Dive Computer research

[curtschu]

It is time to upgrade my computer and would like some input from the group. I am contemplating getting either a VR3 or a Ni Tek he.
Not because I currently dive trimix but since the difference in cost is not that sigificant and I plan to start in the future and capibility is so much more. Is there other ideas I'm not seeing?

[FW]

Not because I currently dive trimix but since the difference in cost is not that sigificant and I plan to start in the future and capibility is so much more. Is there other ideas I'm not seeing?

Check out: http://www.hs-eng.com/

Also "Resources" above, under "Gear" then "Computers" there is a comparison chart.

[ARY]

Check out: http://www.hs-eng.com/

BTW they are from St.Augustine FL now, and computer "brain" is upgradeable as well as VR3.

Check out the following link (plenty of research for you, read at least the first three pages!):

http://cavediver.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=223

Let me know if you want a demo of the Hydrospace Explorer, VR3 and the NiTek HE.

[Genesis]

My complaint with all of the "high end" computers is that none really deliver on the promise.

What promise? The promise of obsolescence protection.

The Nitek and Explorer both use hard-segmented displays. That's so.... 70s. A dot matrix display is not much more expensive, really, and the controllers for them are trivially inexpensive nowdays.

The VR3 solves that problem, but even it cannot REALLY be updated by you. You still have to send it back.

With the VR3 this is particularly galling, since it has IR capability and all three have flash. There is absolutely no reason on God's Green Earth why one should not be able to buy a device in this class and then update it as required using their computer.

Finally, its so passe' to have a computer that is destroyed if the battery is inserted the wrong way. HS's warns of this possibility.

A diode, which prevents this from happening, costs less than a quarter.

One has to wonder if that sort of omission in the circuit of these devices is intentional.

We're talking about machines here that cost more than a kilobuck, when I can buy an entire PC for that kind of money.

Let's get real and demand REAL investment protection and solid engineering.

[normblitch]

My complaint with all of the "high end" computers is that none really deliver on the promise.

What promise? The promise of obsolescence protection.

The Nitek and Explorer both use hard-segmented displays. That's so.... 70s. A dot matrix display is not much more expensive, really, and the controllers for them are trivially inexpensive nowdays.

The VR3 solves that problem, but even it cannot REALLY be updated by you. You still have to send it back.

With the VR3 this is particularly galling, since it has IR capability and all three have flash. There is absolutely no reason on God's Green Earth why one should not be able to buy a device in this class and then update it as required using their computer.

Finally, its so passe' to have a computer that is destroyed if the battery is inserted the wrong way. HS's warns of this possibility.

A diode, which prevents this from happening, costs less than a quarter.

One has to wonder if that sort of omission in the circuit of these devices is intentional.

We're talking about machines here that cost more than a kilobuck, when I can buy an entire PC for that kind of money.

Let's get real and demand REAL investment protection and solid engineering.

Until now, I hadn't considered this...

While in a Consumer niche, I bought a Logitec Harmony universal remote about 2 months ago for the Home Theater...although it has many dedicated buttons, many features are accessed from buttons pointing to various icons on an LCD screen (allowing for future upgrade)...the setup, normally a disturbing hour or two of inputting info manually, is replaced by hooking the remote to your XPTR via supplied USB cable, logging on to the Harmony site, clicking equipment used and control needs...it then hums while the website d/l's the data AND checks automatically for firmware/software updates...

I don't know if it (the remote) is reverse polarity protected, but as a solder-head, I can confirm Karl's comment re the diode...this feature has been around as long as the '70's...

I won't comment re the Motives of the Designers and Builders, but IMHO it DOES show a lack of thorough product Design...

73 de Norm KE4GAH

[ARY]

We're talking about machines here that cost more than a kilobuck, when I can buy an entire PC for that kind of money.
Let's get real and demand REAL investment protection and solid engineering.

You are right on that. This reminds me my General Electric microwave for $200. When electricity blinks this child of idiot-engineers is not just unkeeping settings (problem resolved with one extra capacitor) but exposes the stupidity of its design: the very first thing after blackout microwave wants to know is current day, month, year, hour, minute, AM or PM. Why should i set up all that sh$t if i just wanted to warm up my sandvich? And light is blinking in our building almost every single day! Living overseas i had Korean made $40 microwave for 10 years with dial semi-mechanical timer on it and i was totally happy with it.

As on HS Explorer i would hope they will not stop in removing bugs. So personally for me this locally made upgradeable device looks very attractive (should i have spare kilobuck for it).

[BillBowden]

I've used the VR3 and the Nitek He. The He is much more intuitive, easier to learn and has excellent support from DR. I don't know when you'd use 7 gases on a single dive by the He will let you do it. Using all 7 gases you can trick it into modeling your rebreather settings. Biggest downside for the deep stuff is it doesn't give you credit for deep stops. For open circuit it's my favorite computer. Price is good, and there are some kicking around used at an even better price.

I mostly use the VR3 now. Primarily as a backup to the on-board computer on my rebreather. The thing is so capable that there is a significant learning curve. The manual is not the best. So it helps if you've got someone to show you how to beat it into submission. If you want something that is upgradeable to 10 user defined gases, nitrox, trimix, rebreather (and bail out) capable I'd recommend the VR3. User changeable "AA" battery is a plus.

[crazyduck]

I see your frustrations and understand it.

I talked to a series of folks about this and the product liability is the real issue with the changes we are wanting.

Most manufactures I have talked to have a baseline of what they consider a liability with the general public.

The only way you are getting around this is to make your own. Not like I have not thought about it. (Palm pilot, case, depth sensor..yada,yada, yada.)

Really when you look at what we have and the ability to cut tables with laptops what we have is getting better all the time.

What I am hoping is for a manufacture will take a product that is existing and perhaps allow divers such as us the ability to come in and customize their units.
Basically we are talking about customized dive computers.
HS Engineering is probably the best suited for a process like this but they would have to see something in return. Really you are talking metal cases, LCD screens with programming, and then decompression setup.

There is an alterative that has not been discussed- Hammer Head rebreather controller has a dive computer built into the wrist unit. You can use the unit as… a straight dive computer when plug the port for the rebreather. While this is far from perfect, it could be a hell of a nitch market. http://www.rebreather.us/Hammerhead/Hammerhead.htm

Just a thought- Hammerhead is about to go through a revision, there a lots… of these units being replaced! Hummm, what are they going to do with all of the old units?!!!

Andrew

[BobK]

Is the Hammerhead's dive computer any better than the VR3 or He ?