Dive Computer Technology?

[gcbryan]

This is an open ended question for anyone with the knowledge to answer...

1)What are the limiting factors preventing a Liquivision X1 type of display from being used in hockey puck $400 type of computers? I assume cost, battery considerations, and perhaps size of the enclosure but I don't know for sure. Also what is the chance of the component cost coming down dramatically?

2.What are the memory requirements/limitations for entry level hockey pock computers? How feasible would it be to have display user controllable much like you can control your "desktop" with Windows.

3.How hard/what cost considerations would there be for entry level computers to have software choices so that you aren't stuck with Buhlmann derived algorithms or having to ignore your computer on occasion because what it's recommending is not what you feel to be best?

Just in general, need all of these features only be in very expensive computers? Is there anything inherent (other than the display question) in these changes that have to involve great cost?

With respect to the display question if cost is the main issue I'm wondering what the volume differences are between for instance Liquivision and Oceanic. You would think Oceanic would have some volume advantages (but probably not enough at present to be used in low cost models).

 

[fnfalman]

I'm not familiar with the Liquidvision. I know what it is but I have yet to see how it works. But how much display do you need? You have bottom time, pressure reading (AI computer), depth reading, nitrogen loading, oxygen loading and ascend rate. What else need to be shown?

As far as selectable deco algorithm, the Oceanic OC-1 allows you to select either the modified Bulhman (RGBM) or the Haldanian algorithm that most recreational computers use.

 

[Kern]

I'm not familiar with the Liquidvision. I know what it is but I have yet to see how it works. But how much display do you need? You have bottom time, pressure reading (AI computer), depth reading, nitrogen loading, oxygen loading and ascend rate. What else need to be shown?

He's talking about the OLED display

As far as selectable deco algorithm, the Oceanic OC-1 allows you to select either the modified Bulhman (RGBM) or the Haldanian algorithm that most recreational computers use.

It uses Buhlmann ZHL-16C, nothing to do with RGBM.

 

[TheBigPhillyFish]

The liquidvison are intended for OC technical diving, and CCR's. Unless you intend to get into either one of those, don't even bother. And as far as I am aware of, the Liquidvision does not support air intergration, only offers O2 sensor for CCR.

It all depends on what your looking for in a DC. By the sounds of it you want a DC thats not so conservative. There is plenty out there to choice from. And another question you need to ask yourself, do you want or need wrist mounted?

I could list a few to look into:

Oceanic OC1 is nice it allows the user to switch between two algorithms, and also allows programing of additional safety levels, it also has air integration. It allows 3 mixes, O2 21-100%. Downfall, pricey msrp $1850, $1500 with out transmitter.

Scubapro / Uwatec Galileo and Galileo Luna IMO one of the better of the recreational DC's. Is wrist mounted and air integrated, offers 3 gas mixes from 21-100% O2, and has an electronic compass, which is considered one of the better on the market. Can also read up to 4 transmitters. This DC also has a very large data logbook. This is a middle of the road DC, the diver can program up to 6 micro-bubble levels for increased safety. MSRP $1350

Sherwood Wisdom 2 is a console mounted air integrated DC. At this time I personally use this DC. ITs air integrated with quick disconnects. Its a very liberal DC with very large easy to read numbers. The one thing I really like about this DC is the safety stop timer. It is very easy to navigate through the settings. Will do nitrox I believe up to 40%. MSRP $895, you can usually find these pretty cheap around the 400-500 mark.

Oceanic VT3 is a wrist mounted air integrated DC. This DC offers the ability to monitor 3 transmitters and 3 different nitrox gasses. This DC has a large face for a wrist mounted DC. I have actually tried one of these at an Oceanic event and loved it. This DC also offers a safety stop timer. It has a surprisingly easy to read face. MSRP 999.00

Aeris Elite T3 is a wrist mounted air integrated DC. This DC also offers the ability to monitor 3 separate transmitters and allows for 3 different gases up to 100% 02. The large face is easily readable. I have also tried one of these, and I put it in the same class as the Oceanic VT3. I believe this and the VT3 actual computer and algorithms are made by the same company just put in different shells and sold under different names. MSRP 999.00

Other air integrated DC's to consider Oceanic Atom 2.0, Aeris Compumask, Suunto D9 and Vyper, Uwatec Aladin Smart Tech. And also remember there is plenty of non integrated wrist mounted DC's out there.

I can honestly say if I was looking for a recreational DC right now I think I would be looking at the Scubapro/Uwatec Galileo Luno. I like the features this DC offers, and having an electronic compass is really nice. I also prefer the large square screen to the smaller screens of the round DC watch type. But don't take anyone word for it. Find a local dive shop that carries what your choices are and try them out. Make sure the fit is what your looking for, also make sure they offer safety stop timers, and find out if its conservative, middle of the road or liberal algorithms. I hope this was somewhat of a help! Goodluck.

