Atomic Aquatics Cobalt Dive Computer

[BDSC]

The ONLY reason we have the price higher is a flaw in our online stores back end. Believe me or not, this is why it is that way on our site..

How can it be a flaw in your system when you could list the MSRP at $1200.

We took the normal equation of what people charge from MSRP to MAP, and plugged that in as the MSRP.

Would love to see the actual numbers on that. Being that every website I looked had a price of $1200, how can you possibly come up with a higher MSRP? Who is charging more than $1200?

Is this something that we like to do? Nope, but at this point, I don't have a good way around it.

Yes you do. List MSRP at $1200.

....god forbid I had $1200 as MSRP and $1200 as MAP showing your savings at $0.00...then what would you say?

I'd say you were being honest and not deceptive in your advertising.

Call it what you want, think what you want, but that is true reason for it showing up that way on our site

Total BS!

 

[RonR]

Thanks for the info. I have a couple of more questions as I am very seriously considering this versus the Mares ICON HD (which will have AI later this year..likely retro active to existing models).

All of the retails are saying that the Cobalt has:
1. "On-board 3D digital compass"
2. "Track Back Digital Compass - Why get lost?"

"3D" implies that it displays both X and Y axis along with the Z axis. I don't see that from the screen shots. In essence, the COMPASS (not just the depth meter) shows whether you are ascending or descending (along with going left/right, forward/back)??

Also, "Track back" implies that you can set your bearing marker, go swim to any location and then somehow ask or have the Cobalt tell you how to get back to the same location where you started. To me, the use of the term "track back" is far more passive then how a person would use a normal compass to get back to where they started (which involves counting kicks or time). Clearly the Cobalt does not have a GPS. Perhaps the accelerometer aids in the "track back"? I mean, does it possibly know who far in distance I have gone in all directions? Bottom-line: Is the "track back" capability really what it is alluding to..or it is nothing more than setting a bearing marker with a reciprocal marker being placed 180 from that (which, of course, is nothing more than a normal compass can do)?

Anyone use this "track back" feature? ...sounds awesome if it works as as implied.

I'm afraid the reality is a little more pedestrian.

"3D" refers to the fact that the compass is fully tilt compensated, and will continue to show direction regardless of it's orientation. It's still magnetic, so it's just showing you compass direction, not a Z axis. The Achilles heel of many earlier digital compasses was that they had to be held fairly level to read accurately- the Cobalt's compass will read if it's held sideways, upside-down, basically in any orientation except straight up or down. This obviously makes it a lot more useful for diving, and is a key advantage it has over conventional analog compasses.

I think what the dealers are referring to with "track back" is the fact that the compass, when it sets a bearing, also gives you a reciprocal symbol, so you can get your return course. In that sense it's just like a conventional compass- a useful feature, but not exactly magic. While the Cobalt can do many things, finding your way back to the boat is not among them. Perhaps a little over-enthusiastic writing?

Atomic refers to these features as "fully tilt compensated" and "provides reciprocal bearing", which I think avoids the confusion.

 

[BDSC]

Is this something that we like to do? Nope, but at this point, I don't have a good way around it. It is a flaw in the online store, that it HAS to have the two fields filled in.

By the way Mike, I just went to your website and clicked on the "Online store" link and decided to look at regulators. When I clicked on the Atomic T2X it only has ONE field and that's the "Our Price" field.

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

By the way Mike, I just went to your website and clicked on the "Online store" link and decided to look at regulators. When I clicked on the Atomic T2X it only has ONE field and that's the "Our Price" field.

Things do have to be tested before they are considered working and you change every product

As to your other multi quotes -
Your right I could list MSRP, but I can't leave the Our price field empty. If I did, it shows, $0, and you get it for free. Like I said, you can believe me or not, I am not trying to fight on this or lie to you.

I was talking about other manufacturers, and how they pick MSRP and Map and the discount % between them...not other retailers. I don't look at other retailers sites. I don't have the time.

