Suunto D9 titanium strap - is it a viable option for diving?

[nevennett]

The rubber strap on my Suunto D9 started to tear on a recent shark dive. I wouldn't dream of diving without it so I semi-immersed it in my (uggh hired) wetsuit so that it didn't end up in a grey nurse shark mouth :depressed:

I've done a quick review of the forums and see that the Suunto rubber straps do have some history of being a little less than reliable. Mine is second hand (I got a killer deal on this and an atomic T2 reg, does it get better than that?) but I was contemplating getting a titanium strap for it.

Question is, as pretty (and expensive) as this may be, is it actually a practical option for diving? I know you can't wear it around your wetsuit, but can you still accommodate the strap on your dive? I dive with a Beauchat Focea Comfort 2 year around in only temperate waters, another dive accessory I would not wish to dive without.

Opinons, suggestions and comments much appreciated!

 

[CuracaoJ]

I've had my titanium strap for a little over 2 years / 500 or so dives. I switched to it after going through 3 or 4 rubber straps on a D6. You basically have two options. You can adjust the band to fit over your wetsuit, which would make it really loose if you wanted to wear it when not diving, or, like I do, just wear it low on your wrist when diving and curl up the cuff of your wetsuit a couple of inches.

One little maintenance note with the Ti strap -- the two pins that are the latch mechanism tend to loose their springiness after a while. You'll want to push them all the way in, separating the strap, and then spread them apart a little to re-tension them (I just use a butter knife) and put the strap back together. I do this about once a month now. I was lucky in that I discovered this problem on a dive as I was exiting the water and my watch fell into 10 cms of water right at the edge of the beach. I'm glad it didn't happen at depth!

Safe diving,
Jeff

 

[DevonDiver]

The rubber straps are definitely not hard wearing or robust. I'll be getting the Ti strap when I next have to replace the strap again.

 

[nevennett]

Thanks Jeff, really useful.

Nick

 

[mattbourne86]

I've had my titanium strap for a little over 2 years / 500 or so dives. I switched to it after going through 3 or 4 rubber straps on a D6. You basically have two options. You can adjust the band to fit over your wetsuit, which would make it really loose if you wanted to wear it when not diving, or, like I do, just wear it low on your wrist when diving and curl up the cuff of your wetsuit a couple of inches.

One little maintenance note with the Ti strap -- the two pins that are the latch mechanism tend to loose their springiness after a while. You'll want to push them all the way in, separating the strap, and then spread them apart a little to re-tension them (I just use a butter knife) and put the strap back together. I do this about once a month now. I was lucky in that I discovered this problem on a dive as I was exiting the water and my watch fell into 10 cms of water right at the edge of the beach. I'm glad it didn't happen at depth!

Safe diving,
Jeff

Really good advice, thanks for that. Quick question for you guys...I have just bought a titanium band, and am trying to adjust the size to fit my wrist, is it easy enough to do myself or will I need to take it to someone. Judging by your previous comment it sounds like its fairly simple to undo the strap. Any advice would be much appreciated!

Cheers

Matt

 

[snakedr]

You Could also Try This

 

[DuboisP]

can i do the same with my rolex ?

 

[alexhaben]

Loving the ziptie/bungee strap Dave, I may have to make one for my currently broken D9 strap. Is there anything that can't be fixed with a few zipties and some time?

Hopefully Duke's venture with the strap widget will pan out and then we will be able to use a good old zulu strap like regular watches.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/co...70-alternate-strap-suunto-d6.html#post5926588

Alex

 

[D_Vince]

the latest news I have is that they should be done in the next two weeks, (that probably means a month)
However they are coming, no doubt about it.

As a side note, we are including in the kit the strap.
Its like a waterbourn, or a Maratrac Zulu, I ordered the 4 ring version, but with all the hassles on length of the top strap, I think we will just do the two ring version.
These are sewn and glued straps, and about 300% thicker than the waterbourn ones sold locally.
Once we have the adaptors for sale, I want to start to make them for the newest version of the Suunto computers, the new ones attach differently than the old ones did, so I will have to get the new adaptors changed once the new straps start falling apart.
I was talking with the suunto dealer here today, and they said that Suunto has addressed the issues with the straps.
But all I know is that I wouldn't trust the old ones ever again, it's too easy to loose an expensive item easily.

I'll post here in the Forums as soon as I have the adaptors in and I have checked them for fit and finish.
Cheers all

 

[D_Vince]

Latest news on my Adapters is that they are done.
The D6's are anyway.
D,9's by the middle of next month.

Check them out, lots of Pics of the Adapters for the D6's, and straps available here: Home - Tibby Adapters

Let me know what you think of them, I like them myself, but there may be a bit of bias on my part...

Cheers,
Duke