forum.heinrichsweikamp.com

HI,Hope you guys can help

I am a bit concerned regarding the new 2N as now I read that the battery is not rechargeable and needs to be sent off to Germany for replacement, The expected runtime you have on the MK 2 was 40hrs but rechargeable. What will be the runtime on the 2N non rechargeable battery as I was looking at using the unit for recreational diving also especially night diving. I do 150 dives a year and feel sending this unit off 3-4 times a year out of the question. I ordered a MK 2 at the beginning of April and as I dive quite often like the rechargeable battery and the velcro strap especially interchanging arms depending on back ups, drysuit valves and slates. I was told the unit would be about 4 weeks away. Does this mean I will be receiving the 2N and not the MK2? As I have not received the MK2 yet what advantages will I get with the 2N? The battery life and replacement is especially concerning.
Thanks Bruce.

Hi Bruce,

The 2N has a rechargeable lithium battery, just as the Mk.2. It will last at least 40h/charge (And that's a worst case figure: Cold water, some battery aging and max. brightness). In the field, you'll get more then 40h/charge.
The battery recharges within 5h (max.) via USB (PC/Laptop or any USB charger delivering 500mA). The battery is a Japan-made, high quality one with software-independent protection (Deep-discharge, over-current, overcharge).
For a longer lifetime we also recharge the battery to 95% only which dramatically increases the lifetime.

You still can use the velcro strap if you want to. >90% ordered the Mk.2 with the bungee mount

Hope this clears some questions

Cheers,
Matthias

Hi Matthias,

Is there any way that the user can replace the battery on their own?

Here in Australia there's a lot of talk amongst divers that the computer will need to be sent around the world to do a simple battery change. Possibly loosing two or three weeks in the process. Also it will cost a lot. From Australia it could easily cost 100 euro just on postage.

The simple fact is that a rechargeable and replaceable battery was a big plus vs the also popular Liquivision's (X1 and XEO) or the various Shearwaters. The price of the Mk2 was marginally under the price of the others (xeo specifically) but now postage for the battery comes into play as well.

Best regards,

D

Look at Datasheet :
- Replaceable Li-Ion Battery

the battery is a 18500 / 1300mAh LiIon with protection circuit that can be replace by owner
you can find it at :
batteryjunction
dealextream

for 5$

Bardass Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Look at Datasheet :
> - Replaceable Li-Ion Battery
>
> the battery is a 18500 / 1300mAh LiIon with
> protection circuit that can be replace by owner
> you can find it at :
> batteryjunction
> dealextream
>
> for 5$


http://www.heinrichsweikamp.net/en/ostc ... eet_2n_pdf

Page two:

"Changing the battery
The Li-Ion battery is sealed in gel for safety reasons. Do not open the diving computer. If the OSTC 2N is opened the bottom plate has to be replaced and the battery has to be sealed anew. Cost for battery replacement are 29 Euro
including German VAT excluding shipping costs."

This doesn't sounds like the battery is user replaceable.

Just wish to confirm if this is the case or not.

D

I think this depends on the user

29EUR is about four replacements of the NON-rechargeable battery in the shearwater.

Just my 2c...

sorry for my answer, you're right

i didn't see this sheet, only datasheet on the web page for 2N
http://www.heinrichsweikamp.com/en/ostc_2n/

and i thought ("The OSTC 2N is technically identical to the OSTC Mk.2" ) that 2N was identical to the Mk2 for the battery too.

with 2N, it sounds like battery needs to be replace by HW.

dmainou Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Here in Australia there's a lot of talk amongst
> divers that the computer will need to be sent
> around the world to do a simple battery change.
> Possibly loosing two or three weeks in the
> process. Also it will cost a lot. From Australia
> it could easily cost 100 euro just on postage.

But the battery will last several years, 5 years or probably more?
Is this a real problem?

BR
Peter

Hi Matthias,

Thanks for your response, I am at ease with the battery situation and as a quality long life rechargeable battery I should get years of service out of it before a replacement is required. And by then maybe this could be done in Australia.

Thanks Bruce.

Peter_O Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> dmainou Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > Here in Australia there's a lot of talk amongst
> > divers that the computer will need to be sent
> > around the world to do a simple battery change.
> > Possibly loosing two or three weeks in the
> > process. Also it will cost a lot. From
> Australia
> > it could easily cost 100 euro just on postage.
>
> But the battery will last several years, 5 years
> or probably more?
> Is this a real problem?
>
> BR
> Peter

Lets put it this way, if my battery were to fail I know I can go down the road and buy a $5 (or $25) battery and dive tomorrow morning. I can do this in most parts of the world. If I were to dive in a remote location I could even choose to have a spare in my luggage just in case.

If an n2 were to fail at the beginning of my dive trip...

I'm so happy I have an mk2.

D

dmainou Wrote:
[...]
> I'm so happy I have an mk2.

actually, n2 has some nice improvement over mk2. the front glass seems
to be put deeper - less scratches and better protection (i see the
difference between ostc1/mk.2 and nemo wide - three of them used
in the same environment... just nemo wide used for 3 years now, ostc1
for 2 years and mk.2 for few months).

