How do you log your dives

[jatyeo]

In all reality I still have the manual and now know exactly why the nitek logic software was long forgot about. No way in heck im spending $200 on a docking station and software that does not seem to work on any computer (read the reviews) just to log dives. The 100pk log sheets cost $3 and I enjoy the heck out of it.

I have the docking station and a nitek, nitek3 and a nitek he. I had the nitek logic working on my xp, Vista and windows 7 conputer. Unfortunately when my nitek3 the had an issue strangely D.R. wasn't there. So I bout a nitek he and then my pc died. Now all you can get is windows 8 and once again D.R. Isn't there. Looking like they aren't going to be there for the Nitek Q either I started a post to see what others did. I just can't believe with all the technology that we possess the dive dive log softwares out there are either garbage or like divelog 5.0 so much stuff to it it's rediculous to use it and no real printing support for backups........

[jcr]

I gave up on paper log books and proprietary software years ago and took on the painful task of entering all my dives into excel. Unfortunately, I quit logging dives for several years so had to rely on buddies and memory to recreate that period. Since then, I've moved most of my files to Google drive for storage so have access to my dive log from any device that has internet access.

I log the following data: date, dive site, location, avg depth, max depth, bottom time, dive time, gases, dive buddy, and comments.

The only data that's elusive and requires me to note it during the dive is the avg depth and bottom time so when I get to my first deco stop I write both in my wetnotes. My bottom timer and memory are sufficient for the remaining data until I make a log entry, which is sometimes a few days later.

[LakeCityDiver]

I have the docking station and a nitek, nitek3 and a nitek he. I had the nitek logic working on my xp, Vista and windows 7 conputer. Unfortunately when my nitek3 the had an issue strangely D.R. wasn't there. So I bout a nitek he and then my pc died. Now all you can get is windows 8 and once again D.R. Isn't there. Looking like they aren't going to be there for the Nitek Q either I started a post to see what others did. I just can't believe with all the technology that we possess the dive dive log softwares out there are either garbage or like divelog 5.0 so much stuff to it it's rediculous to use it and no real printing support for backups........

My biggest fear using software is it can crash. The whole computer can crash. I know you can use a cloud based software and I have looked into it but the choices are endless amd a lot of work. Like Divelog 5.0, it has like you said "so much stuff" I dont really care to get into it.

Less of fire or flood my paper logs are safe. They are quick too. I can easily log a dive faster on paper.

[jatyeo]

Thats why I was hoping to find a basic computer written amd printed log. It doesnt even have to save it. The printed copy will be the log.

[Moonfuzzy]

I log everything in an access database I built years ago. Once I realized I needed to know when I had hit certain milestones (for awards that give access to new sites) I left the world of paper tracking so I could easily pull reports. As I changed dive computers I was able to import the profile data and add new fields as needed. I entered the basic info from my paper logs but there weren't many so it wasn't much work.

I know I made a copy of the database available for anyone to start using, blank and ready to go, it may even still be here on the CDF somewhere. It's probably all access '97 though, a bit outdated.


- Moonfuzzy

[patpicos]

Petrel desktop software rocks. You can query the SQLite database as well.

[tursiops]

I wrote an Excel program many years ago that tracks what kind of dive (night, boat, etc), dive parameters, adds up how many dives >130 ft, etc. The data are stored on two different files on two different computers (i.e., 4 copies), one of those computers is backed up twice a week, and also stored in the cloud (DropBox). However, now that I have the ability to download everything from my multiple computers, it would be nice to have a translator to go from (say) a Petrel file to the spreadsheet. Maybe I'll play with that a bit...

[vicp]

My biggest fear using software is it can crash. The whole computer can crash. I know you can use a cloud based software and I have looked into it but the choices are endless amd a lot of work. Like Divelog 5.0, it has like you said "so much stuff" I dont really care to get into it.

Less of fire or flood my paper logs are safe. They are quick too. I can easily log a dive faster on paper.

