MonkSeal
Contributor
Suunto Mosquito doesn't have gauge mode.Suunto Mosquito
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Suunto Mosquito doesn't have gauge mode.Suunto Mosquito
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: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).
- 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
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.
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.
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.