New bottom timer

[MonkSeal]

Suunto Mosquito

Suunto Mosquito doesn't have gauge mode.

 

[Hoosier]

I don't understand why dive computers (or bottom timers) crap out so often, and why companies make $1,500 dive computers when they can't make cheapo computers that always work.
I've had a few Uwatec bottom timers crap out -- reading weird depths or saying I'm 2ft underwater when I'm gearing up in the parking lot.



Honestly, here's the main pieces of a bottom timer/dive computer:

• pressure transducer
• thermometer
• LCD display
• battery
• computer chip with a bit of hard-coded firmware
• memory
• waterproof pressure case
• water sensor (not 100% sure how this works, I'm sure it involves electrical current between a few contacts)
• board to solder stuff together

That's it. Nothing more. I don't have the engineering/programming knowledge or know-how to make one of these things but I spent enough time in engineering to know that it really wouldn't be difficult to make one that works every time you use it (assuming no flooding).

Awhile ago I took apart my old DiveRite NiTek Plus, found the main chip, and looked up the product number. Turns out it's just a clock IC.


This is the inside of a Uwatec bottom timer. It ended up in this condition after it told me I was 2ft deep in the parking lot, after a long stressful trip where nothing was working. It had a run-in with a hammer. :11:
Note the lack of complicated stuff -- board, LCD display, battery, and case.



Why these instruments break so often is completely beyond me.

Good job.....


China might be able to make it at $10. Shall I subcontract it to China?

 

[sheck33]

Mine is from Any Water Sports in San Jose. There are quite a few tech divers in the Seattle area, I'm sure TS&M or any of the others can point you towards a local shop that carries them. IIRC, msrp is about $230, and I've seen them for a tad over $200.

Thanks for the info. I will look into it. Appreciate all the replies.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

the nitek duo and the suunto vytec make good bottom timers too.

 

[Jasonmh]

Thanks for the info. I will look into it. Appreciate all the replies.

Here is one for sale:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/gear-equipment-classifieds/229442-fs-bottom-timer.html

If you don't mind that it is not brand new.

 

[TSandM]

BTW, the logging malfunction that Bob referred to above in the Tec2G may have turned out to be an oversensitivity to any water in the boot. I had the same "problem" with mine, but it went away after the computer was out of the water for a couple of days (rare for my computer ), and I talked to Bob and he said his began to work after some dry time, too.

 

[sheck33]

Here is one for sale:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/gear-equipment-classifieds/229442-fs-bottom-timer.html

If you don't mind that it is not brand new.

Thanks, I wasnt quick enough, it sold already :11:

 

[rongoodman]

There's a DSS bungee mount available for the Tec2G too. I've been happy diving mine as a computer, and the gauge mode is waiting for me when I start my tech training.

 

[JimmyC]

The new Uwatec 330M SUCKS, I don't speak METRIC. Sorry I'm just a good ole' Southern American Red White and Blue feet and PSI kind of diver.

 

[sheck33]

I ended up purchasing the Aladin Tec 2G. I love it.