We're not talking about buoyany and deco procedures. I just pointed that "it could be problem" when dive computer don't have constant light.
Personally i'm using Petrel2 and my friend Xdeep Black.
Advice on first dive computer (Suunto Zoop?)
- Thread starter filmguy123
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
We're not talking about buoyany and deco procedures. I just pointed that "it could be problem" when dive computer don't have constant light.
Personally i'm using Petrel2 and my friend Xdeep Black.
I think if one's doing deco dives with a zoop (or its slightly smarter sibling), their problem is not really the backlight.
(Edit: grrr... possessive its has no apostrophe.)
Last edited:
No. But if I did deco dives -- as opposed to maybe overstaying the NDL a little once in a blue moon -- I'd want a computer whose numbers match the ones I get from my gas planning. I think up until gas planning comes along all algorithms are more or less equal, but once it does I'm with @scubadada: some are way more equal than others.
fmerkel
Contributor
I've had a buddy hang his Suunto on the downline after a dive to let IT continues it's required deco so it would be functional later. When a computer gets so conservative you end finding ways to thwart it (my wife dives air on 26% setting with her Vyper), then I'd say that computer is maybe just a wee bit overly cautious.
We've been diving 18 years with over 1200 dives when she got the Vyper. We did do our homework. We read LOTS and LOTS of reviews. For most of our diving (single tank recreational on air) it is a minor problem. We didn't fully grasp the issue until we took it on hard diving vacations. Then it becomes something to be dealt with almost as much as used.
We've been diving 18 years with over 1200 dives when she got the Vyper. We did do our homework. We read LOTS and LOTS of reviews. For most of our diving (single tank recreational on air) it is a minor problem. We didn't fully grasp the issue until we took it on hard diving vacations. Then it becomes something to be dealt with almost as much as used.
drrich2
Contributor
In this thread, as in uncounted predecessors, the question of whether Suunto's additional conservatism compared to some competitors is a significant disadvantage or not remains controversial. I think in other threads it's been pointed out Suuntos seem to penalize sawtooth profiles; haven't used one, so perhaps someone else can comment?
Regardless, this raises a question. If the Suunto is one option amongst at least a few, and it has at least some chance of a drawback that can't be removed (e.g.: you can't set to a more liberal algorithm), then the question comes...why pick a Suunto over its otherwise similar competitors?
In the past I've read getting a Suunto serviced may be easier from some international locations, compared to some others. I've read some people like the interface; find it fairly easy to use for a non-GUI I take it?
So, what are the advantages of a Suunto over competitors? Why seek out that brand?
Richard.
Regardless, this raises a question. If the Suunto is one option amongst at least a few, and it has at least some chance of a drawback that can't be removed (e.g.: you can't set to a more liberal algorithm), then the question comes...why pick a Suunto over its otherwise similar competitors?
In the past I've read getting a Suunto serviced may be easier from some international locations, compared to some others. I've read some people like the interface; find it fairly easy to use for a non-GUI I take it?
So, what are the advantages of a Suunto over competitors? Why seek out that brand?
Richard.
fmerkel
Contributor
My wife did because it 'seemed' to be more reliable than the other brands we had been dealing with. Computers are expensive, and we've not had great luck with longevity, or with dealers by an large.
I think new divers hear they are 'conservative' which they translate into 'safe'. When I first started and the single button hockey puck computers then all seemed to have the big green/yellow/red N2 loading band around the outside I wouldn't let the computer go into the yellow. Now I rarely have a dive that doesn't get a sniff from 'red'.
Back then lots of people ONLY watched the N2 loading zone and didn't even know what that number in the middle that changed a lot was.....the NDL. Seriously, they didn't.
I don't think I push the limits. I simply try to optimize my bottom time effectively and generally have a very nice long safety stop irrespective if my NDL and I seldom go into deco.
