Interesting comment. I did what you suggested, and now know that there are lots of problems with certain cell phones, that 15 months ago someone posted a thread expressing concern that somehow the Liquivision company was in trouble, which it clearly wan't, and little of anything else about the X1 dive computer. I dive an X1, and love it. I even had an X1 die during a deco dive (on the Oriskany) two years ago. But, that wasn't a problem as I was using tables and a timer anyway (and had a second He-enabled computer - Nitek He - with me as well). I called Liquivision after the dive, and a replacement computer arrived in NC before I had even gotten back from the trip. Magnificent display, great functionality, terrific customer service.
Sorry that you didn't see the threads I was vaguely referencing.
There's plenty of threads about X1 reliability problems. There's even one from just this month(or maybe January?) on TDS.com. Plenty of people have had to replace their X1's multiple times. Several members on TDS.com have replaced their X1 4, 7, even 11 times, and reference friends who've done the same! So there's plenty of reports on X1's failing. Liquivision claims that the pressure sensor issue has been resolved, but they're still getting computers sent back(at least from what I've seen) for screen issues and battery problems. You yourself have had your Liquivision replaced, and sure every company puts out a lemon once in a while. But.....there's many more like you that have had their Liquivision fail. They might have great customer service post sale, but it'd be really cool to not have to send you computer back in the first place. Customer service also includes building a product that doesn't need to be replaced, in my opinion.
These are just my observations from seeing people in person who owned/still own X1's, and reading the experiences of people online. Kinda reminds me of the Hammerhead CCR electronics......a lot of their owners love them, but I still haven't met one HH electronics owner
in person that hasn't had them fail at least once. But they still love them......until they sell it off, that is. Talk about being emotionally invested in scuba gear......
About Cochrans customer service, I haven't had to send anything back to them for warranty work or repairs......so I can't comment about when the **** hits the fan. Otherwise, they've been helpful and courteous. There are plenty of bad CS stories online if you do a search, so keep that in mind. I wouldn't be looking at a Cochran for a primary computer, though, anyways.
Also about the Cochrans, one member wrote that if you lose a gas you just stay slightly below the stop depth so it won't change over(22 feet versus 20 feet for 02, specifically). That's true, and does pretty much kill the arguement against auto gas switches, but ONLY in the circumstance of losing O2 for your 20ft stop. If you are using 3 gasses and lose your midrange gas, you're SOL and are pulling out your tables. Or, if you're using anything other than O2 for deco, such as EAN50 @ 70ft, then you're also pulling out your tables. So Murphy-1, Cochran-0. That's a very good reason not to use it as a primary computer. I'm using the Cochran as a backup to my Shearwater. Before that I was using a bottom timer as my backup. So, I'm not losing anything by going with the Cochran instead of the bottom timer as my backup. Also, I figure the chances of me losing my Shearwater AND deco gas on a single dive being quite low.
So, to anyone reading, my point is no computer is perfect. The X1 is an awesome computer, but it does have a history of problems. On the flip side, the Shearwater is a rock-solid capable computer with awesome CS, but they are bricks(which may or may not bother you). Wait a little bit and you might be able to find a used Shearwater Pursuit for under $800, or if the brick factor doesn't matter even a Shearwater GF for even less! Depending on the model, Cochrans have a history of problems and CS issues, but if you shop around you can get a very good deal and it might fit in your kit setup(I got my EMC-20H and Analyst Pro for $475). If you do consider a Cochran, make sure you get the serial number from the seller and check with Cochran as to whether it factory supported anymore. Nitek HE's can be had for $350 or so, and are a solid computer until something breaks or it goes on the fritz, at which point you're screwed since Dive Rite no longer offers factory support for it. The VR3 is a very capable computer on paper, but are nowhere near as robust as they appear and based on your own personal preferences you may not like its user interface. Still, they can be had for $600 or so used. So hopefully you were able to pick up some helpful info in this thread, but be sure to do addition research on what you're specifically looking at and think about how it affects your kit. In the very end, you could just get two bottom timers totalling no more than $500!
P.S. Buy a Shearwater Predator.
