Atomic Aquatics Cobalt Dive Computer

[SlicerDicer]

I was using a retractable clip as you can see in this pic.

http://i.imgur.com/1pj6z.jpg

 

[RonR]

I love my Atomic Cobalt however part of it broke? And then it takes time to get back I got to decide when I wont go diving again for a while or go without it? I hope this is not common.

Its too bad the local dealer of Atomic cant deal with it or something..

http://i.imgur.com/XrVcU.jpg 7 dives logged

It's not common- this is the first one I've seen broken other than intentionally. The cover (where the loop is) is literally a snap to replace (it's a snap-on closure) so it could easily be handled by a dealer in a few seconds if they had the extra cover. Have you already returned it or are you wondering what to do?
Ron

 

[Hatul]

It's not common- this is the first one I've seen broken other than intentionally. The cover (where the loop is) is literally a snap to replace (it's a snap-on closure) so it could easily be handled by a dealer in a few seconds if they had the extra cover. Have you already returned it or are you wondering what to do?
Ron

In the old Palm Pilot days they had a nice repair program that I've not seen since. They would send you a refurbished unit in a special shipping box. When you got the refurbished unit you'd pack your broken Palm and use the box to ship back. The result was that you had no down time.

Adam

 

[SlicerDicer]

It's not common- this is the first one I've seen broken other than intentionally. The cover (where the loop is) is literally a snap to replace (it's a snap-on closure) so it could easily be handled by a dealer in a few seconds if they had the extra cover. Have you already returned it or are you wondering what to do?
Ron

My LDS does not carry the computer let alone parts I live on Maui and the LDS is Maui Dive Shop would they be able to get the cover and replace it so I do not have to be without it?

No I have not returned it yet I am doing 95ft dives on nitrox next Monday kinda need it doing my specialty stuffs.

In the old Palm Pilot days they had a nice repair program that I've not seen since. They would send you a refurbished unit in a special shipping box. When you got the refurbished unit you'd pack your broken Palm and use the box to ship back. The result was that you had no down time.

Adam

I would gladly give a credit card number to Atomic to do this, Some computer companies do this called Advanced RMA that would be nice if more did it. Its not that its non functional its just degraded so to speak


Edit:
I also was just thinking it might be due to the shape that it broke with the metal keyring loop thing and snapped it? I will tell ya from now on I am not going to use metal on it I will just use some kite bridle line, it handles salt water well and has a breaking force of some insanity like 1200lbs??!?! I just got to bother the local kite repair lady

 

[Michael Anthony]

I was using a retractable clip as you can see in this pic.

I had recently changed to a keyring style link to my retractor based on a conversation with a vendor at the Scuba Show in Long Beach. After reading this I've changed the keyring to a short cord. Its seems strong enough. And besides it is only holding the Cobalt close to me. If it did break I'd not be losing anything, I'd just have to tuck the Cobalt into the BCD for the rest of the dive. I am thinking the keyring style link was a bad idea.

In the old Palm Pilot days they had a nice repair program that I've not seen since. They would send you a refurbished unit in a special shipping box. When you got the refurbished unit you'd pack your broken Palm and use the box to ship back. The result was that you had no down time.

Adam

t-mobile still does this for cell phones replaced under warranty. However, cell phones are a lot more prone to failure that a dive computer. I've been a supplier to the leading cell phone companies and cheaper trumps better every time. And so changing out cell phones that fail in the first year is an ongoing and frequent process.

 

[RonR]

OK, stand by- I'm checking to see the easiest way to get you a replacement cover. The cover functions to hold the keypad down and retain the lens securely, so long as it's still doing those things there should be no problem diving the unit.

 

[SlicerDicer]

Thanks RonR, This makes me glad that I didn't hesitate on ordering a second one for my partner. I was rather impressed with your service even when I called

 

[ITGuy]

Hello RonR,

When purchasing a Cobalt several weeks ago, I opened the box to discover the Down button did not work.  I was then given a different Cobalt.  After 16 dives logged in less than a month later with this replacement Cobalt, the Up button no longer functions.

Where is the quality control? My dealer told me they do not repair them, so I now have to send it back to Atomic Aquatics and then wait for who knows how long? Are Cobalt owners expected to do this repeatedly when each button suddenly fails? Has this issue been identified and corrected so I won't have this problem once it has been repaired?

How do I get a Cobalt that doesn't have this problem?  I'm diving a lot, so I would prefer to do a swap for a Cobalt that has had this manufacturing defect rectified once and for all. 

Thanks,

ITG

 

[RonR]

Hello RonR,

When purchasing a Cobalt several weeks ago, I opened the box to discover the Down button did not work.  I was then given a different Cobalt.  After 16 dives logged in less than a month later with this replacement Cobalt, the Up button no longer functions.
<snip>

How do I get a Cobalt that doesn't have this problem?  I'm diving a lot, so I would prefer to do a swap for a Cobalt that has had this manufacturing defect rectified once and for all. 

Thanks,

ITG

Have you tried rinsing the keypad vigorously under running water (while repeatedly pressing the buttons) to dislodge any possible junk that's gotten under it? Is the button absolutely not working at all, or just working inconsistently?

It's unlikely that there is anything wrong with the switches themselves. The Cobalt uses magnetic switches on the main circuit board, activated by magnets captured in the soft keypad. There is no physical connection. The switches themselves are incredibly durable and reliable- particularly compared to the typical O-ring sealed shaft- they are, however, sensitive to the alignment of the magnets in the soft keypad. Atomic uses different strength magnets to "tune" the keypad to the switches in assembly. There have certainly been some instances where they got it wrong and the switches worked poorly out of the box, generally that's just a matter of replacing the magnets. Without seeing your computer I can't really tell you the reason why a button would stop working, but the most likely by far is that something is causing the magnet in the soft button to no longer align with the switch when pressed. Atomic has been very accommodating about getting loaners to people who needed them, if a Cobalt needs to be repaired.

Ron

 

[donhealy]

Ron,

I need some help understanding the OTU calcs and what it means for repetitive diving. I just got back from a live aboard and did 27 dives (5 a day). The OTU read 875 for the final dive with a CNS of 18%. Is the OTU cumulative over the 27 dives or in a 24 hr period? What is the alert level that I should begin to worry about O2 tox? My LDS was no help at so I'm reaching out here.

Don