Will Air Integration in dive computers replace the SPG?

[DevonDiver]

You are citing cell phone technology as one that demonstrates how reliability improves with tech? LOL

 

[CT-Rich]

You are citing cell phone technology as one that demonstrates how reliability improves with tech? LOL

Laugh, but if you compare the the reliability of the network and equipment and what the expectation of the devices were fifteen years ago were, then hell yes. The problem you're noting is our rising expectation, not the failing of the technology.

 

[Buliwyf]

They don't do enough yet, to be worth the expense and trouble. I don't need another item to charge. Gopro's and cameras are a pain already. And if they can't do, what we can already do cheaper, then whats the point? Nice, but not $1500 nice. And why does a computer need to eliminate the SPG. The SPG isn't exactly heavy or fragile.

Could a now redundant SPG be mounted in a less convenient spot, but a more streamlined spot? Direct on the tank (buddy read)? Short hose to the harness?

Computer's still need to not just replace our current equipment, they need to do something new, and not just give us increased maintenance headaches.
-have a flow gauge wired from the Tx to the primary hose port for instant consumption rates.
-have a gas analyzer built into said flow guage to check air quality, like a CO alarm.
-have the Tx go into a sleep mode when no flow is noticed for increased battery life.
-hardcore milspec CR123 battery, and the ability to use the longer rechargeable CR123 type batteries. And they need to last for an entire week of diving. Hands off the battery for the whole week.
-why not add an accelerometer to the Tx (not the wrist computer, too shakey) so the compass can guide me back to exactly where I started.
-send text to other computers.
-send text to dive boat (ULF?)
-be able to see other divers gas info.
-be able to home in on other divers positions would be handy!
-be able to home in on the dive boat, or your TX that you hung off the side of the dive boat.
-put a distress beacon on the Tx. If you're 100' down and no flow is noted by the Tx.........Send text and position to the others. Maybe even trigger a strobe. Automatic emergency BC control might be going a bit too far.

The tech is available for all of that. Could even get the .mil to fund development of this/their tech for SCUBA use. They dive also.

 

[lowviz]

...//... So will Air Integration replace the SPG? ...//...

No. I can't imagine that it would ever completely replace the simple, reliable, and effective SPG under any circumstance.

But I secretly wish you had asked if AI will EVER be taken seriously by tech divers.

 

[Kairoos]

If AI was inexpensive, how many people would do away with an SPG if they had a redundant set of computers and transmitters? Or would think it's too much of a hassle to have this kind of setup?

 

[CuzzA]

@CT-Rich

My first cell phone was a flip on Sprints network... sometime around 1998. After about 6 months of using it I threw it out the window of my vehicle after it consistently dropped every call. (Yes, I know... littering is bad. I was young).

Today, I don't recall having a call dropped in years now with my iPhones and ATT's network (barring an off the beaten path location or elevator, etc.). I think the cell phone analogy is a good one.

The pricing point is good as well. I wonder how much profit is actually made on these transmitters. Dive flashlights are a perfect example of what I'd bet is excessive, yet consumer accepted profit since as you pointed out the consumer assumes higher price equals better quality. Personally, I could not justify ~$200 for a dive light and instead bought $25 ebay lights. Actually great quality, IMO. Better than name brands. My led light was equally as good as another divers canister during my AOW night dive. This is another example of new tech replacing old tech. Why in the world would I spend $1k on a canister light when there are better handheld options at a fraction of the price and size with equal brightness and almost equal burn times, especially with adjustable intensity drivers to conserve battery and reduce backscatter in certain situations?

I secretly wish you had asked if AI will EVER be taken seriously by tech divers.

I ain't going there, but I will encourage you to open that can of worms. Just give me a heads up so I can prep my Orville Redenbacher. Lol

Seriously though, I wonder how many people who have offered their opinion actually don't have any experience with using one, especially the newest tech.

 

[Bennno]

This is another example of new tech replacing old tech. Why in the world would I spend $1k on a canister light when there are better handheld options at a fraction of the price and size with equal brightness and almost equal burn times, especially with adjustable intensity drivers to conserve battery and reduce backscatter in certain situations?

Handhelds do NOT have almost equal burn time. A handheld may use the same LED but the canister has more capacity.
Canister lights are for cave diving and you still need them for long cave dives. Good canisters also have more light output than high end handhelds.
Look at the LD-35 Light Dude lights or any big HID light, there is no handheld on the marked that comes even close. It depends on what you need the light for.
A thread on can vs handheld was just opened a couple of days ago: http://www.scubaboard.com/community...lights-fading-away.520709/page-2#post-7594899

 

[CuzzA]

Thanks for sharing the link. Define handheld... Lol

 

[lowviz]

...//... I ain't going there, but I will encourage you to open that can of worms. Just give me a heads up so I can prep my Orville Redenbacher. Lol

Ha!! -you saw through it.

I took a moment off of cooking (one of my true passions in life) to give this pot a good stir. You take the spoon, pal. I gotta get back to IRL...

...//... Seriously though, I wonder how many people who have offered their opinion actually don't have any experience with using one, especially the newest tech.

Who cares? This is the board.

Electronics will take over everything in time. You heard it here first.

Imagine this:

You pick where in the world you want to dive, choose your AUV, pay for a GoPro or digital iMAX depending on your wallet, hook up your HUD, settle into your easy chair with your favorite beverage and start getting some killer in-water vid.

gotta run, timer just went off...

 

[DevonDiver]

Laugh, but if you compare the the reliability of the network and equipment and what the expectation of the devices were fifteen years ago were, then hell yes. The problem you're noting is our rising expectation, not the failing of the technology.

30 years ago, I used a corded home telephone - they never failed.

15 years ago, I used a Nokia that never failed, even if dropped in the toilet, kicked, thrown and generally abused. The battery lasted days. It's still in my shelf drawer - it still works.

In the last 8 years, I've been through 5 android 'smart' phones. They often software glitch and fail - requiring re-sets. Battery duration is atrocious - and now we see shops everywhere selling 'powerbanks' to supplement the tech and keep phones working for a day. If dropped, they are usually dead. Internet forums are full of threads on how to save a 'bricked' phone..

An entire service/support industry has been created to repair and service smart phones.

Capacity and function has improved.... undeniable. But to say that phones are more reliable is disingenuous to the extreme...

Note... this is about phone tech... what the user carries.... not a network issue. Networks have benefited from 25 years of coverage growth and development.