Atomic Aquatics Cobalt Dive Computer

[RonR]

I said I wold remain silent about the download software until I could say something definite, but...

I talked to Doug at Atomic early last week, and he said the only issues with the software were some alert/ warning flags that were not being properly assigned. He also said he was having slow communications from the developer, and that if these issues were not fixed soon he would go ahead and put up the software as a beta with acknowledged issues. Obviously putting out something with known problems is not Atomic's style, but I would expect to see something soon. I am also aware that I've said that before...

We have been working with Nick of MacDive to get Mac software up and running, and I believe we are quite close there. We are also working with Jef of libdivecomputer, a library for communication with various dive computers. to help him develop a Cobalt interface/ USB drivers as an open source library for use with third party dive log software. The drivers are not easy, and he is doing this as an open source project funded by donations. Again, we are close there but not done.

 

[Straegen]

I said I wold remain silent about the download software until I could say something definite, but...

Another recommendation... mention to them they should consider open sourcing the code. A lot of us devs could probably carry the project a lot further and a lot cheaper if we could get out mitts on the source.

Is that what they are going to use??? Dive Log???

Keep in mind I am completely speculating and Atomic to my knowledge is not officially supporting the "Diving Log" software. That said, Diving Log uses libdivecomputer which has gotten the Atomic funtions into their DLL. At least from a DLL tdump I did from a DLL they have listed on their site.

Interestingly on their download page Index of /libdc/builds/divinglog exists the built DLL with these calls in it. Again speculating but looks like Diving Log is working on the Atomic piece. Given they use C#, DevExpress and some other easy/powerful controls for development and interface with the straight forward and nicely simple libdivecomputer DLL they will or already have their product referencing Atomic. They are probably waiting on the production USB driver to get it working for everyone else.

I want to state again I am speculating and have zero insider knowledge. Years of development tell me they are having some not-so-insignificant issue with the code whether it is in the code or in the relationship with the devs. Usually it is the devs saying just a couple more days and completely underestimating the amount of work to finish up or there is a flaw they cannot fix easily which is usually in the foundation.

 

[bthinnes]

Thank for the update RonR

Years of development tell me they are having some not-so-insignificant issue with the code whether it is in the code or in the relationship with the devs. Usually it is the devs saying just a couple more days and completely underestimating the amount of work to finish up or there is a flaw they cannot fix easily which is usually in the foundation.

This is the sense I have been having. If the developer is that unresponsive then what does that say about future improvements and or bug fixes?

I don't know, I am not a software developer. I am a manufacturing engineer working in support of a custom customer direct manufacturing facility. Our customers expect custom durable good developed and delivered from the next day up to 7 days later. We use many different processes to accomplish this, vending some items is one method we utilize. When we have delays from a vendor we very quickly have face to face meetings with the vendor to explain and share the customer expectations and make very clear that they are a team member. At that point we ask very clearly whether or not they want to continue as a member of the team. If so do they understand the expectations that our customers are not to be disappointed? At that point they either buy into the team concept and understand their part or they bow out, unwilling to accept the responsibilities of customer satisfaction.

 

[RonR]

As the embedded side designers/ developers for the Cobalt, we have always felt the best desktop dive logging software would come from third party developers who do desktop PC/ Mac/ Linnux software for a living, or from the open source community. So we are supporting Jef at libdivecomputer in writing a USB driver for the Cobalt, Nick with MacDive in doing the same using the Apple libraries, and Atomic's developer as well. It seems that most other dive computers don't use "real" USB, so the process was a bit more involved than just adapting their existing code. But through libdivecomputer there will be an open source driver available, and as a consequence we would hope that open source and third party software is encouraged. So in that sense Atomic is officially supporting open source solutions, as well as software like Diving Log and MacDive.

Atomic felt they needed to offer a proprietary software package, so they contracted that job out (we are not desktop software developers- just thinking about keeping track of different versions of Windows gives us queasy feelings). From what I understand, the developer has other projects competing for his time, and this has taken longer than anyone anticipated. So far as I know there are no fundamental problems, other than the time it has taken- which is, granted, pretty basic.

I, for one, didn't realize what a big issue this would be- naively thinking that with 600 hours or so of dive log storage on the Cobalt, and with detailed information easily accessible, that not having the desktop software right away wouldn't matter a lot. Clearly I was wrong about that . But we are working to have a variety of options available soon.

 

[divinglog]

Hi everyone

I will support downloading from the Cobalt in Diving Log as soon as it is implemented into the libdivecomputer library from Jef. I have also already an import function from the official Atomics software package (an early build), but I want to wait until it is officially released so I can test it with the final version.

Sven

 

[bthinnes]

Hi everyone

I will support downloading from the Cobalt in Diving Log as soon as it is implemented into the libdivecomputer library from Jef. I have also already an import function from the official Atomics software package (an early build), but I want to wait until it is officially released so I can test it with the final version.

