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VR Technology VR Series Manual

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VR Technology Limited
To ensure your user information is up to date. Please check
www.technologyindepth.com for updates to this manual.
VR Series Dive Computer Manual
VR Dive Computer Operations Manual 2009 rev E
28/01/2009
1

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Summary of Contents for VR Technology VR Series

  • Page 1 VR Technology Limited To ensure your user information is up to date. Please check www.technologyindepth.com for updates to this manual. VR Series Dive Computer Manual VR Dive Computer Operations Manual 2009 rev E 28/01/2009...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents Model Name

    VR Technology Limited Model Name VRX/VR3 Manufactured by VR Technology Limited Unit 12 Blackhill Road West Holton Heath Industrial Estate Poole Dorset BH16 6LE England WARNING Diving is an adventurous sport and should not be undertaken without receiving the necessary training from a recognised training agency.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    VR Technology Limited Table of Contents Model Name........................2 Manufactured by ......................2 Getting Started .......................7 Battery..........................7 Power Monkey charging option (VRx)................8 Switches ........................8 Home Screen........................9 The Home Screen features ..................9 Understanding Our PIN Upgrade System..............9 How to enter a PIN ....................11 Security and Trace-ability..................11...
  • Page 4 VR Technology Limited MAIN-HD......................29 MAIN-GR ......................29 MAIN-TP......................29 MAIN-BM ......................29 GRAPH ........................29 SCROLL ......................29 SCR RB........................29 Mode ........................30 Prog ..........................30 ALG .........................31 Automatic tissue tolerance adjustments...............31 User adjustments ......................31 Extreme exposure dives ...................33 Algorithm Selection ....................33 Diveplan and diving....................34 VGM - Decompression philosophy ................35 Summary ........................36...
  • Page 5 VR Technology Limited Warnings ........................54 Rebreather related warnings ..................56 Rebreather & Analyser Links ..................56 How to use your Open Circuit VR as an Oxygen Analyser using the C8b Oxygen Analyser Kit .........................57 Special Calibration Procedures for Closed Circuit VRs ..........58 Analysing a Gas ......................60...
  • Page 6 VR Technology Limited Congratulations on your purchase of a VR dive computer. You are going to have a lot of fun learning how to use your new VR. Your VR has been delivered to you in G10 mode. This is the latest version of VR software and, we believe, represents a considerable advance over earlier versions.

  • Page 7: Getting Started

    VR Technology Limited Getting Started Looking at the computer (image below) in your hand Battery The VRX is fitted with a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery. A multi-voltage charger is supplied, that will recharge a completely flat battery in approximately 3 hours.

  • Page 8: Power Monkey Charging Option (Vrx)

    Solar Cell or a computer USB port. Please visit the Power Monkey web site for full details. The VRx adaptor is only available when buying the Power Monkey option from VR Technology Ltd - Part# 2014.

  • Page 9: Home Screen

    VR Technology Limited Home Screen Note. The battery indicator on the VR3 will show a voltage (lithium battery shown) whereas the VRx will have a % remaining display. The Home Screen features  The current active gas, (top left hand corner) ...
  • Page 10 VR Technology Limited To activate the purchased level and features, enter the 16 digit PIN(s) following the procedure outlined below. To purchase further level upgrades or activate additional features, contact your VR Computers dealer. So that the dealer can give you the correct PIN(s), when you make the purchase you will need to provide the unique 16 digit serial number of your VR.

  • Page 11: How To Enter A Pin

    VR Technology Limited How to enter a PIN PINs are keyed in using the switches and are logged in on the bottom line of the Pin Num screen. A short push on a switch will move the number highlighted by 1; a long hold will move it by 8.

  • Page 12: The Home Screen - Navigation Via Mini Screen Feature

    VR Technology Limited The Home Screen – Navigation via Mini Screen Feature Pre Dive Check The Mini Screen feature in the Home Screen is designed primarily to make it easy for you to check the settings in your VR and allow you to change any of the settings if necessary before you dive.

  • Page 13: Time & Date Screen

    VR Technology Limited A long push of the right hand switch will take you into the Options Menu which will give you access to five further features, as follows Time & Date Screen Mini Screen Full Screen The VR is accurate to the European PREN standard for digital dive timing devices but it is not a precision chronograph.

  • Page 14: Decompression Algorithms

    VR Technology Limited Decompression Algorithms VR dive computers use a derivative of the Buhlmann ZHL 16 algorithm modified to assimilate the latest thinking in practical micro-bubble avoidance for enhanced decompression safety. The VRx can also be configured to use our new VGM algorithm (see description at the end of this manual and on our website).

