any knowledge of a suunto cobra 3?

[N2DeepInAz]

I'd just suggest you do your homework on the Suunto products. My experience is that they are overly conservative. I started out with a Gekko and after about 12 dives, took it back and picked up a Tusa Element. The Gekko was just way too conservative, not that that's a bad thing for new divers. I also found the Element menus were a little easier to move around though too.

Ultimately, I ended up with the Oceanic Atom 2 AI model, due to the wireless air integration and the more liberal algorithm.

Try a few if your LDS will let you buy them, use them and return them or rent them. Fortunately, mine allowed me to do this; I think because I bought so much gear from them at one time.

Whichever you choose, learn everything about it and the best way to do that is dive often.

Good luck in your search.

 

[TheSmoothDome]

I'll agree that the Suunto algorithm is conservative. Overly conservative is a matter of opinion. I've dove a fair number of computers since 1990 and currently dive a Cobra. I do notice the conservative nature of it on the 3rd dive of the day if I'm diving air, but even then a few minutes of deco isn't really going to hurt me.

Since most of my diving now is multi-dive, multi-day trips, I am normally on nitrox. I have never encountered even a minor issue while using 32% and making 5 dives a day for upwards of 9 days straight.

 

[JB]

Smartdog,
To answer your question I have recently upgraded from an EON to the Cobra 3, and have done about 12 dives with the cobra. It is awesome, I like having all the information on 1 screen, the compass works a treat, much easier to use than my SK7 which also had to be kept at just the right angle to prevent binding. Each to his own, the conservatism thing is overated for recreational diving, it probably becomes more of an issue with serious dives, but I guess 90% of divers want safe beautiful dives, with the least hassle. I have got used to console mounted equipment and at least there is one less battery to fail or wireless link to play up, and one less loose piece of equipment to loose. You can adjust the 3 to be less conservative, but an extra minute here or there is probably not that important, in most situations. All my dives from day 1, 15 years ago are on DM 2.7, and I'm very happy with the software. I must have bought one of the 1st EONs in 1995 ! My EON's are still working perfectly after all this time, just don't have nitrox capability. You can get other COBRA's (1 and 2) cheap now, but they are obsolete, and the compass is way inferior to the 3. I remeber many threads with issues regarding the depth sensor on the previous model cobras. I'm hoping to get another 15 years flawless service out of the 3. I don't think you can go wrong with the Cobra.

 

[smartdog126]

what do you guys mean by the conservative? can you explain what you mean i dont know that word in the case your using it

 

[RJP]

what do you guys mean by the conservative? can you explain what you mean i dont know that word in the case your using it

Essentially how much NDL time the computer gives you, based on the depth/time/gas specifics of your dive.

For instance after 20 mins at 80ft while diving 21% O₂ Computer A may tell you that you have 17 more minutes of time before you go into deco. However, at that same depth and time Computer B - which is more conservative - might tell you that you only have 13 more minutes of NDL time remaining.

Which is right? Neither, of course! But because its alogorithm is more conservative, Computer B will have you ascending 4 minutes sooner than Computer A, thus reducing your overall nitrogen loading.

 

[smartdog126]

so then the cobra 3 would be
good in that case little confused

 

[RJP]

so then the cobra 3 would be
good in that case little confused

If you consider "conservative" to be good, then yes.



Some folks complain that their Suunto's start beeping and chasing them out of the water while their buddy still has NDL left on whatever computer they are diving.

 

[smartdog126]

well your able to change that like at what time you get out of the water.. like what i mean is like when ur low on air it will beep like you can set it to how much psi to alarm you and the deco stuff idk about that idk if i explained this correctly or said it correctly how you understand what im trying to say

 

[RJP]

well your able to change that like at what time you get out of the water.. like what i mean is like when ur low on air it will beep like you can set it to how much psi to alarm you and the deco stuff idk about that idk if i explained this correctly or said it correctly how you understand what im trying to say

LIKE, ALL YOUR BASE ARE, LIKE BELONG TO US?



But seriously, not sure if you're understanding the difference between how much "air time" you have left and and how much "NDL time" you have left.

Your profile suggests that you're a certified diver - was this not covered in your class?

 

[smartdog126]

ohhhh sorry i like read that differently ahhahaha yeah theres a feature for the air time but your talking about like it will be i guess "stricter" and make you come up sooner right? for your NDL right?