N2ition Software

[priordiver]

Quite frankly this is unacceptable. It does not matter whether it is Seiko Epson or Zeagle that is "responsible" for the software issues. It HAS the Zeagle name (and thus reputation) on it. The buck stops there as it were.

This is a new DC, advertised as an advanced and "state of the art" device. There should therefore exist foreseeable and reasonable support from the manufacturer of name (Zeagle) for the customer.

The latest post by Gibby clearly states that this support, especially relating to the software which is an essential and integral function for these devices in this day and age of digital log keeping, is not available, and never will be.

To make it worse still, as others on this thread have previously noted, early communication and advertising by Zeagle indicated support and compatibility that never actually existed. At best this is a serious error resulting from lack of proper real world testing and at worst fraudulent.

The proper thing to do would be for Zeagle to FULLY accept their corporate responsibility. Zeagle contracted Seiko Epson to design their DC software and support it for the benefit of Zeagle customers. Seiko Epson has stated they will not do this and it therefore now falls on Zeagle to make it right. Since my DC does not do what I it was advertised to do when I purchased it (along with all the accessories) then Zeagle should be offering me and anyone else that desires one a full refund either directly or through their dealers.

Any other "solution" is not a solution and is thus unacceptable. It is not in Zeagle's corporate best interest and reputation to make excuses and finger point on this issue any further. I am looking forward to receiving an official and prompt response from Zeagle Corp. addressing my comments.

Regards,

Rob Cross, Canada

The official word.

Software status:
The download software works 'as is' on XP Vista and Windows 7.
It does not work on ANY 64 bit version.
Just like ANY software out there it may not work on your system no matter what version of windows you have.
There are several annoying bugs in the software that cannot be fixed because we will not be receiving the source files to the software from seiko.

At this point in time Seiko Epson will not be doing any further development updates or support for the software package. Seiko will not be providing us with communication protocols to allow this to be used on third party software.

*********************************************
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING COMPLETELY BEFORE ACTING
*********************************************
Zeagle will be sending out a bulletin to its dealers in the near future letting them know that if customers wish to return their USB download adapter (undamaged) for the reason of 'incompatibility issues' that this is to be totally acceptable.

There will be conditions that have to met to return your cable to your dealer. These will include normal and obvious things like the unit being undamaged, including a copy of the receipt and returning it to the dealer where your purchased it.

Do not try to return your cable until the dealers have been officially notified.
When the letter goes out it will be announced here to let you know.
************************************************


As resources become available I and Zeagle will continue to investigate possible solutions for downloading dive logs to your PC but at this point and time we are at a dead end.

If anybody is or knows somebody who can reverse engineer serial and USB communications PLEASE put them in contact with me.


EDIT: JUST TO BE CLEAR - The software is also not compatible with Windows 95, 98, 2000, Millennium(Me), XP 64bit, Media Edition XP/Vista/7, Media Center, CS Vista 64, Windows 7 64 bit and windows Mobile. Apple versions 1 - X are not compatible, Android is a no go along with any distribution of Linux/Unix and Atari DOS is defiantly not compatible.

 

[TnT]

If anybody is or knows somebody who can reverse engineer serial and USB communications PLEASE put them in contact with me.

As the author of the open source libdivecomputer library, I do have quite some experience reverse engineering dive computer protocols. I have already reverse engineered a Seiko based device (Cressi Edy), and it's not unlikely that all Seiko devices use the same or a very similar protocol. You can find my email address on the libdivecomputer website.

Note that I don't provide an end user application (e.g. a graphical logbook application). It's been on my todo list for a very long time, but the libdivecomputer project already takes most of my time . Even if I'm able to reverse engineer the protocol, someone would still have to write such an application. Of course there are already a number of applications out there using the libdivecomputer library. For example Macdive and Divinglog. (At the moment divinglog does not support all devices supported by the libdivecomputer project, but I know it's planned.)

 

[ny5169]

I just went out and bought a Download Kit (yeah I know I am crazy LOL). Fortunately it ended up working on my computer. Macbook Pro with Windows XP/Paralells. I will send you my log info and try the other stuff you requested.

 

[ny5169]

TNT, my download kit and the computer work fine and download the data. The only problem on the test data end is that when I run the Portmon program to capture the data transfer, the program only shows LPT1 (parallel port). FYI, I am running XP through parallels, however selecting a direct connection from the USB device to the virtual(windows) machine when prompted. any idea how to make it selectable so I can capture the transmission data?

 

[TnT]

I suspect the software installs the Prolific USB-only driver, not the normal VCP (Virtual Comm Port) driver. In that case, Portmon doesn't work because there is no (virtual) serial port created. You'll have to use a USB capture application. Two freely available applications are Snoopy Pro and IncentivesPro Simple USB Logger.

 

[dmainou]

I suspect the software installs the Prolific USB-only driver, not the normal VCP (Virtual Comm Port) driver. In that case, Portmon doesn't work because there is no (virtual) serial port created. You'll have to use a USB capture application. Two freely available applications are Snoopy Pro and IncentivesPro Simple USB Logger.

Yes, it gets recognised as a prolific plus a vendor id. (that is a 1 dollar cable plus a 50 cent id chip that somehow ends in hundreds of dollars)

I am away right know but will send to you my diving logs and USB log as soon as I get back to sydney.

It will be so awesome to be able to download directly from Jdivelog (since it works on mac, windoze and linux)

Thanks mate.

 

[ny5169]

I ran the "Simple USB Logger" and then connected my device and computer. I saved the log file and am going to email it to you. Let me know if it was what your were looking for.

 

[RichBolduc]

Any idea when you'll have software that works on Windows 7 64bit? I'd love to get the docking station, but I don't want to spend the money if it won't work.

 

[RichBolduc]

Android is now also a micro operating system as well as the Crome OS.
Their main use is on netbooks and such but I do have a friend that is running android on a full size PC as a multimedia server in his home.

Making mobile logbook for Android would be relatively easy but I am not familiar with Black Berry or Windows Mobile app development.

If I see enough interest in it I would take it on.
I would also need to setup a paypal donation button to cover spending a lot of time on it.

I would totally pay for a blackberry app that can grab the info from the computer. OS6 is suppose to be revealed this week for the BB's along with their new slider

 

[dmainou]

Hi Gibby,

Do you know if the letter has been sent to the distributors?

Also, do you know if the letter will include the right to return the computer as well as the download cable?

I know you say that there is nothing wrong with the computer. However, one of the main reasons to buy the N2ition 3 rather than any other cheap computer was that it is capable of downloading.

Therefore if the downloading bit is not working I should be able to retun the whole thing

Thanks

D