 

[ianr33]

Whats this "Liquidvision" computer people keep talking about?

 

[mkutyna]

liquidvision - Google Search

The very first link.

 

[ianr33]

Oh ! You mean the LIQUIVISION

 

[gcbryan]

The liquidvison are intended for OC technical diving, and CCR's. Unless you intend to get into either one of those, don't even bother. And as far as I am aware of, the Liquidvision does not support air intergration, only offers O2 sensor for CCR.

It all depends on what your looking for in a DC. By the sounds of it you want a DC thats not so conservative. There is plenty out there to choice from. And another question you need to ask yourself, do you want or need wrist mounted?

I could list a few to look into:

Oceanic OC1 is nice it allows the user to switch between two algorithms, and also allows programing of additional safety levels, it also has air integration. It allows 3 mixes, O2 21-100%. Downfall, pricey msrp $1850, $1500 with out transmitter.

Scubapro / Uwatec Galileo and Galileo Luna IMO one of the better of the recreational DC's. Is wrist mounted and air integrated, offers 3 gas mixes from 21-100% O2, and has an electronic compass, which is considered one of the better on the market. Can also read up to 4 transmitters. This DC also has a very large data logbook. This is a middle of the road DC, the diver can program up to 6 micro-bubble levels for increased safety. MSRP $1350

Sherwood Wisdom 2 is a console mounted air integrated DC. At this time I personally use this DC. ITs air integrated with quick disconnects. Its a very liberal DC with very large easy to read numbers. The one thing I really like about this DC is the safety stop timer. It is very easy to navigate through the settings. Will do nitrox I believe up to 40%. MSRP $895, you can usually find these pretty cheap around the 400-500 mark.

Oceanic VT3 is a wrist mounted air integrated DC. This DC offers the ability to monitor 3 transmitters and 3 different nitrox gasses. This DC has a large face for a wrist mounted DC. I have actually tried one of these at an Oceanic event and loved it. This DC also offers a safety stop timer. It has a surprisingly easy to read face. MSRP 999.00

Aeris Elite T3 is a wrist mounted air integrated DC. This DC also offers the ability to monitor 3 separate transmitters and allows for 3 different gases up to 100% 02. The large face is easily readable. I have also tried one of these, and I put it in the same class as the Oceanic VT3. I believe this and the VT3 actual computer and algorithms are made by the same company just put in different shells and sold under different names. MSRP 999.00

Other air integrated DC's to consider Oceanic Atom 2.0, Aeris Compumask, Suunto D9 and Vyper, Uwatec Aladin Smart Tech. And also remember there is plenty of non integrated wrist mounted DC's out there.

I can honestly say if I was looking for a recreational DC right now I think I would be looking at the Scubapro/Uwatec Galileo Luno. I like the features this DC offers, and having an electronic compass is really nice. I also prefer the large square screen to the smaller screens of the round DC watch type. But don't take anyone word for it. Find a local dive shop that carries what your choices are and try them out. Make sure the fit is what your looking for, also make sure they offer safety stop timers, and find out if its conservative, middle of the road or liberal algorithms. I hope this was somewhat of a help! Goodluck.

I think you missed my point. I have several dive computers. I'm wondering if cost and any other considerations will soon if not now make it possible for OLED display technology to be made available in less expensive wrist dive computers.

I'm also wondering why (memory issues) displays aren't more user configurable...depth on top, runtime below, NDL smaller and over to the side, etc.

And I'm wondering why there aren't more choices in algorithm so that computers can match dive buddies or desktop software. Really knowing and controlling what is in the computer not just settings to make whatever is in their more conservative....Buhlmann ZHL16C and VPM-B etc.

I thought maybe some EE's out there would have info on cost for OLED and the feasibility of the other issues I've raised.

It was more about the ideal (for me) computer.

 

[ianr33]

And I'm wondering why there aren't more choices is algorithm so that computers can match dive buddies or desktop software. Really knowing and controlling what is in the computer not just settings to make whatever is in their more conservative....Buhlmann ZHL16C and VPM-B etc.

You could always program your own computer
HeinrichsWeikamp GbR

 

[gcbryan]

You could always program your own computer
HeinrichsWeikamp GbR

Thanks for the link. I hadn't seen that one. Peter Rachow in Germany has a site for a DIY project but the computer is very large and not particularly high tech.

This one is interesting. It still has a high price tag though....actually I'm not sure what the price is. Is the symbol being used the Euro symbol?