If you’ve bought a Suunto SK-8 compass, you’ve probably stared at it thinking:
Eight holes, four corners, multiple channels—it looks like an underwater puzzle designed by someone who really hates divers.
So you do what any sane person would do: head to YouTube.
And there it is—the official Suunto video:
Suunto SK-8 - How to set up the bungee cord.
Problem solved, right?
...Well, not exactly.
Their method makes zero sense in real life:
Just check the comments on that video—you’ll see I’m not the only one baffled.
So, what do most divers do?
They ditch the “official” way and just tie two separate loops on each side (four knots total).
It’s safer, sure, but it looks... wrong. Like your SK-8 was designed by a stoned octopus.
And if you switch between drysuit and wetsuit? Good luck adjusting that mess every time.
After years of tinkering (and mild obsession), I finally cracked the code.
Yes, there IS a proper way to rig it.
Suunto, you owe me one.
Why this setup rocks:
Easy on/off — the slack when it’s not tensioned slips easily over big hands or cuff rings.
Built-in redundancy — one bungee + one central knot = safe if a loop snaps.
Fully adjustable — tweak the middle knot (the “eight”) and you’re done.
Simple. Clean. Reliable. Diver-approved.
If you’ve ever looked at your SK-8 and thought, “There has to be a better way,” — this is it.
Eight holes, four corners, multiple channels—it looks like an underwater puzzle designed by someone who really hates divers.
So you do what any sane person would do: head to YouTube.
And there it is—the official Suunto video:
Suunto SK-8 - How to set up the bungee cord.Problem solved, right?
...Well, not exactly.
Their method makes zero sense in real life:
- Gigantic knots that rub your against your arm,
- Ignored grooves,
- A continuous bungee (so one cut = compass overboard),
- No way to adjust tension.
Just check the comments on that video—you’ll see I’m not the only one baffled.
So, what do most divers do?
They ditch the “official” way and just tie two separate loops on each side (four knots total).
It’s safer, sure, but it looks... wrong. Like your SK-8 was designed by a stoned octopus.
And if you switch between drysuit and wetsuit? Good luck adjusting that mess every time.
After years of tinkering (and mild obsession), I finally cracked the code.
Yes, there IS a proper way to rig it.
Suunto, you owe me one.
Why this setup rocks:
Easy on/off — the slack when it’s not tensioned slips easily over big hands or cuff rings. Built-in redundancy — one bungee + one central knot = safe if a loop snaps. Fully adjustable — tweak the middle knot (the “eight”) and you’re done.Simple. Clean. Reliable. Diver-approved.
If you’ve ever looked at your SK-8 and thought, “There has to be a better way,” — this is it.
