hi just back from a trip to the philippines still havent bought a computer def going to do it this week really regretted not having one with me. the choice is between a suunto stinger vytek and d4 i cant really tell much difference between them. a friend has the d4 and reckons its good. how often do the batteries need to be changed. thanks

If you really are only interested in Suunto, just go to their website and do a compare between the different models.
Suunto has 2 new models, Helo2 (successor of the Vyper Air which i have) and Zoop. The Zoop is available for 200 euros but it does not have a compass or an air integration.
The D4 is a bit smaller and can be used as a watch as well (what most probably will reduce the battery life time).

About battery life, the suunto website tells you (if i remember correctly):
100 dives a year: battery life time 2 years
400 dives a year: battery life time 1 year.

Good luck with your choice, (and you are better of making any choice than not making a choice at all)

k974 wrote:

hi just back from a trip to the philippines still havent bought a computer def going to do it this week really regretted not having one with me. the choice is between a suunto stinger vytek and d4 i cant really tell much difference between them. a friend has the d4 and reckons its good. how often do the batteries need to be changed. thanks

I have a suunto stinger and its done me proud, i would not buy it in Ireland though you'll be ripped off . I paid 325 for mine all in 2.5 years ago from TS Heinmann in germany. I sent it into Great outdoors 2 weeks ago for a new battery and it was 40 quid they send it back to the uk , first batteries in anyhting never last as they are cheap when installed in factory


www.ts-heinemann.com/d...chcomputer there is a way of changing the language

www.lucasdivestore.com...uunto.html

another good one is megadivestore or scubastore.com

:):):)

to date i can count on one hand gear i've bought in ireland (weights) of course, all other gear is the shaft, i just bought a membrane dry suit from Seaskin with all the trimmings --dry gloves the lot for 900 all in posted.

if its cheap in ireland ITS STOLEN

only jokin

scoopdog wrote:

i just bought a membrane dry suit from Seaskin with all the trimmings --dry gloves the lot for 900 all in posted.

Yup, just love my membrane Seaskin too !

.

[/quote]

Yup, just love my membrane Seaskin too ! :-D[/quote]

Hello chris yes i bit the bullet , thank you for your very helpful advice have not been on the site for a while as i changed jobs and have been up to my goolies, yes i got the standard suit with neoprene socks extra pee zip with covers reflectors and neoprene neck, i found the neck far to tight on the first dive so i aborted- brought it home , stuck it over a cylinder and left it there for a week. I stuck it on briefly today and seems to be doing the trick.

I found the wooly bear (250 Gram) a little to thick ?? it might be good for long dives and winter diving but a chap in the club reckons a 150 during the summer would be fine, what do you think ???

The neoprene sock/boots are a little tricky to get on and i bought a pair of converse full black trainers instead of rock boots as this allows me to use my normal size fins without upsizing and shelling out for another set.
www.cloggs.co.uk/invt/494
I found they to give me a lot more ankle flexibility and movement. I got one right hand large below pocket and a big dirty knife on the left , I'll lash it on tomorrow and post a picture

Yes so cant wait to give it a lash over the next coming months and break it in

All the best

Nice one Scoop,

The 250 gm undersuit is just right for me but then I expect different people will have different experiences depending on their build. You will probably find the undersuit will compress after a while and loose some of it's insulating properties anyway.

I too found the nexk too tigh and also too high under the chin. I trimmed a cm off the top and it's amazing how much difference that little adjustment made to the comfort of the fit. I also lash a bit of KY jelly down the neck after fitting and it allows me to turn my head without the neoprene dragging against my skin ( a shave before donning helps here too as does shaving just under the nose - I have a little 'tash so this allows the mask to sit properly without leaking )

I have the booted version of the suit and this works well though I'd guess I may have more difficulty with 'floaty feet' on the dive than you will.

I'd be interested on hearing how your exhaust valve behaves; I leave mine fully open on the dive but air is a tad reluctant to vent - particularly in the last 10 mtrs or so when I find I have to scrunch myself up sometimes to force it out.

Chris

Are we discussing drysuits right now ? What was the original question/topic ? Is this the drysuit experience topic ?


Nevermind. I am diving in a membrane drysuit from Oceanic Flexia (with boots and integrated pockets for ankle weights) and after about 10 dives (this is my first owned drysuit) in this drysuit, i am quite please with it.
I dive with a fully open exhaust valve as well.

The only problem i have is a squeeze around my knees. Deepest dive sofar in this suit is about 20 meters. I guess the squeeze won't improve when i get deeper.

Let's give it a try when i pass the 10 meter mark to close it a bit and hope i will open it in time when ascending above 10 meter.

Cheers Dragstar

Guys, lots of good points made but K974 needs only a basic unit. I'd go for the Suunto Gekko, unless you need to download it to a PC. I've seen it online for well under €200. I also have an Aladdin Pro. Bit fiddly and tempermental after a dive (can't access dive info for ages) but a good computer nonetheless. My current abacus is a Suunto Vyper 2 (now superceded). Good luck, whatever you end up buying.

i think i'm going to go with the D4 anyone have any major reason not too? thanks for the advice

That's a good choice. Only advice I'd give you is to shop around. Might be cheaper online. I bought my Vyper 2 from a website in Germany at a very good discount. I can send you the web address if you're interested.

Dragstar wrote:

The only problem i have is a squeeze around my knees. Cheers Dragstar

This may be your overweighted buddy trying to avoid an uncontrolled descent

I noticed this too but it is probably more a function of diving in a vertical as opposed to horizontal orientation; the air moves up the suit and the legs loose out.

For most of the dive you are horizontal so it's no problem and when ascending it's no bad thing for the air to be pooling around the exhaust valve as it does take a bit of time for the air to work it's way up. Unless the air is really pouring out I'd be careful closing the valve - I suspect by the time you notice a problem going positive opening the valve could be a tad too late I'd imagine it largely depends on the performance of the individual suit

Cheers

diverdown wrote:

That's a good choice. Only advice I'd give you is to shop around. Might be cheaper online. I bought my Vyper 2 from a website in Germany at a very good discount. I can send you the web address if you're interested.

thanks there is a big differnece in price between the lucas site and the scubstore site, my price will be the outside EU price. could you send me that website.

after a lot of comparing i've settled with either the D4 or the vytec DS cos its so cheap on the lucas site compared to buying here. i hadnt considered it before but its so cheap on those site to the dive shops here i am considering the vytec DS with the transmitter. how do those wireless air transmittors work. also does anyone use the suunto software to download the info to a pc??

thanks for all your help

k974 wrote:

my price will be the outside EU price.

Just to note that if you buy outside the EU you will be liable to pay duty on the imported goods. Used to be Customs didn't pay much notice to such things but Revenure have tightened up their act in recent years, probably as a direct result of the booming trade in internet sourced goods.

The prob Ive seen with the Suunto is that they must be paired every time

With Uwatec, you pair it once and thats it!
Tom

The website (mentioned above somewhere) is www.ts-heinemann.com/

You can change the language to English and ask them for their best price. They'll usually ask YOU to make an offer! Be realistic though and they'll come across with a reasonable discount. And as they are in the EU, there's no concerns about import duties. Best of luck. J.