Best Choice Dive Log Software?

Hi All,

Newbie to the group... I have searched the web and these groups for
some direction on the "best" Dive Log software. So far I have come
across two posibilities that have not yet been binned: Scubase and
Sharkpoint. Scubase looks more comprehensive but I'm concerned it is
overkill.

I would like to track dives for me and my family (wife plus 3 kids all
dive), incl. equipment service schedules. I also use a Pocket PC which
made Sharkpoint look useful, but it is unclear if it can handle logs
for family members (even by opening different database files).

We also have 3 different types of dive computer - Oceanic Atom, VT Pro
and Suunto Mosquite. I would like to be able to import dive data from
all of these DC's.

Any recommendations???

TIA,

Kevin Davis
PADI DM

Thanks for the reply. It is probably unnecessary to list the things I
like about Scubase, but would like some more details on support for the
different Dive Computers.

<ksdavis@ksdavis.com> wrote in message
news:1139757673.976901.195440@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> Thanks for the reply. It is probably unnecessary to list the things I
> like about Scubase, but would like some more details on support for the
> different Dive Computers.

E-mail Alex and ask him.

"Scott" wrote

>> Newbie to the group... I have searched the web and these groups for
>> some direction on the "best" Dive Log software. So far I have come
>> across two posibilities that have not yet been binned: Scubase and
>> Sharkpoint. Scubase looks more comprehensive but I'm concerned it is
>> overkill.
>
> <el snippo>
>
>> Any recommendations???
>
> Scubase.
>
> Alex and Olga are avid divers, and have put a lot of time into the
> software.
>
> If you can find something it wont do for you, I am sure they would fix it.

I know nothing about either. I much prefer something I put together for
myself. My logs, for dives I managed to log at all, are loose leaf pages I
created on my computer and printed on standard sized paper. I keep them in
loose leaf binders. I find that my preferences have changed over the years.
Logs for my earliest dives (that got logged) don't include any equipment,
depth, gas or consumption details, mostly because I didn't have any reason
or way to record them. When your equipment consists entirely of mask, fins,
plate with straps, one tank, single hose (no octo) regulator, there's no
need to record the fact and no way to know what to record relative to depth,
time or gas pressures. As my diving and equipment became more complex, my
preferences changed. Equipment, gas and repetitive group information became
more important. More recently, gas and profile information became important
and, when I started using dive computers, repetitive dive groups ceased to
be an issue. Pages I designed, or redesigned, to suit my preferences have
always worked best for me.

For the last couple of years, most of my dives have been logged with my
Citizen Hyper Aqualand watch. The software that came with it is what I
prefer because it's what is easiest to use. I still supplement it with
narrative, pictures and whatever else I, personally, think I will want to be
able to access later.

So, I have no problem with using someone else's idea of what the perfect
dive log should look like, but I think what your idea of a perfect one might
be better.

Lee

Thanks for the reply Lee,

I take all your points on how ones diving develops and changes over
time, and hence logging requirements. I can't say I started diving in
the days of cadac regs and hosepipe, but I'm not entirely new to diving
. I used to complete multi level RDP logs, but now I use data from
the DC/wheel to complete paper logs, and keep my service paperwork in
the binder - great. Until I come to this time of year and now have 5
sets of kit to service, the kids have no idea where their service logs
are, and the pathetic excuse of a dealer we used to use never completed
the kids service schedule in their log books, and claims they have no
idea what happened to their own service records when they moved
premises . Oceanic give free lifetime warranty service parts on all
life support kit, but service records must be maintained. It would be
very expensive to loose this, esp. as it was already "paid for" in the
cost of the kit. It has taken me two days to try and accumilate as much
data as I can but still have to hope and pray when I get the bits into
the shop tomorrow. It just makes sense to keep it all where the kids
can't loose it . I also started taking digital pictures two years
ago and all these bits just seem too scattered... Some software seems a
good idea.