  • Page 15: The Dive Options Screen

    VR Technology Limited The Dive Options Screen In surface mode, the Dive Options (DVo) screen is accessible from the Home Screen, (toggle through the mini-screens). Underwater, the Dive Options (DVo) screen is accessed by a long push of the right button and a short push of both switches when you are in the second dive screen.
  • Page 16 VR Technology Limited Warning! Diving beyond the MOD of the diluent in closed circuit mode / or beyond the PO2 of the unit is less that the diluent PO2 at depth Dive computers calculate decompression based on the inert gas partial pressures. This is the only accurate way to estimate decompression requirements.

  • Page 17: Bg (Big Graphics) Optional Pin

    VR Technology Limited Diving beyond the maximum operating depth of any gas is dangerous and should be avoided and is not endorsed by any training agency. Emergency plans and gas should always be carried to cater for temporary excursions in the event of an emergency.
  • Page 18 VR Technology Limited Dive Options – Gmode The dive screen graph are at the bottom left can be used to display the dive graph, or the Total Time to Surface TTS, or external PPO2, if external triple or single cell option is enabled.
  • Page 19 VR Technology Limited Triple Po2 monitor – Option (VRx) A triple PO2 cell monitor for a rebreather can be directly connected to the connector on the VRx. This option, when enabled makes the following screens and options available: Xfunc = 3xo2. This turns on the option. Once turned on, then XDec can be enabled, and Gmode can be chosen as PO2.

  • Page 20: Screen Saver (Vrx)

    VR Technology Limited The HUD system comes configured as a PIN and a cable for monitoring 3 oxygen sensors (green PO2 light) and decompression (red light). The functions are; Red light Green light Slow flash Below decompression Below Setpoint ceiling...

  • Page 21: Options

    VR Technology Limited If you are filling an empty cylinder, leave the HAVE column at 0 (zero). You can also define the WANT column by changing the MaxD (maximum depth), EAND (Equivalent Narcotic Depth) and PPO2 settings. In this screen, a short push of both switches will move the highlight from one field to the next and a short push of either the left - or right + switch will change the highlighted number by 1.

  • Page 22: Games (Option)

    VR Technology Limited Games (option) Shows you the games you can play on decompression PC Link The screen to go to if you want to download dives from your VR to a PC. Simulate Simulate mode gives you a chance to practice using the computer in the dry before taking it under water.

  • Page 23: Gas List

    VR Technology Limited here will be a slight delay while the VR computes the plan. the dive screen long pushes on the right switch will show page after page of decompression stops as in normal Dive mode. imulate and Diveplan work on current tissue state. If you have just dived with the VR your residual inert gas loading will be taken into account by the VR in its calculations.

  • Page 24: Bailout! A Special Note On Profile B For Ccr Divers

    VR Technology Limited screen. Here you can double check which gases you have set by repeated short pushes of the left switch. If they are correct a short push of the right-hand switch returns you to the Home screen. ailout! A Special Note on Profile B for CCR Divers...

  • Page 25: Games (Option)

    VR Technology Limited GAMES (option) THE OCTOPUS GAME The Octopus Game works like this: The aim is to try to hit the white octopus with a squirt of ink from the black octopus. The white octopus will explode when he is hit and you will then get a summary of your score.

  • Page 26: Decobooks

    VR Technology Limited DECOBOOKS Enter Prolink on your PC and click on Book send. Select a .txt file from your PC and check it appears in File Name box. Ensure your VR computer is in PC Link mode and Connected. Click on Book send. You scroll through pages using the left and right switches.

  • Page 27: Setup

    VR Technology Limited SETUP Selecting SETUP from the Mini-Screens in the Home Screen will give you access to a range of sub-menus, which allow you to configure the VR according to your personal preference. A short push of both switches moves the highlight to the next setting. A long push of both switches takes you back to the Home Screen.

  • Page 28: Pin

    VR Technology Limited When “Pin” is highlighted a short push on either switch will take you into a screen where you will see a) your VR’s 16 digit Serial Number b) a list of letters and numerals denoting which VR features are currently enabled...

  • Page 29: Normal

    VR Technology Limited If you are happy with the default colours that we have selected for your VR there is no need to adjust anything in this screen. If you want to adjust the colours, follow the instructions below:- When you first enter the screen the panel next to “Type” will be highlighted. “Type”...

  • Page 30: Mode

    VR Technology Limited A further short push of both switches will highlight Color B and, while this is highlighted, short pushes on the right-hand + or left-hand – switch will change the background colour in the section listed next to “Type”.

