Nitek 3 interface vs Sensus Pro

[spyder]

Greetings,

I have a Nitek 3 and been waiting for the computer interface to become available but now am thinking about the Sensus Pro. Any opinions? For those that own one, what Palms does it work with and how does it hook up? Is the data usable/importable into other dive programs? I'm going to give them a call in the morning as well with my questions.

Thanks,

Gregg

 

[-hh]

IMO, the Sensus Pro is a nifty little product...and given its price ($120, which includes everything) and the vast amount of data that it can log (100 hours at the default 10 sec intervals before it rolls over), its a much better value than the cradle/software for most dive computers.

I've imported dives into both my PC and my Mac, but have not yet bothered to try to hook it up to my Palm...since it has so many hours of dive runtime before the memory stack rolls over, I don't have a pressing need to download to a portable download device (eg, the Palm) before getting back home.

Is the data usable/importable into other dive programs?

The data is easily available for import...they've published their file format in their developer's guide (free). I normally just use their Analyst software and its 'see Raw Data' page to get to a table that very easily can be copy/pasted into MS-Excel.

And I've been told that DAN accepts their data files for dive research, too.

More info at http://www.reefnet.ca/products/sensus/index.asp


-hh

 

[jonnythan]

It's not compatible with all Palms. You need a PalmOS product that has a hardwired serial port built into the connector.. *and* it needs to operate at the proper voltages. Many newer Palms only have USB.. and many Clie's have a serial port, but it's not a standard port. I have a t615c and I needed to wire the "battery out" pin to the "serial data" pin to get the right voltages.

If there's a serial cable available for the Palm you're looking at, you're *probably* OK, but do a little research. They were never really intended to work with serial peripherals so many aren't set up that way.

 

[Geezer]

I found a serial synch cord (intended for travel use) at the PalmOne on-line store that I use to download my Sensus Pro to my Palm - all my dives, nicely graphed, in my hand, any time I want.

 

[Dan Gibson]

I believe PDAs will only display the profile. You have to save to a PC. They are great little devices. If you get a mass order (I think it was 5 or 6 units), the price comes down to around $75.

IMO, the Sensus Pro is a nifty little product...and given its price ($120, which includes everything) and the vast amount of data that it can log (100 hours at the default 10 sec intervals before it rolls over), its a much better value than the cradle/software for most dive computers.

I've imported dives into both my PC and my Mac, but have not yet bothered to try to hook it up to my Palm...since it has so many hours of dive runtime before the memory stack rolls over, I don't have a pressing need to download to a portable download device (eg, the Palm) before getting back home.



The data is easily available for import...they've published their file format in their developer's guide (free). I normally just use their Analyst software and its 'see Raw Data' page to get to a table that very easily can be copy/pasted into MS-Excel.

And I've been told that DAN accepts their data files for dive research, too.

More info at http://www.reefnet.ca/products/sensus/index.asp


-hh

 

[StSomewhere]

I have a Nitek 3 and been waiting for the computer interface to become available...

Isn't the docking station for the Nitek He the same as for the Nitek 3? $59 from DRE.

Or did you mean the Nitek Duo?

 

[spyder]

Good catch stsomewhere, just ordered it! I still like the idea of the Sensus Pro since it can store so many dives without download and only need a Palm if it does. If the price comes down that much on only 5-6 units, anyone up to a group buy?

Dan,

I live in Carmel and have been using Indy MPH, what dive shop do you use?

Gregg

 

[Dan Gibson]

Either one of the MPH stores. I DM for the shop.

Good catch stsomewhere, just ordered it! I still like the idea of the Sensus Pro since it can store so many dives without download and only need a Palm if it does. If the price comes down that much on only 5-6 units, anyone up to a group buy?

Dan,

I live in Carmel and have been using Indy MPH, what dive shop do you use?

Gregg

 

[StSomewhere]

I still like the idea of the Sensus Pro since it can store so many dives without download and only need a Palm if it does. If the price comes down that much on only 5-6 units, anyone up to a group buy?

After torturing myself trying decide between the Aeris and the Dive Rite/Tusa and then the Tusa IQ-700 and the Suunto Gekko/Vyper, I finally went with a Suunto Cobra. But if the price for the Sensus Pro was down to $75/ea for a group buy I would probably throw in for one. I like the idea of being able to download profiles to my Palm Vx during dive trips (I hate shlepping the old laptop PC on vacations). Anyone else interested? Should we research this further? Maybe we'd get more interest in the gear for sale forum?

 

[spyder]

stsomewhere,

We need a minimum of 5 to get going. If anybody is interested post away so we can decide whether this is worthwhile. I can do the ordering and shipping which shouldn't be much.