Quote: (Originally Posted by
lizardland)
Anyone know if the Colkan upgrade improves power consumption drastically?
Cheers,
Stuart
What improves power consumption is changing out the solenoid for a more efficient one. That can be done with any pod. The Colkan pod will still need a 24 volt solenoid, but there are better ones available now than the stock one. The internal needs of the Colkan pod are lower than the old analog pods as well, so there is a combined reduction available. I'd have to say this though: The original 18 battery pack lasts a good while even with the oldest systems, so it's not really an issue. I "think" that Colkan is distributing a new battery pack as well, with quick-change "AA" batteries in clips. If not now, then soon.
The Colkan pod has been very reliable, communications have been excellent, and it's a form and function interchange with the old pod. Very nice stuff. The only other viable option is the HH, which is a more complex physical upgrade, gives a higher level of features, and is likely more 'capable'. Reliability? No personal experience, read the other HH threads. There is no third viable option at present, as I ruled out the Laguna after learning that the secondary was not supported.
My own rig, at present, has a Colkan Pod, a Subsea Secondary, and a 4th cell in the counterlung area driving a VR-3. If I don't have PP02 information outta that, I might as well stay home. Rig #2 had the HH and HUD, but went out to a filmmaker for use before I even dove it, so no practical experience with the system. Physically it was lovely.
Col Wilcox just changed his email at Colkan, it's now CCW @ the same domain. I obscured the address to prevent automatic harvesting by the spammers.
Dave
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