personally, once you get a lot of diving in, on most dives I dont even check my guages. I know how much air I use, and I use big steel tanks

 

[RAWalker]

Reality is that all new technology has issues when it first comes out - then it becomes more reliable. Stories are going to vary, but disappointment lasts a long time...

The fact is we need to separate the failures of outdated technology from the successes of the present or future. Without at least making the attempt to do so (in threads like this) we risk tainting good technology with prejudice from the past. This does nothing but stall progress that could lead to safer, extended, more reliable diving.