What's the easiest way to convert .sdl to .sde or .csv?

[rofe]

Hi, I recently picked up diving again and wanted to use the opportunity to consolidate my paper and digital dive logs in a single more modern format. In one of my backups, I found an export from my Cobra (R.I.P.) in .sdl format. DM5 won't deal with it, and I switched from Windows to Mac a long time ago. I did some research but was wondering if there is any other way than me installing a Windows VM on my Mac, finding a trustworthy download source for a DM version that still supports .sdl, and using that to import my .sdl and export it as .csv. Any pointers are highly welcome!

 

[Edward3c]

Hi, I recently picked up diving again and wanted to use the opportunity to consolidate my paper and digital dive logs in a single more modern format. In one of my backups, I found an export from my Cobra (R.I.P.) in .sdl format. DM5 won't deal with it, and I switched from Windows to Mac a long time ago. I did some research but was wondering if there is any other way than me installing a Windows VM on my Mac, finding a trustworthy download source for a DM version that still supports .sdl, and using that to import my .sdl and export it as .csv. Any pointers are highly welcome!

Have you tried SubSurface.

 

[Allen-1]

Thread 'Help with dive logs (.sdl .csv)'

Jul 21, 2022

I lost my physical divelog and am trying to recover what I can. I have logs from the early 2000s in .SDL format from an old Suunto Cobra. I did manage to export them to .CSV from an older copy of SDM but I can't seem to import them into either Dive Log 6 or Subsurface. Does anyone have any idea what I could use to do that or if I am just SOL? Any help is greatly appreciated.

• RICoder
• dive log question subsurface suunto
• Replies: 4
• Forum: Dive Software

 

[rofe]

Have you tried SubSurface.

Yes I have, it doesn’t support .sdl files.

 

[rofe]

Thread 'Help with dive logs (.sdl .csv)'

Jul 21, 2022

I lost my physical divelog and am trying to recover what I can. I have logs from the early 2000s in .SDL format from an old Suunto Cobra. I did manage to export them to .CSV from an older copy of SDM but I can't seem to import them into either Dive Log 6 or Subsurface. Does anyone have any idea what I could use to do that or if I am just SOL? Any help is greatly appreciated.

• RICoder
• dive log question subsurface suunto
• Replies: 4
• Forum: Dive Software

@Allen-1 thanks, I saw this thread, but I don’t have a .csv file and don’t want to use Diving Log 6 unless I have to.

 

[Nick_Radov]

I haven't used it myself but you might try Diving Log.

 

[rofe]

@Nick_Radov thank you for the suggestion, but Diving Log is available on Windows only, and also limited to 10 dives in its free version.

 

[Aviyes]

Best is your original plan of setting up a quick windows VM environment, install Suunto Dive Manager 2.x or earlier, import the .sdl and then export as .csv, ready for import into new logbook programs.

Other option, ask if someone would be willing to import into DivingLog and export a .csv version for you.
Only other thought is to try changing the extension to .csv and see if excel will open it.

 

[rofe]

Best is your original plan of setting up a quick windows VM environment, install Suunto Dive Manager 2.x or earlier, import the .sdl and then export as .csv, ready for import into new logbook programs.

Yeah, looks like it. Do you happen to know a trusted download source, or someone who could share the installer with me?

Only other thought is to try changing the extension to .csv and see if excel will open it.

That's not going to work unfortunately, the file is encoded in a proprietary binary format.

 

[lowwall]

That's not going to work unfortunately, the file is encoded in a proprietary binary format.

Have you looked at the file with a hex editor? Unless they actually went to the trouble of encrypting it, you should be able to convert it to something usable.

You don't even need to install anything, HexEd.it - Browser-based Online and Offline Hex Editing lets you upload and view the contents of binary files. I wouldn't use it for anything you want to keep private, but a dive log should be fine.