Liquivision X1 review

depth · 25th April 2008, 10:31

Hi Rebreather World

As a gadget freak, I had a hard time resisting the temptation of the Liquivision X1. Four weeks ago I sold my trusty VR3 and ordered an X1. The unit was delivered by post to my address the next day, thank you Rasmus Lauritsen at Nortechdiving for such fantastic service and fast delivery! See PICTURE #1 for details.

Reasons why I wanted to change my computer:

I do not like the fact that I am depended on sending my unit back to the manufacturer for upgrades.
The VR3 is bulky
I wanted divelog software and interface

I decided to post a small review of the computer. I am by far not an expert on decompression models and so far I have done eight dives with the computer with depths between 20-70m and with runtimes between 40-65 minutes…

Here is an overview of the review:

What’s in the box?
Setting up the X1
Diving the X1
The divelog software
Things that could be better
Summary

What’s in the box?
The small box contains the following: The X1 computer, wriststrap, dockingstation, USB cable, credit card size CD-ROM with USB driver and manual and a power supply with interchangeable socket connections. See PICTURE #2 for more details.

Setting up the X1
From unpacking the box until the computer was ready to use took about 30 minutes. I decided to go with the v-planner software because this was what I was most familiar with. I simply went to the v-planner live webpage, registered the X1, and entered my personal details and my credit card number. The software uploaded to the computer within a few minutes and I was good to go. Liquivision recommends that the computer is charged fully the first time to make sure full battery capacity is achieved.

For a few minutes I had problems uploading the txt key file to the X1 because my Gmail acted strange and would not show me the attached txt file. This was resolved by pressing a button on the firmware uploader program which then automatically downloaded the file from the v-planner live webpage.
I usually, like all men, never open the manual for a gadget. In this case I must admit that I had quickly looked through it to get an impression of what the X1 was capable of.

I learned to navigate around in the menus within one or two minutes. After five minutes I had set up my Diluent and bailout gasses and was simulating dives. The navigation is very intuitive and straight forward and the “button less” tap function was spot on.

Diving the X1
From the very first dive I was amazed with the screen, bright, easy to read and with all the information that I need. I have always had the screen in medium brightness. I was surprised that my dive time also showed seconds, a nice feature. To enter the “in water menus” I simply tap the X1 three times on the top. From here I can change setpoint, last stop depth, see current deco schedule and make a fast bailout to OC and more…
Currently I am using DUI neoprene dry gloves and I can easily work the tap functions on the X1

The X1 also has a build in buzzer, I think this is I nice to have feature, but unfortunally I cannot hear it underwater with my hood on.

My old VR3 always ran a conservative factor 10, the X1 I run at +3. It took some getting used to leaving my VR3 buddies on the deep stops ascending to shallower waters. It has never been a competition for me, but the X1 usually got me in the boat a little faster than my VR3 buddies. On one dive I stayed with my buddy on his two deep stops, this resulted in me getting out of the water last.

After the first dive I threw out the supplied strap and mounted the X1 to my high tech strap solution which works flawlessly. See PICTURE #3 for details.

The divelog software
The data in the X1 is easy to download to the computer and the pc software is Vista compatible. The detailed log shows all necessary information and different graphs can be calculated if needed. See PICTURE #4 for details.

Things that could be better
The buzzer is impossible to hear with a hood on, why on earth did liquivision not test this before choosing buzzer type.
The wrist strap is useless
There are still a few flaws in the X1 user interface
I cannot make a diveplan on the X1 like I did on my VR3 with run times and deco stops.

Summery
Apart from the buzzer and the strap problems, the rest can be solved through changing the software which I hope they will do eventually.

