Atomic Aquatics Cobalt Dive Computer

[bthinnes]

Yep, you got a demo there with the newer firmware on it. The 1.10 is the update, changes are not huge from a user standpoint, but things that might be noticeable are that it displays average depth and SCF values in the dive log, surface intervals between dives are now in the dive log, the tank pressure display will respond more quickly when turing on or off the gas, and the compass bearing setting is a bit more responsive. Those are mostly changes based on input from ScubaBoard, thanks to all who offered suggestions!

Most other changes are under the hood, and wouldn't normally be noticeable. Some relate to compatibility with the desktop software. There are also fixes for some minor display bugs, adjustments to colors based on user inputs, some corrections to the German language text and to metric display.

I really expect to see this posted to Atomic's website shortly.

Hey RonR - sure looked like you had a working copy a week ago of the software. Sounded like it was going to be posted shortly but a week later still nothing on the web site. What gives? I called and they won't say anything other than they are working on it.

I realize it is not your responsibility and I do appreciate all of the help you are providing here but I am getting so angry with the lack of accomplishment on the software end I am ready to dump mine on e-bay. I still am not using it as a primary because of the lack of software to download my logs. I do NOT keep paper logs and refuse to for an interim measure. I was told in October that the software would be available in a couple of weeks. I waited until Feb to order because of that and was told in Feb that the software would be available within 2 weeks.

It is now May and now they won't say a word other than they are working on it. They got my $1200.00 Where is the rest of the product I paid for!

I am very unhappy and I now can see why my LDS was so reluctant to order the computer. I see why they are refusing to stock them until they have been out and fully supported for a while now. I sure won't recommend it. At least for now. In fact I am strongly considering selling it.

Again Ron I know this is not your problem but I believe you are a much better conduit to the decision makers at Atomic that the gals who answer the phones. Complaining to them doesn’t seem to get anywhere. It is not there fault either. Maybe complaining to you here in the public might get a little more attention and perhaps some real action and RESULTS!

BT
:furious:

 

[RonR]

Hey RonR - sure looked like you had a working copy a week ago of the software. Sounded like it was going to be posted shortly but a week later still nothing on the web site. What gives? I called and they won't say anything other than they are working on it.

We had what was supposed to be a final release, and last weekend found an error in how gas consumption was recorded when tank size was specified in a particular way (as liquid volume). It's correct in the Cobalt, but doesn't record properly in the Windows software. I gather they are still waiting on the developer to fix it that issue. Also, apparently the function for emailing dives was not working in XP- though it had been in earlier versions and it worked fine for us under Win7. I just talked with Atomic, and we all are I think agreed that if we don't have a fix over the weekend we will go ahead and release it with the known issues and update the program later. The problems are minor ones and it's important to get the firmware update for the Cobalt out. Very frustrating here as well, and for Atomic. I know Diving Log now supports the Cobalt with a more full featured application, as does MacDive for MAc users, but you still need the firmware to be updated in order to use it safely.

Ron

 

[mdb]

Well, early adapters always have issues. Should be no surprise. RonR is trying his best to give good honest answers.

 

[bthinnes]

I know Diving Log now supports the Cobalt with a more full featured application, as does MacDive for MAc users, but you still need the firmware to be updated in order to use it safely.

Ron

Exactly!! And the firmware update will not be released until the software is released so Diving Log can not be used since it says the latest firmware is required. I own Diving Log and Sven does a great job but even that is road blocked by Atomic's inability to get the job done. Releasing the unfinished software allows anyone at leat to update the firmware and then use Diving Log for a desktop application.

They choose to stay with the developer so it is their responsibility. Where does the buck stop if not with them??

Again I will say I know you are not the problem nor even a contributor to it but as a customer or Atomic Aquatics I feel I have a right to rant when they have so terribly fell short of their promises.

BT

 

[Downing]

Last year around this time, having heard rumors of the impending release of the Cobalt for at least six months, I was sure I'd have one in time for my dive trip to Belize in July.

I was wrong.

This year, having owned a Cobalt for six months, I was sure I'd have the promised software in time for my dive trip to Belize in June.

Looks like I'm going to be wrong again.

Hmmm.

Maybe I should quit going to Belize.

Ron, any progress on the case/sleeve front?

 

[Akimbo]

… Maybe I should quit going to Belize. …

I don’t think that is the problem — unless you are meeting the software developers there on vacation.

 

[scubafanatic]

...while I'm the 1st to admit I'm a gadget guy, I do draw the line at some point, so I'm just gonna enjoy my (2) Cobalts 'as is' and just go divin', I'd rather really dive rather than be obcessed about dive logs or if I have version 1.20 vs 1.21...just sayin'.

 

[donhealy]

Scubafanatic,

My sentiments exactly. I'm headed to Bahamas in 3 weeks with what I have and I must say I'm glad to have it. I don't log my dives and could care less about the ability to download. Others care a lot and I understand but geez. Enjoy your high end device for what its intended for - diving.

 

[Downing]

Actually, I agree with both of you but it's the fact that the software and then the firmware has been "coming soon" as in "couple of weeks, next week, almost finished" etc since last November that has people on edge, imho.

At this point, I'd happily settle for a sleeve.

And at least this year I'll get to use the Cobalt on vacation so that's certainly progress.

 

[kdsmithjr]

I've read this whole thread and i was going to buy this computer because it seemed so 'advanced' and on the cutting edge. I've been a techno for over a quarter century but a soft, techy not a geek.

The bottom line here is not how potentially super this product is, but how ready to sell it is. And it's not ready to sell to anyone yet. You don't make your customer base your guinea pigs...not at these prices (and not with a product on which the customer's life might depend.

It's sort of sad seeing all the supporters here. One of the reasons the US is doing so poorly on the world market is our penchant for talkin the talk and not walkin the walk. A product that doesn't perform as advertised, especially one that seems to have multiple problems with multiple customers, simply should not be on the market...period.

i am still interested in a product like this. To needle one of the posters here...maybe I'll wait for a chinese dive computer. It might have problems...but at least they wont claim that it doesn't and they might actually treat you as a valued customer...instead of telling you "we're working on it"

For now I'll wait...a couple of months. And I'll be watching this thread and looking for lots of people here who have problems praising the manufacturer for getting back to them and graciously offering to replace the defective (that's that they are) computers. We'll see.

Hey RonR - sure looked like you had a working copy a week ago of the software. Sounded like it was going to be posted shortly but a week later still nothing on the web site. What gives? I called and they won't say anything other than they are working on it.

I realize it is not your responsibility and I do appreciate all of the help you are providing here but I am getting so angry with the lack of accomplishment on the software end I am ready to dump mine on e-bay. I still am not using it as a primary because of the lack of software to download my logs. I do NOT keep paper logs and refuse to for an interim measure. I was told in October that the software would be available in a couple of weeks. I waited until Feb to order because of that and was told in Feb that the software would be available within 2 weeks.

It is now May and now they won't say a word other than they are working on it. They got my $1200.00 Where is the rest of the product I paid for!

I am very unhappy and I now can see why my LDS was so reluctant to order the computer. I see why they are refusing to stock them until they have been out and fully supported for a while now. I sure won't recommend it. At least for now. In fact I am strongly considering selling it.

Again Ron I know this is not your problem but I believe you are a much better conduit to the decision makers at Atomic that the gals who answer the phones. Complaining to them doesn’t seem to get anywhere. It is not there fault either. Maybe complaining to you here in the public might get a little more attention and perhaps some real action and RESULTS!

BT
:furious: