lower moves down through menus , opens widgets or accesses the control panel .
It ’ s all very intuitive whichever route you choose . As you ’ d expect , the touch screen is disabled during immersion and the buttons are used exclusively during scuba diving .
Modes and multi-sports
The Ocean offers two dive modes for scuba : Single Gas and Multigas , plus a Freedive mode . Single Gas is intended for recreational diving utilising a single active gas , either air or Nitrox . Multigas mode offers up to five enabled air / Nitrox ( to 99 %) gases .
The computer ’ s full-colour dive screen is vibrant , bright and uncluttered . All the key information is available in an easy-to-read display . Depth data is displayed above no deco / deco on the left and dive time on the right . The bottom of the screen has a switchable window with choices including temperature , maximum depth , clock and battery level at the press of a button .
If the computer is paired with Suunto ’ s Tank Pod then this window will also provide tank pressure and consumption information . The centre of the display is home to a colour-coded ascent rate graphic , while the perimeter of the screen is home to three ( also colour coded ) selectable ‘ arches ’, which relay information regarding tank pressure , no-deco and TTS ( Time To Surface ).
The Ocean uses the Bühlmann 16 GF algorithm with adjustable gradient factors and offers a choice of continuous or stepped decompression profiles . While the device provides GPS tracking and maps topside , it also features an industry first - underwater route tracking facility incorporating entry and exit points . While not viewable live it can be downloaded post-dive .
Surprisingly , while there ’ s an excellent abovethe-surface compass , there ’ s no underwater equivalent to aid navigation . CCR mode would be another welcome feature , but for the majority of divers these aren ’ t deal-breakers by any means and perhaps they ’ ll come along via software update or perhaps in an upgraded Ocean Mk2 .
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Ocean . In general day-to-day use it relayed all my health statistics , sleep patterns , where and how far I walked my dogs - it even told me the time of day !
As a diving computer it performed flawlessly , and while I didn ’ t get the chance to use it in air integrated mode , I was impressed no end with its easy setup , great graphics and battery life . Its price point is very competitive and while it ’ s something of a late entry into the sportswatch / dive computer genre , I can foresee many a diver being seduced back into the Suunto fold with this offering . Neil Hope
Activity selection menu
SCUBA SAYS
Better late than never , the Suunto Ocean combines the Finnish manufacturer ’ s topside and underwater expertise to create an IPSO Award winning product that ’ s been a long time coming and doesn ’ t disappoint .
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