Atomic Aquatics Cobalt Dive Computer

[Straegen]

Point #2: the Atomic protectors suck...I've already got ZAGG screens on my units, not a federal case, I'm used to having to modify/upgrade/redesign scuba gear.....and I think scuba gear makers need to hire me as a consultant !

Point #3: BC clippy thingy...major suckage !!! ...the millisecond I saw it I thought WTF ??? !!! One glimpse at say, an Oceanic Pro Plus II, would have given Atomic the correct answer to how to design/include a proper DC attachment point. Luckily once again I invented my way out of yet another manufacturer shortcoming and 'fixed' my units....something I shouldn't have had to do on a $ 1200 computer in development for freakin' YEARS....story of my life!

Which Zagg did you use and how did you finally decide to attach the unit?

The Cobalt waits two minutes to "end" a dive after you reach the surface (<3 feet)- if you descend again within the two minutes it is treated as a continuation of the previous dive, not a repetitive dive. This setting is defined by the algorithm. I'm guessing what was happening is that you got up to the surface and on the boat quickly enough that the Cobalt was still in the dive. At that point turning off the air would cause a low air pressure alert and probably an air time remaining alert (depending on how you had set the dive preferences for alerts). After two minutes turning off the air should not do anything with alerts.

This one seems like an easy firmware fix (understand for many reasons it may not be though). When the air gets shut off and the diver is above 3' or so don't fire the alarm even if the computer is "in the dive". I think I tripped this one myself.

 

[RonR]

This one seems like an easy firmware fix (understand for many reasons it may not be though). When the air gets shut off and the diver is above 3' or so don't fire the alarm even if the computer is "in the dive". I think I tripped this one myself.

The decision was made to err on the side of caution, and trigger the alerts when in a dive without minimum depth conditions. It would be easy to do from a "just making it happen" point of view- maybe... I'll take a look at this, but sometimes these sort of changes have unintended (and undesired) consequences when something unusual is done in the profile. If divers always did what we expect them to do designing these things would be a lot easier. We have to allow for multiple ascent/ descent seesaw profiles, gas switching, the possibility that tank pressures could change rapidly for other reasons (like a burst hose- not that one wouldn't notice a burst hose more readily than the alert, but you get my drift) and, well, it gets complicated. Sometimes something that seems simple doesn't end up being so. It's going on my list, though. Thanks.

 

[RonR]

Nice responses Ron, good to see consumer feedback being received well and taken back for review. I applaud you and the Atomic team.

Thanks, and it's for more than review- when the first firmware update is released (soon, and I know the desktop software is not up yet) there will be several changes- like adding average depth, showing surface intervals between older dives in the log, and some changes to the simulator that came directly from comments on this thread.

 

[Indian Valley Scuba]

Not a surprise at all when dealing with such a first class outfit, Ron.

That's one reason we recommend Atomic products to so many divers!

 

[Downing]

As well as the newly designed hard case in partnership with Underwater Kinetics.

Glossy black micro case with a clear lid. Cobalt emeshed in tailored foam padding inside a shock absorbant rubber liner. Automatic pressure equalization valve. High impact ABS, LEXAN, polyurethane rubber and titanium construction. O-ring sealed. "Atomic Aquatics" badge on top. MSRP $49.95.

Very tough, very cool and a worthy accessory for the Cobalt from the leader in recreational scuba gear design.

 

[Downing]

Oh, wait. That was just a dream I had the other night.

Nevermind.

 

[donhealy]

RonR,

I have my Cobra III in my hand. It has less than 40 dives logged. I'm on my way to the dive shop to trade it for the Cobalt. Can't wait to get in the water with it!

 

[jpassov]

Just picked my Cobalt up last night!! I am selling my Cobra2.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/classifieds-computers-gauges-watches-analyzers/372749-suunto-cobra2-w-all-accessories-575-a.html

RonR,

I have my Cobra III in my hand. It has less than 40 dives logged. I'm on my way to the dive shop to trade it for the Cobalt. Can't wait to get in the water with it!

 

[donhealy]

Just got the Cobalt. It's way easy to program and use. Only issue is the saturation bar. For those of us that are color challenged, the green/yellow progression dots appear the same color. Good thing I pay attention to the NDL time and have a wife that can tell me how many dots until yellow and then how many to red.

Put the Cobra III up for consignment at Sea Stallion.

 

[RonR]

Just got the Cobalt. It's way easy to program and use. Only issue is the saturation bar. For those of us that are color challenged, the green/yellow progression dots appear the same color. Good thing I pay attention to the NDL time and have a wife that can tell me how many dots until yellow and then how many to red.

Put the Cobra III up for consignment at Sea Stallion.

Thanks for the insight. We actually spent quite a bit of effort trying to ensure the color display would be visible to the partially color blind, using filters and color specialists- that's why the "red" is not really red, but has a lot of yellow. Not being able to see red on black is the most common problem. There are about as many types of color vision as there are people though, and it helps to get feedback. We will look at altering the luminance a bit more between the green and yellow to increase contrast. For what it's worth, there are six green segments, and five each for yellow and red. Red kicks in about when your no deco time approaches zero.