Off Topic -- slightly. Dive Computers

Steve Butler kg7je at comcast.net
Fri Mar 6 09:28:31 PST 2015



On 03/06/2015 09:06 AM, Davide DB wrote:
> Hi Steve,
>
> IMHO IMHO right now, one of the best gadget out there is the
> Shearwater petrel. One of the best display (size and colors),  amazing
> overall features plus a rock solid customer service.
>
> Right now I have a Xdeep Black bottom timer (you can buy nitrox or
> trimix DC version but the hardware it's the same).
> I'm satisfied with it but I would not suggest :)
> Few months ago I wrote a small review/open letter of its pro and cons
> that I copy here.
>
>
> I have this BT and it's really one of the nicest gadget I ever had but
> after nearly three months of diving with it I can give here a small
> recap on its cons. and maybe some suggestion to them.
>
> Now, the latest update has solved everything was previously reported.
> Maybe their temp compensation algorithm still needs some refinement.
> the CPU used is so powerful that is capable to heat the device giving
> false values. They implemented a sw temperature correction that works.
> Actually I still get slightly different values from my Sensus Ultra.
>
> Buttons: they get pressed accidentally, continuosly. You have to put
> the device exactly in the middle of your arm otherwise when you bend
> your arm for whatever reason the get pushed and you find your display
> on another screen. Nothing dramatic but really annoying. Now I'm
> diving with a pscr and on the same arm I have the O2 monitor so it's
> really a PITA. I should try the latest sw feature added: you can
> disable the button underwater. I did not try but I need to be in
> control for stopwatch and average depth.
>
> KeyPressing combinations: I think the the Liquivision Xen way is far
> more efficient. To reset the timer/avg. depth you have:
> - short press of left button to bring the menu
> - one or two short press of right button to choose the "reset timer" option
> - one long press fo right button to confirm.
> It's really too long.
>
> Layout/fonts: disclaimer - My eye sight is 11/10 but I'm in the
> forties so size matters.
> Layout and fonts are really nice but some info are really too small.

It's all about size now!  If I don't have to change out the 1.65 for 
2.50 in the bottom of the mask, that would be preferable!
> You can set a custom color for everything on screen through some very
> counterintuitive menu. There's no way to move things around (custom
> layout) or changing dimensions. You have to stick with three layouts:
> full - simple - minimum. Unfortunately for (us) tech divers we would
> like having "full" because it's the only one with timer and average
> depth.
> In this layout I find that these info are displayed really too small.
> IMHO their error was to rely only on the wonderful screen resolution.
> Unfortunately even if your display resolution permits to draw 1 mm
> letters it doesn't mean they are eye readable.
> Moreover in this layout they WASTE a lot of space for their
> "state-of-the art VSI indicator" (ascent/descent speed indicator) that
> it's completely useless for tech dives.
> Same apply for the runtime. By default the large central timer start
> with the runtime. As you reset the timer, the runtime is displayed on
> the upper right corner with the same font as average depth. Too little
> to me.
> On the reatime log screen you have average depth and temperature. Both
> are (maybe) smaller that the main screen. Guys you hate me!!!
>
> Regarding the difficult task to insert color hex values via two
> buttons... Why don't you rely on a CSV file as for compass bearing?
> You already have the feature to read one CSV user file from the flash
> memory. You could do the same for setting color. You simply give the
> user one table with a numeric code for each object on screen so I can
> assign the RGB hex value in a file like this:
>
> 01;0000ff
> 02;ffa500
> 03;...
>
> PS
>
> Maybe a greater attention to their customer too.
>
Same question as I asked Linus -- thoughts on carrying a backup DC on 
all dives.


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