Suunto D9 Good Buy?

[scuba_shane]

I have recently been researching dive computers as my next kit buy and have been drawn to wards the Suunto D9 with transmitter. While i start saving for this i want to see what people may have to say about this computer through experience and hearsay. I chose the D9 mostly for the fact that it will let me switch mixes during the dive since i want to start using Nitrox in my PONY for deco stops and heard that it would be perfect.

In addition to the computer itself i am also wondering about the straps, is the strap good enough to secure the computer to my arm through a semi dry without risk of the clasp failing? Also i had a look at one of them in Divers Warehouse and the guy i was talking to showed me a titanium strap that had a couple of failed links in, he told me this was the first time he had heard of but wondered if anyone else has experienced this?

[Paul Burgess]

By all accounts it is a nice computer. It all depends if you want to spend that kind of money. There are other computers around that do the same job for a lot less (such as the Vytec II).

If you want the bling and money is no object then fill your boots.

Paul

[drunkdiver]

I have a Suunto Vytec DS, Great computer, no compass but does 3 gas mixes plus you can use a transmitter if you want.

Suunto Vyper 2 has a compass and two gas mixes.

Suunto D6 has 2 gas mixes and a compass plus looks sexy.

If you thinking of going tec I would get a Vytec DS to start with as it will do everything you need in the short term. I love mine but now thinking of trimix so will be looking for a VR3 shortly. If your just looking at Nitrox then get a Vyper 2 or D6

The downside of all suunto computers is that they bring you up quite quickly and only give you the deco time based on the currently selected gas. This is a major drawback if you planning lots of deco.

[Luddite]

I have the vyper 2 which has the compass on it. I find it next to useless. It takes so long to get a bearing. If you try to look the bearing in I just end up putting a bookmark in the dive profile. It quicker and easier to used the compass on my console. Also on the D9 I would imagine the display for the compass to be small. So I wouldn't put to much stock on the digital compass as a reason to buy it.

For my 2 cents I'd have to say that the D9 is a lot of blink. I find it ugly as a watch to wear daily (damn expensive too) and there are other computers on the market that can do the same things for less money.

I have being hearing good reports about the Galileo.

[Rob Dobson]

The D9 is an expensive recreational nitrox computer which will never be anything else - it won't do trimix or CCR. So the options are buy something which you could very easily out grow, dive tables or buy a proper computer for about the same money as the D9 with a transmitter.

If you are starting to go down the technical route then you might be better off sacrificing the transmitter (not that useful and an additional failure point) and buying a computer that will grow with your diving regardless of how far down the techie road you end up going.

If you think there is any chance that you may move onto trimix and / or CCR at any point in the future then I'd take a look at the Shearwater Pursuit. You can buy one with OC nitrox enabled now and buy a PIN code to unlock the features as and when you need them. Like the VR3 only a much better and more reliable computer IMO.

[witchieblackcat]

Originally Posted by scuba_shane

I have recently been researching dive computers as my next kit buy and have been drawn to wards the Suunto D9 with transmitter. While i start saving for this i want to see what people may have to say about this computer through experience and hearsay. I chose the D9 mostly for the fact that it will let me switch mixes during the dive since i want to start using Nitrox in my PONY for deco stops and heard that it would be perfect.

In addition to the computer itself i am also wondering about the straps, is the strap good enough to secure the computer to my arm through a semi dry without risk of the clasp failing? Also i had a look at one of them in Divers Warehouse and the guy i was talking to showed me a titanium strap that had a couple of failed links in, he told me this was the first time he had heard of but wondered if anyone else has experienced this?

I use a D6 (the D9's slightly smaller brother) with rubber strap. If you use the extension strap (comes with it) then you'll have no problem getting it around your wrist. My strap (it has 2 clasps as I use the extension) has never failed and doesn't look likely to do so.

The D9 is overkill for what you want. If you just want to use your pony for gas switching then the D6 or the Vyper 2 would be more than enough. You probably don't need a VR3 for CCR and trimix unless you're planning to do them soon - and if you're asking questions like you are IMO you shouldn't be yet.

Both the D9 and D6 make nice (if bulky) watches. I don't wear mine every day though because it's too big.

The compass is a gimmick and pretty crap.

[Woz]

I know of someone flogging one for £400 including transmitter. Been dived once.

[Silent Diver]

TBH forget the D9 or D6 and go for either the Vytec DS, get it without the transmitter I had the transmitter and although I have never had it fail on me I didn't really need it, or if you think there may be any possibility of going tech at a later date then consider going down the VR3, X1 or Shearwater route. The cost of these as basic models are not that much more than the D9 with transmitter in fact they may even be a bit cheaper

[Janos]

If I were starting out again, I would buy a Suunto Gekko. They're a lovely little computer and do everything you want them to.

I cannot think of a single feature on any of the higher range Suuntos that I would use, other than possibly the download feature.

Janos (who dives a Shearwater Pursuit, a Vytec which he uses in gauge mode, and Missus Janos has a Gekko).

[CatB]

Originally Posted by Janos

If I were starting out again, I would buy a Suunto Gekko. They're a lovely little computer and do everything you want them to.

I cannot think of a single feature on any of the higher range Suuntos that I would use, other than possibly the download feature.

Janos (who dives a Shearwater Pursuit, a Vytec which he uses in gauge mode, and Missus Janos has a Gekko).

I love my Gekko but you can't gas switch underwater - you can set the O2 % before you start the dive for nitrox but not switch once underwater - for example to deco on a rich mix as the OP suggests.