Aladin Prime Problem

[Maurice]

Hi all,

I recently bought a Prime divecomputer. I cannot really say I am enjoying the use of it. Here's a description of my problem:

My first dive it worked perfectly until I returned to the surface. Then it remained logging a depth of 0.8 meter. Not knowing if it was me or my divecomputer that was not doing the right thing I decided to do another dive with after about 1 hour. (it was still logging my first dive at a current depth of 0.8 meter.)

I am not new to diving, o-rings, electronic equipment or using (Aladin) divecomputers but this was a rather disapointing experience. I stopped using the computer on my divetrip, had to do 12 dives without computer.

Upon return to Holland I found my instructor, who recently bought a same model computer had the same problem, except her computer stayed at 4 meters depth.

Advice of the Dutch reseller, after my return to Holland, was to just go and dive again with this computer. The problem seems to be new to Uwatec... but I doubt it is new to Aladin Users.

Did anyone experience similar problems with the Aladin Prime? Is there a solution, or do you have a suggestion? Please let me know!

Cheers,

Maurice

 

[Wijbrandus]

Unfortunately, all I can say is my wife dove her new Aladin Prime this weekend, and it worked flawlessly for her. This was a cold water altitude dive on a very hot day, so we put it through it's paces pretty well.

Considering you are relying on your computer for safety, I would definitely want an exchange. Then dive the new one to see if it has similar issues. I don't trust a computer myself at all (I repair them for a living), and I won't dive one that's had issues previously. They just don't miraculously fix themselves.

 

[Maurice]

Unfortunately, all I can say is my wife dove her new Aladin Prime this weekend, and it worked flawlessly for her. This was a cold water altitude dive on a very hot day, so we put it through it's paces pretty well.

Considering you are relying on your computer for safety, I would definitely want an exchange. Then dive the new one to see if it has similar issues. I don't trust a computer myself at all (I repair them for a living), and I won't dive one that's had issues previously. They just don't miraculously fix themselves.

Excactly my point Wijbrandus... I am working in ICT, I know about electronics and miracles... I also know not to rely on computers...

Anyway, I would like to swap... but I need to convince Uwatec of this... they won't swap for "no" reason. Also I am wondering if more people have seen this problem with the Prime. Then it might be a flaw in the design somewhere... and get Uwatec to recall the Prime, or so... but I fear accidents have to happen before they act.

 

[leadweight]

I have the Tec, 23 dives, no problems so far. However, a computer that stays in the dive mode when out of the water is broken.

 

[wunat]

I was considering getting Aladin Prime or Aladin Tec last week. My concern was the fact that the units were pretty new and there are possibilities that there are bugs some where which requires some time before UWATEC actually knows about them from the market.

I went to my LDS and they said they don't have a unit on display. But they managed to show me an Aladin Prime which a customer sent in for service. I asked them what was the problem. According the LDS, the unit gives about 40 minutes more time in one of the dives when compared to another UWATEC computer which started diving at the same time.

...............just to share a different type of problem discovered out there.................

In the end, I decided to get an Oceanic ATOM instead.

 

[jag_jj]

Have dived with my Prime for over 30+ dives, no problems. Try cleaning the water contacts with soapy water and see if helps...

 

[Maurice]

Hey All,

I just got a reply on a mail I sent to Scubapro two weeks ago. It seems I have got an older version of this Prime computer. My model still has a see through batterycap. New versions have a black cap. It seems the old version has a problem with light shining on the backside. The presuresensor cannot cope with too much light, shining throught the batterycap.

Problem is known to Scubapro. It should be ok to go dive with the computer. When it enters this faulty state it should reset within 12 hours... but it is something that should be fixed.

Cheers,

Maurice

 

[Xizang]

Hey All,

I just got a reply on a mail I sent to Scubapro two weeks ago. It seems I have got an older version of this Prime computer. My model still has a see through batterycap. New versions have a black cap. It seems the old version has a problem with light shining on the backside. The presuresensor cannot cope with too much light, shining throught the batterycap.

Problem is known to Scubapro. It should be ok to go dive with the computer. When it enters this faulty state it should reset within 12 hours... but it is something that should be fixed.

Cheers,

Maurice

will changing the battery cap to the black ones solve the problem then?

 

[rambler]

Maurice, did the email mention if the problem with the see through battery caps were the same for the Aladin Tec. I just picked up one of them a few days agoa and it has a clear batt cap, and was wondering.

Hey All,

I just got a reply on a mail I sent to Scubapro two weeks ago. It seems I have got an older version of this Prime computer. My model still has a see through batterycap. New versions have a black cap. It seems the old version has a problem with light shining on the backside. The presuresensor cannot cope with too much light, shining throught the batterycap.

Problem is known to Scubapro. It should be ok to go dive with the computer. When it enters this faulty state it should reset within 12 hours... but it is something that should be fixed.

Cheers,

Maurice

 

[Wijbrandus]

I'm also curious if there is a workaround solution, or if I need to contact ScubaPro and get a new cap. Leaving on a trip shortly, can't have the computer freaking out at the wrong moment. Maybe some duct tape can fix it temporarily?