Can't Hear the alarm beeps on our Cobalts

[kroorda]

I agree with those of you who don't like audible alarms. I don't either. In fact, the only alarm I have set is if I am about to need a decompression stop.
Nevertheless, my point is that: "If you pay $1200 for a dive computer, then all it's advertised functions should work"
I also work and am associated with divers who are disabled; those who have received spial cord injuries, those who have been disabled in the military and even a person who is functionally blind. For those people, an alarm can be more important than it might be to some of you.
Everyone has their own opinion, and I respect your opinions. But, again, all I am saying is that if you pay for a feature, it should function in a way that is acceptable. (A beep that can barely (or not at all) be heard by someone with normal hearing is not acceptable). If you purchased a Lexus or Mercedes, you would expect the AM radio to work, even if you never listened to it!

I make use of a number of different forums and find them very useful. And, I must say, this is the first time I have ever experienced such an insulting reply (as I received from Dr. Lecter). The purpose of a forum is not to insult, or to suggest insult to someone you disagree with. Likewise, Dr. Lecter, I will take this opportunity to tell you that your statement that the folks at AA will bend over backwards to please me as, so far, failed to be true. I had a B2 regulator that would squeal on inhale (whether I used it or someone else used it!) I patiently sent it back to AA three times, after which it still squealed. I then sold it. My Cobalt Computer is now back to AA for the third time. Time 1: It was sent because the down arrow button was barely working. (Other people on this forum have had the same problem). AA sent the computer back exactly as I sent it to them. Time 2: The computer was sent back for the recall. After getting it back, and going on my first dive after receiving it back, the display failed, the thermometer was off more than 10 degrees, it started function irratically when the battery level reached 10%, and the down arrow button still didn't work. Time 3: The computer was sent back for all of the above - with a kind, non-threatening, letter explaining all the problems. It's been to Atomic for nearly a month now. I've received NO indication that it was ever received from them (I've never received any receipt notice on all the repairs I've sent them).

I'm glad that the majority of you like your Atomic products as you do. Even after Atomic failed to fix my regulator after three times, I still gave them another try and purchased their computer.

 

[RonR]

.... if you pay for a feature, it should function in a way that is acceptable. ...

Each person needs to be the judge of what performance and features- display legibility, algorithm, add on features like logbook or planning, or audible alarms- are acceptable to them. After the 1.12 firmware update changed the frequencies we just haven't had comments about audible alarms, so I believe most users find them acceptable. We have had quite a few requests for an option to turn them off, so clearly someone is hearing them. The fact is, given the nature of the Cobalt, the alarms really can't be made any louder. All designs are compromises, and the Cobalt opts for a heavier and more durable case at the expense of some alarm volume. If louder alarms are a make or break issue for a diver then this is probably not the right computer for them- they are as loud as they will be able to get.

Did you return your Cobalt through a dealer or directly with a RMA#? It shouldn't take a month to turn around- far from it. If you can send me specifics- or better yet call Atomic directly- I'm sure it can be tracked down. I'm not clear what the display failing or functioning erratically entails, but I know that reported temperature errors usually track back to heat retention in the fairly massive case- the depth and temperature sensors are integrated, and buried fairly deeply, so they take time to equalize and if the computer is hand held may always read a bit high. Button sensitivity can be altered by changing the magnet strength, that should be a very easy fix.

Ron

 

[fisheater]

With my thick (& very warm) Otter Bay Hood, I can't hear anyone's alarm, let alone mine.

I've never relied on an alarm, anyway.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dr. Lecter]

So, to get this clear:

*You do hear noises from your B2--and from a new, different B2 AA sent you free of charge--that almost nobody else hears.

*You don't hear noises from your Cobalt that almost everyone else hears.

You may want to get your ears checked, as it sounds like it's you, not AA products, that are...atypical. And I notice you ignored my question about whether you wear a hood when you magically can't hear the Cobalt's loud (to me) beeping.

In any event, if AA has had your Cobalt for a freaking month and hasn't sent it back or contacted you about it...CALL THEM. I've also never received a reciept notice for any of the three times I sent a Cobalt back -- probably because the first two times it was next day FedExed back to me within a few days of AA receiving the unit, and the 3rd time I waited a little less than 2 weeks for AA to replace a flooded Cobalt with a brand new box O' Cobalt.

P.S. If you find my post insulting, working on the whiny, self-important tone of your own postings might assist your future quest to avoid having to be offended by others' replies to you.

 

[tridacna]

I'm not doubting the veracity of your post. I will simply state that my experience(s) with AA have been exemplary. My only complaint is ''where's the wristmount Cobalt? C'mon guys...

 

[Atomic Aquatics]

Thanks Ron!

Atomic Aquatics

First question is what firmware version you have. The alarm frequencies were changed about 1.12 to ones that seemed more audible to most people. Since making that change we have seen very few comments about the alarms being too quiet- many more, actually like Dr. Lecter, are wanting an option to turn all of them off completely because they want to stop hearing them (which may happen in a future firmware update). There is a new firmware version, 1.41, on the Atomic website now that all Cobalt users should install- it has quite a few feature enhancements.

Second would be to check if your alarm is working- you can do this by going to the System Info screen and selecting the Demo- this will take you to a series of dummy dive screens , in some of them you can press the UP button to initiate a rapid ascent alarm, others will demo the beeps that happen when getting to a stop or when switching gases. I'll note that in a dive a rapid ascent must continue for some time (minimum 10 seconds) before it generates an audible alarm- this is to decrease the irritation value and tie it more to behaviors with actual deco consequences.

The basic issue is that the Cobalt has a very heavily constructed and quite massive case. That has the effect of dampening the sound coming from the alarm inside it. The sounder itself is the loudest we could find that is practical for power and size- it's actually painfully loud when it's not inside the case. Without putting a piezo disc behind a thin, light plastic door (as many recreational computers running off coin type batteries do), we can't increase the volume. The Cobalt is just a computer that has audible alarms that are on the quieter side- though checking alongside other computers it's not a complete outlier in that respect. There is not any way to crank up the volume without a complete redesign of the case, it's as loud as it can go given the nature of the design and its robust construction.

I'd disagree about audible alarms being a critical aspect of a dive computer. There are some computers that don't have them at all. Even very loud alarms are of short duration and can be missed- they are no substitute for monitoring instruments. And divers in cold water environments with drysuit hoods and insulation are unlikely to hear any alarm, however loud. How important alarms are to you is just one of those things that is a matter of personal preference- that's why the Cobalt's settings for Alerts offer the option of audible + visual, visual only, or off.

If you have any concerns that your sounder might not be working correctly, check with Atomic. But essentially this is one of the inherent aspects of the Cobalt's design, like being a console.

Ron

 

[divad]

Three friends of mine, and I, all have Cobalt computers. Likewise, none of us have ever heard a peep or beep out of any of our computers, even though we may have ascended a little to fast or caused some sort of alarm condition at some time or another.

Have you considered that you may not be as crummy divers as you portray yourselves to be? (Gee Wally, did you have to say "crummy"?)

 

[kroorda]

Ron, Thank you so much for your kind reply. I have contacted Atomic (by phone). They told me that they are working on it and will most likely replace it. It appears (to them) as though it leaked after it was last sent to them for the recall. (That explains a lot of the problems). Thanks again.

 

[Rythmmaker]

Just wanted to add my voice to the thread - I like that it is so easy to decide if you want an audible alarm for various things and that I can turn them on or off, as desired. BUT - there are a couple of alarms that I like to have set on mine - and I like for them to be audible. Truth is - I can barely hear them - and sometimes can't hear them at all.