Should Shearwater add Air Integration to its computers?

[Nuribromanski]

since there is nothing proprietary about the algorithm, someone could easily duplicate what Shearwater offers (user control of GF's).

lol ur seriously confused about "what Shearwater offers" IMO nobody will be duplicating their CS rep and product reliability rep. and AI? no, waste of time, money, and added complication to code and hardware. no no no

 

[SillyQuestions]

Someone hit a very good point earlier.

"'Most tech divers know what's in their tank anyway"

This is so true. I was once told before a complex, task loaded cave dive to guess my pressures before I looked at my gauges. If I was more than 10bar (150psi) out, I probably shouldn't be trying to do that dive.

Why can't photographers do the same? It's also much less critical for you guys too!


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[CuzzA]

lol ur seriously confused about "what Shearwater offers" IMO nobody will be duplicating their CS rep and product reliability rep. and AI? no, waste of time, money, and added complication to code and hardware. no no no

Really? Only Shearwater has good customer service and a reliable product? C'mon. I'm all for supporting good companies, but that statement is a little ridiculous as it suggests no other company offers good products and good customer service. Even if it were true, those two characteristics still CAN be duplicated.

Again, the adjustable gradient factor is the primary reason they are so popular. Coupled with the fact you can easily plan a dive with a matching laptop/desktop program and the computer will be using the same algorithm, just adjusting for the actual dive.

Richard, said it best, no one is forcing AI on tech divers. And I hope my posts haven't come across that way. There's simply a large market of divers who like the convenience of AI and would likely have bought a Petrel if it were available. I believe many would argue that is the sole feature the Petrel is lacking. Obviously, since we're having this discussion.

And I was always taught in business, "Don't leave money on the table, because someone else will pick it up."

 

[Nasser]

I'd like my Shearwater with an mp3 player, integrated Playstation, and a Spotify account.

Whether it's A.I. Computers, Dual Bladder Wings, or Split Fins... I'm constantly amazed at how emotional things can get on SB over a piece of equipment.

 

[BoltSnap]

Why would Tech dives use a dive computer to begin with if these electronics are prone to break for being too complicated and not just use flat plastic tables instead to avoid the whole "mess"?

And Shearwater can be trusted to handle adding more code for the AI but can be trusted with the rest of the code including updates and other tweaks????? If this is the case, don't trust them with everything they do at all, not just one feature out of all others.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Not sure it would benefit them much. They are used heavily by technical divers and I am sure that is a large part of their market.

It might be a large part of THEIR (Shearwater) market, but "technical divers" are probably what, 5% of the total/overall market of Diving ??

Technical divers are a small percentage of the diving market (no more than 10%). However, they buy a LOT of equipment and they spend money on equipment that is wildly disproportionate to their numbers and percentages.

Companies that cater to that "small" market do very well.

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Personally, as a technical wreck and cave diver, I value Shearwater computers precisely because they don't have all of the recreational oriented crap in them like audible alarms, air integration, etc.

Sure, you can add that stuff, but it drives the cost up, and worse, each addition creates more potential for hardware and software problems that reduce reliability.

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In that regard if Shearwater to wants to make a strictly rec computer for the recreational crowd that's fine. Just keep it totally separate from their technical diving computers as if they don't they'll lose my future sales in a hurry.

 

[BoltSnap]

Sure, you can add that stuff, but it drives the cost up, and worse, each addition creates more potential for hardware and software problems that reduce reliability.

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Not sure if this is a true statement, if their sales increase because of the increase client base, their manufacturing costs will go down and thus their prices may also go down.

---------- Post added January 11th, 2016 at 03:23 PM ----------

Technical divers are a small percentage of the diving market (no more than 10%). However, they buy a LOT of equipment and they spend money on equipment that is wildly disproportionate to their numbers and percentages.

Companies that cater to that "small" market do very well.

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It is a matter of relative size. Dogmatic Tec Divers with attitude don't make a market big enough for any type of technology vendor.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Why would Tech dives use a dive computer to begin with if these electronics are prone to break for being too complicated and not just use flat plastic tables instead to avoid the whole "mess"?

And Shearwater can be trusted to handle adding more code for the AI but can be trusted with the rest of the code including updates and other tweaks????? If this is the case, don't trust them with everything they do at all, not just one feature out of all others.

Shearwater's policy over the years has been that they don't want to add unnecessary fluff that detracts from the primary role of the computer, increases complexity of the interface, or distracts the diver from what is truly important. They do listen to diver feedback and they do make enhancements - but they do so while adhering to their basic philosophy as outlined above.

They have effectively captured the technical diving market because they understand and maintain the balance required between features and functionality and they strive to maintain reliability and presentation of essential information in an easy to use interface. If they ever change that approach, they'll lose the technical diving market.

 

[BoltSnap]

In that regard if Shearwater to wants to make a strictly rec computer for the recreational crowd that's fine. Just keep it totally separate from their technical diving computers as if they don't they'll lose my future sales in a hurry.

I don't understand the logic here, aren't able to turn off the features you don't like or want instead of making such threats/ominous statements?

---------- Post added January 11th, 2016 at 03:27 PM ----------

Shearwater's policy over the years has been that they don't want to add unnecessary fluff that detracts from the primary role of the computer, increases complexity of the interface, or distracts the diver from what is truly important. They do listen to diver feedback and they do make enhancements - but they do so while adhering to their basic philosophy as outlined above.

They have effectively captured the technical diving market because they understand and maintain the balance required between features and functionality and they strive to maintain reliability and presentation of essential information in an easy to use interface. If they ever change that approach, they'll lose the technical diving market.

Are you serious about your statement that AI makes the interface more complex?


AI, and AI alone, is going to be responsible for all of these fears and nightmares for you? OMG.

 

[SillyQuestions]

To everyone saying "I want a petrel for a progression to tech, but I use AI now"

Well use an SPG. It'll ease your transition to tech.

Failure of a dive computer isn't life critical if you have a back up comp/timer and printed schedule.

Failure of an AI transmitter attached to the HP port reduces my available gas.

That's the difference.


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