To All Uwatec Aladin AirX or Air X Nitrox Users and Former Owners
Forward: I am new to this board, and until it affected me, was unaware of a service issue with Uwatec Aladin AirX and Air X Nitrox computers (battery replacement). After reading prior posts, particularly those in July 2004 under Aladin Air X Users Needed, its apparent that many of you already know what Im about to report. If so, I apologize for the redundancy. If you are a former owner of a dead Air X (regular or Nitrox), Id like to know if you took advantage of Scubapros upgrade program (to a comparable Air Z), and at what cost. If you are a current owner/user, I hope the following may be helpful .
Just wondering if your computer is still working. If it is, take note
Last summer, in preparation for an extended international trip that starts next month, I tried to get the battery on my Air X Nitrox replaced. I called Scubapro/Uwatec direct, and was told that there was plenty of battery life left (51%), and that unless the battery was at 10% or less, they wouldnt replace it. They also told me that, since it took almost seven years to use the first 1/2 of the battery, the remaining charge should last another seven years. Sound familiar (it will if youve read similar threads)? After a trip last September, the battery was at 49%, and all seemed well.
In December, the battery was still at 49%. This past weekend, I started to put my equipment together to pack, and when I checked the battery, all I got was an error message (ERR) (i.e. battery deader than dead). This time, when I called Scubapro, they indicated (as many already know), that they no longer service the Aladin Air X Nitrox. This would have been good information to impart when I called last summer, but from what I've since learned, they don't offer the upgrade until you're at 30% or under.
I'm not sure what percentage of owners actually see 30% (or 10%). From my recent research, it seems fairly common for the remaining life to drop from around 50% to ERR in a heartbeat. A prior poster who indicated that remaining life is not actual, but a calculation of the estimated life minus usage is likely correct. It also seems that this calculation does not take into account that batteries lose charge over time, so the older the battery, the less likely that the calculation is anywhere near correct.
Now that I am weeks from departure, lucky me, my dead battery makes me eligible to trade in my computer for an Air Z Nitrox, with one major catch. I can't do this on my own (through Uwatec/Scubapro). I must go through an authorized dealer WHO CAN CHARGE WHATEVER THEY WANT for this service. I've read accounts from many others (several in Australia) who paid between $150 and $300 (converted to US$) for the exchange. Lucky people. The first three dive shops that I contacted, which are the only dealers within 20 miles, wanted between $500 and $600. They apparently know that you're between a rock and hard place, and try to sell you on the "deal" that you're getting by not having to pay the retail price of $900 or $999 or whatever it is. Unfortunately, once you know it's open season on consumers, and that the manufacturer and dealers are complicit in the process, it's hard to feel anything but screwed.
I'm not sure what the dealer's cost is (other than a box and postage to return the defunct computers to Scubapro) but if anything, it's nominal. What they can charge, however, is not limited (according to Scubapro). Scubapro was, shall we say, somewhat dismayed to learn of the prices I had been quoted, but offered that I could request the exchange at any dealer in the country, and was welcome to shop for the best price. What an option. They also indicated that I should take advantage of the exchange, as the new computers have free battery replacement for life. A nice feature, unless, like the computer I already have, they decide in a couple years not to service it any longer, and are instead promoting a new and improved model.
I should take a moment to mention how completely satisfied I was with my Air X Nitrox while it was living. It served me well over the years, was easy to use, never malfunctioned, and offered a lot of nice features. Yes, it would be nice if the time and temp were displayed rather than stored in memory only, but overall, it was a great computer. If it had been lost or stolen, I'd have purchased the Air Z Nitrox as a replacement. In fact, I'd be a walking testimonial for these computers if it weren't for the situation I find myself in.
I haven't decided what I'll do, and am still pursuing my case with Scubapro. Regardless of the outcome, it would be nice if there were a fair and equitable solution for all who owned the computer, as opposed to a money making opportunity for the dealers. My recent experience has certainly detracted from what would otherwise be an unqualified endorsement of the product.
If memory serves, the Air Z line was introduced within a year after I purchased my Air X (early 1998). This means that if you own and use an Air X of any kind, and it's not already dead, it will be soon. Regardless of what it says on the display. I would caution anyone who has an Air X not to rely on it's continued function, particularly if they are traveling, don't have a set of back up equipment, or mind using whatever equipment is available (which I'm guessing would be most if they're paying good money for their own equipment to begin with). I would also suggest researching exchange options before they're needed. Unless you find a dealer with comparable Air Z model in stock that is willing to exchange it for your old computer, hence reducing inventory until they receive what is sent in exchange for your computer (which will be newer and have a fresher battery), you could be without your computer for weeks. Allow additional time if the shop isnt in the same rush as you to send your equipment out.
If you are a dive shop owner or technician with ready access to tools and spare parts (computer, hoses, gauges, or another airless computer and transmitter), and can reconfigure your equipment on the fly, or if you are a Scubapro dealer, this warning doesn't apply to you. Nor does it apply if you don't mind spending $500-600, in essence, to replace a dead battery. Everyone else, beware...
