Category: SCUBA

bluebuddy – Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 LE scuba diving logger

Just a quick note about a new SCUBA gadget I’ve backed on Kickstarter.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1607113047/blue-buddy-wireless-bluetooth-40-le-scuba-diving-l

This little gadget is a non displaying dive profile recorder just to be used to quickly copy your profile to your iOS device where you can share it with your friends.

Update [January 23, 2013 at 12:26 am]: The bluebuddy has been funded.  Another thing to sit in my kickstarter menu and wait for the day I get to go hands on.

First 48 hours of testing SCUBA Capsule Software

I’ve been testing the software for the SCUBA Capsule for 2 days now.  This testing in JUST the application as the hardware is not yet shipping.

Here are the key points that I’ve noticed so far:

  • Only a few crash bugs, all it all reasonably stable. [Edit: most crash bugs already fixed]
  • Feel to the UI is consistent and fluid.
  • Several inputs are not labeled properly yet (polish) [Edit: All of these have been fixed]
  • Several of the inputs do not function as properly [Edit: All of these have been fixed]
  • Lacks proper support for nitrox or trimix having only selectable blends rather than the ability to input it.  This makes it [not ideal unusable] for anything but air as it stands.

If they get the inputs fixed, add proper blended gas support, and fix the few crash bugs this looks to be a very solid start.  Most of the issues seem to be minor UI related things and should be fairly easy to fix.

I can’t wait until I get my hands on the hardware.  I might try to find a computer to borrow that uses the same deco model for comparison.

Also have a concern that putting the iPhone in when warm and then doing a cold dive could cause condensation issues.

[Edit (2/3/13): Updated feedback on some of the bullet points]

SCUBA related events – the only good reason to wake up at 5:30am

I am NOT by any stretch a morning person. As such it pains me greatly to wake up at 5:30 am. I’m headed down to Huron, OH for Shipwreck & SCUBA.

This is the first time I’ve gone to this event and am looking forward to making new contacts.
For a little more background on me I’ve only been diving 18months and am always looking for new dive buddies in the area.

For anyone else attending I have created a Burner number so I can be reached during the event. This works for only 20 minutes of talk time and 60 text messages so if you want to get in touch, please be brief.

My burn number is: (248) 468-1612 [edit: burner number burned]

I have never used this system before so I’ll be testing it out as well.
Edit:  That number seems to work fine for sending and like junk for receiving.

Initial Test Plans

My approach to testing.

This is my current plan for the REC version of the SCUBA Capsule.  This is influenced buy my current dive computer a Suunto D4, the fact that I’m in Michigan, and that I should be getting my hands on this Fall and its already a bit chilly considering I do not yet own a dry suit.  In general I will just be looking to compare the information between both computers on a dive.  I will be using the same table when I test the PRO version later.  I’m only listing things that might be tricky to test or that I really want to check out.

Continue reading “Initial Test Plans”