Any other scuba divers going to try and switch to AWUltra?

[Steve686]

I've been diving recreationally for about 17 years. I usually dive 36EAN mix. I'm not sure what the software from Oceanic contains, but I am buying the Ultra and hoping to use it as my main dive computer. I like air integrated, but that's one more link that can fail in a dive system, especially when you don't know your battery level. A backup SPG is a must on all dives, so getting rid of the transmitter on the first stage and eliminating air integration is no problem.

Any other scuba or free divers going to do the same?

I currently use a ScubaPro Galileo 2 Wrist with transmitter.

Thoughts?

 

[coolbreeze2]

I have never been diving or mountain climbing but viewing the Ultra presentation makes me want to! The Ultra was certainly designed for you all.

 

[mikejfrd]

I’ll definitely take it down with me for rec dives to see how it does/compares along with my regular dive computer (shearwater). I likely won’t stop using my shearwater, but I’m intrigued about what the Apple Watches capabilities will be. Will it also track distance traveled underwater, HR while at depth (if it’s right on bare skin) and other data points that a typical dive computer would not? Just being able to keep it on during a dive and on the boat before and after is pretty cool to me. I’m supposed to be diving this month actually, so if it is delivered in time, I’ll break it in on week 1.

Edit: the app won’t be ready at launch, forgot about that. It should still be okay to take it down with me in maybe swim mode to track HR. Just for fun.

 

[scubachap]

Mike - let us know what you think of it...

We were diving at the weekend and the subject came up in discussion so I thought I'd scan through this forum to see other divers thoughts.

We all dive with a range of computers, generally 2 each. On the boat was mix of Shearwaters, Suunto's, OSTC's, Mares etc etc. We do find the idea of a 'blank' wrist general sports computer you can load different apps into appealing but bearing in mind the number of accidents that happen it could be a litigation nightmare for Apple if they allow highly inexperienced people to download third party tables, apps and stuff from the app store to their watches and then go out and bend themselves like pretzels. After all most sports / running / cycling software is just reporting stuff not telling you what to do in a potentially high risk environment.

Our understanding is that you'll need to use a proprietary dive app from Huish (Suunto/Oceanic) and guess what, it will be subscription - I've seen something like £90 a year???

That really won't fly with my gang plus...

It's £800, you can get a lot of dive computer for that.

The screen size is small, we're all tending to use bigger and bigger displays. (Perhaps we're all too old now but...)

Gas switching - are you limited to one mix? Can you fiddle with the settings? Deep stops, safety stop depth etc etc

One small fiddly Apple button - cold hands and gloves

And a real kicker - 40m max...

 

[FlyingScot]

So…I really don’t think this will replace my dive computer when using tanks. I’m in Florida so will take on some dives for comparison and check it out. However, we free-dive quite a bit and this will replace my old Suunto no questions asked. Curious about the native function, mapping, data retention, etc. Heck they could tie this in with O2 levels if they got creative - but in the end a free-dive watch is pretty simple and this will work now that it has the action button (touch screens suck in water).

 

[pesc]

...

Our understanding is that you'll need to use a proprietary dive app from Huish (Suunto/Oceanic) and guess what, it will be subscription - I've seen something like £90 a year???

That really won't fly with my gang plus...

It's £800, you can get a lot of dive computer for that.

The screen size is small, we're all tending to use bigger and bigger displays. (Perhaps we're all too old now but...)

Gas switching - are you limited to one mix? Can you fiddle with the settings? Deep stops, safety stop depth etc etc

One small fiddly Apple button - cold hands and gloves

And a real kicker - 40m max...

I'm buying one for recreational diving. I will use it as a secondary device to start with. But I think the UI and readbility looks great. The digital crown provides functionality over the two buttons. Don't know how well it will work in a dry suit with gloves though... But in warm waters I think it would be great. Great integrated logging.

The software will do nitrox but not multiple gases. Maybe future upgrades?

As for subscription: you can subscribe for a day or a month.

More info can be found here

Oceanic Scuba Diving Equipment - Oceanic Worldwide

www.oceanicworldwide.com

 

[Bardos]

Mike - let us know what you think of it...

We were diving at the weekend and the subject came up in discussion so I thought I'd scan through this forum to see other divers thoughts.

We all dive with a range of computers, generally 2 each. On the boat was mix of Shearwaters, Suunto's, OSTC's, Mares etc etc. We do find the idea of a 'blank' wrist general sports computer you can load different apps into appealing but bearing in mind the number of accidents that happen it could be a litigation nightmare for Apple if they allow highly inexperienced people to download third party tables, apps and stuff from the app store to their watches and then go out and bend themselves like pretzels. After all most sports / running / cycling software is just reporting stuff not telling you what to do in a potentially high risk environment.

Our understanding is that you'll need to use a proprietary dive app from Huish (Suunto/Oceanic) and guess what, it will be subscription - I've seen something like £90 a year???

That really won't fly with my gang plus...

