Diver buddy pinger

[MJordan]

Not quite what the OP has in mind but maybe an incentive to others -

http://www.bsac.org/page/631/divetra...tition.htm#top

wow those deadlines are pretty unreasonable for a working prototype if they want anything good.

[reefduffer]

Something I'd been thinking about, similar but not quite the same purpose
because I didn't envision a directional component:

An underwater text-message transceiver. Basicly replaces (between similarly
equipped buddies) the get-attention device (tank banger), the slate, and
hand signals. All with higher bandwidth and lower error rate. Similar purpose
as voice equipment, but something that might be economically reasonable
for recreational divers in my lifetime.

I note that the current generation of teens and young adults (not mine
by any means, but it's a learnable skill) does TM almost as naturally as
talking.

Since I'm not purposing it at buddy location, just attention/communication,
range wouldn't be as critical, although more might make it more useful.
The technologies of buttons, lcd, and transmitter/receiver have all been
productized already in wireless AI computers, and the latest of those
have buddy SPG monitoring, which suggests the range is doable. And in
a larger console-size package, you could have larger batteries and thus
more TX power budget.

[DiveNav]

Don't forget who started this...I might even have some dollars to invest...

Mike

IF you really have $$$ to invest you should PM me.

I_AM

[rbolander]

I'd put money in to see a protype.

[DiveNav]

I'd put money in to see a protype.

Deal ... but ....
Let's define "prototype" ..... there are several stages in our development process:

a) Technical specification - backed up by theoretical data
b) Mathematical model / simulations
c) Alpha prototype of PHY
d) Alpha prototype of PHY+MAC
e) Beta Prototype
f) Engineering samples
g) Preproduction samples
h) Production release

At which point are you interested to come in?

Price goes up after every stage !!!

Regards,

AM

[mikerault]

Let's turn this the other way, how much do you think it will require to get a prototype ready for testing dollar wise?

[DiveNav]

Let's turn this the other way, how much do you think it will require to get a prototype ready for testing dollar wise?

I rather prefer to discuss this privately.

We have already some funding, but as every CEO knows ... money is never enough.
Nevertheless we are selective with potential investors.

Please PM me.

Regards,

AM

[Grant R]

I dive alot in low visibility and I spearfish too. Getting separated is easy and happens too often. The cost is however too high. I've used avalanche tranceivers, of which there are several brands available for locating your burried buddy. I was very surprised that a tranceiver doesn't exists (that I know of) for divers. I would think a reliable pointer within 200 feet would be very appealing if under $200. If divers are farther apart than that, well, they should have been figuring on a solo dive all along.

I suppose there's always a risk of creating interferrence with microprocessors on a computer, if your also broadcasting a powerful enough signal through water that it can be received by another. I do think there is a market for a cheap (cordless) buddy locator. It would be awsome to have those computers that have compasses on them to also have a buddy pointer mode.

[matsat64]

Put a good compass and a secondary SPG wireless and a mini microwave it it and I'll buy one.