Uwatec Aladin Pro battery good to 0%... NOT!

[BEM]

We have two Smart Pro wrist computers that we received in 2004, as a result of the Uwatec warranty exchange.

This summer my wife’s computer went into the “err” message mode during a dive. This was at about dive # 70 on this computer. Don’t know what the battery % was before that dive. The dive shop sent it back to Uwatec and we got it back eight weeks later with a new battery, showing 100%.

The same time hers went, my registered at about 30%, so I did a few more dives and sent it back last week. It did not show any error message and was working properly. I have about 100 dives on it.

Even though she had fewer dives, she always put the computer into the fabric pouch for safekeeping. I wasn’t so meticulous. The bag would get wet from the moisture on the computer / strap and sometime we could hear it beep. I didn’t think that it would drain the battery, but I believe that is exactly why they discharged so soon. There should be some mention of this in the manual, or a different protective pouch that will not short out the buttons.

Looks like we’ll send them for new batteries every two years – good thing it’s a lifetime warranty. It’s a pain and shipping to/from the distributor costs us $25, but I understand that they also make sure it is functioning correctly. And we’ll wait until the computers are dry before using the pouches.

 

[drbill]

I've had mine start beeping after I rinsed it in fresh water and dried it off with a towel. Sometimes this happened 30 min or more after I dried it. Strange thing is that I don't recall it doing that before they installed the new battery.

Keep in mind... for the most part I really like this computer. It's mainly the discrepancy between what's stated in the manual and what happens under real diving conditions that bothers me.

 

[CompuDude]

My SmartTec is still at 79% on it's original battery, but I'll be sure to keep an eye on it, and perhaps send it in after a little over a year or 50% or so, to avoid this issue.

I've noted the wet computer + bag = bad thing, and now always dry it out completely for a good day before putting it in any sealed bags.

 

[BEM]

As an update on my Smart Pro - for other Smart Pro or Com owners.

I haven't had any issues or problems with it (or my wife's). We've done fresh, salt and fairly cold dives (37 degrees) and although I take care of the computer, it does get knocked and scratched and bumped.

I've put over 300 dives on it and the batery shows about 90% (10% used). The SmartTrack software (ver 2.0500) is getting better and connection to the computers (IR) works every time.

The strap is fraying and I may have to replace the plastic face shield soon.