It looks like you are just looking to start a fight. You asked a question, I told you the answer. If you wish to believe we are decieving you, don't buy from us. That is your choice. You asked me to comment, and I did. I told you why it was like that, and that we were fixing it, and had already been looking into the issue. You even found some items that were being tested. There are a couple in each of the Categories, so we can make sure nothing is wrong.

If you want to know the ins and outs of my business, come here and apply for a job. You asked a question, and I answered it. Believe what you want, I have no reason to lie to you

 

[Downing]

Mike, thanks for the explanation.

Seems like if you have to list two prices, MSRP and "Your Price," the better way to go would be to just put in a blurb that explains why the two prices are one and the same. I think your average savvy consumer would understand that better than inflating the MSRP, which looks suspiciously like the seller trying to play the consumer.

Hey, at least you didn't jack it by $525 like Dive Pro.

Regarding the compass, I'm not a big compass user but one of the things I didn't like about the Suunto Cobra2 was the disappearing compass act unless I held the thing perfectly level. A real PITA.

But it had a really nice protective sleeve...

 

[kbaum17]

yeah, all kidding aside, some sort of protective sleeve/bag is an absolute must for $1200. Sure, I could buy a simple/decent one for $9 total on my own..which is exactly why I know it costs the maker of the console computer even less than that. Or, I could use a sock (which is common)..but thiiiis is not a common computer and deserves better than an old unmatched sock.

 

[Downing]

Agreed.

I was stunned when I discovered a protective sleeve wasn't included. This from the same company that includes a really nice reg bag with its flagship product, my T2 regulator. I liked that bag enough to buy one for my wife's Z2x. I admire AA in a lot of ways: great design, great quality, great customer service etc, but they dropped the ball on this one.

Ron's made it clear that a sleeve wasn't his department but to his credit he's been reporting the general unhappiness about this back to Atomic. I do like to continue to gently chide him from time to time, however.

I was keeping my Cobalt in an old sock. Now I've got it in a Leisure Pro house brand "Blue Reef" sleeve I bought for $8. It was the cheapest sleeve I could find but it's way bigger than what was needed. Kind of pathetic for such a great piece of equipment.

i continue to hold out hope that Atomic will release a tailored sleeve for the Cobalt.

 

[jpassov]

Will it fit into a Cobra2 case?

Agreed.

I was stunned when I discovered a protective sleeve wasn't included. This from the same company that includes a really nice reg bag with its flagship product, my T2 regulator. I liked that bag enough to buy one for my wife's Z2x. I admire AA in a lot of ways: great design, great quality, great customer service etc, but they dropped the ball on this one.

Ron's made it clear that a sleeve wasn't his department but to his credit he's been reporting the general unhappiness about this back to Atomic. I do like to continue to gently chide him from time to time, however.

I was keeping my Cobalt in an old sock. Now I've got it in a Leisure Pro house brand "Blue Reef" sleeve I bought for $8. It was the cheapest sleeve I could find but it's way bigger than what was needed. Kind of pathetic for such a great piece of equipment.

i continue to hold out hope that Atomic will release a tailored sleeve for the Cobalt.

 

[Downing]

Yes, although again it's far from a perfect fit.

The Cobra2 with the quick disconnect is longer and slightly wider than the Cobalt, so the Cobra2 sleeve is even longer and wider. The Blue Reef sleeve I got for the Cobalt, though, is a good bit longer and even wider still. I got it because I traded my Cobra2, and the sleeve along with it, for some other gear. So I had to get another sleeve and didn't want to spend any more money on it than necessary while waiting to see if Atomic will (finally) release one.

Obviously, a computer sleeve isn't necessary when the computer's resting comfortably in my reg bag in the closet. But it would be stupid to travel without one and risk damaging or breaking an expensive piece of dive gear, which is why I don't understand how Atomic could have overlooked this.

 

[Straegen]

My Cobalt is on its way and I am looking forward to poking around the USB interface. Is the USB interface two way or read only? Do you have any kind of test harness for it that is or could be available to developers?