Forward: I am new to this board, and until it affected me, was unaware of a service issue with Uwatec Aladin AirX and Air X Nitrox computers (battery replacement). After reading prior posts, particularly those in July 2004 under Aladin Air X Users Needed, its apparent that many of you already know what Im about to report. If so, I apologize for the redundancy. If you are a former owner of a dead Air X (regular or Nitrox), Id like to know if you took advantage of Scubapros upgrade program (to a comparable Air Z), and at what cost. If you are a current owner/user, I hope the following may be helpful .
Just wondering if your computer is still working. If it is, take note
Last summer, in preparation for an extended international trip that starts next month, I tried to get the battery on my Air X Nitrox replaced. I called Scubapro/Uwatec direct, and was told that there was plenty of battery life left (51%), and that unless the battery was at 10% or less, they wouldnt replace it. They also told me that, since it took almost seven years to use the first 1/2 of the battery, the remaining charge should last another seven years. Sound familiar (it will if youve read similar threads)? After a trip last September, the battery was at 49%, and all seemed well.
In December, the battery was still at 49%. This past weekend, I started to put my equipment together to pack, and when I checked the battery, all I got was an error message (ERR) (i.e. battery deader than dead). This time, when I called Scubapro, they indicated (as many already know), that they no longer service the Aladin Air X Nitrox. This would have been good information to impart when I called last summer, but from what I've since learned, they don't offer the upgrade until you're at 30% or under.
I'm not sure what percentage of owners actually see 30% (or 10%). From my recent research, it seems fairly common for the remaining life to drop from around 50% to ERR in a heartbeat. A prior poster who indicated that remaining life is not actual, but a calculation of the estimated life minus usage is likely correct. It also seems that this calculation does not take into account that batteries lose charge over time, so the older the battery, the less likely that the calculation is anywhere near correct.
Now that I am weeks from departure, lucky me, my dead battery makes me eligible to trade in my computer for an Air Z Nitrox, with one major catch. I can't do this on my own (through Uwatec/Scubapro). I must go through an authorized dealer WHO CAN CHARGE WHATEVER THEY WANT for this service. I've read accounts from many others (several in Australia) who paid between $150 and $300 (converted to US$) for the exchange. Lucky people. The first three dive shops that I contacted, which are the only dealers within 20 miles, wanted between $500 and $600. They apparently know that you're between a rock and hard place, and try to sell you on the "deal" that you're getting by not having to pay the retail price of $900 or $999 or whatever it is. Unfortunately, once you know it's open season on consumers, and that the manufacturer and dealers are complicit in the process, it's hard to feel anything but screwed.
I'm not sure what the dealer's cost is (other than a box and postage to return the defunct computers to Scubapro) but if anything, it's nominal. What they can charge, however, is not limited (according to Scubapro). Scubapro was, shall we say, somewhat dismayed to learn of the prices I had been quoted, but offered that I could request the exchange at any dealer in the country, and was welcome to shop for the best price. What an option. They also indicated that I should take advantage of the exchange, as the new computers have free battery replacement for life. A nice feature, unless, like the computer I already have, they decide in a couple years not to service it any longer, and are instead promoting a new and improved model.
I should take a moment to mention how completely satisfied I was with my Air X Nitrox while it was living. It served me well over the years, was easy to use, never malfunctioned, and offered a lot of nice features. Yes, it would be nice if the time and temp were displayed rather than stored in memory only, but overall, it was a great computer. If it had been lost or stolen, I'd have purchased the Air Z Nitrox as a replacement. In fact, I'd be a walking testimonial for these computers if it weren't for the situation I find myself in.
I haven't decided what I'll do, and am still pursuing my case with Scubapro. Regardless of the outcome, it would be nice if there were a fair and equitable solution for all who owned the computer, as opposed to a money making opportunity for the dealers. My recent experience has certainly detracted from what would otherwise be an unqualified endorsement of the product.
If memory serves, the Air Z line was introduced within a year after I purchased my Air X (early 1998). This means that if you own and use an Air X of any kind, and it's not already dead, it will be soon. Regardless of what it says on the display. I would caution anyone who has an Air X not to rely on it's continued function, particularly if they are traveling, don't have a set of back up equipment, or mind using whatever equipment is available (which I'm guessing would be most if they're paying good money for their own equipment to begin with). I would also suggest researching exchange options before they're needed. Unless you find a dealer with comparable Air Z model in stock that is willing to exchange it for your old computer, hence reducing inventory until they receive what is sent in exchange for your computer (which will be newer and have a fresher battery), you could be without your computer for weeks. Allow additional time if the shop isnt in the same rush as you to send your equipment out.
If you are a dive shop owner or technician with ready access to tools and spare parts (computer, hoses, gauges, or another airless computer and transmitter), and can reconfigure your equipment on the fly, or if you are a Scubapro dealer, this warning doesn't apply to you. Nor does it apply if you don't mind spending $500-600, in essence, to replace a dead battery. Everyone else, beware...