Divers: What’s your experience with underwater communication systems? Insights needed for new wireless tech

[ccasey]

I am 73, a Divemaster w' 2500+ dives in 44+ countries. My wife and I used to subscribe to the "Same Ocean" buddy system, occasionally out of view due to visibility and whatever creature we were pursuing to photograph... (please, no replies to this!!). Obviously, we could communicate via rattles or UW air horn. As I'm getting older (there are bold divers and old divers, but no old-bold divers!), the FFM w/ Dive Buddy is something we are considering today when I came across this thread. There is another "Japanese" system out there, the Logosease II by Casio, for about $633 msrp. It does more than communicate but it only speaks Japanese... here are a few links: Underwater Transceiver | Logosease and A Talking Daikon is Here. Advance Review of the New “LogoseaseⅡ” (Logosease II) – Ocean+α World This seems to an excellent base to work from without reinventing the wheel and it has been around since 2013. I'm so surprised it never was made in an English version for the English-speaking market! It is actually a nitrox capable dive computer that speaks to you about bottom time, time limits, safety stop cleared, ascend rate all by voice (in Japanese) and lots more. It has 3 channels, (2 for Dive Buddy), voice transmission that goes 100M, and it is 3.3" long, 1.8" wide and 1.6" deep. It clips to your mask strap and communicates by a bone conduction microphone. 5 hours run time, rechargeable, tap to talk... I can't understand why an entrepreneur hasn't gone after an English version. It is probably everything ilona_bst is looking to do, and more, without all the R & D costs!!

 

[ChrisMBC]

I am 73, a Divemaster w' 2500+ dives in 44+ countries. My wife and I used to subscribe to the "Same Ocean" buddy system, occasionally out of view due to visibility and whatever creature we were pursuing to photograph... (please, no replies to this!!). Obviously, we could communicate via rattles or UW air horn. As I'm getting older (there are bold divers and old divers, but no old-bold divers!), the FFM w/ Dive Buddy is something we are considering today when I came across this thread. There is another "Japanese" system out there, the Logosease II by Casio, for about $633 msrp. It does more than communicate but it only speaks Japanese... here are a few links: Underwater Transceiver | Logosease and A Talking Daikon is Here. Advance Review of the New “LogoseaseⅡ” (Logosease II) – Ocean+α World This seems to an excellent base to work from without reinventing the wheel and it has been around since 2013. I'm so surprised it never was made in an English version for the English-speaking market! It is actually a nitrox capable dive computer that speaks to you about bottom time, time limits, safety stop cleared, ascend rate all by voice (in Japanese) and lots more. It has 3 channels, (2 for Dive Buddy), voice transmission that goes 100M, and it is 3.3" long, 1.8" wide and 1.6" deep. It clips to your mask strap and communicates by a bone conduction microphone. 5 hours run time, rechargeable, tap to talk... I can't understand why an entrepreneur hasn't gone after an English version. It is probably everything ilona_bst is looking to do, and more, without all the R & D costs!!

This is super interesting! I'd be very curious about one of these, even in a pure communication form. Don't really need the rest.

 

[dmaziuk]

My wife and I dive with Buddy Watchers -- it's just a pinger but unlike the rattle/banger: you hear it right away, you know it's you being pinged, and you know who's pinging(*). You can turn to them and see what's up. You don't have to be in the touching range to stay in touch.

There's the new Garmin DC that can send pre-programmed texts, I'm not sure why but it's trivially programmable into the $1,500 computer so why not. (Buddy Watcher was $250/pair back when it existed and I'll never ever give Dive Alert a dime of my money for buying out the company and killing off the product.)

*) The device has a "broadcast ping from DM" option but I've never seen a DM w/ group all equipped with those things. So IRL it's a one-to-one pinger.

 

[Tracy]

1. What types of underwater communication systems do you currently use? (e.g., full-face masks with built-in comms, hardwired systems, etc.)

I have buddy phones on a couple of my AGA masks and a buddy phone surface com box.
My KM hat has KM hardwired coms to a KM surface air control and com box

1. How long have you been using these systems, and how do you find them in terms of usability? What are their main strengths and weaknesses in your experience?

5-6 years. They work well. They all require a time period learning to speak. You can't speak and inhale/exhale at the same time. The wireless weaknesses are them being directional. Sometimes they lose me if my transponder is on the wrong side.

1. If a wireless communication device eliminated the need for full-face masks or hardwired systems, would you consider using it?

No, the only time I am using full face and coms is on jobs that dictate surface supplied air. If I have am umbillical already, losing the com rope doesn't save anything.

1. Would this be an improvement for you? What specific tasks do you rely on underwater communication for? (e.g., safety coordination, technical work, etc.)

I use them for underwater inspection and survey work where I am dictating notes to a topside tender.

1. What challenges have you faced using current underwater communication systems?

None really, just the occasional cutout with the wireless systems.

1. In your opinion, what is the optimal range (depth and distance) for effective wireless underwater communication?

No idea, never used them further or deeper than about 50'

1. How often do you perform technical dives without hardwired communication systems?

All of my technical dives are done without coms. I only use them for working dives.