Yeah, it's true, computers can crash, but paper logbooks can also be lost - I have a bunch of loose logs, both flying and diving, that I can't seem to locate now. Computer files can be backed up with not a lot of work.

I also hate paperwork and have until recently, simply stopped logging - that is until I got the full cave cave rating. Now it kind of makes more sense to log, especially if you have to show experience for awards (Davis/Wakulla) and to access some sites.

When I got the DR Nitek Q, I tried using the Workbench software, but it was truly a POS (did I say piece of $HIITE!!) - even when it did work, which was not very often. I don't know why DR, for a decent company, still has anything to do with dotFX, the so-called software developer for the DR Workbench application. Anyway, getting nowhere with Workbench (WB), I corresponded with the developers of Diving Log 5 and libdivecomputer ( cross-platform and open source library for communication with dive computers from various manufacturers). After sending them some WB log files and running a routine they sent me on the Q, Diving Log sent me an update that would convert the WB files to Diving Log format. Libdivecomputer also sent me a file (.dll) that when substituted for the original file, downloads the Nitek Q files directly into Diving Log 5 and Subsurface (and probably other logging applications that use the libdivecomputer library). This was over 6 months ago, hopefully by now both software packages should have this capability by default.

In any case, Diving Log 5 (DL5) costs some money (35 Euro, ~$52) but Subsurface (Ss) is free. You can download DL5 for free but are limited to storing only 10 dives before parts of it get disabled. Ss is not limited. DL5 may have a slightly prettier interface but both are fully featured and easy to use. You can download or hand-enter all sorts of information (unfortunately the Q does not have very many downloadable fields contrary to Shearwater or similar). One can calculate SAC rates, dive profiles with depth, pressure, temp, etc., or you can put in as little as you want by hand.

The bottom line for me is, I can get back from a day or weekend of diving, download my dives,and/or enter pertinent information as desired (location, GPS, tank size, starting and ending pressures, etc.), develop profiles if I want, and print it out if I want a hard copy.

It certainly is not hard. You can make it as complex or as simple as you want, save a digital backup and/or print it out for a hard copy. Currently I am using the free Subsurface software and have the DL5 demo (10 dive full-function limit) on my computers. I may consider DL5 when I got another, fuller-featured, dive computer.

BTW, I would NOT consider a dive computer that would require some sort of expensive and proprietary interface/cable or docking station. The Q, to its credit charges and connects with USB and the Petrel, I believe, with Bluetooth.

[LakeCityDiver]

In the last few weeks been doing a lot of diving. Ive been going to dive shop to dive shop talking to owners and instructors. Been buying little things that need replacing and what not. Anyway I was talking to an instructor and in between his "im the best diver in the world speeches" he was telling me his students are required to buy computers that upload dive info and profiles in a computer based software in order to advance in training. He would not and does not accept pen and paper logs. I understand that this was his choice. Our conversation ended shortly after that.

If I found a practical software I would input my info as a back up but I still like my paper. If an instructor does not like it well that will have to just be ok. Cant justify the price of the docking station. That should have just came with the computer imo.

[rddvet]

In the last few weeks been doing a lot of diving. Ive been going to dive shop to dive shop talking to owners and instructors. Been buying little things that need replacing and what not. Anyway I was talking to an instructor and in between his "im the best diver in the world speeches" he was telling me his students are required to buy computers that upload dive info and profiles in a computer based software in order to advance in training. He would not and does not accept pen and paper logs. I understand that this was his choice. Our conversation ended shortly after that.

If I found a practical software I would input my info as a back up but I still like my paper. If an instructor does not like it well that will have to just be ok. Cant justify the price of the docking station. That should have just came with the computer imo.

That sounds like a new form of the open water dive shop scam. You know the one. You get ow certified for like $75, you are required to buy their gear packages or selection in order to get the discounted class. You end up with crap gear, crap instruction, and in this area all of the ow dives are done no deeper than 15ft in crystal river.

Now he's changed it to you can't move on until you buy a computer. Slick willy style.