Deepblu COSMIQ+ Dive Computer Review

‘THE NEXT INNOVATION IN DIVE COMPUTING’ that’s what Deepblu calls their COSMIQ+ dive computer, and it’s easy to see why. The way they combine dive computer, smartphone and social media is definitely unique. While more traditional divers might find issue with having to use a smartphone to change their dive computer settings and log their dives, this could be exactly what appeals to next generation’s divers. Of course, all the extras are great but let’s not forget the bottom line. How does the Deepblu COSMIQ dive computer perform underwater?

In this Deepblu COSMIQ review we’ll take a closer look at this innovative wrist dive computer.

Deepblu COSMIQ+ quick overview

• Bühlmann ZHL-16C algorithm
• Quite conservative
• 4 modes: watch, scuba, bottom timer, freedive
• Air or Nitrox (21-40%)
• Wireless Bluetooth connectivity
• Bright 2.2 inch LCD screen
• Rechargeable battery with magnetic USB connector
• Dive Plan function for planning dives in advance
• Free OTA firmware upgrades
• Well designed enriched digital dive log
• Deepblu social divers community

What’s in the box?

The COSMIQ+ dive computer comes in a very nice carrying case. Included are:

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Deepblu COSMIQ+ design

The COSMIQ is a stylish scuba wrist computer that comes in two base colors, matte black (COSMIQ+ Noir) and pearl white (COSMIQ+ Lumin). It has a very clean and modern look, as Action Diver Magazine said “If Steve Jobs designed a dive computer, it would look like the COSMIQ from Deepblu.”

In total there are five color combinations (Cosmic Black, Lava Red, Lilac Purple, Steel Grey and Ocean Blue), but with the monochrome or camouflage NATO wrist straps you can completely personalise the color scheme to your liking. Some people complain about the nylon NATO straps, but personally I love them. Especially the camouflage ones are very stylish and really stand out. It’s too bad this computer is too big to wear as a regular watch if you have small wrists like me.

Wireless Bluetooth connectivity

The COSMIQ+ wrist computer uses Bluetooth to connect to the Deepblu app on your smartphone. In the Deepblu app you can upload your dive data and adjust your dive computer’s settings. You can store up to 25 dives on your COSMIQ+ before you have to connect to the app on your phone.

There are other affordable dive computers that offer wireless bluetooth connectivity (such as the Aqua Lung’s i300C dive computer with DiverLog app), but the seamless integration with Deepblu’s social media platform takes the Deepblu dive computer to another level.

Bright pixel-less LCD screen

The COSMIQ+ has a bright full-color LCD screen with pixel-less EBTN technology. It’s a high contrast 2.2 inch screen with large, clear digits that are very easy to read underwater. EBTN (enhanced black twisted nematic) LCD technology has a super high contrast ratio and is one of the best negative image displays on the market. It has a wide operating temperature and a wide viewing angle, making this extremely suitable for a wrist dive computer. Using the brightness settings divers have control over the display backlight while diving. Even though Deepblu says the computer is ‘easily readable in all conditions’, various users report that the computer can be hard to read at the surface in direct sunlight.

Ease of use

With only two buttons (‘mode’ and ‘adjust’) the COSMIQ dive computer is very easy to operate. A limited number of settings can be adjusted on the dive computer itself (such as dive mode and oxygen level). To change advanced settings you have to access the app on your phone. The app for iPhone or Android has a very intuitive user interface.

Safety settings and algorithm

The COSMIQ+ wrist dive computer uses the Deepblu Decompression Algorithm based on the calculations on the Bühlmann ZH-L16C model. It has three safety factor settings: conservative, normal and progressive. An alarm sounds when you approach the no-decompression limit (NDL). It starts 3 minutes before the limit is reached and sounds every minute. If you do exceed the no deco limit, the computer shows the ceiling and time for a mandatory decompression stop.

A lot of experienced divers report that the computer is very conservative, which is actually not a bad thing if you prefer to dive well within your limits. It might be a turn off for more advanced divers. Set in Progressive mode it’s comparable to the Suunto Zoop Novo with Suunto RGBM algorithm, which is also known to be quite conservative.

Deepblu’s COSMIQ dive computer can be adjusted for diving in extremely saline water and for altitude diving. An automatic 3-minute safety stop between 10 and 20 feet (3-6 meters) is included, unless the dive is really short (less than 10 minutes) or very shallow (less than 20 feet, or 6 meters). Dives deeper than 30 feet (9 meters) always include a safety stop.

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Battery life of the COSMIQ+

The battery of the COSMIQ+ isn’t user replaceable, but rechargeable is definitely the next best thing. A rechargeable battery seriously reduces the chance of flooding your dive computer. The COSMIQ+ has a lithium ion battery that can be charged using a magnetic USB connector. The battery should stay at full capacity for at least 500 full charge cycles before it slowly diminishes in capacity. You can have the battery replaced via an authorized COSMIQ reseller.

Tip: Make sure the computer and magnetic connector are on a flat surface while charging. The connector disconnects quite easily since the magnet isn’t very strong. The computer has a clear battery power indicator.

Depending on brightness and power saving settings the battery lasts for 7-12 hours of continuous diving. On days of consecutive diving with multiple dives a day I would just charge it every evening just to be sure. If you’re diving in a remote location with just a generator, this might pose a problem. However, it only takes about two hours to fully charge your dive computer and of course you can bring a power bank.