It's £800, you can get a lot of dive computer for that.

The screen size is small, we're all tending to use bigger and bigger displays. (Perhaps we're all too old now but...)

Gas switching - are you limited to one mix? Can you fiddle with the settings? Deep stops, safety stop depth etc etc

One small fiddly Apple button - cold hands and gloves

And a real kicker - 40m max...

Great feedback Scubachap. Thanks. It'll take a few dives and some other people's positive experiences for this to replace my regular dive computer, but the idea of wearing one watch and tracking everything (climbs, runs, biking, scuba) and not switching out to my specialty watches kinda makes me happy. I'm in a move towards minimalism and hate that I have three watches for different things (plus the other pieces of timekeeping jewelry I haven't quite gotten myself to sell yet). I could probably sell my dive computer, Suunto and Apple watch and still come out ahead. That being said, I'll always choose safety over simplicity. Watch your air! -Bardos

 

[Steve686]

I have never been diving or mountain climbing but viewing the Ultra presentation makes me want to! The Ultra was certainly designed for you all.

Don't just want to do it. Do it. Scuba, that is.

 

[Jackbequickly]

When I go to the Keys, I will do some light scuba diving, above 50 foot deep and look forward in just wearing my Ultra. My first brand new Series 7 leaked just washing it under the faucet and Apple had to replace it so water has not been a friend to my Apple Watch.

 

[Steve686]

When I go to the Keys, I will do some light scuba diving, above 50 foot deep and look forward in just wearing my Ultra. My first brand new Series 7 leaked just washing it under the faucet and Apple had to replace it so water has not been a friend to my Apple Watch.

The Apple Watch is rated waterproof to 328 feet(9.68atm) so I wouldn’t anticipate a failure at 1.5 atmospheres of pressure if the design of AWUltra is solid.

 

[Jackbequickly]

The Apple Watch is rated waterproof to 328 feet(9.68atm) so I wouldn’t anticipate a failure at 1.5 atmospheres of pressure if the design of AWUltra is solid.

‘That is why I ordered it. I want a watch that I do not have to worry about. Seeing my series 7 destroyed while washing under the faucet, was a Bummer that I will never have to face again.

 

[AsherN]

Mike - let us know what you think of it...

We were diving at the weekend and the subject came up in discussion so I thought I'd scan through this forum to see other divers thoughts.

We all dive with a range of computers, generally 2 each. On the boat was mix of Shearwaters, Suunto's, OSTC's, Mares etc etc. We do find the idea of a 'blank' wrist general sports computer you can load different apps into appealing but bearing in mind the number of accidents that happen it could be a litigation nightmare for Apple if they allow highly inexperienced people to download third party tables, apps and stuff from the app store to their watches and then go out and bend themselves like pretzels. After all most sports / running / cycling software is just reporting stuff not telling you what to do in a potentially high risk environment.

Our understanding is that you'll need to use a proprietary dive app from Huish (Suunto/Oceanic) and guess what, it will be subscription - I've seen something like £90 a year???

That really won't fly with my gang plus...

It's £800, you can get a lot of dive computer for that.

The screen size is small, we're all tending to use bigger and bigger displays. (Perhaps we're all too old now but...)

Gas switching - are you limited to one mix? Can you fiddle with the settings? Deep stops, safety stop depth etc etc

One small fiddly Apple button - cold hands and gloves

And a real kicker - 40m max...

I won't until I need to replace my current Apple watch. Then I'll consider it. The Titanium and Sapphire glass somewhat justifies the price increase. And if I can re-sell my current dive computer...

It will depend a lot on what the default display is. I dive air and nibble at the 40m, but always above. Usually around 35m max depth. It is water resistant to 100m, so going to 41m for a bit may be OK. I dive with a Cressi Leonardo. The dive mode gives me what's needed, depth, time, NoDeco time, water temp. max depth. As long as the default display of the app gives me that, I'd be OK. The subscription is a kick in the teeth. Yes, you can subscribe for a day or a month, but what happens to all the log info when out of the subscription period?

And there is the issue of is the dive mode auto start? My Leonardo switches to dive mode and starts it's timers as soon as I hit 1.2m. Will the Ultra do that? There is enough to think about getting off the boat and stating your descent to not have to think about starting your computer.

 

[ckurt25]

...

Our understanding is that you'll need to use a proprietary dive app from Huish (Suunto/Oceanic) and guess what, it will be subscription - I've seen something like £90 a year???

....

I saw some additional subscription prices that made it sound like there will be options for a per day / weekend / week / month subscription too. For someone that only dives a few times a year, $20 (or what ever it ends up being) might be easier to swallow than $80.

The AWU is not going to be the Best Watch for X activity, but it should be pretty good for a lot of things, especially at being an AW.

 

[AsherN]

I saw some additional subscription prices that made it sound like there will be options for a per day / weekend / week / month subscription too. For someone that only dives a few times a year, $20 (or what ever it ends up being) might be easier to swallow than $80.

