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I'd agree totally on these, plus add a new dislike:
1. The two companies involved in the product.
What you're buying when you buy a Liquivision is a general purpose computer with no software. You license the software separately from a different company and load it into the computer yourself. The most popular (and best) software, and the only choice if you want to run VPM/B, is MultiDeco-X1 from Ross Hemingway/HSS Software. The license agreement says that the software is a license which permits me to "(3)(a) use the program on a single dive computer, and (3)(b) copy the program into ANY compatible dive computer for your own use of the program on the single compatible dive computer. This program, however, may include mechanisms to limit or inhibit copying OTHERWISE. (Emphasis mine)". When you purchase the software license, the email they send you with the key says "If you should need to replace your dive computer, a revised key is available free of charge". I subsequently lost my Liquivision "at sea" and when I asked Ross for a new software key for the new Liquivision unit that I purchased, Ross responded that "We don't normally give free replacements for reasons of miss-fortune (sic).". In later correspondence, he claimed that the license term permitted me to run the installer software on a different PC in the event that I lost my PC and needed to reinstall the software on the same computer (which makes no sense given the language). Despite numerous emails between us, he has been steadfast in both his refusal to issue me a replacement key and his refusal to explain how this license agreement language could have means something other than that the customer has a right to transfer the software license if they "should need to replace your dive computer". I subsequently had to purchase a replacement copy of the software to get a new key.
Oh, and the other company...
My wife's Liquivision's "beeper" doesn't beep. Well it does, but you have to put the unit up against your ear to hear it (extremely faint). For that matter, since she didn't enable any alarms, she didn't even know that it was supposed to beep (it has been this way since new, about six months ago) until she heard my new unit doing it loud and clear. No problem, I think, I've heard excellent things about Liquivision's support of their product (and hopefully, Ross won't make me buy a new license a second time if they replace the unit). I emailed Liquivision and received back email from Emilie Hiob that "every unit is unique, some have louder buzzers than others" and in subsequent email they declined to fix the problem because "the buzz is not a function that is covered by the warranty". Sure enough, if you read their warranty, there are a lot of exclusions, including the buzzer.
If you buy one of these computers, be sure you read the software license from HSS Software ahead of time (actually, on the second thought, don't bother, since THEY won't honor it) and the warranty from Liquivision (to be sure you will be happy with a computer where the parts which aren't under warranty aren't functioning).
Great computer; at least the one of the two that we have that fully works. I will never buy another product from either of these companies again.
Kenneth Adelman
***Mike Cotrone (OP): This is a great thread - Thanks!!! ******
We have 2 Suunto Cobras (2008 models - 2+ years old) with compasses.
Overall, I would give this computer a grade of A-
Likes:
Good, readable display with all needed info (depth, dive time, tank pressure, NDL time remaining).
Nitrox capability.
Great analog compass.
Batteries have lasted 2+ years and are still going strong.
Easily replaceable scratch guard.
Conservative RGBM algorithm.
Good LDS dealer support system.
Pretty rugged construction.
Absolutely NO problems.
Dislikes:
Scratch guard fogs on the surface - makes it hard to read display.
Not very intuitive menu design structure.
Really stiff buttons.
Incomprehensible inch-thick owners manual.
Clunky download cable connector.
You have to download the last 30 dives, even if you just want the last one or two (takes too long).
Cannot delete dives off dive computer.
PC software is adequate but lacks coolness - could be a lot better.
Very Expensive.
With my VT3 and using Oceanlog i can select all or hand pick the dives to import. I actually do this regularly since i export from Oceanlog to Diving Log 5 software. Much faster that way.Mike,
You can highlight only the dives you wish to download and speed up the process dramatically. I kinda stumbled on this after several years of complete & slow downloads. Also, I find the cobra 2 & 3 with 4 buttons rather than 3 is much more intuitive to work with (no affilliation, I just like my cobra 2)
Steve