Ratio Computers - No Support at All

[bartucxp]

Hello,

Thank you for all your replies.

I emailed them at 2nd of September, and then 6th of September. Got reply on 12th of september. Asking me to send the computer to them to analyse.

Of course I've waited and checked my spam folders before posting that to here. I'm happy with the computer after all. I could have a faulty unit, it could be my fault etc it is not important, I wouldn't post something like that if I got a reply from them sooner. Unfortunately the most problematic thing here is the support part. I could be on a dive trip at the other end of the world with a broken dive computer or something. I believe that kind of late support is not acceptable at all. But ofc, that is my opinion. I've also ordered transmittors from them last year, they arrived very late and I had really hard time trying to reach to someone. I was only able to reach some people from Divesystem.com, they helped me with my order and made sure my order arrived me. Long story short, it is really very hard to reach someone from info@ratio-computers.com email, which is their support email on their website.

It was surprising to see many other people facing same issues. That means computer have software problems with AI(@plj tells that it happened after software updates). That also means thet buttons have chronic problems. It is not a big deal as long as they work fine, I don't care about their clicky feeling.

It seems, at the moment, computer is not very reliable. Ratio-computers is a great brand. Computer specs and software is the best in my opinion. Thats why I purchased it in the first place. Hopefully they'll resolve these problems soon. By then, I'll just buy another dive computer(possibly Garmin Descent Mk3i) and contact my local distrubitor for repair/analyse of the ratio computer. Then I'll use ratio as my backup computer. Hopefully they'll fix these issues and then I'd buy an iX3M 3 or 4 to use as my main computer again.

 

[DerTaucher]

Hey!

Do you have any updates regarding the issue with your IX3M 2? I'm really considering buying one now during Black Friday.

Do we know if the AI problem is only a software problem that might hopefully get resolved soon or is it a deeper problem?

Regarding the problem with the buttons, is that only tactile or is there any operational problem?

Thank you

 

[stepfen]

Hey!

Do you have any updates regarding the issue with your IX3M 2? I'm really considering buying one now during Black Friday.

Do we know if the AI problem is only a software problem that might hopefully get resolved soon or is it a deeper problem?

Regarding the problem with the buttons, is that only tactile or is there any operational problem?

Thank you

Here is my experience with iX3M 2 pro + AI pod after about 1 and a half years/ 120 dives of use:
The pod that initially was sent to me was half dead (wouldn't turn on upon pressurizing it, but I could connect to it by usb). Ratio replaced it promptly.
The new one was/is working. In most dives I get some fluctuations in pressure during dive like the ones seen below:

That's a bad dive for my pod. Usually they are less than that and for some dives no fluctuations at all. I've learned to live with it (always have an SPG anyway and when I see unexpected pressure I double check with the SPG). I know it's not fun eg towards the end of the dive to suddenly see 20 or so bars (while in reality you have ~50) but it is what it is. Judging from the fact that this is known to Ratio for over a year now (maybe more) and it hasn't been solved as yet, I guess that it is not something that can/will be solved any time soon eg by software updates.

One of the buttons in my unit lost its' squezzing feeling too maybe one month after I got it, but it still functioning so it doesn't bother me at all.

Furthermore, when I first bouht it, it was not possible to pair it with subsurface over bluetooth. There were even rumors that bluetooth data comms would be usable only by Ratio's software that was being developed (and hasn't yet been released as of now). Few months later some tricks emerged on how to do this and later a newer subsurface release added support out of the box for the iX3M2s, so now it is working without issues for some time.

Finally I find a bit disapointing that the battery lasts for only about 10 hours/10 dives underwater and I find it very disapointing that Ratio refuses to display things like surfGF and GF99 with rediculus excuses (eg that divers based on these maybe will dive more aggresively).

Apart from these, I haven't got any other issues with it.

To be honest, if you have the money, go for a shearwater unit. For comparison I have a (second hand) peregrine for the same time period with absolutetly ZERO issues. If money is an issue, you will have to learn to live with the Ratio's shortcomings. I wouldn't call them major issues but they can be annoying.

If I was going to buy now a computer I would probably look for a second hand shearwater.

Good luck

 

[GDHLEWIS]

I had a similar issue with my buttons, I find when washing the computer after a dive if I click the buttons a couple of times in fresh water they work as new. ITs a problem that shouldn't exist, but easily fixable. The AI transmitters are just overpriced paper weights really, I have one that works maybe 85% of the time now, was around 64% of the time but recent software updates seem to have resolved what ever was the problem. I still keep mine on the single tank set up, but refuse to pay for any more of them for my SM setup. Way over priced for such an unreliable item.
I have learned that trying to connect the computer via BT is annoying so gave up on that, hopefully if they bring their own software out it works better. I also find the GPS pointless and never use it...but that's just me.
I will say I enjoy using the computer, does what its supposed to and does it well, have used both Ratio and Shearwater and honestly didnt find either better or worse than the other. As long as you learn to use the tools at your disposal they should do the job just nicely.
Dont fall for Ratios Black Friday sales most of the time they are no cheaper than normally, I paid about the same price for my IX3M GPS2 that its being listed for now in their supposed sales. I didn't buy it in a sale. Their transmitters are also marked up and their sale price is the normal price...actaully those have gone up by 100USD in the last 12 odd months for no reason.

 

[stepfen]

have used both Ratio and Shearwater and honestly didnt find either better or worse than the other.

That's interesting statement. Given that you admit that Ratios have several issues (AI, bluetooth, buttons, price increases etc), I'm wondering what issues you had with shearwater so that you can call them equally good (or bad)??

For me, Peregrine has NOTHING I can complain about. Ratio has several perks (all that I mentioned about in post Ratio Computers - No Support at All plus the flimsy connector that I forgot to mention) , so I would clearly call it a worst dive computer (quality wise).

Yes it is diveable (I'm still diving it) but I would definetly call my peregrine much better than it.

 

[GDHLEWIS]

That's interesting statement. Given that you admit that Ratios have several issues (AI, bluetooth, buttons, price increases etc), I'm wondering what issues you had with shearwater so that you can call them equally good (or bad)??

For me, Peregrine has NOTHING I can complain about. Ratio has several perks (all that I mentioned about in post Ratio Computers - No Support at All plus the flimsy connector that I forgot to mention) , so I would clearly call it a worst dive computer (quality wise).

Yes it is diveable (I'm still diving it) but I would definetly call my peregrine much better than it.

Apologies I wasn't as clear as I could have been on that one. When diving them they were just as fine as each other, when actaully using them in the environment they were designed to be in. But yes the quality issues that need ironing out defiantly are there...including that connector you just mentioned that I too forgot about.
If I were to do it all again knowing what I know now? Probably not, Id have waited and saved longed for the Shearwater. Do the issues worry enough to change things, no not at all. Iv learned to work around the quirks / issues to the point that they don't worry me as much any more. Also having something other than a shearwater makes for a good talking point when meeting new divers so there is that as well