The AWU is not going to be the Best Watch for X activity, but it should be pretty good for a lot of things, especially at being an AW.

$5/day or $10/month. A lot of us only do 1 or 2 diving trips a year. I might get an AWU as my next watch. I'd try the app in concert with my regular computer on a few dives. It seems featured enough for recreational diving. They talk a lot about NoDeco through the planner. I hope it's just to feature the planner. because most of my dives are not planned more than on the boat with max time and max depth.

 

[scubachap]

Just ran through one of their training videos - the app looks to be pretty well featured. Sounds like you can actually deco out on it quite happily but they're pretty cagey about that bit. There is a PO2 limit of 1.4.

If you have the watch anyway I guess it makes perfect sense if you tend to dive on holiday / vacation and hire your gear etc, but I still think having to pay the thick end of £100 a year / £5 a day etc to use an off the shelf Buhlmann feels a bit cheeky to me if you've just bought an expensive device that advertises scuba capabailities but YMMV on that .

In addition to the videos the site has a Q+A page here. It sounds like the depth limit is Apple hardware imposed.

 

[AsherN]

That pre-dive screen is a PITA. It's either manual, or Auto-launch, which starts the app on contact with water and goes to the pre-dive screen. Don't the app developers dive? I want it to wok like my current computer. As soon as I'm below 1.2m, the dive starts. How about I start the app on the boat, and it starts the dive at a certain depth without fidling with a lawyer prescribed pre-dive screen?

I hope other manufacturers will write diving apps for this.

 

[AsherN]

Then there's this in the FAQ:
Q: Is diver supplied data anonymous
A: Yes, all diver-generated data reported are anonymous.

That implies besides my logbook, the app uploads data to Oceanic/Apple. not cool.

 

[G.McGilli]

QUESTION FOR THE DIVERS HERE

Apple made sure to let everyone know that the Ultra is capable of telling you the temperature of the water when you are diving - is this something that's important or even necessary once you're already in and diving?

I'm just curious.

 

[Graham Caracas]

I'm staying with Garmin. The AW is too fragile and unstable in less than perfect conditions.

 

[1rottenapple]

I have never been diving or mountain climbing but viewing the Ultra presentation makes me want to! The Ultra was certainly designed for you all.

Lol I ordered an ultra and as punishment for spending money I’m joining a 10k. Not exactly extreme sport but it’s something.

 

[Steve686]

QUESTION FOR THE DIVERS HERE

Apple made sure to let everyone know that the Ultra is capable of telling you the temperature of the water when you are diving - is this something that's important or even necessary once you're already in and diving?

I'm just curious.

For pure diving, temperature isn’t a huge factor here in South Florida. The only time we really pay attention is when we are looking for fish to spear and temperature can make a difference if you find fish or not.
It’s more of a hindsight data point for me to understand my whole dive.

Colder water will make you breathe harder and faster depleting air quicker as you try to stay warm, so yes, it is important for some divers. We dive steel 100’s so air isn’t usually an issue.

Here is what I upload to my iPhone app from a Scubapro Galileo 2 wrist unit with air integration.

 

[AsherN]

QUESTION FOR THE DIVERS HERE

Apple made sure to let everyone know that the Ultra is capable of telling you the temperature of the water when you are diving - is this something that's important or even necessary once you're already in and diving?

I'm just curious.

It's not. It's a historical data point in your log. However, every dive computer has it, and I would consider one that does not to be crippled.

 

[ADGrant]

QUESTION FOR THE DIVERS HERE

Apple made sure to let everyone know that the Ultra is capable of telling you the temperature of the water when you are diving - is this something that's important or even necessary once you're already in and diving?

I'm just curious.

I am a former diver. My answer would have depended on where I was diving. Florida who cares but if you are diving in the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina, the water temps can vary significantly depending on the currents and the depth. As mentioned the water temp can affect your breathing. You can lose body heat quite quickly if the water is particularly cold and you don't have the right suit or hood.

 

[scubachap]

I am a former diver. My answer would have depended on where I was diving. Florida who cares but if you are diving in the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina, the water temps can vary significantly depending on the currents and the depth. As mentioned the water temp can affect your breathing. You can lose body heat quite quickly if the water is particularly cold and you don't have the right suit or hood.

Generally I've only tended to look at the temperature if it's really, really cold or when diving abroad for pub bragging rights. However, on recent dives here (in the UK) we've started to pay a bit more attention this year as when on our normal south coast wrecks (say at 35m ish) we've been starting to record temps of about 19/20 degrees c. (68 F) That's weird... Normally we'd expect at least 5 degrees or so cooler. Things seems to be changing...

 

[ascender]

This is a really interesting thread as I'm interested in the Ultra from the point of view of hill running and ultra marathons, but I've seen stuff posted on here and social media saying how "serious divers" (whatever that means) would never consider the Ultra, so its good to see some views from people who actually dive.