Quote: (Originally Posted by
jkaterenchuk)
The OSTC computer seems to be a nice unit and the price point is much better than the X1. There is no shortage of people singing the praise of the X1 but I would like to know about actual diver experiences with this computer. Questions like:
1) Has there been any use issues?
2) Is it user friendly on a dive?
3) Does the software have any limitations that are only apparent after buying and using it?
4) How does its deco compare to other GF computers (shearwater) and software (Gap)?
5) What add on software is available or in the works?
6) Is the wrist band as bad as the HSE and does it break easily?
7) What kind of battery life is apparent in real world use?
8) How responsive is the manufacturer?
John
I own both and I dive both so here are some observations:
Firstly the OSTC is not trying to be an all encompassing dive computer. It is a platform for divers with good knowledge of deco theory who want complete transparency and full disclosure. In this respect it is not trying to compete with the likes of Delta-P. The X1 is sometimes described as an open source computer and the OSTC and the X1 use the same screen so I guess that they are similar enough to warrant comparision.
I find the OSTC is *much* easier to setup than the X1 because it has buttons. The X1 I was ready to throw out of the window before I ever got it wet thanks to the tapping thing. The same tap done the same way in the same place can have random responses. This drove me insane for hours and now I have finally got my mixes in it I don't ever want to touch it again. It is staying on 10/52 forever.
The X1 should be plugged into the mains all the time to preserve the battery life. It lives on my bedside table. My dive kit is in the garage. I usually remember my X1 just as I am loading the boat 3 hrs or so from home. My X1 doesn't see that much diving as a result.
I use the Shearwater for online GF Deco and the X1 is using VPM-B so the profiles don't match so before I got the OSTC and I was using a PPo2 backup which wasn't ideal. GAP is coming but do I want to buy more S/W for it? The X1 is an expensive bit of kit and I am not using it enough to warrant spending another hundred or so pounds getting it to do what the OSTC does for free.
Both the OSTC guys and Ross provide superb S/W support.
I have had no issues with either computer.
Both have excellent battery life and the batteries can be replaced (an easier and cheaper proposition on the OSTC).
The X1 is heavier and more solid feeling than the OSTC. The X1 is depth rated to 300m - not sure that's useful to most people and certainly something I won't be testing anytime soon.
Both can do 3 cell reading via a H/W module. 60 euro's on the OSTC and 600 dollars on the X1. The X1 is plug and play and the OSTC requires a bit of knowledge to fit (not seen it in the flesh yet).
Both have the same excellent oLED display. I have yet to have them on my wrist side by side as I keep forgetting to pack my X1 but hopefully I can get some in water shots of them soon.
The OSTC comes with neoprene protective cases. The X1 kinda gives you the impression it doesn't want to be in a neoprene case.
The OSTC charges from USB and the x1 requires mains.
I find the OSTC is slightly more intuitive to use.
Technically the X1 is probably the better computer. It is not twice the computer or anything close to twice the computer yet it is over twice the price before you even add S/W.