Wow! Dive Log now on my Mac.

[peterbkk]

I've finally done it! I now have a full log of my entire 30 year diving history on my Mac.

After patiently and impatiently waiting for many years for Uwatec to get their act together, I've taken 3 major steps to move my dive log firmly and permanently to the Mac.

1. Bought Mac-Dive (macdive - home)
2. Bought a Suunto D9 (thank you, Santa)
3. Exported and migrated my entire SmartTrak database into Mac-Dive (thank you, Nick)

The 3rd step was quite a challenge. Uwatec have made it very difficult to migrate off their platform. But, in a convoluted journey via Access, Excel and SQL, we finally got it done and tested. All the relevant data is now in Mac-Dive, including the dive profile for all the dives since I have been uploading them from a Uwatec dive computer.

One astounding outcome: In my paper dive-log books, I have been continuously adding up a running total of bottom time for 30 years. When we loaded the dives into Mac-Dive and looked at the summary page, the total bottom time came to exactly the same number as my manual calculation. Wow!

Nick, the developer of Mac-Dive, worked hard on this exercise. I did some of the work (database unlock, initial extract, some data format changes, moved some data from one column to another, tested the finished solution) but it wouldn't have happened if Nick had not given up many hours of his vacation time to do this.

I can't speak on his behalf, but I hope that, for the sake of many other people in a similar situation, Nick plans to industrialise the process so he can help many others make the same migration.

What are the benefits:

1. I can delete Windoze from my Mac, freeing up 10 Gb of disk
2. I no longer have to struggle with that awful SmartTrak application to update dive data
3. Mac-Dive is a great app, with a really intuitive Mac interface - very easy to update and maintain dive data. (check out the "map" feature - its awesome)
4. I can go back through my paper dive log and add some extra data (e.g. dive notes) to round out the database (fiddly to do in SmartTrak, easy in MacDive)
5. Link some of my underwater photos to the dive log.
6. Stop hand-writing a dive log book and just keep it all on my computer.

I am going to miss the Uwatec dive computer underwater because I did like it's easy to read style. But, Uwatec, despite many promises, never got their act together on the whole dive-log issue. SmartTrak is not a great app, JTrak is a joke, the proprietary locked database is unfriendly and the lack of decent export tools is bordering on anti-competitive. I look back through my emails over the last 4 years and I have several from senior Uwatec management, including the previous CEO, promising to rectify all these issues, but nothing happened. It is a sense of relief that all that is behind me now.

So, a big thanks to Nick, and a wish that many others will follow this trail that we've blazed.

Regards
Peter

 

[ITGuy]

Congratulations on migrating your data from SmartTrak to MacDive!  I can definitely understand the gymnastics and hard work involved with such a time consuming endeavor.  I can imagine there other Mac users hoping to do the same.

I took my first dive in August of this year and I was hooked immediately.  As a result of recently achieving my PADI Advanced Open Water certification, I have decided to treat myself to an Air Integrated dive computer.  I have been spending my free time over the past week reading through the various dive computer threads on scubaboard.com and other websites, as well performing Google searches for product reviews and user feedback.

The Uwatec Galileo Luna was originally the top pick on my list until my research revealed several major red flags with respect to Mac support, which I absolutely require.  The dinosaur IrDA interface and the feature-lacking JTRAK software are huge causes for concern, especially when purchasing an expensive dive computer.  I also read that Uwatec will not be providing technical assistance to permit integration of their dive computers with the superior MacDive software.  That last point has now caused me to not purchase the Uwatec.  My two best friends are now getting into diving and will also avoid Uwatec since they are Mac users.

From what I gather, the Uwatec Galileo line is at least three years old, originating with the Sol.  That would explain the choice of the dated IrDA interface.  I am curious to see if Uwatec's product roadmap for 2011 will see a refresh to better compete with some of the newer AI dive computers, including a switch to a USB interface.  This would avoid all the nasty Mac IrDA chipset compatibility issues I've read about, and it would probably also allow the MacDive developer to finally include support. It is interesting to note that Oceanic has made a commitment to improve on their Mac software.  Uwatec desperately needs to do the same.

I was going to suggest that if willing, a few Mac users would try to meet with Uwatec management, but it seems you have an email trial of broken promises from Uwatec over the years.  Uwatec appears to be perfectly happy to provide a less than satisfactory solution and a disappointing experience for Mac users.  I will be voting with my wallet by taking a very close look at the Air Integrated computers on the MacDive compatibility list and going from there.  I have read online that support for the Oceanic OC1 is also forthcoming.  Uwatec's indifference is their competition's gain.  

-ITG

 

[mblazer]

ITG -- you may want to check out the Mares forum. I've been researching the issue for some time, and have decided to get an Icon HD once the air integration feature is available -- should be this spring. They also note that they have hired a new IT team to develop a Mac version of their dive log program -- a major plus for me.