Personnaly, I'm really worried about this difference. I'm looking to buy a new computer because my old Uwatec Air X - I know it's a very old one;) - has his battery down and is only replaced by Uwatec. The point is that they no more providing this service on this old model - even if it was still working well!!! Of course, I'm really not happy about this

So what about HW? Can they ensure me that they still will do a battery replacement in 10 or 15 years? Honestly, I doubt they can state they will...

Do I understand well that the MK2 has a battery which is user replacable, and not the N2? If yes, can HW explain the reason why they changed their mind?

Thanks for your clarification.

BR
Kristian

Hi Kristian,

go for a second hand MK2.
Some users always want the latest model and they will replace the MK2 by a 2N.

Reiner

[quote=Decouverte]
So what about HW? Can they ensure me that they still will do a battery replacement in 10 or 15 years? Honestly, I doubt they can state they will...

Do I understand well that the MK2 has a battery which is user replacable, and not the N2? If yes, can HW explain the reason why they changed their mind?
[/quote]

If Matthias may answer, this would be very helpful to make a decision on my next dive-toy

Thanks,
Kristian

Hello Kristan,

No one can say what's in 10 or 15years from now.
I happy to have an idea what will happen with heinrichs weikamp for the next two or three years.
As for your Uwatec example - there are quite a lot of individuals or small firms offering battery replacements in your old Air X for a fair price.

Cheers,
Matthias

Hi Matthias,

One quick q around the discussion above.

Why does the computer's backplate needs to be replaced at the time of changing the battery as stated by the supplementary manual?

Provided that the backplate can be recycled, finding the battery and potting compound is relatively easy so that opens the possibility for a DIY job whether one happens to be on the other side of the world or for, whatever reason, HW is unable to offer the change.

I believe that simply knowing that it can be done will put a totally different perspective on the battery change.

Best regards,

D

Thanks Matthias for the advice.
I already looked to replace the battery on my old Air X. Nobody is doing this seriously, so I will not take the risk to rely on "fixed-as-good-as-possible" diving computer...

I'm really interested to buy your MKII - not the 2N - but can't find anybody selling those Do you still have some on stock? I also want the bungee option and a screen protection.

Hope you can help.

BR,
Kristian

We do not sell Mk.2 anymore, sorry.

Regards,
Matthias

[quote]We do not sell Mk.2 anymore, sorry. [/quote]
:(:(

Anyone who knows where I can get one, or selling a used one?

Thanks,
Kristian

sure
thinkblue.eu has them in stock I believe
and tarcy.be also

best regards,
Steve

heinrichsweikamp Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We do not sell Mk.2 anymore, sorry.
>
> Regards,
> Matthias


Not really any of my business. But what were the drivers to move away from a user replaceable battery? Internet forums are full of recommendations for dive computers and a user replaceable battery is always seen as a positive!

Regthing Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> heinrichsweikamp Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > We do not sell Mk.2 anymore, sorry.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Matthias
>
>
> Not really any of my business. But what were the
> drivers to move away from a user replaceable
> battery? Internet forums are full of
> recommendations for dive computers and a user
> replaceable battery is always seen as a positive!

You really don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that the mk2 is a pain in the neck to build. Everything comes through the screen, there is the need for two precision made aluminium parts (battery covers) and potting is made from a tiny hole on the side.

In contrast the N2 is laid down as a manufacturing 101 project. Everything comes from the top (back) and the potting process is a no brainier. I presume that it is easier, faster and cheaper to manufacture.

I guess that what we have here is a case of engineer meets customer!

D

Now you're talking my language! I'm actually a Design Engineer and design for manufacture is my bread and butter..

However I've not seen an N2 in the flesh and the only hint I have to the design is your quote above regarding removing an Aluminium plate to access the gel sealed battery. The plate apparently needs to be replaced as well! I'm assuming the screen won't be fitted through this opening so you now have a 2 axis build as the unit needs to be turned over. Also sealing the battery in gel is another process so I don't see a manufacturing improvements as a driver. On top of that I doubt the volumes are high enough to make real savings from shaving minutes off the build time. The two current Aluminium covers aren't precision parts either as the o-rings do the work.

All that aside there is still nothing to stop a redesign with a user replacable battery! It is clearly a valid design input that can make or break a sale.

Hi Scott,

Maybe we just a misunderstanding here: The OSTC 2N (Or Mk.2) uses a rechargeable lithium battery, not a primary battery.
Can you list the divecomputers with rechargeable lithium batteries on the market where the manufacturer officially recommends that the user replaces them in the field?

Regards,
Matthias

OK. That's a fair point and I'm not looking for a bun fight. But as has been seen in this thread it is still seen as a negative. I love what you are doing with this product and I think we all feel part of it thanks to this forum and our ability to help shape the software development (or maybe it's just me..) So to see something 'taken away' is kind of sad, hence my desire to understand it more. Maybe highlighting the pro's of this change may put people's mind at rest.