Divers can also access Diviac via tablets, both iOS and Android versions. The features and design of the tablet app are nearly identical to the mobile version, allowing you to transition from one to the other seamlessly, but it’s also perhaps the suite’s biggest disappointment.
The larger screen on a tablet could have allowed for a richer experience, and could have made logging weather info possible. Integrating the fish-card view mode of the browser version’s marine life database could have given the app the feel of a fish ID book; instead, the only real difference is that the tablet app keeps the sidebar menu constantly visible on all menu items except the home screen.
Again, the functionalities of the smartphone apps are all there, and they serve the app well, but nonetheless the tablet apps feel a bit like a wasted opportunity.
Overall impressions and conclusion
Diviac seeks to combine a host of different dive administration tools, with a log as the primary element, as well as a marine life database, a dive-specific social network, and even a travel segment (which isn’t reviewed here, but is essentially a combined dive travel database and search engine). And it manages to do this quite well. Interfaces across all platforms are consistent and easy to navigate.
The real plus here is the easy integration from platform to platform. Being able to log dives on the go is extremely useful for me, but being able to add backlogged dives on my computer is equally useful. And the dive-computer integration adds increased functionality, not only to Diviac, but also to my dive computer. I had never really transferred log data from my dive computer before I started using Diviac.
Pros:
- Strong online platform, allowing you to store your dive data in the cloud
- Smartphone and tablet apps for both iOS and Android
- Large marine life database, with offline capability
- Simple, functional interface
- Integration for photos in each dive-log entry
- Good, granular privacy settings
- Verification of dives by buddy or guide
- Dive-computer integration (premium only)
- User-generated templates for quicker logging (premium only)
Cons
- Custom numbering of dives not possible, and workaround a little cumbersome
- Not all dive logging info available on mobile and tablet apps
Conclusion
Diviac is a clear sign that we’ve entered a new phase of digital dive logs. Whereas the first ones were little more than glorified spreadsheets, with logging done only locally and minimal (if any) options for backup, new digital dive logs are cross-platform and cloud-based. This brings all the functionality of the best smartphone apps to your dive log. And while Diviac isn’t the only one on the market, the suite’s seamless integration between platforms, many supportive functions and general ease of use makes it a strong contender. The ability to share dives between buddies and the use of templates is something that may be considered little niceties, but ones that many an experienced diver will greatly appreciate. In my book, that gives it a solid 4.5 out of 5.
