Atomic Aquatics Cobalt Dive Computer

[nelsonrl]

The display was a little hard to read while floating around on the safety stop, but nothing major. I just cupped my hand over the display so no huge deal. It was very simple to use. I agree with you Ron on the lack of a need for an online course, this thing is about as simple to use as a digital Timex.

 

[MrShooShoo]

I bought my Cobalt in May and went diving with it in June. When I hooked it up to my computer, I found that there was a bogus 157ft dive logged for dive #1. The other dives are correct. However, when I attempt to view any dive other than the bogus dive #1, I get an unhandled exception in the Cobalt Upload / Logbook application. The details of the exception are as follows. Any ideas?

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.ArgumentOutOfRangeException: Index was out of range. Must be non-negative and less than the size of the collection.
Parameter name: index
at System.ThrowHelper.ThrowArgumentOutOfRangeException(ExceptionArgument argument, ExceptionResource resource)
at System.ThrowHelper.ThrowArgumentOutOfRangeException()
at System.Collections.Generic.List`1.get_Item(Int32 index)
at CobaltLogbook.Form1.FillDiveData(DiveHeaderStruct dh)
at CobaltLogbook.Form1.RedrawBasedOnTreeview()
at CobaltLogbook.Form1.treeView1_AfterSelect(Object sender, TreeViewEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.TreeView.OnAfterSelect(TreeViewEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.TreeView.TvnSelected(NMTREEVIEW* nmtv)
at System.Windows.Forms.TreeView.WmNotify(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.TreeView.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4211 (VistaSP2GDR.050727-4200)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
Cobalt-Logbook
Assembly Version: 1.2.4151.34987
Win32 Version: 1.2.*
CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/AtomicsAquatics/Cobalt-Logbook/Cobalt-Logbook.exe
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4016 (NetFxQFE.050727-4000)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4205 (VistaSP2GDR.050727-4200)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4016 (NetFxQFE.050727-4000)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
ZedGraph
Assembly Version: 5.1.2.878
Win32 Version: 5.1.2.878
CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/AtomicsAquatics/Cobalt-Logbook/ZedGraph.DLL
----------------------------------------
FlexCell
Assembly Version: 2.5.3.0
Win32 Version: 2.5.3.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/AtomicsAquatics/Cobalt-Logbook/FlexCell.DLL
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.VisualBasic
Assembly Version: 8.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 8.0.50727.4016 (NetFxQFE.050727-4000)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Microsoft.VisualBasic/8.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/Microsoft.VisualBasic.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Data
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4016 (NetFxQFE.050727-4000)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_32/System.Data/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Data.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Transactions
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4016 (NetFxQFE.050727-4000)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_32/System.Transactions/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Transactions.dll
----------------------------------------
System.EnterpriseServices
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4016 (NetFxQFE.050727-4000)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_32/System.EnterpriseServices/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.EnterpriseServices.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4016 (NetFxQFE.050727-4000)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4016 (NetFxQFE.050727-4000)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------
LibUsbDotNet
Assembly Version: 2.2.7.85
Win32 Version: 2.2.7.85
CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/AtomicsAquatics/Cobalt-Logbook/LibUsbDotNet.DLL
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:

<configuration>
<system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

 

[RonR]

I bought my Cobalt in May and went diving with it in June. When I hooked it up to my computer, I found that there was a bogus 157ft dive logged for dive #1. The other dives are correct. However, when I attempt to view any dive other than the bogus dive #1, I get an unhandled exception in the Cobalt Upload / Logbook application. The details of the exception are as follows. Any ideas?

Dive #1 is a wet test done at the factory (see page 35 of the manual).

What firmware version are you running? The dive log software requires that the firmware be updated to version 1.10 or newer (1.11 is current). If you have dives with very many segments (long dives, or dives using a fast sample storage rate) and haven't updated the firmware errors could result.

Ron

 

[MrShooShoo]

Firmware is latest. Didn't update it until after I made the dives, but before I imported. Does that matter?

 

[RonR]

Firmware is latest. Didn't update it until after I made the dives, but before I imported. Does that matter?

No, it wouldn't matter what version you were running when the dives were made, so long as it was updated before importing.

The Windows software is not our area of knowledge, all I can suggest right now is to look at the dives in the Cobalt's dive log and try to see what might be different between the 1st test dive that you can view under the Windows software, and all the rest of the dives that you can't. If there is something obviously different with the dives, then that might provide a clue as to why the dive log software is having a problem displaying the data. If you have another computer available you might try installing the divelog software on that one and see if you have the same results after downloading. Unfortunately with the weekend Atomic is out till Tuesday- if nothing obvious shows up I'd give them a call and see if they have seen this problem before.

Good luck, Ron

 

[MrShooShoo]

Thanks for the help. I have called Atomic, spoke with a real person, who took a message for the developers, who have never gotten back with me. I'll try another machine.

