Oceanic ProPlus 3 vs Atomic

[designbysue]

My friend is probably in need of a new dive computer and is interested in people's views on these two computers (re the Atomic please suggest a model).

I have the Oceanic and just used it for 14 dives in Bonaire. I personally like it with 2 cons. 1 is that the main display when diving does not show dive time and you have to go to another screen to see it (though not a big deal) and 2 to set the nitrox number you can only scroll up and if you pass the number you have to go up to 100 and start over (again not a really big deal). The numbers are easy to read and I like the computer program and all of the info it stores.

Anyone have any comments?

Sue

 

[buddhasummer]

Atomic only make one computer, the Colbalt, so that's easy. Haven't owned either. The Cobalt is pretty spendy. Customer service from both is great.

 

[Hatul]

The Cobalt is about $500 more than the ProPlus 3 so it's not a fair comparison. If you do go for the Cobalt there is a second version of it now.

 

[drrich2]

I've got a Cobalt. My brother in law has a Pro Plus 2.1.

Cobalt's got an internal rechargeable battery and a very large dive log storage capacity, and the interface is quite intuitive and a pleasure to use.

I am not a fan of digital compasses and prefer the Pro Plus approach of having one above the dive computer.

I highly value an intuitive interface, and prefer a computer where I don't need to change the battery. Therefore, I chose a Cobalt.

Either should be a nice computer, though.

Richard.

 

[Akimbo]

The Cobalt (rev) 2 has in improved compass and faster processor. That might make the compass more useful. I used the Cobalt on a liveaboard for a week and didn't need to charge it. The Cobalt's color display is very bright and easy to read except (like all displays) in bright sun. Anyone who can figure out how to use it after looking at the first page or two of the manual, if that.

 

[RonR]

The next generation Cobalt 2 is now shipping, and that is the only model currently available, excepting stock that might be left in stores. The compass is vastly improved over the chip in the Cobalt 1, with essentially a real time video display and very good accuracy, 1° to 2°. Unlike an analog compass, it will read in any orientation, upside-down or sideways.
There is an online guide to the Cobalt interface here: Cobalt Guide: Home One change with the Cobalt 2 is that it now allows storing up to six gas mixtures. There is more information in this thread: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/atomic-aquatics/474086-cobalt-2-a.html


The two computers are in very different price categories, so it's not really an apples to apples comparison.

Ron

 

[Akimbo]

You can download the manual for both, that will tell you a great deal:

http://www.oceanicworldwide.com/us/media/wysiwyg/manuals/PP3_manual_12-5332-r01_Eng.pdf

http://www.atomicaquatics.com/cobalt/Cobalt2ManualUS12-2013r4.pdf

 

[patrickusaf08]

I would say if your on a budget then the pro plus 3 like me. If you a tech guy that has to have the latest and greatest piece of electronic gear then the atomic cobalt.

 

[drrich2]

As an example of where an intuitive interface comes in handy. About to shore dive in Bonaire, my buddy is diving an Oceanic Geo 2.0; I've got a Cobalt (1'rst generation) and for backup/wrist gas pressure display my old Oceanic VT3. About to hit the water in 3, 2, 1...

Uh-oh. Just realized we didn't think to set our computers for Nitrox EAN 32, which we have. Changing the Cobalt gas setting is cake. I muddle with the VT3 for awhile, with vague remote recall of the interface, eventually somehow get it changed over. We couldn't get the Geo's setting changed at the site; had to have a manual.

Similar situation: dove back in September in Key Largo, and got to use 100 cf tanks. Then did a couple of 2-tank trips in the Caribbean on a cruise in January; didn't think much in advance about the fact I'd be diving 80 cf tanks. With the Cobalt, changing the setting was pretty easy. The VT3? I didn't even try; just used it as a wrist gauge, showing me my air pressure, depth & dive time on my wrist (which I do like).

Some people either dive so often, are so technically minded, or make the effort to stay up on their dive computer's operation so well, that they can competently whip it out & change gas mix, tank size and time (to account for zone changes on trips). I'm happy for them.

For me, there's the Cobalt. Despite sending it in to get a dysfunctional key fixed. And the fact the compass lost calibration. And it cost hundreds more, plus I already had a VT3 with transmitter. And I still don't regret the purchase.

To each their own.

Richard.