Multiple bad Cochran Experiences

[Louie]

Although Cochran is great with help and replacements, my family is reluctant to purchase another Cochran product due to multiple repeat failures of diferrent models of their top line computer. I started with a Genisis years ago and had repeat failures at the beginniing of every summer, even after changing batteries each year. Repaired and replacement units also failed, at least 1 on the first or second dive of a trip. After multiple replacements, I was provided a Genisis II which has not failed after two summer's use.

My son purchased the latest model 2 summers ago. June 2004, one month before the 2 year warrantee expired, it failed at the beginning of the summer diving season. Same problem I experienced, it wouldn't come on line. A quick replacment from Cochran seemed to save the planned dive trip to Thailand, but, after 1 dive, it too failed, showing erroneous tank presures and depth pressure. after which it wouldn't come on line.

When they work, the Cochrans are great computers. With the exception of efforts to get you to pay 75% of your purchase price to upgrade after 1 or 2 years use of your purchased unit, they are great at providing a warrantee replacment unit at your doorstep within 2-3 days. Your only cost is freight to return the failedunit to Cochran. Outside of warrantee they want you to pay several hundred dollars to repair and recalibrate your computer (which didn't work for me as the same failure mode occured for both my computer and my son's latest and greatest purchased new summer of 2002) It took alot of complaining to get Cocran to replace my out of warrantee, multiple failed unit for free. Now my son is experiencing the same problems and will have to deal with Cochran on return from our dive trip to Thailand.

Has anyone else had the same experiences or is my family just jinxed?

ewoodman@jps.net

 

[rcohn]

Has anyone else had the same experiences or is my family just jinxed?

ewoodman@jps.net

Do a search on rec.scuba and associated equipment newsgroup. Lots of stories like this.

Ralph

 

[scubatoys]

They're right here in town, so it would make a ton of sense for me to carry them... but I had so many problems with them, we dropped the line. They have been a constant nightmare of failure for almost everyone I know - unless you were just getting a plain - no frills - wrist unit. But the hoseless stuff has been a huge pain in the gas.

 

[abowie]

Cochran have a reputation internationally for unreliability.

That they have a reputation for excellent warantee service is a moot point; if they didn't fail a lot they wouldn't need to be so prompt with fixing them.

There are a lot of reliable brands of computers out there. Buy one of them instead.

 

[padiscubapro]

Although Cochran is great with help and replacements, my family is reluctant to purchase another Cochran product due to multiple repeat failures of diferrent models of their top line computer. I started with a Genisis years ago and had repeat failures at the beginniing of every summer, even after changing batteries each year. Repaired and replacement units also failed, at least 1 on the first or second dive of a trip. After multiple replacements, I was provided a Genisis II which has not failed after two summer's use.

My son purchased the latest model 2 summers ago. June 2004, one month before the 2 year warrantee expired, it failed at the beginning of the summer diving season. Same problem I experienced, it wouldn't come on line. A quick replacment from Cochran seemed to save the planned dive trip to Thailand, but, after 1 dive, it too failed, showing erroneous tank presures and depth pressure. after which it wouldn't come on line.

When they work, the Cochrans are great computers. With the exception of efforts to get you to pay 75% of your purchase price to upgrade after 1 or 2 years use of your purchased unit, they are great at providing a warrantee replacment unit at your doorstep within 2-3 days. Your only cost is freight to return the failedunit to Cochran. Outside of warrantee they want you to pay several hundred dollars to repair and recalibrate your computer (which didn't work for me as the same failure mode occured for both my computer and my son's latest and greatest purchased new summer of 2002) It took alot of complaining to get Cocran to replace my out of warrantee, multiple failed unit for free. Now my son is experiencing the same problems and will have to deal with Cochran on return from our dive trip to Thailand.

Has anyone else had the same experiences or is my family just jinxed?

ewoodman@jps.net

On some of the older units you are warned in the manual about letting the batteries go completely dead. when the primary cells fail they should be changed promptly, leaving the unit in storage for a long period is surely to drain the batteries and the units will die.. The cochrans never really shut off they go into a low powermode that wakes up every so often to record ambient pressure so the computer can account for people going to altitude and flying..


intergrated units are a PITA.. stay away with them from any manufacturer especially wireless integrated units..

If you buy a cochran buy a COMMANDER by far its one of the most durable and reliable computers I have ever used.. There are rarely any problems with the units...