Cochran Computers and Bikini Atoll
NOTE [6/4/03]: We now have had some experience with the Cochran Gemini dive computers, and at this time we have to say that the results have been mixed. The first customer we had this year who came with the Cochran Gemini air-integrated computer had his computer fail. Last week, however, we had a customer use two Gemini models for the week: one computer was only used for 11 of the 12 dives, and performed without mishap, and the other computer went the entire 12 dives without a problem. At this time it is our divemaster's recommendation that we not put the Gemini on our recommended list until we have seen it perform more on Bikini. In fairness to Cochran, from now on we will be posting each and every Cochran experience on this page. We will ask the customers if we can give out their e-mail addresses for those who might want to contact them with questions. Our observations below about the other models of Cochran computers remain the same.
From our current head divemaster:
A lot of divers have asked us about the fact that we do not recommend the Cochran Commander and Nemesis computers on our web site. This advice is posted because of our extensive experience with customers who have brought those models to Bikini--and the computers' subsequent failure to perform during a week of diving. If you check our website you will find an example of our diving profiles for the week and realize that we are not pushing any technical diving limits. We often decompress for longer than the tables or computers require and after seven years our operation has one of the best safety records of any dive operation in the Pacific.
The problems encountered with the Cochran Commander and Nemesis computers are as follows:
1) The Nemesis II alpha has failed 100% of the time it has been brought to Bikini. The first time we saw one it was brought by our friend and instructor Kevin Denlay, who came in 1996 to teach us Technical Nitrox courses. His unit failed on the 3rd day. He was pretty upset. The unit simply locked up and would not allow him to dive--unless he removed the batteries. This procedure is not recommended for some very obvious reasons, not the least of which is that it is simply an unsafe practice. All other Nemesis units brought to Bikini presented the exact same problem.
2) The Commander Nitrox had a little better luck: Nearly 80% of the units brought failed to survive the entire week without showing some very apparent problems. One thing struck us as very odd: while some customers were wearing two Commander Nitrox units for redundancy--and programming those units with the very same information--they would invariably have one of the units fail on them.
If your computer does not work on Bikini, it will then have to be used in depth gauge mode. Therefore, you might as well bring digital depth gauges instead, after all they are a lot cheaper.
We also want to state here that we at Bikini hold nothing against Cochran as a company. We will recommend any of their products that pass our tests. We make the pledge that our website will be updated as soon as this happens. I also want to remind you that Cochran is not the only brand that presented problems for divers on Bikini. Again, here is our "not recommended" list:
NOT RECOMMENDED: DO NOT BRING TO BIKINI! All OCEANIC computers U.S. Divers MATRIX computers All Sherwood SOURCE computers All Dacor computers Scuba Pro DC 11/ DC 12 computers Orca EDGE All Genesis computers All Cochran computers [the Cochran Gemini air-integrated computer is still in the trial stage with us. We have had 3 of them on Bikini. We had one Gemini go an entire week without problem, one went 11 dives but had a one dive "rest" at mid-week, and we have had one Gemini failure]. All Suunto computers except the Vytec Dive Rite "C" and B'AIR computers All Aeris computers
If you own a dive computer ( any brand ) and have encountered some of the problems described above, please e-mail us and tell us of your experience. Maybe we can start a forum for keeping track of these problems, and who knows, perhaps we can help the industry on future developments in the realm of technical diving computers.
Have fun diving and I hope to see you on Bikini Atoll in the near future.
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