Atomic Aquatics Cobalt Dive Computer

[donhealy]

Downing,

No arguments there. Atomic ultimately did not do themselves a service using the software developer (It was probably a great idea at the time). The constant "it's coming" mantra is what bothers most of the guys. I think when the firmware update does release that I'll wait a few weeks before uploading to the computer.

And ... a sleeve would be nice.

 

[bthinnes]

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.

Not everyone has the same needs. I do need to be able to log my dives with detailed notes and pictures. To those who don't log their dives knock your self out and dive away. Others, like me have different needs! Needs for which a solution was promised months ago. We are still waiting. If you don't care fine, I have to care or move on.

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".

You know the Chinese have the fastest super computer in the world. I'll bet they might be able to build a functional diving computer if they choose

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.

If you choose to wait good for you. The cobalt I believe is a credible computer for the capabilities that it has. I have been diving it as a backup to my Vyper Air and I like it. Unfortunately I need to have my dive log on my work computer so I can maintain records of my activities with somewhat detailed notes and photos in many situations. That is MY world. Others have different requirements. My rants here are meant to convey in a public forum to Atomic Aquatics via RonR, whom I believe is a better conduit that the receptionist that I get when I call, about my dissatisfaction with their continuous failure to produce a promised feature that I feel I paid for.

I agree with you that it is unfortunate that so often, especially in the US that people are too willing to accept mediocrity. Perhaps that is because mediocrity is all they them selves are willing to give. I dont know. Me I only know one way. Everything I got. Either my best effort or nothing. As such I expect the same from others.

 

[nelsonrl]

RonR - after all the good natured flack you have taken you aren't going to be the first to announce it?

Check this link

Now then, where are those sleeves?

 

[donhealy]

Well, Atomic.... Thanks for the update. Not much more to be said at this point. I can now sleep soundly at night. Now someone can start a new thread to complain about something else. It helps to keep the rest of us entertained.

 

[Downing]

Cool! I'll download the Mac firmware update tonight when I get home, then purchase MacDive2, hold my breath and hope for the best.

So RonR, how's that sleeve coming along?

 

[jimpeachey]

Ok, i downloaded the application and the firmware. Now i dont usually use a PC based log book as i actually enjoy writing in my log book but i thought i would have a look at what this thing we have waited for so long actually does. swell it doesnt agree with the logbook on the computer itself for a start and not all of the fields are filled in either. Just as an example it doesnt seem to log the start pressure of the tank or the size of the tank for a start. Then the max depth and average depth differ from the app as opposed to the computer itself. Just what is going on here, we waited so long and i really did not want to be disappointed. even the outline log differs from the detail when a dive is selected. Im disappointed to say the least. Whats more confusing is where did the app get the data from if it differs from the computer itself? So what do we do now, assume that the app just 'rounds up' the depths etc, is the computer right (I bloody well hope so) and if it is just what use is the application. If i dont like it can i now get my money back? I doubt it, just as well i actually like the unit and i prefer to write in my log book actually isnt it. Not such a good show Atomic, not good at all.

 

[donhealy]

Jimpeachey,

Thanks for the quick beta exercise. Guess you should stay old school for now. I won't be using the log software so not a big deal for me but I can just see the comments on the forum now. How does the firmware update work?

 

[Akimbo]

After a few false starts, got the firmware upgraded.

Minor bug report: The “Locate Flash” and “Start Buttons” on the Cobalt Upload/Logbook application displays as black on black on my system. I never would have figured it out without the images on: Atomic Aquatics Cobalt Updates

Configuration: Win XP, 32 bit, IE-8, all current upgrades

 

[RonR]

RonR - after all the good natured flack you have taken you aren't going to be the first to announce it?

Check this link

Now then, where are those sleeves?

I've been traveling and away from internet for a few days. I'll keep plugging away at the case. More soon.

 

[bthinnes]

Been really busy tonight so I haven't had any real time to mess but I did notice that the opening screen where you enter your height it didn’t seem to like an imperial entry. I entered 70 inches and when I left the application and then re-entered my height was entered as 892 or some other strange number. Not all that important in the grand scheme of things but for the about of time that it took to get this out that is a pretty simple in your face error that should have been caught and fixed. I don't really care too much at this time anymore. What I am happy about is the firmware upgrade worked so I should be able to get hooked up with diving log 5.0 beta 3 now.

For the small cost that Sven charges I think I'll be using it instead of anything that Atomic puts out for a loooooong time, the way things are continuing to shape up. Based on the findings of Jimpeachey I think I was sure fed a line in February during a call to Atomic. I was told then by the gal who answered the phone that she had been able to play with the application and she felt it was much better than the Suunto application. WOW I think NOT at first glance.

On top of that there really is no good way to report problems to Atomic via the internet. You have to call and I wonder if that is going to prove fruitful for reporting problems with the log application. I just don't think they are staffed to be able to deal with beta software error reporting. Time will tell but at least I have an alternative that should work now. That is certainly better that it has been.

BT