Are Suunto computers really the best?

[miketrance84]

According to my LDS Suunto makes the best dive computer. Suunto's are expensive and I heard they have a very conservative program. I am looking at buying a computer and am wondering, for people that use a computer, what do you like. I am not Nitrox certified yet but will prob go for that next summer. I am also doing an Ice specality this winter.

 

[Bob3]

I was always leery of dive computers; they allow a diver to load up right to the ragged edge of the NDLs.
Most of the folks that get to do chamber rides are on vacation & using a computer, wanting to squeeze every minute of vacation dive time they can get.
In those instances using a computer with a conservative algorithm is a GOOD thing.
The US Navy has actually approved a computer for use, the Cochran Generation III.

If I were going to start messing with a dive computer the Suunto line would probably be what I'd look at the hardest; I'm pretty fond of their ability to be downloaded into a computer & theirs is the only one that I know of that will work under Windows 95. (yep, that ain't a typo).

 

[ScubaSteve]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a conservative computer? Would you rather a computer that brought you to the surface injured every time? Remember that physiologically speaking, we are all different. Diving affects every person differently so a conservative computer just compensates for those differences in my opinion. I have a Suhunto Cobra but would I say they are the best? Not likely but I have not worried about it. I liked that the computer was conservative......I consider it just a little bit safer even if it is a pain sometimes.

 

[jjhill]

I dive with a suunto computer and really enjoy it. I do know however that dive-rite and other products make fine computers also. I'm not sure I could definitively say that suunto is the "best".

The best option would be to consider the type of diving you do the most and then look for a computer that will fit those parameters. Such questions like do I want the computer to be able to do nitrox (which most of them do now a days anyway), or do I want to be able to download my dive profiles into my computer? If this is not important and you use an old fashioned log book, then the download option may not be as important.

 

[Blackwood]

Yes/No/None Of The Above

 

[k ellis]

Well computers are like going to best buy and buying a laptop. Each Brand has its pros and cons. I will say as an opinion only. I have used a few diffrent computers and the Suuntos have for me been the easiest to use. No complex pressing multiple sim buttons and has an excellent record keeping program that records literaly every aspect of the dive so logging them later is a sinch and I am strictly a nitrox diver since its by far the only way to go and the Suunto converts easily between air and nitrox!

 

[Damselfish]

Suunto dive computers are fine, so are lots of other brands. The best? - well LDSs tend to say things like that about whatever brand they sell which can make their advice pretty useless. Just learn about the differences and features and make an informed choice.

Conservative is not necessarily a bad thing. I've always had Suuntos and have not found them too limiting in my diving, and I'm very good on air. Price is relative, you can buy top of the line (in any brand) or buy something like the Suunto Gekko which is fairly inexpensive and will likely meet the needs of most divers for a long time. As would any basic Nitrox computer.

 

[Scared Silly]

I would not say they are the best as there are several good mfg out there. It all depends on your desires. I have owned several and like what they do for me (easy to read, easy menu navigation, easy to adjust). The conservativeness is a red herring in my book. It may be so but if know how to manage your dive profile it will rarely if ever be a problem. Now about the only dig I will say about Suunto is that several have built in compasses. They are worthless IMHO. . Get a Suunto Sk-7 analog compass they really are one of the best. The new "2" versions which have the built in compass also have a matrix display which I do not like. Also I do not like that for some computers (Gekko, Cobra, Vyper??) when in nitrox mode they default back to 21% when not used for 24 hours (or something like that).

Look at the Gekko which does both air/nitrox, no downloading (though this can be got around), or the Vyper which also has a gauge mode. The Cobra is the same as the Vyper but also has air integration but still on a console.

 

[Bill Fisher]

I have suunto.
It is definitely more conservative than other computers.
I have noticed this when diving more with nitrox than air too.
Deeper dives on a suunto will definitely give you less bottom time than your buddy on a different computer. I make my buddy aware of this and it's not been too big of an issue.

Without having computers in front of me, I'm guessing a 100 foot dive on 32% EAN on a suunto (with all settings at least conservative) would give you 3-4 minutes less bottom time than another computer. I'm just trying to remember the last time I compared. I know on a deeper dive that it was a considerable amount of time...like 2-4 minutes less. but one of the comments above stated it very well. There is nothing wrong with an overly conservative computer.

What suunto says they are trying to do is allow you more time on repetitive dives
versus 1 dive like I am trying to compare.

I would buy more suunto products

 

[Bill Fisher]

And what scared silly said

when in nitrox mode they default back to 21% when not used for 24 hours (or something like that).

TRUE

If you use a suunto you need to get in the habit of always setting your mix % just before your dives. I've seen people not do that and then do the dive and realize they are set at 21%...

not too big of a deal if you know it does that,