TESTCENTRE
Talking heads-up
Galileo HUD
COMPANY : SCUBAPRO PRICE : £ 1,130 / £ 1,325 WITH TRANSMITTER WEB : WWW . SCUBAPRO . COM
My first introduction to Scubapro ’ s Galileo HUD ( Heads Up Display ) was in early 2020 . As my time with the computer was limited during the initial launch , I decided to revisit its innovative near-eye display over a more prolonged period .
Although I used one of Scubapro ’ s own HUD-specific masks , the compact unit can be attached to almost any twin-lens mask via its universal adaptor . Situated over the right lens , the bulk of the unit is kept above the frame of the mask and only the minute OLED screen hangs over the lens itself . Neutrallybuoyant underwater and unobtrusive , you ’ ll barely notice it ’ s there .
Expect up to 20 hours of dive time from the internal Lithium-ion battery , which is charged using the supplied USB cable . This doubles as a means to download dive data and also upload firmware updates . Bluetooth is provided for logging into Scubapro ’ s LogTrak software , while its GPS navigation capability also allows surface waypoints to be recorded .
The HUD is really quite simple to use and
operate . A one-handed push / rotate wheel system navigates through the various menus . Rotate the flywheel , highlight the dive mode with a push , choose from Scuba , Gauge , Apnea or CCR , input your gas mix , set depth and duration alarms and choose a decompression model .
There are two algorithms available : ZHL16C + GF or ZHL-ADT , with the option of Scubapro ’ s PDIS ( Profile Dependent Intermediate Stops ) and four micro-bubble levels . It has eight selectable gases including nitrox and trimix , plus two set-points for CCR diving . Wireless gas monitoring is available via Scubapro ’ s Smart Transmitters and pairing is a very straightforward process .
The HUD ’ s three-axis compass can be pre-programmed with up to three headings . A swift turn of the wheel rapidly switches between compass bearing , the standard dive display , a dive ‘ lite ’ display , or dive profile screen . Underwater , the HUD ’ s OLED 96x64p screen ’ s virtual image has an eye-to-screen distance equivalent to a metre . The user can choose from several different colour schemes . The display is bright , crisp and very easy to read . While it can be a little less visible in bright surface sunlight , simply shading it with a hand does the trick . Unless choosing to direct my vision directly at the data screen , I found that it practically disappeared from view while examining my surroundings , or when peering through the viewfinder of my camera .
As I primarily use my right eye for photographic purposes , my concerns that the unit may impinge on my ability to get up close proved unfounded , and were soon put to bed . What I found particularly beneficial during descents , ascents and stops was having all the relevant data right in front of me - leaving my hands free to deal with camera , current and DSMB .
The HUD proved such a revelation second time around that I promptly bought one for myself !
Neil Hope
SCUBA SAYS
Compact , unobtrusive and with wireless gas monitoring , Scubapro ’ s ground-breaking Galileo HUD ’ s virtual display is the perfect buddy for anyone shooting stills , video or just prefer to have all their dive data right there in front of them .
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