Jim

It is as simple as the desire to have things easy, with little or no =
intellectual effort expended.  Nothing actually wrong with that if the =
product delivers to goods and the individual is prepared to pay the =
price.  The problem occurs when the product does not deliver the goods - =
keeps the individual in-water longer than necessary or fails.  Suddenly, =
what would be routine dive to BT users may become a stressful CF, or in =
the most extreme of circumstances kill the individual.

David Shimell

-----Original Message-----
From:	Jim Cobb [SMTP:cobber@ci*.co*]
Sent:	Thursday, May 24, 2001 1:28 AM
To:	Ray Blanchard; Tom Mount; Tech Diver
Cc:	Alan Crew; FLTechDiver@mikey.net
Subject:	Re: Trimix Computers

 << File: ATT00048.htm >> All I can say is Ray, Why? All the stuff you =
relate here with the added
bonus of the "most complicated interface in dive computerdom". Excuse me =
but
I do believe that there are more important things to be keeping track of =
on
a trimix dive than trying to figure out the most complicated interface =
ever
strapped on a wrist.

What advantage does this $1900 monstrosity offer over a bottom timer, =
tables
and a solid understanding of deco that only comes from experience? This =
is
pure geek stuff, hoypaloy which adds nothing to your dive but more
complexity, task loading and failure points.

  Jim
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Learn About Trimix at http://www.cisatlantic.com/trimix/

From: Ray Blanchard <rkbl@uf*.ed*>
Date: Wed, 23 May 2001 19:36:09 -0400
To: Tom Mount <TOM.MOUNT@in*.at*.ne*>
Cc: Alan Crew <alancrew@ya*.co*>, FLTechDiver@mikey.net
Subject: Re: Trimix Computers


Hi Alan, Tom & the rest of the list,
   Thanks for the informative posts from folks regarding trimix =
computers in
particular the Abyss Explorer and the Phoenix VR3 as well as the limited
application of the NiTek3.  While not a trimix computer diver, I've been
following this area closely for several years and dreaming of owning =
one.
This past DEMA show, however, was especially interesting in regards to =
the
VR3 which is the only trimix computer that I've seen in private =
individuals'
hands (see Z's post regarding the Explorer).  Prior to the show my
information was limited to that from OMS, the U.S. distributor of the =
VR3,
and a friend who dove one and found the user interface rather complex.
While visiting the OMS booth at DEMA, I spoke at length to Kevin Gurr =
and
another member of the VR3 development team and discovered that OMS's
literature on this computer fails to do justice to the VR3's features in =
a
big way.  Since Tom with his hands-on experience didn't expound on them,
here are a few of the highlights that are not on the OMS brochures:

-Phoenix has a web presence ( www.vr3.co.uk ) including an electronic =
copy
of the VR3 user manual
-PC interface comes with the dive unit
-user changeable standard batteries
-never locks out upon deco violations
-dive simulation mode allows contingency tables to be generated from the
dive unit on its own
-capable of complete gas control/programming even while on the dive
-back lighting=20
-adjustable conservancy/safety factor
-reed switches (mentioned) mean no case penetration for buttons.

   Overall this unit appears to have tremendous flexibility but that =
also
makes for the most complicated user interface that I've seen on a dive
computer.  Still, while I'm not a technophile, I think that I could =
learn to
use this computer and I definitely would like to get my hands on one.  =
The 2
biggest down sides to this unit are that OMS is marketing the OC trimix
model with an MSRP of $1900 and second, as Tom mentioned, it's =
conservative
because it's based on the ProPlanner algorithm. I know that some of my
trimix diving friends down here in FL find ProPlanner to be a little too
conservative for their tastes even when it's set for zero conservation =
(for
some reason they want to get out of the water faster ;-) however, Tom's
recommendation for a special order may resolve this issue.  Of course =
the
biggest point I've encountered for this trimix computer is that it's in
production and available now.
Safe diving,=20
Ray=20



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