 

[ITGuy]

@ mblazer - Thanks for the suggestion.  The Mares Icon HD is definitely high on my revised list.  It looks pretty good.  I see it will be an actual swap for a new computer with improved hardware with AI support in Spring 2011.  Spring is not that far off...hmmm.  I'm going to take a look at the current Icon HD at a local dive shop when I get a chance.  It is great to see that Mares is making a real effort when it comes to Mac users.  

I completed my PADI AOW last week and my instructor had the Uwatec Galileo Sol. He recommended the Galileo Luna to me.  I have been renting equipment since my first dive and I'm ready to start purchasing my own.  Thankfully, I enjoy learning about the various products before purchasing.  I would have been really ticked if I had purchased the Galileo Luna and THEN discovered that Uwatec is happy to keep selling the dated IrDA Galileo product line with such an incredibly lame Mac experience.

It seems that certain dive computer manufacturers such as Uwatec drop the ball when it comes to dive logging software for the growing Mac user base.  It is obviously not their area of concern and expertise, so they should simply adopt a standard data format and leave the heavy lifting to software developers who will provide feature rich solutions.  I'll be figure skating in hell long before JTRAK will ever support detailed dive site maps, integrating my dive photos in iPhoto with logs, and syncing dive logs with my smart phone.

-ITG

 

[ScubaFeenD]

Nick, the developer of Mac-Dive, worked hard on this exercise. I did some of the work (database unlock, initial extract, some data format changes, moved some data from one column to another, tested the finished solution) but it wouldn't have happened if Nick had not given up many hours of his vacation time to do this.

I can't speak on his behalf, but I hope that, for the sake of many other people in a similar situation, Nick plans to industrialise the process so he can help many others make the same migration.

I would buy macdive in a heartbeat if he could figure out a way to easily (relatively) go between jtrack and macdive. Or, he could get liquivision support on line and that would make it worth it too. Why is it that the two companies i love to use for dive computers/BT/DGs SUCK at having decent logging software for mac?

 

[RonR]

...until my research revealed several major red flags with respect to Mac support, which I absolutely require.  The dinosaur IrDA interface and the feature-lacking JTRAK software are huge causes for concern, especially when purchasing an expensive dive computer.  I also read that Uwatec will not be providing technical assistance to permit integration of their dive computers with the superior MacDive software.

If you are interested in a console, we are in the midst of helping MacDive support the Atomic Cobalt. See the forum topic in this section, or Cobalt Guide: Home. Atomic is developing a Mac version of their own dive logging software, but we feel the fastest path (as you suggest) is to simply provide dive log software developers with the information they need to integrate the Cobalt into their existing software.

...line is at least three years old, originating with the Sol. That would explain the choice of the dated IrDA interface

We started using USB in the design that eventually became the Cobalt over 10 years ago- considering and rejecting IrDA. USB seemed to provide the best, most compatible solution- a fortunate choice, as it turned out.

For what it's worth, the Cobalt was developed by long time Mac users. We hope it shows in the interface!

We think you are spot on when you suggest that dive computer manufacturers should support desktop logging software developers doing their own independent thing- I'm not sure why others don't do this as it offers more options to the consumers and could save the manufacturers headaches. It was always our plan.

 

[peterbkk]

If you are interested in a console, we are in the midst of helping MacDive support the Atomic Cobalt.
For what it's worth, the Cobalt was developed by long time Mac users. We hope it shows in the interface!

The Cobalt looks great. I like the way you use the colors.

Figure out a way to strap it to my wrist and I'll buy one. Don't care how big it is.

Nearly all of my diving is spent holding a video camera. I like to be able to check all my dive parameters without having to stop shooting. I don't want to have to take one hand off my camera and feel around for a console. With an air-integrated wrist computer, I can glance over and see all is well and keep shooting.

Regards
Peter

 

[ITGuy]

@ RonR - Wow! The Atomic Cobalt looks very impressive, and it seems to be very well received by owners.  You've got a big hit with the Cobalt, and you'll have an even bigger hit on your hand once you release a wrist version (pun intended).  I loaded the owner's manual PDF into GoodReader on my iPad, and the Cobalt documentation is well written and very easy to understand.

Companies such as Atomic Aquatics should be applauded and rewarded by the Mac diving community for working with and assisting independent software developers, in addition to delivering their own dive logging software.  Atomic Aquatics and others deserve a standing ovation for their refreshing, forward thinking, and open approach with the aim of giving their customers a choice in what software solution to use for dive logging.  This is in stark contrast to the OP's predicament, struggling and jumping through many hoops to free HIS data that was trapped by a manufacturer that is indifferent to Mac users.

The marketing material and website for the Cobalt should clearly and proudly show Mac support  with the choice of using Atomic Aquatic's software or the MacDive application once they are both ready to go.  That would be a definite competitive advantage.  Here's hoping that Uwatec and other manufacturers see the light and cooperate with software vendors to give their customers a choice.

-ITG

 

[RonR]

Figure out a way to strap it to my wrist and I'll buy one. Don't care how big it is.

We're working on the wrist mount now- obviously an important issue for many potential users.