New Freediving Gauge from Liquivision

[Fondueset]

Liquivision Xen

Begining shortly after the first of the year this beauty will be available with comprehensive freediving software. Current models are being sold with Scuba Bottom Timer Software installed - but the PC interface is included and gauge is easy to update.

It does everything. The only caveat is no audible alarms. Audible alarms are nice - but no guage I know of has them loud enough and Eric has said they are very difficult to implement with the electronics in the Xen. He has chosen to leave them out rather than incorporate something too quiet.

With the graphics on this gauge you can literally read it out of the corner of your eye and at a glance without breaking your streamline. When I used the original F1 I was amazed to find that I generally knew my depth without looking at it - if the thing is anywhere in your field of vision you can pretty much read it.

This will also be great for timing surface intervals while remaining completely relaxed.

Check back at the Liquivision site for updates - they will be posting a comprehensive list of features soon.

 

[trux]

Ah, you have beaten me, Fondue! I just communicated with Eric yesterday, trying to pull from him some more information than what is available on the website, since I want to add the Xen to my review of freediving computers. I was just putting together a post

The price is amazing - I did not believe that Eric will manage to offer it for so little (just $495!). You have to realize that is is a high quality device with high-tech components (full color high resolution OLED display, mineral glass, high precision patent pending ceramic pressure sensors, huge memory, PC interface included, user replaceable batteries,...). The computer offers much more than any other one on the market, for less money than most of them!

Check out this video

[ame="http://vimeo.com/17069497"]Liquivision XEN and XEO computers on Vimeo[/ame]

 

[azapa]

saw that on the LV facebook page, looks like a treat. Shame on the alarms, would be useful. I can hear them with thin hoods. How about a remote alarm (even wired) you could place under your wetsuit hood or swimcap. Come on Eric, I know you can do it

 

[trux]

Yes, he certainly can, but probably not at the same price. A remote alarm is possible at the X1, and I assume also at the more expensive sibling of Xen, the Liquivision Xeo it might be possible (it supports transmitters), but from what I understood it won't be possible for now with the Xen - the hardware is simply not there, and adding it would make it more expensive, especially because you would need something really laud. The casing is quite robust, so a standard piezoelectric buzzer that you find in watches would not be laud enough.

However, the device can flash the entire screen, and with its luminosity, you'd see it even with closed eyes, and the hand out of your sight

 

[Fondueset]

I've seen a draft of features - but didn't ask for permission to post it - its quite impressive.

 

[trux]

Well, I added the computer to the review of freediving computers (36 now), although the list of features is mostly incomplete. I only listed those that are described on the Liquivision website, or elsewere in reports from the DEMA. I'll complete it as soon as Eric releases more info.

 

[azapa]

I've seen a draft of features - but didn't ask for permission to post it - its quite impressive.

teaser!

 

[Fondueset]

It's the only product we'll ever need

 

[Fondueset]

Liquivision Xen for Freediving

FREAKING AWESOME!!

 

[DivingDane]

hmmmm impressive!!!!!!!!!! very nice

 

[diver87]

No Depthalarm? That is a big mistake because most people use it and I´m sure they don´t wanna miss it

 

[Fondueset]

As mentioned; Eric was not happy with the implementation of AUDIBLE depth alarms - he thought it was too quiet. As a diver who routinely dives with a 5 mil suit and Doc's pro-plugs I pretty much agree - most gauges I've tried are too quiet. What it can do - according to Trux - is flash the entire gauge face. I'm pretty sure that will work even better. I can't wait to try it for line diving.

 

[ragman]

No Depthalarm? That is a big mistake because most people use it and I´m sure they don´t wanna miss it

As I understood this, there is no acoustical dephtalarm but an optical one - the whole display blinks very bright. for me, this would be great - I hate those beeps everywhere which we have nowadays.

 

[diver87]

Dont use earplugs and put the gauge to the neckweight and believe me you can hear the gauge even with a 5mm suit.

Look into the other threads, most people say that one depth alarm is not enough... So what about NO depth alarm?

 

[diver87]

As I understood this, there is no acoustical dephtalarm but an optical one - the whole display blinks very bright. for me, this would be great - I hate those beeps everywhere which we have nowadays.

I close my eyes an put my arms beside while I´m freefalling. I thinkt most people do it like this. So how do i know when I´m close to the bottom? I don´t want to look the whole time on my gauge...

 

[Fondueset]

Nice idea! The proplugs are a must in water temps down to 4c however.
I will definitely be getting a Xen - by March at the lastest - and will just have to see how it works.
I use the alarms primarily for line diving - my F10 has interval alarms plus three other depth alarms - which I like very much. But I've thought before that a flash would be even nicer - and more noticeable.

Dont use earplugs and put the gauge to the neckweight and believe me you can hear the gauge even with a 5mm suit.

Look into the other threads, most people say that one depth alarm is not enough... So what about NO depth alarm?

 

[diver87]

Nice idea! The proplugs are a must in water temps down to 4c however.
I will definitely be getting a Xen - by March at the lastest - and will just have to see how it works.
I use the alarms primarily for line diving - my F10 has interval alarms plus three other depth alarms - which I like very much. But I've thought before that a flash would be even nicer - and more noticeable.

I know that YOU need those earplugs but you say that depthalarms are not needed because YOU can not hear them really good. But most freedivers dive without earplugs, thats why depthalarms needed.

Sure it is an absolute amazing computer but no depth alarm is a BIG con

 

[trux]

I do not yet have the exact specifications of the Xen, or the SDK for its firmware, but if it is built in similar way as the X1, then I guess there is also some interface to external modules, such as gas sensors for the tech diving. At the X1, there is an IrDA interface, other computers often use wireless transmitters, or wired contacts. So quite likely there may be the possibility to add an external alarm, which would be even better than an alarm built into the watch. You could simply plug it under your hood, which would warranty you won't miss it, and in the same time it would disturb less other freedivers (or marine animals).

 

[diver87]

That sounds great!

 

[freespirit]

And why not a simple vibrating device...? Better than sound when submerged and can be felt even with a thicker suit or with no suit at all, and maybe that`s a nice way to keep your own alarms to yourself as also you don`t have to constantly listen to other`s too... Very expensive or cumbersome to be put in practice...? Even my actual cellphone (sonyericsson x10 mini) which is really small, has a true powerfull vibrating device... Just with half a dozen of pulsing "tones" for each different alarm, it would be the real and ultimate device for all freediving tastes and disciplines, (and maybe spearfishing also...).