In article <eKCdnc3ihb5xo3LenZ2dnUVZ_tWdnZ2d@wavecable.com> , Scott
<pugetsounddiver@gmail.com> wrote:

€ <ksdavis@ksdavis.com> wrote in message
€ news:1139751418.077232.99630@g43g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
€
€ > Newbie to the group... I have searched the web and these groups for
€ > some direction on the "best" Dive Log software. So far I have come
€ > across two posibilities that have not yet been binned: Scubase and
€ > Sharkpoint. Scubase looks more comprehensive but I'm concerned it is
€ > overkill.
€
€ <el snippo>
€
€ > Any recommendations???
€
€ Scubase.
€
€ Alex and Olga are avid divers, and have put a lot of time into the software.
€
€ If you can find something it wont do for you, I am sure they would fix it.
€
€

Will they re-compile it for a better OS?

"Alan Street" <agstreet@nonono_san.rr.com> wrote in message
news:120220060900561279%agstreet@nonono_san.rr.com ...
> In article <eKCdnc3ihb5xo3LenZ2dnUVZ_tWdnZ2d@wavecable.com> , Scott
> <pugetsounddiver@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> ? <ksdavis@ksdavis.com> wrote in message
> ? news:1139751418.077232.99630@g43g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> ?
> ? > Newbie to the group... I have searched the web and these groups for
> ? > some direction on the "best" Dive Log software. So far I have come
> ? > across two posibilities that have not yet been binned: Scubase and
> ? > Sharkpoint. Scubase looks more comprehensive but I'm concerned it is
> ? > overkill.
> ?
> ? <el snippo>
> ?
> ? > Any recommendations???
> ?
> ? Scubase.
> ?
> ? Alex and Olga are avid divers, and have put a lot of time into the
software.
> ?
> ? If you can find something it wont do for you, I am sure they would fix
it.
> ?
> ?
>
> Will they re-compile it for a better OS?

I dont know.

E-mail them and ask.

They program for a living, so they may have already done a Linux version (or
whatever you use).

> The next thing to get to play with is seeing if the GPS data can be
> overlayed on a map?

I use Garmins. Mapsource, their mapping or charting software does it fine.
So does the $20 upgrade to Google earth.

> The PDA link you get with Sharkpoint could be seen as just a novelty,
> but I seriously think it would prove more convenient to whip out the
> PDA to make a few notes, and even get an "actual" buddy signature via
> the touch screen. Sharkpoint however does fall down on the ability to
> log the kids dives and kit

Like I said, design your own.

Lee

Thus spake "ksdavis@ksdavis.com" <ksdavis@ksdavis.com> :

>Hi All,
>
>Newbie to the group... I have searched the web and these groups for
>some direction on the "best" Dive Log software. So far I have come
>across two posibilities that have not yet been binned: Scubase and
>Sharkpoint. Scubase looks more comprehensive but I'm concerned it is
>overkill.
>
>I would like to track dives for me and my family (wife plus 3 kids all
>dive), incl. equipment service schedules. I also use a Pocket PC which
>made Sharkpoint look useful, but it is unclear if it can handle logs
>for family members (even by opening different database files).
>
>We also have 3 different types of dive computer - Oceanic Atom, VT Pro
>and Suunto Mosquite. I would like to be able to import dive data from
>all of these DC's.
>
>Any recommendations???
>
>TIA,
>
>Kevin Davis
>PADI DM

Pencil and a book.
PADI OWSI
--
dillon

Could have been is in the past
Could be is in the future
There is only the now

"T.L. Davis" <tldavis341@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:ha0bv1lsb05b9p52eom79obelsivhemk2d@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 12 Feb 2006 10:53:09 -0500, "Lee Bell"
> <pleebell2@bellsouth.net> wrote:
>
> > My logs, for dives I managed to log at all, are loose leaf pages I
> >created on my computer and printed on standard sized paper. I keep them
in
> >loose leaf binders. I find that my preferences have changed over the
years.
> >Logs for my earliest dives (that got logged)...
>
> No shit, Lee. I'm going to have to get together with my dive buddy
> and attempt to log 20 years worth of infrequent lake dives just so I
> can have an adequate log, since some operators want to see one. Did
> log my Advanced Open Water and Nitrox certification dives, at least...
>
> Bad habits die hard.

I guess I'm lucky. I've never been asked for my log. I've been some places
where prior notice had been given that it would be required but once I got
there . . .no one asked.

I don't carry it with me anywhere and it wouldn't matter if I did. Can't
remember the last time I logged a dive. I just got a new computer but my
old one can hold 99 dives in the memory and that's rolled over.