So far, its Okay

Update: Im told the developer of this app insisted on the sync happening over WiFi and not USB. Im on a dive trip and the WiFi is predictably sketchy, Nothing syncs at all and it takes hours to not do so. Even when I use an ad-hoc network and replace the log: nothing. Seriously, More Mobile, sync over USB if you want to be a tool that can be used in the field.

Initial review:

It took a long time for me to get this since I found the look-and-feel ugly (boringly default) and the somewhat high cost (for an app). But more than once someone on a trip was raving about it. I needed a new computer, so I coordinated the purchases to enable as much seamless integration, flawless connectivity, and pleasing design as possible. This, Suunto and MacDive didnt quite live up to my hopes.

Pros: Ambitious in scope and fairly complete for recreational divers; if a little cumbersome in task flow. I applaud the attempts in cooperation between Diving Log and MacDive and open standards such as UDFC. Excellent "Use last dive as template" feature: if Im diving on a live-aboard, each and every dive will be nearly identical in most factors so this features makes entry very quick.

Cons: Syncing is problematic: some things do and other things do not sync e.g. no sync of personal info, equipment lists, etc. UITableView default UI look-and-feel is very dull. Doesnt (yet) utilize cloud services such as iCloud or Dropbox to give you the option of entering the data on either your iPhone or iPad and automating laptop sync. It should clearly state, somewhere prominent, that syncing is NOT done over USB, but via WiFi; especially when there are error dialogs saying "Could not find suitable serial interface" which imply USB.

Its like the bones of a great piece of software. Id love to see a designer and user-interface pro give it an appealing look and simplify tasks.

NSReviewWithPrompt about Dive Log, v1.7.9