COSMIQ+ the dive computer that keeps improving

The COSMIQ dive computer by Deepblu will never grow out of date. Like the much more expensive Suunto EON Steel and Shearwater Perdix AI, Deepblu keeps improving their dive computer by providing free upgrades. Regular OTA (over the air) firmware upgrades make sure your dive computer is continuously improving. To update all you have to do is sync your dive computer with the app and press ‘update’. It only takes a few minutes.

Dimensions of the COSMIQ dive computer

The Deepblu dive computer is very light and only weighs around 2.86oz (81 grams). The dimensions of the fibreglass-reinforced polycarbonate housing are 2.78” (70.6mm) x 1.91” (48.6mm) x 0.82” (20.9mm). Compared to my Suunto D4i it’s quite big. I’m fine wearing it over a 7mm full suit, but on my bare wrist it’s too large to be comfortable. Of course, with the NATO wristband I can always strap it to my BCD but that kind of defeats the purpose of having a wrist computer.

Deepblu digital dive log & app

Especially for those of us who love to keep detailed dive logs, the Deepblu digital dive log is a joy. The user interface is very intuitive and the design is very well done. You can even sync your underwater camera so that it shows the pictures on the timeline exactly when they were taken. How cool is that? Combine that with awesome graphs and the ability to enrich your dive log with photo’s and videos and the ability to share your dive log with a like minded community. What’s not to like?

The app and Deepblu dive log are available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. While you can’t download your dive log to a local device, there are many dive computers compatible with the Deepblu app. And instructors can even sign off training dives in the Deepblu log. So it’s definitely interesting to start using Deepblu as your main dive log.

Currently the following computers are compatible: Deepblu COSMIQ+, SCUBAPRO Aladin Sport, SCUBAPRO Galileo 2, SCUBAPRO Aladin H Matrix, TUSA DC Solar Link IQ1204, Shearwater Petrel 2, Shearwater Perdix, Shearwater Perdix AI and Nerd 2. You can also upload your Subsurface logs. Subsurface supports nearly 200 other dive computers from popular scuba brands such as AquaLung, Cressi, Mares, Oceanic, Sherwood, Suunto, Uwatec and many more.

Deepblu: diving gone social

While it’s absolutely fascinating to find out what your friends had for dinner via Twitter or see their party pics on Facebook, as a diver I’d rather share my diving experiences with others divers who can really appreciate and understand. In real life divers are quite a tight knit and generous bunch, so why not online? Deepblu understands a divers’ need to both document their own experiences and share them with like minded people, in an online environment that’s 100% geared towards diving.

With the Deepblu dive community you can:

• Showcase your dive experiences in a beautifully designed and enriched digital dive log
• Invite your dive friends to connect and join your buddy list
• Follow your buddies and other interesting divers and see what’s trending
• Discuss all your favorite diving topics in Deepblu’s Community Groups
• Plan your next adventure with Planet Deepblu, an interactive and collaborative map of dive spots around the world

Deepblu COSMIQ+ vs Aqua Lung i300C

What we love about the COSMIQ+

• Rechargeable battery
• Nice clean design and bright screen
• Great color schemes
• Wireless bluetooth connectivity
• OTA firmware updates
• Active DeepBlu dive community*

*You can also join the DeepBlu community without owning the COSMIQ dive computer and upload your logs via Subsurface or manually

What we like a bit less

You need a smartphone (Android or iOS) with the Deepblu mobile app to adjust settings on your computer. You can only change the dive mode and the air mix (21%-40%) on the dive computer itself. For the next generation of divers who already use their smartphone everyday this won’t be an issue, but older divers might not like this.

The design is lovely, but it’s too large for women with small wrists.

This computer doesn’t have integrated air. We’de love to see Deepblu add air integration to the COSMIQ+. That would give it a definite edge over similar priced competitors.

Currently you can only download your dive data to the online Deepblu digital dive log, for which you need to create an account. You can import/upload Subsurface logs, but Deepblu doesn’t allow for you to export to UDCF (universal dive computer format) so you can store it locally.* This is not an issue for me, but I’ve seen many remarks about it from other divers.

*A Belgian guy called Sander developed a tool to backup your Deepblu and COSMIQ dive logs to a local copy in UDCF format. Use at your own risk.

Conclusion: should you buy the Deepblu COSMIQ+?

Deepblu’s combination of dive computer, smartphone and social media is definitely unique and it will be interesting to see if other dive computer manufacturers will follow. If you’re a novice to intermediate scuba diver who feels comfortable with a conservative computer, the COSMIQ+ is a very good choice. The rechargeable battery, bright screen and bluetooth connectivity are great features. The COSMIQ+ is also a really good option if you love to share your dive pics and stories on a dedicated social dive network.

For female divers with small wrists like myself, this is not the dive computer for you if you want to wear it with a short sleeve shorty. With a full suit or dry suit it’s fine. Also, if you’re an advanced diver who likes to dive close to the NDL, another dive computer would be a better choice. Unless you only want to use the COSMIQ+ as a bottom timer, in which case the bright LCD screen is a major plus.

The Deepblu online dive log is definitely a feature to check out, even if you’re not using the COSMIQ+.

ScubaAroundTheWorld received a COSMIQ+ dive computer unit to test and review. All opinions are our own.

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