!: The Suunto D9 Diving Computer - Best of All Dive Computers

The Suunto D9 is an invaluable diving aid to all kinds of recreational, professional, military divers, or even competitive freedivers who take the quality, material and functionality of their diving computer very seriously. The Suunto D9 diving computer promotes diving safety with all its state of the art features; this is what distinguishes the Suunto D9 from other dive computers.

When you are diving in a place that you are totally unfamiliar with, then features of the Suunto D9 diving computer such as the depth, time and decompression data, along with air integration and compass will prove more than useful. You will be able to know exactly how much time you can spend underwater, when you have to surface and how fast you can ascend, and you will also be able to know how deep you are when underwater. These features in the dive computers alone will cover your diving safety while maximizing your performance at the same time.

Features

The Suunto D9 diving computer contains features that will amaze both veteran and novice divers and even people who have never been diving or seen dive computers before. Its main features which are most talked about include:

Digital Compass

Suunto D9 was the first dive computer to integrate a digital compass. This digital compass contains a graphical compass rose which shows the general direction. It also shows the exact bearing in a numerical display and the headings can be stored in the Suunto D9's memory for later use. Most people assume this compass to be superior to the traditional compass as it can be used on land as well.

Optional Wireless Transmitter (Air Integration)

With this option, the diver can monitor important information like tank pressure and air consumption data from the dive computer. It displays the remaining tank pressure both numerically and graphically, and this dive computer also gives an estimation of the remaining air supply throughout the entire dive giving the diver a fair idea of how much time he should spend underwater. This feature can be handy for dive instructors and technical divers. The real air supply time can also be stored in the memory.

Gas Mixes and the Deep Stop Option

The Suunto D9 diving computer can be used with up to three different gas mixes containing 21-100% oxygen which allows you to switch gases during the dive. The decompression calculations are based on the Suunto Deep Stop RGBM (Reduced Gradient Bubble Model) and it provides iterative deep stops as an alternative to traditional safety stops which adds extra safety. This feature suits deep and technical divers as it also has a maximum depth display set to approximately 200m (660 ft.).

Integrated Dive Logbook

The built-in dive logbook provides a graphical data profile where real time water temperature and tank pressure data can be analyzed on the dive computer. Since the Suunto D9 comes with PC software and is USB compatible, this dive log also enables you to store extra information about the dive site, conditions, equipments, notes, and photos from the dive.

Some Weaknesses

Some reviews on the Suunto D9 dive computers state that the air integration wireless transmitter can be a problem only if you forget to activate it before the dive. When this happens and you're not equipped with a spare SPG then you will need to return to the surface to activate it. Although the Suunto D9 is USB and PC software compatible, the software it has is not available for Mac.

Conclusion

The Suunto D9 diving computer is undoubtedly the golden standard for all dive computers and is the forerunner for future dive computers. It has everything that is needed in a dive computer from its stylish appearance to its digital compass that can be used anywhere. It has a complete package with air, nitrox, and gauge modes, along with its black elomaster and luxury titanium straps and Suunto Dive 2.0 software. You will not be disappointed with this range of dive computers.