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

[tracydr]

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).

Yeah, I test every tiny bit of my equipment before even the smallest dive trip. Before a Livaboard? I'd be going to the lake a few times to make sure everything is bullet proof, including lights, drysuit/wetsuit and of course the computers with new batteries.

 

[scubakoop]

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~

Got the RMA via email! I was a little skeptical at first because I had no idea what company they said when they answered the phone...then I got transferred to voicemail. I thought that is was going to be a train wreck!! But within about 10 minutes I got a call back and was issued an RMA via email!!
Very impressed so far

Jim

 

[Phil_C]

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 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

Jim,

Sorry you have had problems - I have a Cobalt and it has been great, I have out about 150 dives on it. Only problem I have had was that one of the buttons got caught being dragged over the side of a RHIB one day and the rubber got displaced. I spoke to Atomic and they talked me through how to remove the front and put the button rubber back in place - first class service.

I have chimed in though because I do no think this will be related to flying. Mine goes up in a plane every fortnight (I commute 3,000 miles to work) and it has never registered anything or had any problems.

I'd send the unit back to Atomic as it sounds like the firmware upgrade didm't go correctly to me. _ best wishes Phil.

 

[scubakoop]

I thought the flying thing was a stretch. I think every diver on a trip is flying their equipment somewhere!! It was almost like it was "stuck" on that message??

Next liveaboard is in March 2014...so I have plenty of time to get everything in order. I do check my equipment at home, but I am way to busy to go on a test
dive right before a trip. I work usually right up until the day before or day of a trip. I just make sure I have several sets of replacement batteries and several options
for exposure protection..and a swim suit or 2

 

[RonR]

Flying with the Cobalt is not a problem, unless it is kept wet while in the air or the adapter for power/ USB in installed, activating the water contacts. Then it will think it is going into a dive as pressure increases on descent. This has happened to a few people and is not a happy situation, but the OP's problem is something else- probably a sensor failure, but we need to check.

Ron

 

[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???[/QUOTE
Update: Atomic has replaced my dive computer without question. I really appreciate the excellent customer service. They have won my loyalty for many years to come!
They still have not finished diagnosing my old computer. I believe there was a sensor error that locked it up on that message.
Thanks for everyone's help.
Jim

 

[dgardyne]

I am currently on a trip in Cozumel and my Cobalt seems to have failed on my first dive. It did not register depth until I was about 25 feet down and then was consistently measuring about 6-8 feet less depth than my backup computer when it did finally register depth. On the second dive it was showing that I was deeper than I actually was, and still showed about 6 feet of depth on the surface, out of the water and did not end that dive for a couple of hours. Finally the computer returned to 0 depth but was fluctuating and showing depth at time. It actually registered a couple of dives while on the surface, one with a spike to 363 feet and now it is registering a deco violation error when in the dive mode.

I checked the setting and barometric pressure and temperature are not locked up but rather fluctuating even at sea level and constant temperature. Right now as I type this it is showing 910 mbar and -30F. I am wondering if there is anything that I can reset in firmware to try to get the computer to function again? I have another week here to dive and this is very disappointing. It has always been reliable until now.

Any suggestions Ron if you see this? I have photos of the error screens that I can share if it helps. Also, firmware is 1.41/2. Is it worth trying to reinstall the firmware or anything?

 

[RonR]

<snip>

Any suggestions Ron if you see this? I have photos of the error screens that I can share if it helps. Also, firmware is 1.41/2. Is it worth trying to reinstall the firmware or anything?

What you are describing sounds to me like a depth sensor failure. I wish I could tell you that reinstalling firmware or rebooting would help (it won't hurt). But I don't think this is a firmware problem, rather a hardware failure. The fact that the temperature and atmospheric pressure are fluctuating (-30° f is the lowest we will display) is a good clue, as both these come from the same sensor. I would not consider the sensor trustworthy, even if it looked like it started reading correctly.

I'm really sorry this happened on your trip, but I don't think there is any way to resurrect this particular Cobalt. On the bright side, I expect you will be getting a replacement computer. You might call Atomic tomorrow and see if they have any loaners available in Cozumel- I know they do in some destinations.

Keep me posted, and feel free to PM me with any questions.

Ron

 

[ScubaND]

Are all of these issues with the cobalt 1 or the new cobalt 2 that just releases about 2 weeks ago?

 

[RonR]

Are all of these issues with the cobalt 1 or the new cobalt 2 that just releases about 2 weeks ago?

All are Cobalt 1's. The one just above is a couple of years old, manufactured in 2011- though I don't know how long it has been in use. Sensor failures like this have been rare, but with thousands in the field some will happen. Atomic is very good about dealing with such issues, though.

Ron