Atomic Aquatics Cobalt Dive Computer

[Downing]

Found it: page 35 of the manual.

 

[Downing]

A while back I also e-mailed ZAGG about them making a Cobalt screen protector and my e-mail sank without a trace...no response whatsoever...but now that real product (Cobalts) are now 'out there' maybe they'll do something...

Last night I received the following email from "MaryS," ZAGG Customer Service Rep:

Unfortunately, I have no new information on the release of an invisibleSHIELD for the Atomic Aquatics Cobalt Computer. If you are interested in this product, I would suggest you check our website regularly as we are always developing new products for different devices.

So it looks like I'll have to order one for the Oceanic Pro and cut it down to size.

 

[fnfalman]

I thought that the Cobalt comes with a stick-on/peel-off screen protector?

I glanced at a unit in the local dive shop and I saw a photo showing the peel-off screen protector.

 

[InstantDiver]

Thanks for the feedback. I too thought the hose looked short when I first got it. After hooking the console on the end, I laid it next to my existing SPG and found they ended within an inch of each other.. I had no problem swinging it up to view it while diving. Did I mention how easy it is to read underwater? As far as clipping it on, I attached a swivel snap to the end with twist ties.. I like to keep my console attached to my D ring while diving to avoid dangling. Stainless steel swivel snap is quickest to attach/detach and keeps it closer to me than a strap type clip would..

 

[InstantDiver]

oh, and I did have two screen protectors included in the kit when I got it..

 

[scubafanatic]

I thought that the Cobalt comes with a stick-on/peel-off screen protector?

I glanced at a unit in the local dive shop and I saw a photo showing the peel-off screen protector.

...yeah but I don't believe the Atomic peel off screens are of the same quality/durability as the ZAGG ones, and I want the 'best' screen protector possible to avoid trashing a $ 1200 computer!

 

[RonR]

I have an Oceanic VT3, which I love, but I would not call it "intuitive" to use. Picked up my Cobalt this afternoon (won it in a raffle at my LDS and got the first production unit to arrive in stock). Brought it home to my fiance, who is waiting to do her OW certification dives. She had it figured out in seconds. She was immediately able to figure out how to navigate through all of the basic modes that would be necessary for diving. She might have to read up on the dive planning and simulation functions, but she could easily set it up, hook it up and dive it without reading the book if she needed to do so. Of course, we would not do that, but it speaks to the added safety that will come along with those brand new divers actually understanding how to use their brand new computers when they go on that first live-aboard trip after getting their C-card.

Thanks for the kind words. I'm one of the developers/ designers of the Cobalt, and was just pointed to this thread. I'll try to answer some of the questions raised. We are, if anything, interface geeks, and the one thing we wanted most to do with this design is to make a computer that an average diver could pick up and know how to use with no instructions beyond what the interface provides. It's hard to make something simple. As you point out, some features like the dive planner will require a bit of study- the Cobalt essentially replicates desktop dive planning software on screen and all the features aren't immediately obvious. You do need to remember a few things, like how to turn on and off the compass when diving.

There is now an interactive web tour of the entire interface up on Atomic's site Cobalt Guide: Home , it does a good job of demonstrating the computer.

The four button interface in a console was a deliberate decision as a first product. While among more experienced- and certainly tech divers- wrist mount computers have a strong following, consoles are by far the larger sellers overall in the recreational market. A wrist mount is coming. The button interface is designed to clue the user as to the button function through their placement- some people won't care about this kind of interface detail, and others will love it. I'd suggest that one needs to play with the Cobalt a bit to understand what it's about- just a feature list or chart won't convey it.

I'll try to respond to specific questions in other posts.

 

[RonR]

As you suspected, it's a test dive done by Atomic and all the Cobalts have one.

It's referenced somewhere in the manual. You can delete all your own dives in the log, but you can't delete that one.

This thing rocks!

As I thought, though, the quick disconnect can't be switched to a longer hose. Bummer. I'd prefer at least another couple of inches, but I'll learn to live with it.

I think I am going to order a screen protector from Zagg. I shot them an email asking if they're planning to release one specifically for the Cobalt but haven't heard back yet.

Yes, the computers are wet tested before leaving the factory- but you can't delete any real dives from the dive log. In the dive planning function you can delete saved "simulated" dives from the "sim" dive log, which looks and acts in other respects like the real dive log. That may be what you are referring to.

If you push back the protector over the QD fitting you will see that it is a separate fitting attached to a standard HP hose end. It's no problem to shift it to another hose.

I'm not familiar with the Zagg screen protectors, but I can say that the ones included with the Cobalt have held up well in field testing. I'll check them out.

 

[RonR]

Anyone know what software to use for interfacing with the unit? Box did not contain drivers or any kind of interface application. Manual says to check the Atomic website, but nothing there either. Do any log applications support it yet? I'm on a Mac so, hopefully, MacDive will support it, but I can also run Windows on the same Mac or on another laptop. Any thoughts on what application(s) to use for what purposes - particularly downloading the log data?

The dive log application will post on Atomic's web site in a couple of weeks for Windows, a couple of months (sigh) for Mac. We, the developers of the Cobalt, are Mac fans and wish it were sooner, but the desktop software is being developed by a third party and the Mac version will arrive later. The Cobalt will hold about 600 hours of diving (at a 30 second sample storage rate) in the dive log memory, so unless you are diving a LOT...

It is in our plans to provide ways for 3rd party dive log applications like MacDive to access the Cobalt data as well.

 

[Downing]

Ron, thanks for the info.

I talked to Darcy on Monday about the hose issue. I guess I misunderstood but from that conversation I thought the QD could not be switched to a different hose. Glad to hear I was wrong. The hose that comes with the Cobalt is a good six inches shorter than the hose I was using with my Cobra. Perhaps it's because I'm, um, barrel chested, but the difference felt significant to me. I'll talk to my LDS about it.

Regarding not being able to delete dives from the dive log, on p. 35 of the manual it reads: Note: Dive #1 is the test dive done at the factory to ensure accurate operation and cannot be erased. I read (past tense) this to mean real dives can be deleted. My bad.

It's hard to make something simple.

I laughed out loud when I read this because it's so true yet many designers seem unable to grasp this concept. Great job on the Cobalt. Atomic hit a home run with this one. It was a long wait--last winter I assumed I would be diving with one in June!--but absolutely worth it.

The screen protectors that came with the Cobalt are adequate but my experience with iPods and iPhones has taught me that a quality screen protector is a must. You can never have too much protection.

Looking forward to the Mac application.