We just completed another great trip to Maui, Hawaii, chasing the beautiful Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks. A few weeks before the trip, Deepblu asked me to take their Cosmiq+ Dive Computer out for a test. I readily agreed. I love trying out new gear.
In reviewing the Deepblu Cosmiq+ Dive Computer, I focused on several key capabilities:
- Ease of use
- Readability
- Screen Layout
- Features and functions
- Price
Follow this link for photographs of the Scalloped Hammerhead sharks and other sharks from Hawaii. Similarly, you can view articles on Scalloped Hammerheads on my blog.
What comes in the box.
The Deepblu Cosmiq+ Dive Computer comes in a compact case. The case contains the Dive Computer, screen protectors, charger, dry suit strap and a secondary wrist strap.
The screen is approximately 2.2 inches/55.8cm tall. The Deepblu Cosmiq+ Dive Computer comes in a variety of strap colors and matching screen surrounds. The Cosmiq+ also includes a Social Platform for logging and sharing dive information.
The Cosmiq+ only has two adjustment buttons on the computer. Most settings require the use of an Android or iPhone smartphone to adjust. Only adjustments to Nitrox settings can be made on the computer itself.
The Cosmiq+ Dive Computer screen includes readings for no-deco time remaining, dive time, depth, Nitrox % (if applicable). There are also readings for water temperature and ascent time. Furthermore, due to the size of the display all readings are clearly displayed and easy to read.
The Cosmiq+ Dive Computer does not support technical diving. However, it provides modes to use as a dive computer, backup depth gauge, freediving watch and as a regular watch.
The Cosmiq+ Dive Computer stores the last 25 dives in its logbook for quick reference. The computer enables uploading logs wirelessly to the Deepblu Social Application. This application enables divers to keep and share dive logs with your dive buddies. The social aspect is an interesting addition and seems to be popular, especially with younger divers.
Cosmiq+ Dive Computer What I Like
At a price of $349, the Cosmiq+ Dive computer is a very interesting option for scuba divers. It has all the capabilities needed for a beginning / occasional scuba divers and even advanced scuba divers.
The Cosmiq+ uses the Bühlmann ZHL-16C Decompression Algorithm model. While this model is conservative, you can switch to the Progressive mode. As a result, you will be able to extend your bottom time. In the Progressive mode, the watch performed very closely to my Suunto Steel in the Aggressive mode.
However, before changing safety settings divers should make sure they are well trained regarding decompression sickness. Scuba divers using the progressive mode should be in good shape and very comfortable with diving.
The Cosmiq+ Dive Computer is rechargeable via a cable with a magnetic connector. Over my two-week trip, I recharged the computer four times. While, the Cosmiq+ reportedly holds about 7 hours on a charge, I never exhausted the battery before recharging.
Another neat feature of the Cosmiq+ is the ability to push updates to the computer via Bluetooth. This OTA (Over the air) capability keeps the computers software up to date. This is a feature that I really like and it is similar to my Suunto Steel. This feature enables Deepblu to provide ongoing updates to the computer. As a result the Cosmiq+ Dive Computer can easily stay current with new features and capabilities being delivered by Deepblu.
During the Dive
The large display on the watch is easy to read underwater in most situations. However, in bright sunlight the display was a bit more difficult to read. Consequently, on a safety stop, you may need to shade the computer to easily read the screen. Reading the computer display directly in the sun during your surface interval can also be challenging.
I adjusted the safety setting on the Cosmiq+ to the progressive mode. Furthermore, for Nitrox dives, I set the PPO setting to 1.6, which is the same setting I use on my Suunto Steel. My dives were on average around 55 minutes and I had no problem staying within the nodeco timeframe.
On non-technical dives, I make sure I do not get any closer than 5 minutes to no-deco time. On any deep dives, or consecutive deeper dives, I use Nitrox. I again manage my dive time and depth to make sure I stay out of deco mode. Consequently, during this trip Nitrox was important, since the Scalloped Hammerheads are often at 60 to 100 feet. If I was using air, I would have had an issue with the no-deco time. My air dives times would have been cut short, or I would have had to stay much shallower.
Certainly, I highly encourage any diver to become Nitrox certified. Nitrox is a very safe gas. It allows you to dive safely for longer periods of time at depth of up to approximately 130 feet. Note: This assumes a PPO setting of 1.6 and a Nitrox mix of 32%.
Cosmiq+ Dive Computer Ease of Use
Ease of use is very important to me. I carry a large underwater camera housing with strobes attached. Consequently, I need my dive computer to be readily accessible and easy to read. I don’t like looking for a computer that is attached to my regulator.
With a quick glance at the Cosmiq+ Dive Computer, I see my total dive time, depth and no-deco time remaining. The large screen made reading my dive related information quite easy.
While the strap is a bit different, it was fairly intuitive. The strap held the Cosmiq+ exactly where I wanted it. I wore the computer in both a normal watch position and mounted on the inside of my wrist. I found I could read the display easily in either position.
What Could be Better
First of all, the magnet on the charger for the Cosmiq+ Dive Computer is a bit weak. It can be easily knocked off the watch which will cause the charging cycle to stop.
Setting the computer to use Nitrox is a bit clunky. You can only adjust the mix in one direction. Therefore, if you accidentally set the mix to high, you must cycle back around to the correct number.
Furthermore, the computer does not have an air integration option. Adding a transmitter to provide tank pressure, would be great. This is especially important for divers that want to have all their dive related information in a single device.
Likewise, the Cosmiq+ does not have navigation capabilities. Again, I prefer a dive computer that includes everything in a single device. However, price could become an issue as additional features are added. Maybe a Cosmiq+ 2.0 is in the works with both air integration and navigation. That would be cool.
Cosmiq+ Dive Computer Summary
In summary, I find the Cosmiq+ to be a good dive computer. It is best suited for the recreational scuba divers up to the advanced, non-technical diver. The price is reasonably competitive. Therefore, if you are willing to have multiple gauges, take a serious look at this dive computer. Alternatively, this dive computer could provide an economical backup computer for an advanced diver using air or Nitrox.
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