I think new divers hear they are 'conservative' which they translate into 'safe'. When I first started and the single button hockey puck computers then all seemed to have the big green/yellow/red N2 loading band around the outside I wouldn't let the computer go into the yellow. Now I rarely have a dive that doesn't get a sniff from 'red'.
Back then lots of people ONLY watched the N2 loading zone and didn't even know what that number in the middle that changed a lot was.....the NDL. Seriously, they didn't.
I don't think I push the limits. I simply try to optimize my bottom time effectively and generally have a very nice long safety stop irrespective if my NDL and I seldom go into deco.
Last edited:
drrich2
Contributor
Quick note to original poster: a lot of dive trips basically involve 2 ocean dives/day, and I doubt a Suunto would be problem with that, based on what others have posted over time.
Some destinations/operators, like Little Cayman Beach Resort or Cayman Brac Beach Resort, may offer 2 morning and 1 afternoon dive per day. I doubt a Suunto would be a problem there.
The above are especially true if you follow a guide around on a 45 - 60 minute reef tour, the 2nd dive is shallower, and the diving targets vacation divers. If you dive as an independent buddy pair, both with particularly good gas consumption, in places where you have the opportunity to log over an hour per day if you wish, that could change.
Here are some non-tec. diving examples where the profiles may involve pushing NDL more.
1.) Bonaire shore diving, or a live-aboard. Think in terms of 4 or 5 dives/day, , 5 1/2 consecutive days, likely diving EAN 32 nitrox.
2.) The offshore wreck diving out of North Carolina (my trip report) for 2 dives/day, but deep and near 'square profile' diving because most bottom time is spent on the wreck, not multi-level diving a sloping reef. NDL rather than air time remaining may limit your bottom time (especially if Olympus Dive Center rents you a steel 120 cf tank!).
3.) Drift diving out of Jupiter, Florida (my trip report), where you're drift diving with a group over the sand, again a rather square profile, along a fairly flat ledge, or some wreckage. Typical dive briefing was '90 feet to the sand,' aiming for 45 minute bottom times on nitrox EAN 36. Renting a steel 120 cf can provide plenty of gas.
Richard.
Some destinations/operators, like Little Cayman Beach Resort or Cayman Brac Beach Resort, may offer 2 morning and 1 afternoon dive per day. I doubt a Suunto would be a problem there.
The above are especially true if you follow a guide around on a 45 - 60 minute reef tour, the 2nd dive is shallower, and the diving targets vacation divers. If you dive as an independent buddy pair, both with particularly good gas consumption, in places where you have the opportunity to log over an hour per day if you wish, that could change.
Here are some non-tec. diving examples where the profiles may involve pushing NDL more.
1.) Bonaire shore diving, or a live-aboard. Think in terms of 4 or 5 dives/day, , 5 1/2 consecutive days, likely diving EAN 32 nitrox.
2.) The offshore wreck diving out of North Carolina (my trip report) for 2 dives/day, but deep and near 'square profile' diving because most bottom time is spent on the wreck, not multi-level diving a sloping reef. NDL rather than air time remaining may limit your bottom time (especially if Olympus Dive Center rents you a steel 120 cf tank!).
3.) Drift diving out of Jupiter, Florida (my trip report), where you're drift diving with a group over the sand, again a rather square profile, along a fairly flat ledge, or some wreckage. Typical dive briefing was '90 feet to the sand,' aiming for 45 minute bottom times on nitrox EAN 36. Renting a steel 120 cf can provide plenty of gas.
Richard.
fmerkel
Contributor
I think Richard is reasonably accurate with his assumptions.
Newer divers keeping shallow, limiting their bottom times either by design or by air consumption, with well spaced surface intervals will be fine with the Suunto.
Deeper, more aggressive and square profiles will not fare as well.
Newer divers keeping shallow, limiting their bottom times either by design or by air consumption, with well spaced surface intervals will be fine with the Suunto.
Deeper, more aggressive and square profiles will not fare as well.
Similar threads