 

[Mud Guppy]

After purchasing my Cobalt in December I finally got it wet in June. Like everyone else agrees the user interface is really easy to use and I love it for that reason. But after using in real time is when I had some issues. I am not a young man anymore (56) so certain parts of my body {normal part of aging} such as vision, hearing and memory are fading and other problems are solved with Viagra . Issue one is the inability to adjust the volume levels of any alarms. A good diver knows what is going on the with the dive but on a rare ocasion it is possible to exceed your max depth setting and not hear the alarm. I am not aware of any underwater hearing aids. Issue two is with the end of dive stats. I have made numerous dives that the dive master wants my dive stats when I am back on the boat. On the surface you can go to the dive log and access your dive stats there. In the bright sun and not diving with my reading glasses it is impossible to read. We tucked the computer {me and my buddy} in a BC with max brightness and neither of us could read it. To avoid that issue I try to look at the numbers just before I surface and try to remember. There is a 50% chance I will not remember them as I am occupied with hanging on the side of a boat, trying not to drop my weights when handing them on board, dodging dead lion fish we killed and getting the crane ready to hoist my a-- back on board.

I did have some other problems. I am not sure how it happened but when I did my pre-dive checks the battery was completely discharged. That may have occured because I had it packed it in a very tight pelican case and that may have kept the computer on. I hooked the charger to it and it took a charge no problem. After that initial charge the computer would not accept any other attempts to charge it again. The computer displayed some charging error of which I do not re-call {memory.} I think every electronic device that requires a charger, headphones, cell phones and such the male side of the charging cable goes fully into the device which prevents pushing the cable too far inside. The Cobalt is an exception, the male plug does not fully extend into the charging device so part of it sticks out and that appears as though the plug is not fully inside the charger. While monkeying around with it trying to get it to charge I decided that maybe I needed to push the charge cable further into the charger. Wrong. So I broke that part of the charger. But there was plenty enough juice in the computer and I was still able to use and enjoy it.

I had initially thought, like most, the hp hose would be too small. There is plenty of hose and I am as round as a whisky barrell so I think that should not be any problem for most users.

I sent the computer to the Cobalt center and was promised a new one. I feel certain the charging problem will be fixed and I hope updated. I will let you know.

 

[RonR]

... I am not sure how it happened but when I did my pre-dive checks the battery was completely discharged. That may have occured because I had it packed it in a very tight pelican case and that may have kept the computer on. I hooked the charger to it and it took a charge no problem. After that initial charge the computer would not accept any other attempts to charge it again....

The rapid discharge followed by an inability to charge indicates a problem with the battery- possibly even water in the battery compartment. It's good that you are getting it replaced. That is something you should not see.

You can trick the Cobalt into thinking that it is going to be diving by leaving the USB adapter plugged in or storing it in a very wet environment, but just being in a sealed case would not do it. When it is wet or thinks it is, it uses up the battery faster than true standby, but even then, it would take at least several days to discharge even a partially charged battery.

There is a lot of information in the post-dive screen, so the font is fairly small. I and others have recommended the stick-on reading lenses in your mask. What you say makes me wonder if you had the default scree brightness turned up all the way (it's in the Settings menu). I've not had a problem reading the screen if I shade it with my hand in bright sunlight- and I've got a few years on you.

Ron

 

[jaeckert]

Hey RonR,
Related question; I am headed to the other side of the country (Idaho to Florida) next week and I want to avoid any rookie mistakes (and I am most certainly a rookie). With no "Off" option is there anything I should pay attention to while traveling? So far, Atomic's instructions have been spot on if I take the time to read AND follow them.
I will say, that from a middle-ager, the audible alerts really need to be louder (my shortcoming; not the computer's).

 

[RonR]

Hey RonR,
Related question; I am headed to the other side of the country (Idaho to Florida) next week and I want to avoid any rookie mistakes (and I am most certainly a rookie). With no "Off" option is there anything I should pay attention to while traveling? So far, Atomic's instructions have been spot on if I take the time to read AND follow them.
I will say, that from a middle-ager, the audible alerts really need to be louder (my shortcoming; not the computer's).

Don't travel or store the computer with the USB adapter plugged in to it, or submerged in water. The Cobalt never completely shuts off- even in a sleep state it wakes up every few minutes (very briefly) to sample the ambient air pressure. That's so if you jump into the water without turing it on, it has an accurate ambient pressure to base the deco calculations on. But when it senses water, it starts sampling at a faster rate- that's a "might be diving soon" state, and it uses more power- though still less than half what it does when diving. When the USB adapter is plugged in, to the Cobalt it looks like being wet. In that state an increase in pressure can start a dive.

That can cause some unexpected results- we had a customer return a "defective" Cobalt that would not stop "diving" to 4' at the surface. They had flown to Asia with the adapter plugged in, and on descent the Cobalt saw the pressure increased enough to trigger a dive. And, since once you are in a dive the only way to end it is to ascend to a depth shallower than 3', they were stuck until the ambient pressure decreased.

The Cobalt should go for at least six months on a full battery in standby mode.

Have a good trip!

Ron