Suunto Vyper??

[canadianscubagirl]

Hi everyone - I've been reading up on dive computers for quite some time in these forums - and I have to say your answers and info you give to us newbies is invaluable! I've come across a used Suunto Vyper - I believe it is the first model out - and yes I am looking to save some coin! But not if my life depended on it! It has about 65 dives logged in it and am wondering if this would be a good first computer that can hang around a while? Also what would be a good price to pay for it? It is a wrist mount - and I wouldn't give up my console - I still like looking at my gauges. Thanks for all your help

 

[hdugan]

You can tell what week and what year it was made by the serial number. The first digit is the year of manufacture, the next 2 are the week of that year.

The Vyper is a Very good Basic computer that gives good service.
Depending on age and condition it is worth ~$150 - $250.

Insist on diving it first (with a good gauge set) if you don't know the owner well.
Sometimes Suuntos have bad depth sensors.

 

[Rainer]

I have a few Vypers. Excellent computers/gauges, especially given how cheap you can find them used. Winning features:

(1) Wrist mount (even better in a DSS boot)
(2) Big screen / easy to read
(3) User-replaceable battery (costs only a couple dollars)
(4) Gauge mode
(5) Downloadable
(6) Backlight (though honestly, I never use it; easier to shine my light at it)
(7) Long lasting (I have hundreds of dives on mine with no issues)
(8) Simple

If it had a resettable timer (like the Vytec), it'd be perfect.

 

[Ocean County Diver]

Good, reliable computer. I have ad a couple of them over the years. I think you will b very happy with it.

 

[Hatul]

I have a few Vypers. Excellent computers/gauges, especially given how cheap you can find them used. Winning features:

(1) Wrist mount (even better in a DSS boot)
(2) Big screen / easy to read
(3) User-replaceable battery (costs only a couple dollars)
(4) Gauge mode
(5) Downloadable
(6) Backlight (though honestly, I never use it; easier to shine my light at it)
(7) Long lasting (I have hundreds of dives on mine with no issues)
(8) Simple

If it had a resettable timer (like the Vytec), it'd be perfect.

Don't forget to mention, it has the simulator mode that I like very much.

Adam

 

[keyshunter]

The early Vypers had a black case. Later they switched to a gray case. I have one of the gray ones with more than 900 dives on it which has been trouble free.

 

[DiverRider]

I've come across a used Suunto Vyper - I believe it is the first model out - and yes I am looking to save some coin! But not if my life depended on it!

I had a Vyper2 and liked it until I ran into problems. That is in another tread:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/co...lyzers/302724-beware-grey-market-dealers.html

Never depend on a dive computer as the primary means of your determining your dive parameters. Research the tables, plan your dive and dive your plan.

Have fun!!!

 

[hdugan]

I had a Vyper2 and liked it until I ran into problems. QUOTE]

The Vyper 2 and the Vyper have nothing in common except the name. The Cobra2/Vyper2 are "famous" for exploding. The Vyper is about as bullet proof as a suunto gets. I would recommend taking the batteries out before flying with it however. This seems to cause many of the problems reported.

 

[r2t]

What's the info on this. Remove battery and leave the back off. Is this to prevent over pressure. I know my strobe says to leave battery compartment off. Never came to my mind about the computer.

To the op. I have been diving a viper for 8 years and never have had any problems with it. Very good computer for a recreational diver.

Ron L.

 

[Michael_Lambert]

I have been diving a Vyper now for 3 years and the second owner.

The unit has 900+ dives on it many beyond recreation limits with zero issues or failures!