I've had it with wireless air integration

[nimoh]

I had a an Oceanic VT3. It lasted three dives before it failed on the next dive. That was more than enough. Been more than happy with a "wired" connection since then and will never go back.

that's a 25% failure rate, even higher than Mike's estimate

 

[divad]

In fact, I have noticed a greater failure rate in SPG's.

Yeah.....failure to generate profit.

 

[tstormdiver]

I primarily use an SPG (habit), but my VT4 came with the transmitter,... just an added bonus in my book. No I have not had any connectivity problems.

 

[coldwaterlloyd]

I have used Uwatec , Oceanic , and Suunto wireless units over a 5 year period in my experimental years . I had problems with all of them . My own experience was bad so I will never bother again . good luck

 

[muzikbiz22]

D4i, Vyper air, 100's of dives, 1000's of miles, no failures. Have had the occasional 5 to 10 second drop out, but never a failure or defect on a transmitter or the computers. FWIW, also have a brass/glass for redundancy, just in case.

 

[dmoore19]

If you don't trust it, don't use it.

Mine works great. Sorry yours doesn't.

 

[agilis]

We use hose-less air-integrated dive computers in our training and trips. We have had excellent success. In fact, I have noticed a greater failure rate in SPG's.

I've used mechanical direct connection SPGs for about 40 years and several thousand dives. I have never had a single problem of any kind. Not one. I've never seen an SPG failure, though I've seen a few over the years leaking air. They continued to function, despite the trickle of bubbles which was probably caused by poor maintenance.

 

[Jak Crow]

I've used an older ScubaPro wireless and an Aeris Datamask both without any issues. There doesn't seem to be much explanation why some people have nothing by trouble while others have no trouble at all with these wireless computers

 

[scubadada]

Whenever this topic comes up, we always get a lot of posts from divers who say things like "I have NEVER had a problem with my wireless AI, so I feel that there is no problem with anyone using it".

Let's assume the failure rate of wireless air integrated computer is, say, 20%. That would be ridiculously high and unacceptable, but assume the worst for this thought experiment. Also assume that it's a failure rate per unit, not per dive (that is, if you get one of the bad ones it will fail regularly, but if you get a good one it will work whenever you dive it).

That means that the vast majority of posts (80%) are going to be people who have never had problems with their transmitters, swear by them, and feel that an analog SPG is unnecessary.

Now, I don't actually know the failure rate of analog SPGs, and that would be good information to have. But I would be very surprised to learn that it was actually higher than the failure rate of wireless AI. Of course, I am always open to learning new things!

Mike

jagreenm has had a bad experience with an unnamed brand AI computer and asked if others had a different experience. Knackas, paulw and I reported a good experience with Oceanic AIs whereas trdacna has had a bad one. You have had a bad experience with your Suunto. It's simply what you get from those of us who follow the Scuba Equipment/Computer Forum here on SB. Not exactly a large random sample of AI computer users though I wish that kind of information was available. I might expect that folks who have had problems with their AIs might be more prone to post on SB than divers who have had no problems and are happy with their computers. After all, this thread started with a problem, not I love my AI.

Based on my very good experience with my AI, I trust it. That does not prevent me from diving a matched backup computer and a SPG. I dived a backup computer before I switched to AI in 2010, the only difference was I had a single source of gas supply information. Personally, I enjoy the detailed gas consumption data and automatic calculation of my SRMV provided by my AI

 

[tridacna]

Based on my very good experience with my AI, I trust it. That does not prevent me from diving a matched backup computer and a SPG. I dived a backup computer before I switched to AI in 2010, the only difference was I had a single source of gas supply information. Personally, I enjoy the detailed gas consumption data and automatic calculation of my SRMV provided by my AI

Yes BUT...this is a discussion of Wireless connectivity not AI. My Cobalt provides me with the same data as your AI device but with less worry about disconnection. THAT's the issue here.