Cobalt computer "schedule not verified! error" cannot dive with computer

[scubakoop]

Took my shiny new Cobalt on a liveaboard trip. Never did get to use my new computer. All I could get on the dive screen is the same error in a yellow band. The manual was worthless in addressing this, as they claim it should be attached to a deco violation. It is pretty hard to violate a deco stop before diving while aboard the boat??? Never touched the water. So I took it down on a dive and all it ever gave me was tank pressure. No depth, no anything else???

So disappointed....

So now I sit in the Marina at George Town Bahamas thinking I could plug it in and check it online etc...
But the software is lame as well....

disappointed again??

Any takers on this one???

 

[Agility]

did you go by plane?
maybe it was turned on at takeoff and did not like the fasr ascent?

 

[Dr. Lecter]

Did you test it before you left? Even if it has a deco violation somehow, it shouldn't prevent you from using it (which was one of the reasons I bought one when they first came out).

 

[scubakoop]

I can't say that I tested it. I did connect it to my computer and updated the firmware. If the error was there on the dive screen when I was at home, I didn't notice it. I thought about the plane thing, but I always bring my computer and it never flips out from being at altitude. Plus if it were just a deco violation, it would have cleared after 24 hours. The error has persisted the entire week. I had time yesterday with an internet connection to re-flash the firmware. The computer started up cleared, asking for the date and time...etc. When i got to the dive screen, the same error showed on the screen. Sad, but I am guessing the unit is defective and will go back to Atomic for replacement. Live and learn, next time I will triple check before leaving. I was really looking forward to having a screen I could read!! Good thing I brought a backup computer!! BTW..the trip was great!!!

---------- Post added November 9th, 2013 at 08:27 PM ----------

I can't say that I tested it. I did connect it to my computer and updated the firmware. If the error was there on the dive screen when I was at home, I didn't notice it. I thought about the plane thing, but I always bring my computer and it never flips out from being at altitude. Plus if it were just a deco violation, it would have cleared after 24 hours. The error has persisted the entire week. I had time yesterday with an internet connection to re-flash the firmware. The computer started up cleared, asking for the date and time...etc. When i got to the dive screen, the same error showed on the screen. Sad, but I am guessing the unit is defective and will go back to Atomic for replacement. Live and learn, next time I will triple check before leaving. I was really looking forward to having a screen I could read!! Good thing I brought a backup computer!! BTW..the trip was great!!!

I did the firmware at home a couple months prior to trip when I first bought the computer. The other thing that puzzles me about the error is that from what I read, it should be coupled with a deco error message, and that the computer should otherwise function during a dive. The message is only the "schedule not verified error" and nothing else, just a yellow text box across the top of the screen. No "deco violation...etc" what so ever! Also the computer did NOTHING at depth other than show my tank pressure as it went down. No other data on the screen!!
So that pretty much covers it. When I get back to the states on Monday, I will call Atomic and see how the customer service thing goes!!

Thanks for reading
Jim

 

[Dr. Lecter]

It should go well, I always had excellent service on my Cobalts. Call em up, tell them what's wrong, get an RMA #, send it back, and they're pretty good about fixing it fast and shipping it next day or 2 day IME.

 

[RonR]

The only thing I can think of that might cause this is a catastrophic failure of the sensor for depth, causing the Cobalt to think there was a dive when there was not- that is consistent with it not displaying depth in a dive, as it detects bad sensor readings and locks them out. You are correct, the manual does not address this as this message should only be seen if there is a deco violation.

The Cobalt won't prevent diving or lock out in the event of a deco violation, but will display the warning, which you can page through with buttons. It will display the yellow banner at the top of the dive screen, but otherwise functions normally.

If you look in the dive log, is there a dive displayed other than the test dive from the factory? Still, the deco violation should clear when enough time has passed. I think Dr. Lecter is right, this one needs to go back to Atomic ASAP. Sorry for the slow reply, we have all been at the DEMA show, and very much sorry for your missing the use of the Cobalt on your trip. But this sounds like a hardware failure, and a very odd one. Please let me know when you return it and your information through a PM so I can follow this up directly and we can determine what happened to your unit. This is not a failure we have seen previously.

Ron

 

[scubakoop]

It should go well, I always had excellent service on my Cobalts. Call em up, tell them what's wrong, get an RMA #, send it back, and they're pretty good about fixing it fast and shipping it next day or 2 day IME.

That is what I was hoping for, so thank you for the reply!! I will call them tomorrow.

Thank You
Jim

---------- Post added November 10th, 2013 at 08:23 AM ----------

The only thing I can think of that might cause this is a catastrophic failure of the sensor for depth, causing the Cobalt to think there was a dive when there was not- that is consistent with it not displaying depth in a dive, as it detects bad sensor readings and locks them out. You are correct, the manual does not address this as this message should only be seen if there is a deco violation.

The Cobalt won't prevent diving or lock out in the event of a deco violation, but will display the warning, which you can page through with buttons. It will display the yellow banner at the top of the dive screen, but otherwise functions normally.

If you look in the dive log, is there a dive displayed other than the test dive from the factory? Still, the deco violation should clear when enough time has passed. I think Dr. Lecter is right, this one needs to go back to Atomic ASAP. Sorry for the slow reply, we have all been at the DEMA show, and very much sorry for your missing the use of the Cobalt on your trip. But this sounds like a hardware failure, and a very odd one. Please let me know when you return it and your information through a PM so I can follow this up directly and we can determine what happened to your unit. This is not a failure we have seen previously.

Ron

Thank you for the response Ron. I was REALLY looking forward to using the Cobalt. My eyes are slowing making me stretch my arms out to read, and are almost not long enough I like to refer to it as "old man eyes"!!

The display did NOT show any data upon diving to around 80 feet. The only info was tank psi and NOTHING else!!
I took it down on 2 dives hoping it would somehow clear. The only dive in the log is the test dive. The 2 times I took it down on a dive were not recorded in the dive log of the computer.
I think it definitely needs the factory to check it out for sure.

Do I just call in, or is the a web based RMA.

Jim

 

[RonR]

I think the best thing would be to call and get an RMA. If you can take a picture of the display I would love to see. Let me know the RMA # you get and I will follow up.

Ron

 

[scubakoop]

I think the best thing would be to call and get an RMA. If you can take a picture of the display I would love to see. Let me know the RMA # you get and I will follow up.

Ron

Back home...went from 90 degrees and sunny beach...to 30 degrees in Ohio! Bummer!
I took a couple screen pics. I can't figure out how to attach to a PM?? If you want me to email them please give me your email address!
Thanks
Jim

 

[Oldbear]

Scubakoop,

For the past year I have been diving more tech style of diving then rec, thus I have not used my Cobalt. As I prepare for a trip to the Florida Keys next week I discovered that my battery had issues holding a charge. I called Atomic and they told me that the technician was on a call with another customer and to leave my number so he could call me back. Within 30 minutes (what was lunchtime for him) he called me. After we discussed my issue he emailed me a RMA number and shipping instructions within mere minutes. This was last Wed so I am expecting the Cobalt back to me any day. I also used Atomic's customer service once before and it was equally as great.

This time I will do my fair share and keep my Cobalt charged and not let it sit so long.

Good luck with your Cobalt...it truly is the best computer on the market.

~Oldbear~