Freedive suggestions

SebastianTj

I’m now using a D4F and a D5, which are great computers for freediving. I really like the design of the Suunto Ocean, but it looks like they didn’t use the knowledge they have from creating the D4F and D5 for creating the Ocean unfortunately.

I would like to add to the previous list that the 60 meter depth limitation is removed (at least for freediving). Since I’m freediving deeper than 60m, this limitation is one of the reasons (on top of the previous mentioned list) that I cannot use the Ocean. Don’t know if it is a hardware or software limitation, but since the watch itself can go down to 100m, I hope it’s just software.

Johnkokk

@SebastianTj I thought that the 60 meter limit was for scuba, since in some countries 60 meters is the limit for recreational dives and then it becomes technical.

Is this also for freediving ? Is it checked ?

SebastianTj

@Johnkokk

I had contact with an agent of Suunto, asking this, a couple of weeks ago. Their reaction was this:

“As we got an update from our concerned department that It provides accurate barometric altitude and depth measurements up to 60m. The device can endure pressure up to 100m, but depth measurement and dive algorithm calculation are limited to 60m and Suunto Ocean will show depth > 60m and trigger a notification informing that the algorithm calculations are not accurate.”

My interpretation was that the display would say “> 60m” literally. Maybe I am wrong.

As I read it back, the ticket that was created did not specifically mention freediving, so now I’m not sure anymore.

If someone has tried it or has the unambiguous answer, I would be very happy to hear it!

Brainicus

@Johnkokk No, the limit for rec dives is 40m, and few dive shops would take you below 30m actually. 60m is maximum operating depth (MOD) for air, which to this day remains then most widely used blend ‍️ Maybe because we have so much of it and free unlike helium

Also, from what I can see it seems there’s a consensus one goes CCR route once they start regularly scuba diving in excess of 60m simply due to gas costs and logistics. Not sure what’s the CCR story on Suunto products lately. I think DX and EON Steel had it but newer dive computers didn’t. Which isn’t surprising given Suunto choice of algorithms.

Which makes Ocean even more of a curiosity: 60m depth, multiple gases, EAN99, and deco are all tech features. And yet the watch is arguably a rec diving watch. Either Suunto knows something (standards gonna shift and more of tech stuff gonna trickle down to advanced rec) or… they simply run out of time and had to release something.

kohjl

@SebastianTj I believe the limitation applies to freediving as well. There is even a 60m depth alarm in freediving mode that you can’t remove.

Johnkokk

By the way, probably a bug in the app ( i haven’t checked in the watch).

I have GPS enabled during my spearfishing session.

When i sync the watch to the app, although the route is correct on the map (in the app), the distance that i made, is completely off.

I am guessing that the problem will exist in other swimming modes too.

Maximfreediver

Hi Guys!
I’m Freediving Instructor, now testing Ocean. Used D4i, D5 and Garmin Descent MK2.

So the watch is beautiful and sure underwater looks much pretty! AMOLED

What I need is customization of freediving mode . As for now I can customize run mode but not freediving. I want to add some data , change screen add and etc. Even D5 had it.

I cant find data speed of descent and ascent , only while diving

Suunto app doesn’t let you watch certain dive and its certain profile , just list it.

if I’m mistaken please correct me.

Johnkokk

@Maximfreediver

I sold my OCEAN, because it seemed to me that, at least the freediving section, was very poorly implemented.

As a smartwatch/sportswatch is great, but as a diving computer, not.

No data screen customizations, the freediving screens missing data and/or basic data are hidden under various screens, etc.
No surface time alarms also.

It just wasn’t for me.

Maximfreediver

@Johnkokk May be it’ll come in updates

Maximfreediver

Garmin has a switcher from Fresh to Sault Water. Here we don’t have it. So the measurements can be little wrong . What others think ?

Egika

@Maximfreediver said in Freedive suggestions:

Garmin has a switcher from Fresh to Sault Water. Here we don’t have it. So the measurements can be little wrong . What others think ?

the difference is around 3% if I am right.
So instead of 30m you are at 31m of depth. I think this is pretty insignificant…
Plus: different oceans have different salt content. So it differs from baltic sea to red sea to dead sea…

Maximfreediver

@Egika sure

SXCohen

@Egika
Even more important is the fact that decompression is more dependent on pressure than on depth… so having a ‘depth representing current pressure’ makes a lot of sense.

marbjo

I have a few suggestions also specifically related to freediving. Some are only nice to have but most are essential for safe, efficient and fun training.

App: Single dives in addition to data for complete dive session (multiple dive)
a. Shareable photo of single dive (with V curve and metrics for that single dive)
b. All metrics for single dive where data is available
Watch: Navigation
a. Show direction to own location when it is outside visible map area
b. Easier way to go back to own location (re-center)
c. Disable touchscreen (water moves the map around)
App: Session data
a. Total dive depth per session
b. Cumulated dive depth selectable in lap view
c. Ascent/descent speed selectable in graphs
d. Max ascent and/or descent speeds per dive selectable in lap view
e. Average ascent and/or descent speed per dive selectable in lap view
Watch: Surface interval alarm/notification e.g. according to AIDA recommendations
a. Using time: double the dive time
b. Using depth: depth in metres divided by 5
c. Dives beyound 55 metres: Only one per 24h
d. Whichever of these is the longest, will be shown in the watch surface view

Serge Bezborodov

I’ve been using Ocean since the first week when it was released.
For me personally, freediving means spearfishing. There are three most important metrics:

depth
time
surface interval

All of it was on one screen in my D4F. Now, in Ocean, I have to switch screens after every dive to get the info.

It may make sense to make a separate mode for spearfishers with a simpler UI.
In Greece, for example, 99% of users are spearfishers.

marbjo

@marbjo

Addition to point 2:
d. Option to lock map orientation (north up)

For dive time alarms, we need to specify an alarm that is less than 1 minute. Currently I don’t seem to be able to create an alarm for 30 seconds.

marbjo

Also related to freediving, I would be very happy to see to sub sport modes (in addition to depth):

Freediving - Dynamic (combination of pool swimming and freediving features, without GPS)
Freediving - Static (mostly timekeeping features)
These are also competition disciplines within freediving. I would be happy to help with specification.

Angusmil

Hello everybody,

It’s been 15 days since I bought the Suunto Ocean, I don’t do much scuba diving, so for me that’s enough.

But… I sold my freediving watch, the Cressi nepto, because I thought it would work for me. The truth is that it is not well thought out, the information is not well displayed.

Does anyone know if there is an intention for Suunto to improve or will it stay that way? I can wait for them to improve it, but if they don’t plan to do it, I will sell it. Now it’s not a freediving watch, it’s a snorkeling watch.

diogao13

@Angusmil

Suunto needs to send a good message to those who bought an Ocean and potential buyers. Otherwise, I believe it will flop.

Waiting for the system update…

Angusmil

@diogao13

Hi!! Thanks for the answer. I suppose also that they will improve (is not very difficult) and I will wait, but I’m a little afraid that they only think in this watch like scuba divers watch…