UWATEC Bottom Timer Question

[WVMike]

I have the new 330m digital bottom timer and need help figuring out the ascent rate indicator.

The old model gave the ascent rate as a percent of what it figured was the maximum rate would be for the actual depth.

Scubapros website says the new 330m model gives the ascent rate as a percent, but the manual says it gives the ascent rate in actual feet per minute. It even shows a display picture with 12 fpm shown.

Mine gives the ascent rate as a single digit, either 1,2,3 or 4. Which does not make sense in either of above explainations. I was also doing around 30 fpm while I got these numbers.

I asked the dealer I got it from, searched Scubapros website, and asked other users. I also tried another one, and it did same thing.

Anyone got any ideas?

 

[Blackwood]

Anyone got any ideas?

Maybe it's showing your ascent rate in meters per minute.

 

[Kern]

Maybe it's showing your ascent rate in meters per minute.

I thought that might be a possibility too. But then thought if that was the case, wouldn't it be showing depth, max. depth & average depth in meters as well.

 

[Blackwood]

I thought that might be a possibility too. But then thought if that was the case, wouldn't it be showing depth, max. depth & average depth in meters as well.

You never know.

CNN - NASA's metric confusion caused Mars orbiter loss - September 30, 1999

Being Uwatec, I imagine its base unit set is metric, and that it converts for the imperial models. Maybe they missed a line of display code or something.

Then again, 1-4mpm isn't 30fpm, so it could be something else entirely.

 

[Gombessa]

Mine is imperial, and shows up as 1, 2 and 3 as well. Once you hit 3, it triggers the ascent warning indicator.

From what I recall in the manual (I don't have it with me right now), the numbers equate to percentages of ascent rate based on your depth. So, if you're at 200ft depth, you can ascend at 30fpm and not go past "2." If you're at 30ft depth, you can ascend at 10fpm and it'll also show up as an ascent rate of "2". Kinda funky, I just ignore it for the most part and try to not let it hit 3 (and so far I've failed every time...hang head in shame).

 

[Blackwood]

Kinda funky

Kinda?

 

[Gombessa]

Kinda?

I dunno, I always just figured I had no idea what it was telling me and just assumed it was saying "slow, medium, fast." But maybe I should RTFM again and learn how to use this thing I rely on for every dive

 

[WVMike]

You never know.

CNN - NASA's metric confusion caused Mars orbiter loss - September 30, 1999

Being Uwatec, I imagine its base unit set is metric, and that it converts for the imperial models. Maybe they missed a line of display code or something.

Then again, 1-4mpm isn't 30fpm, so it could be something else entirely.

I thought the meter idea had merit, but then realized 4 meters would be around 12 fpm, and I was doing faster than that. At 3 my vyper had me around 30.

I was thinking maybe the numbers were times 10, but It does not add up to what the manual says.

 

[WVMike]

Mine is imperial, and shows up as 1, 2 and 3 as well. Once you hit 3, it triggers the ascent warning indicator.

From what I recall in the manual (I don't have it with me right now), the numbers equate to percentages of ascent rate based on your depth. .

Percent is how the old model was susposed to work, here is the description from the manual for the new model. Copy and paste from PDF manual.

"During an ascent, the ascent speed is displayed in the lower right corner instead
of the temperature and average depth. The ascent speed is displayed in meters
per minute or feet per minute. As soon as the Digital 330m does not detect an
ascent anymore, temperature and average depth information appear again."

 

[Gombessa]

Percent is how the old model was susposed to work, here is the description from the manual for the new model. Copy and paste from PDF manual.

"During an ascent, the ascent speed is displayed in the lower right corner instead
of the temperature and average depth. The ascent speed is displayed in meters
per minute or feet per minute. As soon as the Digital 330m does not detect an
ascent anymore, temperature and average depth information appear again."

I remember from my paper manual, there's a table that converts the numbers into different ascent speeds at ranges of depth. I've never had the old, non-330m version, so I don't know where I'd get that otherwise. Maybe there's a new revision of the BT that now reads fpm?

I'll check when I get home.