You guys are the pioneers of this technology/application. Yes, I'm sure the MIL-spec electronics are expensive now but re-engineered for the mass market, perhaps using a single application-specific IC (asic) -or perhaps leveraging something like mobile phone or watch hardware or a microcontroller could probably be made cheaply. For example, today on Amazon in the UK, there is a digital altimeter for sale for just £11:
SODIAL(R) 8 In 1 Function Digital LCD Compass Altimeter Barometer Thermo Temperature (Black) Amazon product
I would think that altimeter already has most of the required hardware functionality (e.g. microprocessor/microcontroller/asic, clock/timer, electronic pressure sensor) it even has a thermometer and LCD display - the latter might not be required. They could for example do configuration wirelessly from a smartphone. But, obviously, with an LCD it could become your dive computer too. But I'm thinking simple, cheap and cheerful emergency device, that you just slip on, perhaps as part of a camo weight vest.
Would probably need a big shot of up front investment tho. Risky. Terry Maas has the knowledge, experience, reputation and respect to do it but perhaps he has already done more than his fair share for divers, and taken enough risks. This might be one for somebody else, in the future. I think it will happen, sooner or later, bound to
SODIAL(R) 8 In 1 Function Digital LCD Compass Altimeter Barometer Thermo Temperature (Black) Amazon product
I would think that altimeter already has most of the required hardware functionality (e.g. microprocessor/microcontroller/asic, clock/timer, electronic pressure sensor) it even has a thermometer and LCD display - the latter might not be required. They could for example do configuration wirelessly from a smartphone. But, obviously, with an LCD it could become your dive computer too. But I'm thinking simple, cheap and cheerful emergency device, that you just slip on, perhaps as part of a camo weight vest.
Would probably need a big shot of up front investment tho. Risky. Terry Maas has the knowledge, experience, reputation and respect to do it but perhaps he has already done more than his fair share for divers, and taken enough risks. This might be one for somebody else, in the future. I think it will happen, sooner or later, bound to
Last edited: