Dive Log: traditional or electronic?

[Cosmographer]

I decided to go the electronic route because it provides all the flexibility of a paper log (with the exception of being able to get it stamped). The paper route was just too much trouble. Pages would get wet, ink would bleed, I'd have trouble reading my own handwriting (esp when writing on a boat), etc. On the other hand, a digital version actually encourages me to be more complete - I find it easier to scroll, select, and type.

Since replies to this thread indicate that showing an electronic log would suffice for certifications requiring logged dives, the only advantage I can see to paper logs is the nostalgia-effect. It's a good reason, but for me, not good enough to deal with the hassles of pen and paper, especially when the digital versions allow you to attach photos from those dives which also has nostalgic value.

Actually, come to think of it, one poster responded with another advantage of paper logs: that they are more permanent than electronic devices that might crash or become corrupt. I do worry about losing or transferring data over the long term: I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be using the iPad for the rest of my life. I suppose I could always transfer the data to my PC and print out copies, but this app charges me an additional 35 euros for that option . Maybe that's just the price I need to pay for the convenience of an electronic log and the permanence of a paper log.

 

[ed.hamilton1]

Within PADI the only time I was required to submit my log book for my instructors records was during my open water scuba instructor certification and I presume you could easily print out the log if required or at least take a screen capture. With regards to other certification levels the instructor is required to check you have enough dives to qualify for the course and for this you could simply show the log to them on your iPad.

 

[diverrex]

For me there are three big advantages to using a computer downloaded log.
1. Automatically calculates my SAC rate on every dive once I enter the tank size I’m using.
2. I like to review the dive profile and follow how nitrogen accumulates, how NDL declines during descent and bottom time then increases on ascent, and see if there were any and how long of periods of too fast an ascent.
3. Once you get to hundreds or more of dives answering questions like “How many dives over 100 ft” or “How many Nitrox dives”or even “How many dives over 100 ft using Nitrox with a minimum water temp below 60F” take about 5 seconds using the query function.

Current electronic logs allow you to record as much as paper and more. The only downside I see to electronic logs is that you can’t get signatures or stamps,and you can’t log the dive right after unless you are willing to mix an electronic device with wet divers.

I think it’seasier to regularly print out an electronic log onto paper than it is to scan and electronically save paper logs. I think I’ve seen as many threads about lost paper logs as I have seen about lost electronic logs.
If you do use an electronic log beside periodically printing it on paper you should keep multiple backups. My log backs up onto two different devices each night plus I keep it in a free Dropbox storage folder for continuous real time backup.

 

[Jax]

I'm an electronics / computer engineer. I love all the data the dive computers log, and how the software allows you to run various queries on that data so you can see trends in your diving and breathing and gas usage and weighting and all sorts of things interesting!

That said, I also have a traditional logbook, because I don't trust a computer to keep carp! [sic]

 

[freewillie]

I've never been asked by a dive operator yet to look at my dive log.

I'm currently keeping a paper log since the PADI log book came with the OW package from the dive shop. I like to keep the stamps from the various dive boats both locally and while on vacation. It is also easier to take with me just in case I'm asked. Just put it in my dive bag. I imagine an electronic record would be more difficult unless you can access the record by your phone.

In the future I would like to volunteer as a diver at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA. They require 50 logged dives. When I called to ask about the log book they told me any recorded dive in my book is sufficient. They didn't require a stamp or signiture, just the log book entry.

 

[Rapier]

I use Dive Log 5.0 to log my dives. I like having one source that keeps track of all of my dive information and handles much of the calculations as well it even tracks how many times I use any given piece of equipment. I still have my paper log to jot notes after the dive and then transfer it to the digital log. I have needed to provide my dive log on a few occasions - Volunteering at the Florida Aquarium and for my Divemaster training for example. The biggest problem I have with a paper log is it is difficult to back-up. I lost my first 10 years of diving to a house fire. I now have around 70 logged dives - I lost at least 10 dives that I was unable to recover from past dive buddies. I have multiple backups of my digital log - on my Android Phone, My hard drive back-up, the dive log back-up, and a printed hard copy I keep in a binder. Hopefully, one of the backups would survive pretty much any disaster.

 

[DiveNav]

Electronic for me so I can have my logs - and my dive computers - on all my devices (PC, iPad and - coming soon - iPhone).
And all logs are automatically backed-up "in the cloud" (with multiple redundant systems)

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Alberto (aka eDiver)

 

[diverrex]

Electronic for me so I can have my logs - and my dive computers - on all my devices (PC, iPad and - coming soon - iPhone).
And all logs are automatically backed-up "in the cloud" (with multiple redundant systems)

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Alberto (aka eDiver)

Does divePal allow you to download directly from your dive computer? I must admit looking at the website I do not find much information about it. I do not even see how much it is or how to buy it. Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[DiveNav]

Does divePal allow you to download directly from your dive computer? ...

We are in the progress to add this feature for all the (40 ... and growing) dive computers supported by divePAL.
In the the latest version 0.12 we have included direct download for the Galileo Sol and the Pro Plus 2.
We are adding more right now.
Here an example on how to import a log for the Pro Plus 2.1

[video=youtube;xqdo_QbONeI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqdo_QbONeI[/video]
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..... I must admit looking at the website I do not find much information about it....... .

We have a section of our forum dedicated to divePAL

..... I do not even see how much it is or how to buy it. ....

Basic version is free and you can download it from our website (Windows version) or App Store (iPad version)
Full, Nitrox and Tech licenses can be purchased from our online store;
We currently have a March Madness Specials for the Full and Nitrox licenses.

Thank you for asking.

Alberto (aka eDiver)

 

[altaskier]

I use MacDive as my primary log. I love being able to view the dive profile and see my SAC throughout the dive. It synchronizes nicely with Dive Log on my iPhone, so I can sit there during long meetings and look back at my favorite dives. I back up my data over the cloud. I did have to buy a paper log for Bonne Terre, since to progress on their series of trails you need to show them a stamped paper log with previous trails done at the mine. Still, I prefer having my diving log available anywhere from any computer.