Dive Computer Bugs

[SCUBAMedic]

This is the post from a previous question on which computer model is better.

I dive a Suunto Cobra and use a vyper as a back up. From what I have read the UWatec blows Suunto out of the water in adaptive features in its modeling. But as we have seen with both brands is the same trend that PC software has had for some time, is that they are now getting bugs in the dive computers. For Sunnto it was with their Vytec in planning mode (Not a bad bug - but a bug anyway) and in the UWatec a total product recall and several postes in this forum of the computer failing at depth.

Now if your desk top computer crashes then you reboot, if your dive computer crashes then you could be in some serious poo, if you haven tabled the dive or use a back up computer. With the price that the top-of-the-line dive computers are some people may not be able to afford a second computer.

I believe that this bug trend will only get worse as new and more complicated dive computers are brought to the market.

Some times it pays to use a less adaptive, establised computer model as the tecnology is more mature and the issues have been worked out in the real world and not in the lab.

I would be interested in others view of this subject

 

[Uncle Pug]

I don't worry about no stinking bugs in my computer...

But... my Suunto Stinger bottom timer/depth gauge forgot to take itself along on our dive the other night...

..and I don't know if it was a bug in my brain but I figured the dive at 48 minutes and Shane informed me that I was waaaaay off... it was 46 minutes.

 

[techdiver2us]

Omitted from poll was backup plus tables. On occasion my 2 computers have turned into pumpkins and I wind up with 3 bottom timers. Gotta have tables.

 

[jfusaro]

I dive with dual OMS bottom timers on my left wrist and my computer between my ears.

 

[zboss]

As a software engineer and specialist in software performance - I just wanted to say that the average diver (for that matter the average american) would be appalled and frightened by the amount of defects present in all software, from our dive computers to our car computers.

The number of defects reaching market are only increasing as companies try and push their product out the door faster as to remain competitive based upon features or just to match the requirements as outlined during the initial conceptual engineering phase.

If I had a choice... I would buy a dive computer that is several years old but with most of the defects worked out and those that were never fixed have the advantage of being predictable... BUT I am a novice diver in this respect.

One thing I can say is that just because a newer version of the same computer is available does not necessarily mean that it is as defect free as it's predicesor.

 

[Uncle Pug]

zboss once bubbled...
One thing I can say is that just because a newer version of the same computer is available does not necessarily mean that it is as defect free as it's predecessor.

Same holds true for older model brains... they are to be preferred.

 

[earl]

As yet another software developer (bioinformatics), most end users would be appalled at the number of bugs in shipping software. However, software testing is slow, hard, and costly. When the market pushes hard on price, software testing is one of the first things to go... Just something to thing if you catch yourself considering price as one of the top selection criteria.

-earl-

 

[Snoopy]

The thought of diving with a back up DC never crossed me yet. Perhaps it was due to the nature of my dives, being recreational , on compressed air and non-compression based.

Or that I am just to broke to afford another DC.

I hoped that my Aladin Pro falls into the "reliable" catagory.

Cheers

zboss once bubbled...
If I had a choice... I would buy a dive computer that is several years old but with most of the defects worked out and those that were never fixed have the advantage of being predictable... BUT I am a novice diver in this respect.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Snoopy once bubbled...
I hoped that my Aladin Pro falls into the "reliable" catagory.

... eliminate dependance upon a DC altogether and learn how to use a bottom timer and depth gauge combined with tables.

 

[BFaure]

As an owner of a VR3 (which has failed a few times) I really recommend the use of backup tables. The VR3 is a new computer and I agree with the logic of new computers have bugs (a ton of them) I also own a vyper (which is an older computer) and it has never failed as a bottom timer....and my wet notes have never failed me yet...