  • Page 31: Alg

    VR Technology Limited ALG – if you have purchased the optional VGM algorithm (VRx only), a short push of either the right-hand + or left-hand – switch when VGM is highlighted will toggle between VGM and BUH (Buhlmann). When BUH is selected decompression will be calculated using our standard modified Buhlmann ZHL 16 algorithm with 2 minute deep stops.
  • Page 32 VR Technology Limited Fast Tissues can be adjusted between -15% to +40%. The effect of the fast safety setting reduces linearly from Fast to Mid range tissues. Mid range Tissues can be adjusted between -15% to +40%. The effect of the Mid setting reduces linearly from both mid range to fast, and from mid range to slow.

  • Page 33: Extreme Exposure Dives

    VR Technology Limited Note: Preset conservatism settings (0% = normal standard safety value) Extreme exposure dives VGM also modifies mid range tissues separately to fast and slow tissues, achieving adaptation of mid range stops separately to deep or shallow stops. Extended mid range stops are a common technique used on deep dives to allow surfacing with a lower bubble count than would otherwise be expected –...

  • Page 34: Diveplan And Diving

    VR Technology Limited Diveplan and diving Diveplan screen allows change of preset settings for VGM if the VGM algorithm is active. Resulting planned dive: When exiting the dive plan, the equivalent gradient factor is displayed: The Equivalent Gradient Factor (EGF) is also displayed in the Dive Log and the Dive...

  • Page 35: Vgm - Decompression Philosophy

    The default settings will suit many experienced divers, and it is the input of real technical divers in the choice of these settings that has made VR Technology and its team at the forefront of technical diving product design for over 20 years.

  • Page 36: Summary

    VR Technology Limited outs and an output in common spreadsheet style format for use in creating back-up tables. The VRx gives an Equivalent Gradient Factor (EGF) after a dive. Because it is an adaptive variable system, the gradient factor cannot be calculated until after decompression has started.

  • Page 37: Usage

    VR Technology Limited Usage - this figure tells you the total dive hours carried out on your VR computer to date. NO STOP In this screen you can see No Stop Times (NST) for depths to 41m, taking into account your previous dives and surface interval. The surface interval and target depth are user changeable.

  • Page 38: Select And Adjust Gases

    VR Technology Limited SELECT and ADJUST gases From the Home screen, the SIMULATE screen AND the Dive screen, you can access the gas SELECT and ADJUST features with a long push of the left-hand switch. In the gas SELECT screen, short pushes on the left-hand switch take you through the ON gases.
  • Page 39 VR Technology Limited ADJUST screen Trimix O2% highlighted Several options are now available. With a short push of both switches, a new field will be highlighted and can be adjusted using by a short push of either switch + or -.

  • Page 40: Selecting Closed Circuit Gases And Po2 Set Point

    VR Technology Limited Selecting closed circuit gases and PO2 Set point If you have purchased and installed the PIN for the closed circuit upgrade, you will have a Closed Circuit option in your GAS SELECT screen. Press and hold both switches to activate this.

  • Page 41: A Note On The Mod Setting And Gas Switches

    VR Technology Limited A Note on the MOD setting and Gas Switches The MOD setting of an ON gas is important as this is the depth at which the VR will prompt you to switch to that gas. The look-ahead Time To Surface (TTS) and decompression profile will also assume a switch to deco gas at that depth.

  • Page 42: Display Modes Screen

    VR Technology Limited Display Modes Screen The Display Modes screen is a revolutionary feature which is new in 2009 VRs. For the first time, a diver can choose which information he sees in his primary dive screen and customise it to his own preferences. The VR is the only computer that allows a diver to do this.

  • Page 43: Twist Mode For Mini Screen Jumping

    VR Technology Limited Twist mode for mini screen jumping Setting Twist mode on allows the user to skip through the mini screens in the main dry screen by twisting the VR to the right 90degrees or to the left 90degrees. The unit has to be held for half a second or so to trigger the mini screen change.

  • Page 44: Graph

    VR Technology Limited In the Home Screen, when the graph depth and time of your last dive are shown on the mini screen, a short push of both switches will take you to the Dive Log Feature. The logbook screen shows depth, time and surface interval information as well as accumulated OTUs (oxygen tolerance units).

  • Page 45: Markers

    VR Technology Limited push of both switches will bring up a screen showing a graph of ambient temperature throughout the dive. The word xfunc appears for five seconds before being replaced by mins (time). A short push of the right switch in any profile screen will bring up a log of the next dive, a short push of the left switch will take you back to the original log screen.