I love the X1, it fits my diving purposes perfectly and I am very comfortable using it in the water. The tap function is great, especially with cold hands and when using drygloves. The screen is amazingly bright and easy to see. My buddies also liked the fact that they could check my computer from 2-3m away and see what kind of trouble I was in

Worth every penny… See picture #5 for why I keep using so much money on dive equipment! The picture is from the wreck "Gudrun", in Flekkefjord Norway. The picture is taken by my frien Peter Særmark-Thomsen on our Norway trip April 17-20, 2008. Trip report in the making...

Safe diving

/Christian

Jim · 25th April 2008, 10:42

Nice, could have done without seeing it though ...... things could get expensive ..... need two !

equipto76 · 25th April 2008, 11:40

Hi Christian. Excellent Review. I'm also collecting my spare change to buy an X1. On one hand I really appreciate new user reviews like yours. On the other hand, this is going to get expensive.

You might want to check out the bungee mount for the X1 that Tobin at DSS is working on (Deco Stop Link). I've heard the complaint about the X1 wrist strap before. This looks like just the solution we're looking for. Why can't any computer come with a decent strap/mount right out of the box?

I'd love to hear what you think about it as you continue diving the X1. I'm especially interested in battery life. I really like the concept of a rechargeable battery. I just don't like the lack of options when that battery stops holding a charge.

Dive Safe.
Matt

depth · 25th April 2008, 12:04

Quote: (Originally Posted by equipto76)

You might want to check out the bungee mount for the X1 that Tobin at DSS is working on (Deco Stop Link). I've heard the complaint about the X1 wrist strap before. This looks like just the solution we're looking for. Why can't any computer come with a decent strap/mount right out of the box?

I'd love to hear what you think about it as you continue diving the X1. I'm especially interested in battery life. I really like the concept of a rechargeable battery. I just don't like the lack of options when that battery stops holding a charge.

Dive Safe.
Matt

Hi Matt

yes, I seen the strap on the forum, but why buy a strap when a simple bungee solution works perfectly?

Yes, I am aware of the battery concerns. I charged the computer 2 times so fare, and the battery life is as described by the manufacturer.

I doubt that I will have problems with the battery the next many, many years. I trust that Liquivision implemented a battery that will last.

Or maybe I am just a fool?

/Christian

***Beanie*** · 25th April 2008, 13:22

You should of put something next to the box to show how small it is.

Couldn't beleive it when I picked up one for a mate there so small.

**PhilSiswick** · 25th April 2008, 14:01

Quote: (Originally Posted by Beanie)

You should of put something next to the box to show how small it is.

Couldn't beleive it when I picked up one for a mate there so small.

If those loops are sized correctly, it's tiny!!

Cheers,

depth · 25th April 2008, 20:02

Quote: (Originally Posted by Beanie)

You should of put something next to the box to show how small it is.

Couldn't beleive it when I picked up one for a mate there so small.

I will post a picture comparing the size later tonight. Unfortunally I sold my VR3, so I can't use that....

/Christian

aainslie · 25th April 2008, 20:39

There are some shots of one underwater in this video:

http://andrewainslie.com/videos/catalinafeb08.wmv

Your system of just tieing in bungies is genius! I intend to steal it immediately.

PnL · 4th May 2008, 20:50

Nice video Andrew - what kind of camera?

As far as the X1, is it every too bright?

**Fun Under Pressure** · 5th May 2008, 06:29

Great report and thanks for the pics.

