Atomic Aquatics Cobalt Dive Computer

[VinF88]

I have waited until i logged over 30 dives with the cobalt to post. I have to say i have only used 2 other computers in my time diving but the cobalt blows them out of the water. The interface is simple and intuitive, the screen is unbeatable, and the computer itself seems rugged and durable. Using a mac and mac-dive made logging dives much easier and enjoyable. The update loaded in minutes and reading the directions was all i had to do to make it work.

The case issue isn't much of an issue with some inventing - Any soft case will do the trick. Furthermore the low volume shouldn't be a factor. The computer helps bring you information, it doesn't do the dive for you. I think its up to you to monitor your gauges accordingly.

All in all im happy with my purchase and would buy it again. I'm just patiently waiting for the wrist version to come out!

 

[michael.austin12]

I just purchased two Cobalt computers one for me one for my wife. When I plug in my wife's the display reads charging and the computer charges as normal however when I plug in my computer it displays AC connected and the battery has not charged. I contacted the LDS I bought them from but, they have not been able to provide an answer to my issue. If anyone else has had this issue and knows how to resolve it i would greatly appreciate it.

 

[jpungi]

I am somewhat disappointed with the computer software friendliness for the Cobolt.
Although it seems like a great dive computer, I have had out of the box problems with two units and I am suppose to be going diving next week.
When I uploaded the latest Cobolt dive log software, Vs. 1.4.4, it automatically told me my Cobolt needed a software update. So of course, I ran the update. (I realized later this was not even necessary as the computer was shipped with Vs. 1.12 and that was the same version of the software update).The computer did it's update for 3-4 minutes, the connection was closed, and after waiting 5 minutes, the Cobolt never recovered to the time/date screen. It stayed dark.
After following the directions for recovery, which is almost the same steps as the initial update to upload the .hex file, it didn't work. The computer closes the connection right after I hit the flash upload button. I am running XP and also tried to upload on a machine using windows 7 after a fresh install of the Cobalt software. PLEASE HELP!

 

[RonR]

I just purchased two Cobalt computers one for me one for my wife. When I plug in my wife's the display reads charging and the computer charges as normal however when I plug in my computer it displays AC connected and the battery has not charged. I contacted the LDS I bought them from but, they have not been able to provide an answer to my issue. If anyone else has had this issue and knows how to resolve it i would greatly appreciate it.

Michael,
This message indicates either a problem with the battery itself, the battery fuel gauge, or the battery charging chip. For some reason the Cobalt is not detecting the battery during charging. Is the Cobalt indicating a charge % in the Main Menu? Does the computer work in other respects, or is this new from the box? In any case, I think this one should go back to Atomic. It could be a simple as a loose battery connection, but they should make sure of the cause. If these are just purchased, I'd suggest just an exchange.

Ron

 

[RonR]

... <snip>
When I uploaded the latest Cobolt dive log software, Vs. 1.4.4, it automatically told me my Cobolt needed a software update. So of course, I ran the update. (I realized later this was not even necessary as the computer was shipped with Vs. 1.12 and that was the same version of the software update).The computer did it's update for 3-4 minutes, the connection was closed, and after waiting 5 minutes, the Cobolt never recovered to the time/date screen. It stayed dark.
After following the directions for recovery, which is almost the same steps as the initial update to upload the .hex file, it didn't work. The computer closes the connection right after I hit the flash upload button. I am running XP and also tried to upload on a machine using windows 7 after a fresh install of the Cobalt software. PLEASE HELP!

I'll try to offer some suggestions, but I don't know the Windows software well. I'll ask, but I don't know why the program would have given you the message you needed to update when you had the latest version. One thing I can assure you is that nothing is harmed in the Cobalt, it's just a matter of getting the firmware to load.

When you plug and unplug the Cobalt to Windows. do you get the "ding" sound? One possibility with the initial failure is a weak or interrupted USB connection, which could be caused by the adapter, the cable, something not being firmly plugged in, or the port. Since you tried it subsequently on two computers we can rule out the port. The immediate "connection closed" message can mean the program doesn't see the Cobalt as connected. It might be worth trying another cable/ adapter. Since you had a failure with two systems and one was a fresh install (assuming the drivers were installed as well) the cable/ adapter is a common thread.

One way I know that the computer can be brought back is by running the update with the battery removed. That ensures a good reset pulse. For that matter, if the program is still there, it might not even need to be updates, a hard reset with the battery might bring it back immediately. I'll PM you with instructions for this.

Ron

 

[socalmayo]

I purchased a Cobalt in March 2011 and have had two issues. First the HP hose sprung a leak and had to be replaced. Then the buttons began to work sporadically. A few weeks ago the up button ceased operating. I contacted Atomic and received an RP number and was told it would be two weeks to repair. I told the rep I needed it repaired faster as I was traveling out of the country and was told that was possible. One week after I overnighted it I called and was told it had not been logged in and it would be two weeks after it was logged. I am getting a bit frustrated with the reliability and am beginning to think I need to purchase a backup.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

I contacted Atomic and received an RP number and was told it would be two weeks to repair. I told the rep I needed it repaired faster as I was traveling out of the country and was told that was possible. One week after I overnighted it I called and was told it had not been logged in and it would be two weeks after it was logged.

Uh, wow. I would have been on the phone blowing a head gasket until I was sure a loaner was on its way in time for the trip or something. :furious: The only term that comes to mind for that kind of customer service on a $1200 dive computer is 'grossly unacceptable.' Hope they un that one for you in time.

[Edit: That's much more like it.]

 

[socalmayo]

After a call to Atomic and a follow-up email, my Cobalt was repaired and it should be back in my hands by tomorrow. I still wonder about the longterm reliability of the computer and wonder if I need a backup.

 

[kdsmithjr]

I purchased a Cobalt in March 2011 and have had two issues. First the HP hose sprung a leak and had to be replaced. Then the buttons began to work sporadically. A few weeks ago the up button ceased operating. I contacted Atomic and received an RP number and was told it would be two weeks to repair. I told the rep I needed it repaired faster as I was traveling out of the country and was told that was possible. One week after I overnighted it I called and was told it had not been logged in and it would be two weeks after it was logged. I am getting a bit frustrated with the reliability and am beginning to think I need to purchase a backup.

Huh? Backup? Well, no one would discourage you to have a backup. Usually you don't backup a computer with another computer...at least I don't. But if you really mean what you should have is a spare computer, just in case your main one....then I would advise you NOT to purchase a second cobalt as a spare. Based on a thread that is a goodly part of a year old now (and I was set on getting on--not now though), the Cobalt is a good idea that needs "more time in the oven." I can't say that the basic computer and all its gee whizz components don't work; I can say there is ample evidence here they don't work well enough all the time, i.e., an uncomfortably large number get sent back for repair.

To the company's credit....barely...they do seem to be dedicated to some decent level of customer service. But, IMHO, the basic merchandise is not ready for general sale...too many bugs that should have been ironed out in R&D

 

[kdsmithjr]

Uh, wow. I would have been on the phone blowing a head gasket until I was sure a loaner was on its way in time for the trip or something. :furious: The only term that comes to mind for that kind of customer service on a $1200 dive computer is 'grossly unacceptable.' Hope they un that one for you in time.

[Edit: That's much more like it.]

"....grossy unacceptable."? HeHe. You must be a politician. You know, the kind that call a tax hike a "revenue enhancement.