Cochran Computer Reviews

[divermike1989]

Has anyone here ever dove with the cochran computers that are on scubatoys? I'm looking at one that will do both air and multiple nitrox blends. For about the next year and a few months my dives will be made on air or 22 to 40 nitrox after that I'll be getting into adv nitrox/deco and after that trimix. I probobly won't be spending more than 500 to 600 dollars.

 

[jbichsel]

I use a Cochran Commander, FO2/PO2, fully loaded that I bought 3-4 years ago. Got a tremendous deal on it. I will give you a rundown as well as I can.

Pros:
1. Tremendously versatile. Has the ability to have multiple gas configurations during a single dive.
2. Very accurate for depth/time/temp. I also use an analog depth gauge and a Citizen Aqualand Duplex. Always within a few seconds on time, +/-1' depth, +/-2 degrees in temp.
3. Extremely programmable for liberal or conservative profile. I tend to stay on the conservative side and the Commander allows for this and more.
4. Large display, easily read, well laid out. I have the red backlit display and it is easily read at night or in dark places.
5. PC integration. (more $$)

Cons:
1. Cochran customer support leaves a LOT to be desired. I have had emails never responded to, phone calls not returned or returned weeks later.
2. Expensive. I called last year to explore trading my Commander in on a new EMC-20H with like configuration and was quoted $1,200.00.
3. Not air-integrated. It gets to be a pain sometimes having to look multiple places for computer and air supply. I have used a friends Sunnto Cobra and really liked it.
4. PC itegration is funky. Getting the 'connector' to stay on the Commander can be a PITA, the software interface is dated and clunky. Have to have a serial port, no USB.

I have a friend that has an older Cochran Gemini (wireless air-integrated) that has problems maintaining the signal from the 1st stage transmitter to the Gemini module. He has sent it back several times, but it is still not all that reliable.

Hope this helps.

 

[cneal]

Has anyone here ever dove with the cochran computers that are on scubatoys?

I used a Cochran Captain for three years. It didn't do Nitrox so I moved on after Nitrox certification. A month or so later that model was replaced in the Cochran lineup with a 'hockey puck' that did.

The Captain was rock solid. After 80+ dives over three years I still was using the original battery. It did everything I wanted and I really liked the computer even though it was one of the cheapest around when I bought it.

 

[S. starfish]

Hey Divermike,

Not so long ago (earlier this month actually) I was in almost the exact same position you're in - I was looking for a computer that would do multiple gasses and am planning on getting into much more technical diving, including adv nitrox/deco and trimix in the future. This is what I learned: Don't bother with the big fancy computer, even though it's really cool.
I was informed that most technical divers prefer to cut their own tables, back up tables, back up backup tables and use bottom timers rather than do "trust me" dives with a computer. When you do your training it will all be tables all the way.
A friend of mine dives a cochran (an ECM 16 I think) and seems pleased with it, I asked him for advice about the cochrans and he sent me a longish e-mail about them, which I can forward to you if you want, just pm me your e-mail. It seems to me that the major drawback of diving with a cochran is that you have to preprogram it to switch gasses at a certain time/depth and once underwater you can no longer operate the buttons, so if you should lose deco gas or some such thing during a dive your computer will be absolutely useless to you.
You'll also be needing a back up computer. If you dive deco using the computer then that means you need to back it up with another deco computer, or at least a bottom timer. My suggestion to you would be to purchase a cheaper computer now with air/nitrox modes for rec diving and also a gauge mode for deco diving. I'd back that up with an air only computer that also has a gauge mode. This way you'll have what you need for the training and if you decide that you want a computer that will calculate trimix etc. for you can pick one up when you're more educated in the matter and when technology has changed a bit.
Personally I've decided to go the route of getting a suunto vyper, it has nitrox and gauge modes and a big, easy to read display for incase i'm having issues that might make reading a small display tricky, like a leaky mask or really really crap viz. When i get to the training i may back it up with another suunto computer, depends on how much I like it.
Anyway, that's pretty much where I got on my quest for knowledge, if any of it seems insulting don't take it personally, i have no idea how much you know.
You may also want to check out thedecostop.com, the guys on there will have more to say about this matter.
Good luck with the diving

 

[divermike1989]

Thanks for the review. I don't find it insulting at all...to be honest I don't have alot of experience with computers. I usually do all the math on my slate and the tables. I like the extra practive and am not sure of relying on a computer. Now if something happens I can only blame myself.

 

[S. starfish]

You're most welcome.
Personally, I love using a computer for recreational diving, since you don't tend to spend the whole dive at one depth (at least here in BC where almost all the diving is shore diving) computers give you way more bottom time, so i definitely recommend getting one. Just be careful that you don't end up being wowed by all the whistles and bells. It's good that you have a fair bit of practice with the tables, just in case the comp does something wierd, I have the NDL limits of my RDP memorized, just in case...
Deco diving is a different story, you go down, spend time at depth A and the come up with stops at B, C, and D. Apparently (again, just what i learned through my research, haven't actually experienced this, can't even say if it's true) a lot of recreational computers try to get you to 10ft asap if they go into deco mode, which doesn't seem like the greatest thing. So if you do wind up getting a comp. that you will rely on for deco stops etc. make sure its one that will have you doing some deep stops.

 

[Mark Vlahos]

I have a Cochran Gemini three nitrox gas blends (3FO2). At the time I purchased it that was my only option with a Cochran computer for 3 gasses. I have two wrist units with one of them being an intelligent backup. The end result is that I am happy with the computer, it has never given me any problems underwater, but it was expensive.

If I was doing it again I would probably get the three gas commander that is capapble of Trimix as well as Nitrox. One of the things I like about the Cochran computers is that you can still cut tables and dive your entire dive on the table, but if you need or want to the computer is right there tracking your dive. The Cochran computers always display all of the information you would need to just stick to your tables, they never "lock you out". As far as the need to program your gas switches before the dive. On a technical dive you will thoroughly plan your dive and know when you will make your switches. You can loose gasses, and if you do just revert to the tables in your pocket and treat the computer as a bottom timer with inaccurate nitrogen loading information.

I am happy with the Cochran, the display is large and easy to read, and they are extremely rugged. Batteries are easy to replace and easy to find. If you can find them at what you consider to be a reasonable price then go for it.

Mark Vlahos

 

[Vie]

I used to have a Gemini (1FO2) and had various small problems with it - I had bought it directly from Cochran and found their customer service/tech people quite professional. I was very unhappy with the computer and Cochran gave me a full refund.

I now have a Commander (1FO2, bought early last year) which has been completely reliable so far. It's my spare/pool computer so I lend it to people, use it in salt and chlorinated water and generally it gets a lot of abuse.

Pesonally I don't like the Cochran "automatic gas switch" feature (this is why I use the 1FO2 models) and find the use of the touch contacts annoying sometimes. Otoh, I love the big clear screen, ease of operation and the toughness of the wrist units. The "no lock out" feature means that the Commander makes an excellent bottom timer. I know various people who uses various Commander variants and they have never had any problems; I tend to hear about problems from Nemesis (now discontinued) and Gemini users.

 

[Somethin-Fishey]

The new Cochrans have a USB connector

The software is much improved over a year ago, but still a research project on "How NOT to make software user friendly" Everything requires 2 or 3 more clicks than it should, but it has a cubic butt-ton of info.

They aint cheap, but are EXTREMELY rugged.

 

[Somethin-Fishey]

double post