How to program Suunto cobra for nitrox

[SeahorseDeb]

Have any of you Suunto Cobra users noticed you cannot hear the "audible" alarm? I surfaced once faster than the computer liked and I didn't hear the alarm. I wasn't going that fast, but the computer sure didn't like it. Anyhow, it seems that unless I am using a rebreather, the alarm isn't very audible, and I have sensitive hearing, I am a mom, I hear everything!

 

[eponym]

Yes, if I'm wearing a hood I often don't hear my Suunto Vytec either. It requires more discipline (have to consult it regularly rather than wait for it to sound off) but that's a good thing.

Are you saying you've dived a rebreather? Outstanding!

-Bryan

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

My advice would be to not leave it in nitrox mode, this way you become comfortable and familiar with all the computers functions and where to find them. its a pain at first but after a couple times you dont even think about it anymore, plus nothing looks worse than a diver struggling to set his/her computer before a dive.

T

 

[ScubaSteve]

I can also second (or third or fourth etc.) the "I can't hear the alarm". My backlight stopped working as well a while ago. Everything works, it just no longer gets bright when I want to see it. So, if I am in low light or no light, I need my flashlight. Failing that, I have my back-up Zeagle N2ition.

 

[SeahorseDeb]

Bryan, shoot, now that I look back at my reply I goofed! NO I am not a rebreather diver, but it sure looks that way by the way I worded that reply! I think you may know that I was referring to the fact that unless a person was using a rebreather, you can't hear the audible alarms. As you mentioned though, I don't wait to hear an alarm, I do consult the computer very very often.

Northwoods, You are quite right, nothing is more frustrating than trying to program a computer just before you are ready to dive. I use the dive simulator mode on mine to become familiar with how it looks, and I enjoy that function!

ScubaSteve, You should be able to go to the dealer you purchased it from and get that backlight repaired, or has the company perhaps moved, or not want to mess with it?

 

[Damselfish]

I think percent and mode are getting a little mushed together in some of these instructions. At least with some of the other Suuntos, once you put it in Nitrox mode, it will stay in Nitrox mode. It is the percentage of O2 that will revert to 21% if not used for a period of time. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong and the Cobras do not do the same thing.)

I (and everyone I know with one of these) suggest leaving the computer in Nitrox mode all the time once you have started diving Nitrox a all. Again, if these are like most Suuntos, if you have started a dive series with it in Air mode the mode cannot be changed to Nitrox until the computer clears. If you start diving and forget to change the % no big deal, you were a little conservative and can fix that for your next dive. But if you are actually in Air mode, you are stuck there.

 

[SeahorseDeb]

I am going to program it to 34% Oxygen tonight and then see if it reverts back to 21% after 24 hours. Good suggestion! Thankyou for your input! If all the scuba brains could be in one room together -- ourselves being the brains of course! I am going to leave mine in nitrox mode and just keep it at 21% unless I am using a Nitrox blend higher thatn 21%.

 

[ScubaSteve]

I think percent and mode are getting a little mushed together in some of these instructions. At least with some of the other Suuntos, once you put it in Nitrox mode, it will stay in Nitrox mode. It is the percentage of O2 that will revert to 21% if not used for a period of time. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong and the Cobras do not do the same thing.)

You are wrong! Just kidding. You are right. Once it is in Nitrox mode, my Cobra resets to an AIR VALUE and not back to diving air. The percentage reverts back to 21% after a period.