This will probably sound like a grumpy old man’s rant but have ROV systems advanced any in the last 10 years specifically from the point of view of being able to do more or a do what we’ve always done in a better way? I’ve listed some of the changes that I’m sure we’ve all seen and would be interested to hear what everyone else thinks;
– SIT cameras. Has anyone found a new low light camera that performs as well as an ‘old school’ tube SIT?
– LED lighting. Good performance on paper but in reality if you flood one (and it will happen) can it be repaired in-field in the same way you can an incandecent light or is it back to manufacturer for most types?
– DVRs. Has anybody found a decent replacement for the old Panasonic VCRs for ease of operation and simplicity in producing the client delverable video? The systems I have experience of have either shown reliabilty issues or have required the client video to be compiled ‘off-line’ (or both).
-Touchscreens. Do these offer any advantage to the operator or just to the manufacturer who doesn’t have to pay someone to wire up a console worth of switches & pots?
-System Diagnostics. Do any of the new systems have a diagnostic capapbility that truly assits those with limited technical experience or ability?
-AHC Winches. The electric ones are great when they work but……..
At the end of the day is a new Schilling UHD a better tool than a 10 year old Triton XL or would both systems get most jobs done in a similar time with equally experienced operators? Does the sophistication of newer systems work against them when trying to keep a system operational.
Anyway, rant over. Stay safe everyone.
.
.