  • Page 46: How To Read The Dive Screen

    VR Technology Limited How to read the Dive Screen. Open Circuit Diver – No Decompression Screen This dive screen shows The diver has no decompression burden – hence the green colour on the right of the screen. The diver is at 30m and is 9 mins into his dive.

  • Page 47: Closed Circuit Diver - No Decompression Screen

    VR Technology Limited Closed Circuit Diver – No Decompression Screen This dive screen shows The diver has no decompression burden – hence the green colour on the right of the screen. The diver is at 42m and is 38 mins into his dive.

  • Page 48: Open Circuit Diver - Decompression Screen

    VR Technology Limited Open Circuit Diver – Decompression Screen This dive screen shows The diver has a decompression burden – hence the yellow colour on the right of the screen. The diver is at 50m and is 10 mins into his dive.

  • Page 49: Closed Circuit Diver - Decompression Screen

    VR Technology Limited Closed Circuit Diver – Decompression Screen This dive screen shows The diver has a decompression burden – hence the yellow colour on the right of the screen. The diver is at 42m and is 56 minutes into his dive.

  • Page 50: More Closed Circuit Dive Screens

    VR Technology Limited More Closed Circuit Dive screens In closed circuit mode with the external sensor XO2 set to OFF the PO2 setpoint is displayed on the second line up in the right hand section of the screen. In closed circuit mode with an external cell connected and XO2 set to ON the actual PO2 is shown on the second line up.

  • Page 51: How To Switch Gases During A Dive

    VR Technology Limited How to Switch Gases during a Dive. The Gas Switch advisory will appear in the top right hand corner of the dive screen on ascent as you reach the MOD you have set for your decompression gas. It will also...

  • Page 52: Changing Or Adding A New Gas During A Dive

    VR Technology Limited Changing or Adding a New Gas During a Dive One of the unique advantages of the VR is that, during a dive while underwater you can add a new gas to your list of ON gases or amend the gas content of a current gas.

  • Page 53: Going From The Main Dive Screen To Other Dive Screens

    VR Technology Limited Going from the Main Dive Screen to Other Dive Screens A long push of the right switch in the main dive screen will take you into further dive screens showing your dive summary information A short push of both switches in this screen takes you into the Dive Options screen.

  • Page 54: Warnings

    VR Technology Limited Warnings The VR displays warnings in the form of on-screen messages in the top right section of the dive screen and the backlight flashing. On multicolour VRs the right hand side of the screen goes red. A Downward Arrow means “Descend, you have violated a decompression ceiling”...
  • Page 55 VR Technology Limited “USE Table” means “Decompression has been violated on current dive, or previous dive within the previous 24 hours.” The two bottles with arrow icon means “Gas Switch warning. Switch to another gas in the gas list you have set.”...

  • Page 56: Rebreather Related Warnings

    VR Technology Limited to track. If you temporarily break a decompression ceiling and get back to the correct depth within 60 seconds, the timer will start to count up again. When it reaches 60 the decompression calculations will restart. Depending on the extent of your excursion you should build in extra safety for the remainder of the dive.

  • Page 57: How To Use Your Open Circuit Vr As An Oxygen Analyser Using The C8B Oxygen Analyser Kit

    VR Technology Limited highlight to the XFunc and XDec features via successive short pushes of both switches. To use the VR with an analyser or to calibrate a rebreather link, with the highlight under XFunc use short pushes of either switch to bring up XO2.

  • Page 58: Special Calibration Procedures For Closed Circuit Vrs

    VR Technology Limited A long push on both switches then takes you into CAL (calibration) mode. If you are using an Open Circuit VR you will see a reading and a measurement of the oxygen sensor cell output (in millivolts mV).
  • Page 59 VR Technology Limited a further short push of both switches takes you to ADJUST Move the cursor to select your chosen calibration gas, either Air in your gas list and switch it ON A long push of both switches will save the gas as your diluent Save it as calibration gas (CAL) by a long push on both switches.

  • Page 60: Analysing A Gas

    VR Technology Limited Analysing a Gas Connect the sensor cable with oxygen sensor cell attached to the VR’s I/O port, place the cell in the cylinder connection kit and attach the connection kit to the cylinder to be analysed. Switch on your VR.

  • Page 61: Semi Closed Rebreather Cable Link

    VR Technology Limited Semi Closed Rebreather cable link In Open Circuit mode with the I/O connector activated and the cable linked to an external oxygen cell located within a semi-closed circuit rebreather, your VR will read semi-closed circuit decompression. Calibration: calibrate as per the analyser instructions.

