Will Air Integration in dive computers replace the SPG?
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I have no interest in the sense of having any skin in the game. Mostly, I'm curious about the appeal of complexity that provides no real advantage or superior performance and that is in fact more vulnerable to failure and more expensive. I suppose I'm challenging the assumption that using the inferior and imperfect AI systems that currently exist will somehow lead to the development of better products.
I'd also love to have all that input compactly and reliably on my wrist, but I think such does not yet exist. If the past is any indicator, significant technological advances will come from areas other than the relatively minor activity of sport diving and eventually be adapted to use in scuba diving. I look forward to such developments. They certainly will come sooner or later. I'm no Luddite.
I should mind my own business. None of this kind of thing affects me in the slightest. I have a small collection of SPGs, enough to last several lifetimes, especially since I learned long ago how to rebuild these simple things. I'm unusually lucky in that I never developed any serious farsightedness and still use a mini-SPG. I know people who really need big lighted numbers, so I suppose I'm wrong in asserting that AI systems provide no advantages.
I'd very much like to do some diving together this summer. I was very recently told that I need surgery to remove a nastiness growing on an inner wall of my stomach (apparently there are 5 layers). A biopsy is scheduled next week, and my mood could be better.
I'm hoping for the best, of course, but age does take its toll. Many thanks for your invitation. We will talk.
I'd also love to have all that input compactly and reliably on my wrist, but I think such does not yet exist. If the past is any indicator, significant technological advances will come from areas other than the relatively minor activity of sport diving and eventually be adapted to use in scuba diving. I look forward to such developments. They certainly will come sooner or later. I'm no Luddite.
I should mind my own business. None of this kind of thing affects me in the slightest. I have a small collection of SPGs, enough to last several lifetimes, especially since I learned long ago how to rebuild these simple things. I'm unusually lucky in that I never developed any serious farsightedness and still use a mini-SPG. I know people who really need big lighted numbers, so I suppose I'm wrong in asserting that AI systems provide no advantages.
I'd very much like to do some diving together this summer. I was very recently told that I need surgery to remove a nastiness growing on an inner wall of my stomach (apparently there are 5 layers). A biopsy is scheduled next week, and my mood could be better.
I'm hoping for the best, of course, but age does take its toll. Many thanks for your invitation. We will talk.
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We share this affliction. Neither of us is likely to stop, maybe only become more gentle in our approach to life.
Done. It would be my greatest pleasure. And aquariums, maybe you would be willing to share your deep knowledge...
So sorry to hear. Positive energy in your direction.
Yes, we will. Please keep me informed. Start a conversation as you see fit. And yes, most certainly we will dive. Maybe even introduce you to other wonderful local divers if you so choose.
Dennis.
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CT-Rich
Contributor
I think the SPG will be around for a while yet. Someone else pointed out that AI will completely supplanting it when it is clearly superior. That is a pretty good rule of thumb. When was the last time you saw a horse collar BCD? The problem long term is that it very hard for electronics to outperform the reliability of a mechanical device. Scuba has been around a long as rebreathers, but the stupid simple reliability of the aqualung is really hard to beat, and the pricing of the aqualung is much more competitive. SPG will be around for along time to come....
Some of my buddies still wear horse collars. They do use computers though. 
DevonDiver
N/A
I don't subscribe to the notion that higher technology is necessarily better.
Obviously, this depends on an individuals perceptions of what constitutes 'better'.
Some prioritise convenience and ease. Which is fine if you're doing convenient and easy diving, where the consequences of failure do not jeopardise safety.
Others love technology for the sake of technology. There nothing inherently wrong with that either, providing that the technology fetish doesn't endanger themselves or others. Recreational diving is sufficiently forgiving to allow such indulgences.
Other divers favor simplicity, ruggedness and reliability. That attitude may, or may not, be driven by a safety necessity. Technical diving certainly promotes thus prioritisation... as the nature of technical diving is very unforgiving of the smallest mishaps.
Some value cost and economy. Again, that can be driven by their available budget, or simply a lifestyle decision. Some have non-diving financial considerations (i.e. spouses and family!) that force budgetary considerations.
These things DON'T CHANGE just because technology advances.
And... whilst it may be difficult for some members of a consumerist Western culture to comprehend... the vast majority of our Earth's population neither cares, nor can afford, the latest 'indispensable' gadgets and gizmos.