Sven

Hi Sven,
This is good to hear. I bought Diving Log 5.0 a couple of months ago hoping that it would support the cobalt. It also gives me an easy means to import all of my suunto logs across to a common application

 

[Straegen]

I, for one, didn't realize what a big issue this would be- naively thinking that with 600 hours or so of dive log storage on the Cobalt, and with detailed information easily accessible, that not having the desktop software right away wouldn't matter a lot. Clearly I was wrong about that . But we are working to have a variety of options available soon.

I think for many it isn't about storing the dive computer information alone. The Cobalt cannot track creatures a diver saw, interesting experiences, training notes, type of diving, conditions, etc. Several divers I know jot down that information before and after dives that correspond to dive numbers in their computer. Then when they get home they download the info and fill in the rest from their notes. IMO the same people likely to invest into first gen tech like this are the same ones who are going to want to use the full technical capabilities of a unit.

 

[bthinnes]

I think for many it isn't about storing the dive computer information alone. The Cobalt cannot track creatures a diver saw, interesting experiences, training notes, type of diving, conditions, etc. Several divers I know jot down that information before and after dives that correspond to dive numbers in their computer. Then when they get home they download the info and fill in the rest from their notes. IMO the same people likely to invest into first gen tech like this are the same ones who are going to want to use the full technical capabilities of a unit.

Exactly

 

[Michael Anthony]

My Cobalt barely survived the first “test dive” before locking up with a fixed pressure reading. I’ll let Atomic and the Vendor have a go at making good and then I’ll let you know how it went. I’m particularly anxious about this; as it was a test dive before leaving for a 10 day dive trip to the Caribbean. The Atomic was purchased solely for me to have it on that trip. Now that appears not be happening. :depressed:

And I’m not sure I’d ever have any confidence in the pressure reading from an Atomic Cobalt, now that I know that they (or at least this one) can just “freeze” and show a fixed pressure reading. :depressed: As this is a piece of safety equipment I did think our readers should be reminded of this possibility. Yes I know…..always have a back up. I was using a back up computer and so I had depth info. I did not have a spare pressure gauge. However, as I was ending my dive, the fact that the pressure reading was not longer real, did not have any adverse consequences.

We tried connecting it to a fresh tank, no change, breathing through the regulator and still no change. A fixed 490 psi displayed under all circumstances. The Cobalt died completely after the battery ran out and now it apparently will no longer accept a charge. Obviously a disappointing first dive with a Cobalt. Now I get to find out about their customer service.

I have been very happy with my other Atomic Aquatics products, and had developed a confidence in Atomic.

I work with advanced electronic equipment, including pressure gauges and I have a lot more to say about this subject, but first lets see how the customer service experience works out.

 

[RonR]

My Cobalt barely survived the first “test dive” before locking up with a fixed pressure reading. I’ll let Atomic and the Vendor have a go at making good and then I’ll let you know how it went. I’m particularly anxious about this; as it was a test dive before leaving for a 10 day dive trip to the Caribbean. The Atomic was purchased solely for me to have it on that trip. Now that appears not be happening. :depressed:

And I’m not sure I’d ever have any confidence in the pressure reading from an Atomic Cobalt, now that I know that they (or at least this one) can just “freeze” and show a fixed pressure reading. :depressed: As this is a piece of safety equipment I did think our readers should be reminded of this possibility. Yes I know…..always have a back up. I was using a back up computer and so I had depth info. I did not have a spare pressure gauge. However, as I was ending my dive, the fact that the pressure reading was not longer real, did not have any adverse consequences.

We tried connecting it to a fresh tank, no change, breathing through the regulator and still no change. A fixed 490 psi displayed under all circumstances. The Cobalt died completely after the battery ran out and now it apparently will no longer accept a charge. Obviously a disappointing first dive with a Cobalt. Now I get to find out about their customer service.

I have been very happy with my other Atomic Aquatics products, and had developed a confidence in Atomic.

I work with advanced electronic equipment, including pressure gauges and I have a lot more to say about this subject, but first lets see how the customer service experience works out.

Michael,

Can I ask a couple of questions that might help to determine what happened? I understand that if you no longer have the computer, or if you can't wake it, you may not be able to answer them, but just in case:

When the display for tank pressure froze, were other items being updated, like depth, time, etc.?
Did the computer end the dive and go to the post dive screen?
Were you able to navigate to other screens after the dive, and if so did coming back to the dive screen display the bad pressure reading again?
Were you able to view the dive in the log, and if so, did the tank pressure record properly?
You mention that the battery went down- did it deplete rapidly after the end of the dive? Without use, the battery should only go down a percent or two per day. Am I correct in inferring that you tried connecting it to the AC charger and it did not wake or take a charge? I specify AC because as noted earlier in this thread, connecting to USB will not bring up a computer that has a totally dead battery. And if the battery is completely dead, it might take a minute or so on the charger before the computer wakes.

One thing that could possibly explain what you have seen is a computer that leaked in the battery compartment- I can't diagnose that from here, but it is one possibility.

I think you will find that Atomic is bending over backwards to take care of any problems with the Cobalt- depending on what is physically possible with timing and shipping I'm sure they will try to get you a replacement in time.

Ron