Anybody own/know about the Suunto Favor S?

[Violent Ken]

I've got one, and despite only being used on about 5 dives the battery is almost dead (mind you, it has been in storage for about 2 years).

Can anybody tell me if I can change the battery myself or do I have to get it sent off? Also, when the battery is removed will I lose any logged dives stored in the computer's memory or are they stored on flash? I've read through the manual a few times but can't find answers to these questions.

[up 4 it]

Ken

I have a favor which I've had for several years an use it as a backup. You can change the battery yourself, just unscrew the screws on the back and take off the cover.

You may need to go to Maplins or CPC online to get a replacement at a good price, however I think a battery kit from a LDS is only about £7 and includes battery, O-ring and some other bits.

What makes you say the battery is almost dead. If i remember correctly the battery with only one bar is almost full, the more bars the less battery life (or is it the other way round) check out in your manual as I know it's a bit confusing with Suunto.

Hope you manage ok

Steve

[Wacker]

It is the same as this
The batery indicator only indicates the amount of life when it fires up and a full batery is indicated by a full row of bars along the bottom of the screen.If I remember rightly you are suposed to change the battery at three bars.

[Janos]

I used to have a Suunto Favor until I lost it. Very nice simple computer.

One bar = very little battery - you need to change it straight away.

Have a look at this thread

Janos

EDIT: It's exactly the same process as changing the Solution battery as on Wackers link.

[Nick Kay]

I have a Favor I use as a backup

The battery seemed OK until on one dive the depth was showing about 4m shallower than my air integrated. As I was teaching deco stops at the time and using the Favor, this was slightly embarassing - 6m stop being done at 10m!!!

The computer had been OK before the dive - when I got out the water the display started fading/coming back, so was time for a new battery

BTW it has 3 bars before the dive. OK, the water was 5C so had an effect

Local LDS charged me < £20 for battery, Oring and fitting

[Violent Ken]

Cheers guys. I noticed the 4 screws on the back casing, but was a bit apprehensive about taking it apart as two of them are marked with some of that special tamperproof sealing paint. Mind you, it's probably out of warranty now anyway.

[MATTBIN]

Done it, very easy, logged dives are maintained. Make sure you take the old one out and replace with new quite quickly. I believe if there is a long time delay the pooter doesnt like it. Keep an eye on the battery compartment to make sure its leak proof. LDS may say they pressure test and check calibration hence high price, they dont re calibrate as its sealed.

Rgds
Matt

[Narced at sea level]

If you are really aprehensive about doing it yourself, you can get a battery change and service (including pressure test) for £30 or less from a Suunto service centre.
My LDS is approved by Sunnto and sorted my Stinger out for the princely sum of £25 - admittedly a bit more than the battery would cost but I get the peace of mind of a service, a new O ring. and pressure test included and some come-back if it goes wrong.
They even did it while I waited - although you might have a day or two's wait for favor parts to arrive I guess

Check the Suunto website for a list of dive shops near you who can sort you out

[Janos]

Originally Posted by Violent Ken

Cheers guys. I noticed the 4 screws on the back casing, but was a bit apprehensive about taking it apart as two of them are marked with some of that special tamperproof sealing paint. Mind you, it's probably out of warranty now anyway.

Yeah that's normal. There's a bit of (red?) sealing paint over the back. Don't worry about it.

Janos

[Violent Ken]

Well I've ordered a couple of batteries from Maplins and will have a stab at it myself. I'm an electronics engineer by trade so if it does end up leaking I've got absolutely no excuse whatsoever