In my relatively short 42 years on the planet, I've been hearing how technology is going to make our lives better, easier, more convenient. I don't see it...
Technology indisputably changes our lives and lifestyles, but whether those changes are actually beneficial or a fundamental improvement are very debatable...
Thus it is with AI... it can change diving... but whether it currently, or in the future, can actually improve diving is not as sure as many rush to believe.
Obviously, this depends on an individuals perceptions of what constitutes 'better'.
Some prioritise convenience and ease. Which is fine if you're doing convenient and easy diving, where the consequences of failure do not jeopardise safety.
Others love technology for the sake of technology. There nothing inherently wrong with that either, providing that the technology fetish doesn't endanger themselves or others. Recreational diving is sufficiently forgiving to allow such indulgences.
Other divers favor simplicity, ruggedness and reliability. That attitude may, or may not, be driven by a safety necessity. Technical diving certainly promotes thus prioritisation... as the nature of technical diving is very unforgiving of the smallest mishaps.
Some value cost and economy. Again, that can be driven by their available budget, or simply a lifestyle decision. Some have non-diving financial considerations (i.e. spouses and family!) that force budgetary considerations.
These things DON'T CHANGE just because technology advances.
And... whilst it may be difficult for some members of a consumerist Western culture to comprehend... the vast majority of our Earth's population neither cares, nor can afford, the latest 'indispensable' gadgets and gizmos.
In my relatively short 42 years on the planet, I've been hearing how technology is going to make our lives better, easier, more convenient. I don't see it...
Technology indisputably changes our lives and lifestyles, but whether those changes are actually beneficial or a fundamental improvement are very debatable...
Thus it is with AI... it can change diving... but whether it currently, or in the future, can actually improve diving is not as sure as many rush to believe.
dumpsterDiver
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That skinney dipper is pretty old now. they were a GREAT no-decom computer... got me bent once..Some of my buddies still wear horse collars. They do use computers though.
AI may never replace the SPG for some. For me.........it already has.
CT-Rich
Contributor
you can find an example of people diving old school gear, I am a fan of the KISS principles of diving, but Horse collar BCDs are in the minority.
As the technology drops in price and improves in reliability, it will become more ubiquitous. Cell phone tech is a good example. I have to take pictures at all my job sites. I don't own a camera any more. My phone does a great job. You can still get the old style flip phones but the vaste majority of people in the US have smart phones. They have gotten cheaper, more reliable to the point that you might as well use them and not worry about a relatively small price differential.
Memory chips are another example of technology becoming ubiquitous. USB memory cards cost the same to manufacture from 1Gb to 64 Gb. We accept that the 64s are more valuable, even though they cost the same to manufacture.
Unfortunately, the downward pressure on diving gears is not particularly strong (a lot of divers equate price with quality, IMHO). A lot of technology in diving could probably be sold for a lot less, but the incentive to drop the price point of a dive light from $150 to say $25 is pretty low. If all the major brands accept that the lights are of that higher value, then most divers will keep buying them and consider $125 a bargain, even though there really is no particular reason though the light wouldn't be profitable at $40.
AI technology could probably be sold for a fraction of what it is right now, but diving is an expensive sport, so the idea that you should pay $600 to $1,500 for a particular piece of technology is just accepted.
As the technology drops in price and improves in reliability, it will become more ubiquitous. Cell phone tech is a good example. I have to take pictures at all my job sites. I don't own a camera any more. My phone does a great job. You can still get the old style flip phones but the vaste majority of people in the US have smart phones. They have gotten cheaper, more reliable to the point that you might as well use them and not worry about a relatively small price differential.
Memory chips are another example of technology becoming ubiquitous. USB memory cards cost the same to manufacture from 1Gb to 64 Gb. We accept that the 64s are more valuable, even though they cost the same to manufacture.
Unfortunately, the downward pressure on diving gears is not particularly strong (a lot of divers equate price with quality, IMHO). A lot of technology in diving could probably be sold for a lot less, but the incentive to drop the price point of a dive light from $150 to say $25 is pretty low. If all the major brands accept that the lights are of that higher value, then most divers will keep buying them and consider $125 a bargain, even though there really is no particular reason though the light wouldn't be profitable at $40.
AI technology could probably be sold for a fraction of what it is right now, but diving is an expensive sport, so the idea that you should pay $600 to $1,500 for a particular piece of technology is just accepted.
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