25th April 2008, 10:42	#2 (permalink)
Jim Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Purley, UK Posts: 106	Re: Liquivision X1 review Nice, could have done without seeing it though ...... things could get expensive ..... need two ! __________________ Jimbo
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25th April 2008, 11:40	#3 (permalink)
equipto76 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1	Re: Liquivision X1 review Hi Christian. Excellent Review. I'm also collecting my spare change to buy an X1. On one hand I really appreciate new user reviews like yours. On the other hand, this is going to get expensive. You might want to check out the bungee mount for the X1 that Tobin at DSS is working on (Deco Stop Link). I've heard the complaint about the X1 wrist strap before. This looks like just the solution we're looking for. Why can't any computer come with a decent strap/mount right out of the box? I'd love to hear what you think about it as you continue diving the X1. I'm especially interested in battery life. I really like the concept of a rechargeable battery. I just don't like the lack of options when that battery stops holding a charge. Dive Safe. Matt
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25th April 2008, 12:04	#4 (permalink)
depth Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denmark Posts: 140	Re: Liquivision X1 review Quote: (Originally Posted by equipto76) You might want to check out the bungee mount for the X1 that Tobin at DSS is working on (Deco Stop Link). I've heard the complaint about the X1 wrist strap before. This looks like just the solution we're looking for. Why can't any computer come with a decent strap/mount right out of the box? I'd love to hear what you think about it as you continue diving the X1. I'm especially interested in battery life. I really like the concept of a rechargeable battery. I just don't like the lack of options when that battery stops holding a charge. Dive Safe. Matt Hi Matt yes, I seen the strap on the forum, but why buy a strap when a simple bungee solution works perfectly? Yes, I am aware of the battery concerns. I charged the computer 2 times so fare, and the battery life is as described by the manufacturer. I doubt that I will have problems with the battery the next many, many years. I trust that Liquivision implemented a battery that will last. Or maybe I am just a fool? /Christian __________________ I am not qualified to make my own meg batteries!!! I am not qualified to make my own meg batteries!!! I am not qualified to make my own meg batteries!!! I am not qualified to make my own meg batteries!!! I am not.............
(Online)

25th April 2008, 13:22	#5 (permalink)
*Beanie* Cheif tea maker Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In da house! yeah baby! Posts: 3,133	Re: Liquivision X1 review You should of put something next to the box to show how small it is. Couldn't beleive it when I picked up one for a mate there so small. __________________ Beanie Gallery Admin & Library Assistant. www.outlawdivers.org.uk www.beandiving.co.uk www.beanengineering.co.uk www.divelife.co.uk
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25th April 2008, 14:01	#6 (permalink)
PhilSiswick WSKD 0001 Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 880	Re: Liquivision X1 review Quote: (Originally Posted by Beanie) You should of put something next to the box to show how small it is. Couldn't beleive it when I picked up one for a mate there so small. If those loops are sized correctly, it's tiny!! Cheers, __________________ Phil No comment on open circuit... it's an evolutionary dead end not really worth discussing here. Dave Sutton, 2007 I have always felt that the dive I am on is not nearly important as the dives I plan to be on the rest of my life. Tom Rose, 2007 www.hugsac.org.uk
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25th April 2008, 20:02	#7 (permalink)
depth Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denmark Posts: 140	Re: Liquivision X1 review Quote: (Originally Posted by Beanie) You should of put something next to the box to show how small it is. Couldn't beleive it when I picked up one for a mate there so small. I will post a picture comparing the size later tonight. Unfortunally I sold my VR3, so I can't use that.... /Christian __________________ I am not qualified to make my own meg batteries!!! I am not qualified to make my own meg batteries!!! I am not qualified to make my own meg batteries!!! I am not qualified to make my own meg batteries!!! I am not.............
(Online)

25th April 2008, 20:39	#8 (permalink)
aainslie New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: LA Posts: 64	Re: Liquivision X1 review There are some shots of one underwater in this video: http://andrewainslie.com/videos/catalinafeb08.wmv Your system of just tieing in bungies is genius! I intend to steal it immediately. __________________ Andrew Ainslie
(Online)

4th May 2008, 20:50	#9 (permalink)
PnL Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 166	Re: Liquivision X1 review Nice video Andrew - what kind of camera? As far as the X1, is it every too bright? __________________ SDTechDiving.com - A San Diego Technical Diving Community
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5th May 2008, 06:29	#10 (permalink)
Fun Under Pressure Supporting Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 579	Re: Liquivision X1 review Great report and thanks for the pics. __________________ Cheers Markku Meg # 773
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