End User Review of Liquivision X1

PacketSniffer

This is a quick and dirty end user review of the Liquivision X1. This was not meant to be an in-depth technical review. Please RTFM for the nitty gritty details. It is running Ross Hemmingway’s VPlanner Live 3.10 (VPM-B). The following are my personal observations from using my purchased unit for approximately fourteen diving days at this point in time. This review is slanted towards CCR use since, well, I dive a CCR and this is a CCR forum.

Battery Performance
In one example, I clocked six dives from the last point of charging the battery. Keep in mind that this represented 14.5 hours of diving *PLUS* running the simulations at least twice to get my bailout stop depths/times in case the X1 crapped out. When you run the sim, it is just like running through a dive. So, in reality, I had approximately 43.5 hours of diving clocked on it. The battery went from 100% at the beginning of the first dive to 82% at the end of the last dive. That’s not too shabby. I didn’t have to charge it for what amounted to a weeks worth of deep or long duration diving. Obviously, more dives could have been executed on the battery. The dives in this example were as follows:

1) Max depth 100ffw – 3 hour run time
2) Max depth 220ffw – 2.5 hour run time
3) Max depth 100ffw – 3 hour run time
4) Max depth 240ffw – 1.5 hour run time
5) Max depth 250ffw – 2.5 hour run time
6) Max depth 270ffw – 2 hour run time


OLED Screen
The X1 screen is simply the best there is. It can be viewed from extreme angles. The contrast is such that it stands out like a neon sign. The screen is *always on* during the dive. There is no fumbling for buttons to press when you are in “the heat of battle” to see what the heck is going on with your deco, depth, or time. Your team mates can read it from several feet away. The dive information is placed on the screen in such a way that it makes it *very* easy to read and *find* the information.

Algorithm
As expected, since the X1 contains the same model as VPlanner, it runs for all intents and purposes identical decompression. With +3 conservatism, the X1 will consistently have shallower and shorter stops than a VR3 running Buhlmann at 0 conservatism. I can complete deco anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes sooner, depending on dive profile, than the VR3. However, if the conservatism is bumped to +4 on the X1, it will closely match a VR3 deco curve running Buhlmann and 0 conservatism. It’s probably best to use +4 if diving with others that are using a VR3 with Buhlmann and 0.

No-Button Interface
The tapping works! I don’t know how else to say it. It has shown to be very reliable and a dream to use. Even in cave diving conditions in tight restrictions, bumping the X1 does not invoke the menu screen and/or change parameters at will. I have never had the unit even leave the dive screen despite bumps and grinds. However, when I tap it (have mine set for 5 taps instead of 3 to enter menu), it goes to the menu (tap strength set at “medium”).

Modify Set Point
To modify the Set Point during the dive, all you do is tap the top (either 3 or 5 taps) and enter the underwater menu. From there, “Set Point” will be the first menu choice. You’d tap the left side which brings up the Set Point screen. You tap on the top (lower) or bottom (raise) to adjust the Set Point. When done, use both fingers to tap top/bottom or left/right to accept the change. It’s very effortless.

One thing I’ve found to be very convenient is that when you initially enter your Diluent gas, a base Set Point is used. So, most of us will probably enter 0.70 as the base Set Point. When you reach depth, you’d modify to your desired bottom depth Set Point. When entering the water for a repetitive dive, the X1 starts the dive out with that base Set Point you initially entered (0.70). There is no need to go in and change the Set Point back to 0.70. It is just one of those handy things that is taken care of for you.

Bail Out
Bailout is just as easily taken care of as Set Point but even faster. You enter the underwater menu the same way. Except this time, you move the selection cursor down past “Set Point” to reach “Bailout I”. Tap the left side to accept “Bailout I” and it asks you if you are sure. Tap top/bottom or left/right to accept. The X1 then returns back to the underwater dive screen and brings up the new deco estimate as soon as it finishes calculating (a couple of seconds). Bailout 1 can be whatever you want; bailout rebreather diluent or open circuit mixes. I place my open circuit mixes here. There is also a provision for “Bailout II”. This is where I set up my onboard diluent again in the case that I’d like to return to the loop.

So, to review, Bailout I gets me to open circuit. If I want to return to the loop, I choose Bailout II. This is the way *I* do it. By the way, depending on which bailout option you are using at the time, it is removed from the menu list so that you don’t get confused or waste time trying to choose it again. The X1 menu structure is based on a context sensitive GUI.

Dive Log Manager
The dives can be reviewed on V-Planner Dive Log Manager. It’s a simple utility for reviewing, exporting, or printing the dives. See the attached example of a cave dive at Eagle's Nest (Tampa, FL).

