Help! "New" Aladin Air X O2 arrived DOA

DRW1001

Hi, just picked up (2) Aladin Air O2's with Oxy2s - only to find out that the Air Z O2s that I thought I was getting were Air X O2s (supposedly with 10 hours each on them) and 1 arrived DOA - can't get it to go on and the other shows "err".

Ques - 1) Does anyone have a contact at Scubapro/Uwatec?

Ques - 2) Will the Oxy2s I have mate with an Aladin Air Z O2 if I upgrade?

Besides going back to the seller - any recommendations?

Thanks much,

David

Alan

David,
I would return to the seller. Those models are no longer available or supported. Original owners can return to SCUBAPRO and upgrade to the Smart Z for (I believe) $400. I would think about the Tec 2G or the new 330M Digital Bottom Timer with average depth. If you want hoseless go with the the Galileo.
Alan

gibbogeo

Yes, mine did mate with the old oxy2 i have when i upgraded.

I don't know if scubapro is still supporting the upgrading.

And it will cost some money.

firemandiver

Having just gone through a similar ordeal, let me offer some advice. The Air X O2 will pair with the Oxy2. However, the battery in the Air X O2 cannot be changed, even by Scubapro. The case is completely epoxied shut and cannot be opened without destroying the computer. When the battery is depleted or the unit itself is broken, really all you can do is toss it. The Air X O2 is over 10 years old and the factory support has run it's course for this unit. If you've purchased two bad Air X O2's and the seller won't help, you're most likely just screwed. Bummer!

The Air Z O2 was the replacement for the Air X O2. The Air Z O2 is better in that the battery can be changed, but it has to be done by Scubapro. For now, they have the batteries and will install a new one for a fee. I would imagine that when the battery supply is gone, the Air Z O2 will suffer the same fate as the Air X O2. Any Scubapro dealer should be able to help you.

As for the upgrade to the Smart Z, if you are the registered owner( or if your dealer has a good relationship with Scubapro ) of the Air Z O2 and it is broken and cannot be repaired, they'll upgrade you to the Smart Z for $400. That presents another problem, though. The Smart Z will not work with the Oxy2. The new technology of the Smart Z won't communicate with the old technology of the Oxy2. The Galileo also will not work with the Oxy2, so that's no good either. If you get a new computer you're limited to OC.

There are other options, which are actually newer more modern technology, like the VR3 or the Revo, but that means tossing your Oxy2 and current computer and having to spend $$$ to get going. Also, the Oxy2/Air Z is the only one that is wireless(that I'm aware of) so you'll have a wired system which is a little bit of a turn off for some people, but a plus for others. The good thing is there's no loss of signal.

In a nutshell, you have to spend big bucks to go with something newer, or buy old outdated equipment. I'm actually quite surprised at how much some people are asking for 5-8 year old used equipment. There are deals to be found, you just have to do a little digging. I've seen several posts on Rebreather World with an Air Z O2 for sale. You can also post looking for one and maybe one of the RBW members will come through.

What I chose to do is find a good Air Z O2. I lucked out and found one on Ebay for a good price. There's one on Ebay right now so do a search for Uwatec and you'll find it. It's from a shop in California and the listing says it's new. I emailed with a few questions but got no reply. They have an 800 number so I'd call and make exactly sure what you're getting before you buy it!

It's kinda backwards to have to buy a 7 or 8 year old computer so you can use your rebreather, but I guess it's better than not being able to use it at all. Hope this was helpful, and I'd be interested to know what happens. Thanks, FD.

aknelson

Same happens to me a few weeks ago. I agree the only way is to get a upgraded to ZO2. Apperently Scubapro build some limited ZO2 for such cases .. I was told
I am wondering what the real charge is by Scubapro. I was told first $300 and then it will be $600. So I am wondering how much the dealer gets out of other people's bad luck. Just for the info to negotiate...

Andreas

firemandiver

My LDS is where I got the $400 number from. I bought my Dolphin from a Rebreather World listing that was from a shop in Oregon. When I was buying mine I talked with the shop owner and we talked about the upgrade. He said he thought it was very reasonable, about $200 dealer cost. He couldn't give and exact price since he hadn't done an upgrade in a while. Anything above that is likely the LDS trying to make a little profit on the deal. I don't know this for a fact, but if the shoe fits........FD