Oceanic just removed the "Buddy Check" wordage from the literature on the new products. It has something to do with a legal issue regarding a trademarking or registration of the wording "Buddy Check". All of the hoseless, air integrated computers (Atom 3.0, VT4, OC1) can still be used with multiple transmitters for deco gas, pony bottles, etc. So, to get the buddy check feature, you just need to input your buddy's transmitter code into your computer, and you'll have the buddy check feature.
Brad
Thanks, that's great news - but not very apparent from the Oceanic website. One question, and although I have an Atom 2 that supports buddy check, I haven't actually used it, so I may not have things 100% correct here.
When an additional transmitter is used for a buddy check there is a button sequence that shows you your buddy's tank pressure on a transient display that will revert back to main dive mode, either after a short period of time, or after another button sequence.
When an additional transmitter is used for deco gas, pony bottle, etc. it's configured as such and you need to use a different button sequence to switch tanks. This sequence is more permanent and doesn't time out, although you could always enter the button sequence a second time to switch back.
With units shipped after nov. 1, is that first method of operation still available, even if not called buddy check for legal reasons? Or will I have to 'switch' tanks to check and then switch back?
I have the old copy of the Atom3 manual downloaded, and I just downloaded the new version. In comparing the two it seems that Oceanic simply removed the pages/diagrams that dealt with buddy check (as opposed to calling it something else). To me this implies that switching would be necessary.
So is it just an update to the manual to delete the buddy check words, or is there a change to the firmware as well?
If anyone from Oceanic is listening, it would be nice to get some clarification on this change.
@divemaven and @andydragon - thanks for the feedback on buddy check's actual usefulness. I was aware of the distance limits, but since I have the atom 2 already, I had limited my search for a new DC to units from Oceanic specifically to use the buddy check feature. Only to find out that it has been 'removed'.