xDeep Black BT - anyone own one yet? post reviews & feedback here...

[victorzamora]

Nasser, the price difference between a Nitrox Black and a Petrel is fairly small. Plus, there seem to be less failure points on the Petrel AND it's got such a great track record. Plus, you know, they're available.

 

[Andy_HFC]

Although I haven't tried the Xen, from what I've been reading and seeing so far, I actually prefer the Xdeep Black. I like the smaller size and rugged look, the display, the compass, the buttons rather than the tap, and it's upgradeable - this is really hard to beat. Perhaps the only thing I like on the Xen better is the angle of viewing.

Have been seriously considering a Petrel but it may be overkill as i would only use it as a nitrox computer or BT. Still, I wouldn't mind finding one under a Christmas tree!

I was the same bud. My xdeep was a pressie, and Wifebuddy kindly gave me the option of xen or xdeep; I went for the xdeep. There's something about it i really liked. It's ok to have a preference! I really like the wee timer, and I personally prefer it to the xen. Wifebuddy has a xen, and I have used it many times - it's nice too. Different strokes and all that. Overkill is great if you have the £££'s!

I honestly haven't noticed the viewing angle being a problem, but I have read a guy couldn't read it whilst scootering. Who knows?

---------- Post added April 2nd, 2014 at 07:38 PM ----------

Nasser, the price difference between a Nitrox Black and a Petrel is fairly small. Plus, there seem to be less failure points on the Petrel AND it's got such a great track record. Plus, you know, they're available.

The greatest failure point is human error, most likely the failure would be as a result of changing the battery. The xdeep is rechargeable so removes it completely. Certainly a consideration I guess.

Availability would be the biggest hurdle.

 

[Nuribromanski]

The greatest failure point is human error, most likely the failure would be as a result of changing the battery. The xdeep is rechargeable so removes it completely.

 

[Centrals]

The greatest failure point is human error, most likely the failure would be as a result of changing the battery. The xdeep is rechargeable so removes it completely. Certainly a consideration I guess.

Nothing beat Uwatec BT on that.
No need to change the battery or even recharging it whatsoever.
No waiting list, widely available and cost a peanut.

 

[victorzamora]

The greatest failure point is human error, most likely the failure would be as a result of changing the battery. The xdeep is rechargeable so removes it completely. Certainly a consideration I guess.

......and the diver is clearly going to forget to put a new battery in it AND they'd forget to carry a spare......yet they're completely incapable of forgetting to charge it?

No. In that regard, carrying a spare AA battery is MUCH easier than guaranteeing it's charged properly.

 

[ajduplessis]

Seems about right. I'd buy a petrel if I was after a mix computer.

Agreed. I would also buy something cheaper than a bulky $370 bottom timer.

 

[Nasser]

Not to go too much off topic but yes... the Petrel is very impressive indeed - I was just checking out the new Nitrox mode update on youtube and I think that will make the computer even more versatile and desirable to a wider customer base (although I expect most tech divers will just continue to dive it in tech mode).

The thing that Shearwater has over everyone else is as was mentioned earlier - a great track record. This is Xdeep's first computer and although they have been very successful with their other products and are a sound company - IMHO this roll out of the BLACK was a disaster and I think they really upset a lot of potential customers. This thread was started in Sept. 2013 and we have 9 pages (and counting) of postings - probably of those, we maybe have 3 or 4 reviews of actual hands on experience ??

So until now, we still don't have enough of an idea how this unit has been performing in the field in a variety of environments with a relatively large pool of users... and we have no idea how customer service will be if the unit needs servicing or replacement. It looks like a great unit and so far Andy's review has been by far the most informative and comprehensive I've read - so it's encouraging, but comparing it to Liquivision or Petrel with respect to long term reliability... we still have no track record.

For me that (and availability of the unit) has kept me on the fence between getting a Petrel or the Black with NItrox. For tech dives I don't need a full trimix computer... it's still the good old "cut tables use BT".

 

[dive_more]

The greatest failure point is human error, most likely the failure would be as a result of changing the battery. The xdeep is rechargeable so removes it completely. Certainly a consideration I guess.

Availability would be the biggest hurdle.

well, i know a few people with super rechargable computers, and more than one time the run out of battery,
with a normal BT you change the battery every... ? 2 years or so? and it cost you not more than 2 $ and 1 minute.
you can do it with a coin and its so easy that you can't do it wrong....

and another point, the BT is supposed to be a super TEK computer, use it only as a Bottom timer is an overkill.
just to get an "color screen" ?

another point is that xdeep lied serval times about the lunching date, very late shipping, and only a month ago they released nitrox and trimix, (and not like it should be, they are serval people not happy with the update)

it can be funny if the computer fails and you have to send it to service.

 

[Andy_HFC]

......and the diver is clearly going to forget to put a new battery in it AND they'd forget to carry a spare......yet they're completely incapable of forgetting to charge it?

No. In that regard, carrying a spare AA battery is MUCH easier than guaranteeing it's charged properly.

All true, but I meant more like trapping an o-ring or getting dirt on it when changing the battery. The irony was I just had to go searching for my charging cable! It is now moved to the 'scuba section' of the house! Lol!

---------- Post added April 3rd, 2014 at 01:22 PM ----------

and another point, the BT is supposed to be a super TEK computer, use it only as a Bottom timer is an overkill.
just to get an "color screen" ? .

Yeah, it would certainly be overkill to use a trimix computer for a bottom timer. I'm just leaving mine as a bottom timer. Colour screen are really excellent though; but a luxury that isn't for everyone.

 

[victorzamora]

All true, but I meant more like trapping an o-ring or getting dirt on it when changing the battery. The irony was I just had to go searching for my charging cable! It is now moved to the 'scuba section' of the house! Lol!

That's another thing, you lose that special adapter and you're done! If I lose an o-ring or a AA battery, I'm alright!

However, I do have a legitimate question. I looked up the manual and still couldn't find it. Is the USB/Charging port on the xDeep Black the same/similar to most computers in that you have to put a cover over them......or is the port on the xDeep Black wet-compatible? If it's not, that's a big failure point. If it is, how about corrosion there?