On the dive plan itself, a number of parameters can be switched on or off for reviewing (see attached pic). The data can be exported out as Comma Delimited or Tab Delimited Text.

Included in Dive Log Manager is the ability to upload your dives for DAN’s PDE (Project Dive Exploration) study.

Issues
I had two issues with the unit. We can only point to user error for the first one. The second was with the unit itself and occurred only once.

-First issue
When charging the X1, unplug the power FIRST before removing the attachment from the X1. Despite reading the directions and understanding this part clearly, it caught me on the first day out. I could swear I removed the power first but who knows. I got to the dive site with the X1 not accepting any taps; back to tables I go. A note in to Eric (and Ross) cleared things up. RTFM again! After charging, just verify that the accelerometer is accepting taps before departing. If it isn’t, you’ll just need to do a reset from the attachment device. Simple and quick.

-Second issue
On one particular dive (first one of the day), the X1 did not turn on automatically when entering the water. I had it on just before arriving at the dive site because I needed to modify my gases. So, it was in Sleep mode. Once the dive began, I didn't notice it was not on until about 1 minute into the dive when I went to change the PO2 Set Point. The unit was off as far as I could tell. I began tapping on the top and it then turned on and displayed the VPlanner Live splash screen. It immediately began the dive and I didn't have issue with it for the duration of the dive. This issue has not reoccurred. I have a request into Eric for an explanation. Update 11/27/07: Eric has responded and is researching.

Summary
Personally, I really like the unit. The small form factor combined with a decent algorithm, no buttons, easy and quick GUI, and very visible screen has shown to be an excellent tool so far. Since it is an open platform, this is only the beginning. Integration will follow providing enough units are sold.

If anyone is looking for a reseller to purchase from in the U.S., mine was purchased through Texas Scuba. They can be reached at bill @ txscuba.com or via phone at +1 409.626.2629.



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Attached Images

	DiveLog_Options.jpg (36.1 KB, 1084 views)
	Eagles_Nest.jpg (120.9 KB, 1091 views)

__________________


Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checked by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory or defeat.

mountain diver

thank's for your time and effort, good report.










all the best.

tdzao

For the record:

- First issue; ensure proper disconnect sequence (as described in the manual)

- Second issue; 'sleep' was set to 'always', which requires you to tap the unit awake (else it may only activate after 1 minute); set the unit to a non-always sleep value to have it awake immediately



Eric Fattah
Liquivision Products

rossh

Hi, Thank you for the detailed feedback. It makes me very proud to read such good feedback and reports.

On the issues, Eric is correct there. On the second item about how it starts in the water, you can choose between a direct water wake up, or have it sense depth. These are controlled by your sleep mode selections, and affect your battery life. I'm going to do some more tweaks in this area, that should avoid this altogether. But a full week of daily diving with room to spare on one charge, is good in any case.

Regards

__________________
Regards, Ross Hemingway

www.v-planner.com

decoweenie

I will have 3 units shipped to me (somehow ?) during my move, so most likely I won't be able to get to them for a long while.

Does anyone know how long I could leave the unit alone without recharging them and not damaging the batteries ?

PacketSniffer

Aside from damage, I can tell you that the battery will last a little over three weeks on the surface before expiring. This is with running about a dozen dive simulations on it. This was from the first charge so maybe I could squeeze out 4 weeks now.

__________________


Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checked by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory or defeat.

RichClark

Phi,

If you need any help with this, feel free to ship them to me... I'll make sure they stay charged

Cheers

Rich

__________________
The more I learn about women, the more I want to go diving... just don't tell my wife I said that

To taste something a little different, try http://www.thechillikitchen.co.uk

RichClark

Thanks for the great report.

Does the X1 retain is configuration, or do you need to reset it if it goes into a full discharge?

Cheers

__________________
The more I learn about women, the more I want to go diving... just don't tell my wife I said that

To taste something a little different, try http://www.thechillikitchen.co.uk

decoweenie

Actually, I have been thinking of someone in the US who could take care of them for me before I go there in a few months...

Not a problem if you like to play with one of them (i.e. mine) while I am moving. I even pay to ship to you in UK, or better in US if you have a trip there soon. And even pay to register a copy of VPM-Live too.

But... (there is always a but ), you will have to:

• pay VAT if shipped to UK - not a big deal for US
• pay to ship them to me when I am settled - or fly down for a vacation

Deal ?

RichClark

The only problem I see with that is that I'll have to buy one myself when I return yours... could be very costly.

I'll send you a PM

Cheers

__________________
The more I learn about women, the more I want to go diving... just don't tell my wife I said that

To taste something a little different, try http://www.thechillikitchen.co.uk