  • Page 62: Semi Closed Rebreather Warnings

    VR Technology Limited Semi Closed Rebreather Warnings An XFAIL warning will appear if the PO2 sensed by the external cell falls below 0.16 bar. An XCHECK warning will show if the PO2 of the external call is sensing less that the PO2 of the diluent selected at the depth.

  • Page 63: Using A Closed Circuit Rebreather Cable Link

    VR Technology Limited Using a Closed Circuit Rebreather cable link The VRx can be configured as a single or 3 sensor unit while the VR3 will only work with one oxygen sensor. Certain rebreather manufacturers have optional ports available to interface witr the VR computer cabling systems. Please check with your rebreather manufacturer.
  • Page 64 VR Technology Limited A long push of both switches will save NX 99 as your diluent Save it as the calibration gas (CAL) by a further long push on both switches CAL GAS will appear on the screen Then a short push on the right-hand switch will confirm and a further short push on the right-hand switch will take you back to the Home Screen.
  • Page 65 VR Technology Limited Single sensor (triple sensor screens vary) Once the reading is again stable a short push on the right switch accepts it and takes you into a SENSOR screen where you will see the reading and a measurement of the...

  • Page 66: Closed Circuit Diving Operation

    VR Technology Limited If not, repeat the calibration process. You may get a cell stuck message while calibrating with the counterlungs full of oxygen. If so, you may need to add a breath of air to the loop to allow auto calibration to take place.

  • Page 67: Vr Calibration With A Ccr At Altitude

    VR Technology Limited Dive Screen - XDec On the Dive Screen with XDec ON the display shows X followed by the actual reading from the external O2 cell on the second line up. The diluent gas is displayed on the bottom line.

  • Page 68: Oxygen Sensors

    VR Technology Limited Oxygen Sensors Galvanic oxygen sensors and their connection systems are affected by many environmental conditions and this must be taken into account when using an oxygen analyser or rebreather. These conditions include: 1. Temperature 2. Moisture 3. Electrical noise (proximity of power sources and RF interference) 4.

  • Page 69: Warranty And Support

    VR Technology Limited Warranty and Support Warranty This product carries a one year guarantee from date of purchase for bonafide manufacturing faults. This does not cover damage to the case or screen and switches during operation. Keep your proof of purchase to submit in the event of warranty repair.

  • Page 70: Warranty & Support Guidelines

    VR Technology Limited Warranty & Support Guidelines To set up and get optimum performance from your computer, please refer to the Instruction Manual on the enclosed CD. In the unlikely event that you experience any difficulty there is a comprehensive Frequently Answered Questions (FAQ) section on our website www.vr3.co.uk .

  • Page 71: Returns

    VR Technology Limited Returns If, after checking all the above and searching our FAQ section on the website, you find you need to send the computer in to us please email our technical support division at support@vr3.co.uk or go to the website to obtain a Goods Return documentation to complete and enclose with the computer.

  • Page 72: Maintenance Tips

    VR Technology Limited Maintenance Tips The bulkhead I/O connector port The bulkhead I/O connector port is watertight and any water that gets in to the port cannot harm your VR. However, should sea water get inside the port or the ends of your cable link, flush them with fresh water as soon as possible afterwards then leave them to dry completely BEFORE refitting the cap.

  • Page 73: Bezel Colours

    VR Technology Limited Bezel Colours The VRX is available in a range of user-changeable colour options as well as standard grey. To remove the bezel, invert the unit and bend the two black clip tags slightly outwards while pushing them through the cover. To refit, place the cover on the VRX and insert the clips until you hear a ‘click’.
  • Page 74 The default settings have been implemented based on feedback and dive records from many experienced divers, and it is the input of real technical divers in the choice of these settings that has made VR Technology and its team at the forefront of technical diving product design for over 20 years.
  • Page 75 VR Technology Limited VGM incorporates 5 main features: 1. Bühlmann decompression model 2. Modification of tissue over pressure tolerances or M values for the faster tissues to create a decompression profile similar to a bubble model like VPM 3. Further modification of over pressure tolerances for deep or long exposure dives, especially in the fast and middle order tissues 4.
  • Page 76 VR Technology Limited WARNING! Even if your dive computer or PC generated software allows for less conservatism and a reduction in decompression times this should not be arbitrarily undertaken without first researching data available from other divers/agencies, conducting controlled trials and understanding that you may be undertaking a level of experimentation in order to adjust the algorithm for your specific needs.

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