Will Air Integration in dive computers replace the SPG?

[packrat12]

forcing quick connects and hoses adds unnecessary cost. Cheapest HP hose is $20, and the same for the QD's, so failure points aside you've added more unnecessary costs. Transmitters on hoses are only on there so idiots can't pick the tank up from them, and because the title is to replace spg's, they have to replace all spg's, which means stage/deco bottles...

The QDs I have for a console are held locked by pressure. If the hose is not pressurized, the console can easily become disconnected and drop off. With the console, I have it clipped to BCDs so no worries, but with a transmitter it would be loose and could be lost. With stage tanks, it is not uncommon to have them purge. I would be worried about dropping the transmitter (Cost and equipment) while on my dive.

Hoses can fail at any time, including when new. They are a big failure point. Adding it to the transmitter from a technical side, would only add more issues. At least with a hose/spg combo, my main failure point is the hose. With the hose/AI or hose/QD/AI, I have added more. Ok for recreational but not convinced for technical. Losing gas information in a technical dive is not a real problem - dive terminated. The real problem is that if it happens often, even with the rule - anyone can end the dive at anytime for any reason without repercussions, I imagine finding team members may become more difficult. Especially if everyone has $$$$ invested in that dive, from boat, gas and travel. This may be true also on recreational dives. I know if I have too many issues with any piece of gear - it would be gone.

 

[tbone1004]

because you have depth, air, and time on one screen instead of having to see depth and time on the computer, and then check air on a separate unit. Having all on one screen is advantageous, in theory...

 

[CuzzA]

because you have depth, air, and time on one screen instead of having to see depth and time on the computer, and then check air on a separate unit. Having all on one screen is advantageous, in theory...

And one less hose. Hell Dumpster convinced me to dive a rig similar to his in my solo thread (Everyone's going to hate me now). If I remove the SPG I'm down to 2 hoses. Reg and Inflator (when not carrying the pony).

 

[decompression]

because you have depth, air, and time on one screen instead of having to see depth and time on the computer, and then check air on a separate unit. Having all on one screen is advantageous, in theory...

I think I feel the same as you.......but in practice I have faster and improved cognition thanks to different visual stimulus. All on one screen are simple, near identical digital numbers that could be hampered by narcosis.

What's easier to read a digital Spedometer or Analog?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KeithG]

I can only speak on behalf of my computer, but the battery life of the transmitter is displayed on the computer screen. So far with about ~20 dives on my AI computer the original battery is almost full. This leads me to believe the transmitters don't consume a lot of power.

It would be a good idea to carry a spare battery. I do. If AI transmitters replaced SPG's then I would assume dive shops and liveaboards would carry spare transmitters and batteries just like they carry spare SPG's and other spare equipment.

Let us know how you feel after 500 dives...

Cost is the first barrier. Then convenience.

Since 1989 I have replaced 1 spg - just last fall. My divebuddy is still on her original.

What problem are we trying to solve?

 

[CuzzA]

I think I feel the same as you.......but in practice I have faster and improved cognition thanks to different visual stimulus. All on one screen are simple, near identical digital numbers that could be hampered by narcosis.

What's easier to read a digital Spedometer or Analog?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Here's what my screen looks like. I'm pretty sure even if you were narced you would easily decipher that info. The tank also changes colors when you reach preset points. Yellow=Mid point, Red=Reserve

 

[CuzzA]

Let us know how you feel after 500 dives...

Cost is the first barrier. Then convenience.

Since 1989 I have replaced 1 spg - just last fall. My divebuddy is still on her original.

What problem are we trying to solve?

No problem. We're having a discussion about whether AI will eventually replace the SPG.

 

[KeithG]

No problem. We're having a discussion about whether AI will eventually replace the SPG.

Based on cost, the answer is no. My spg cost me less than $1 per year. It is basically "free".

As soon as AI becomes free, I predict it will replace SPG.

 

[kelemvor]

Based on cost, the answer is no. My spg cost me less than $1 per year. It is basically "free".

How long have you been diving!?! I'm pretty sure the SPG's I bought for sidemount were over $100 each.

 

[Lorenzoid]

And one less hose. . . . If I remove the SPG I'm down to 2 hoses. Reg and Inflator (when not carrying the pony).

But now you have a transmitter instead of that hose. And some people have remarked that they put the transmitter on a short hose. I don't see the gain.