Discover ScubaDiving
|
Dive Computer Expert Reviews
Saving Your Precious Time And Finding The Best Dive Computer For You
Dive computer reviews are perfectly organized and consist of fully researched information and ratings of Aeris, Cressi, Mares, Oceanic, Sherwood, Suunto, Tusa, and UWATEC/ScubaPro brands. In Catalogue Section you may compare any models side-by-side and select dive computer according to your needs! Join thousands of happy customers!
CatalogueGeneral Information
Specifications
User Interface
Pre-Diving
Diving
Post-Diving
Summary
Your Review
We may say that Suunto Vyper is a light version of well-known Suunto Vyper Air. It may be recommended dive computer for the beginners in diving, recreational divers and guys who want to have reliable backup. In Gauge mode, Vyper allows us diving with technical gas mixes, but I think if you are a tech-diver, you would rather go for more sophisticated dive computer. It is very reliable and easy to use instrument with all functions to manage decompression perfectly (as all other Suunto computers do!), so, if you get one - you will appreciate its user-friendly interface, good set of functions and easy to read display! It is pretty basic dive instrument and below I listed main differences between Vyper and Vyper Air:
Suunto Vyper has 3 control buttons on the user interface console. Even if it is intuitive and easy – you still need to set some time to study how to access certain features and program them, and what to expect underwater if you press certain button! Dive computer has 2 bar graphs that are shared between functions and show information according to mode you are in certain situation. These Bar Graphs have similar meaning as in Suunto Cobra dive computer. Left side bar graph is shared between Mode Definition, Consumed Bottom Time (similar meaning to Nitrogen Tissue Loading Bar Graphs in Aeris and Oceanic dive computers) and Oxygen Limit Fraction (OLF) displays:
Right side bar graph is shared between Ascent Rate, Battery Status, and Logbook Page Indexing:
Setting up and customizing dive computer is a usual routine before diving in any mode. Suunto Vyper has all adjustable functions in Set menu based mode and below is a list of them:
If you familiar with Suunto Cobra, you may notice that customizable functions are similar in these two dive computers. One of the good additions to other features is Dive Simulator that is a great help to get to know your Vyper. You may create a ‘virtual’ dive and watch how dive computer responds in different dive scenarios and how your dive profile will look like with all displays, warnings and alarms. When you need to plan your dives ahead – there are 2 functions available to help you out - Dive Planner and Dive Planning Simulator. First one can be called up during the Surface mode by pressing Plan button, and it calculates your No-Decompression limits at range 9 – 45 meters; the latter may be accessed from Simulation mode and it shows the present No-Decompression limits and has possibility to add surface time between future dives.
Our dive started with Air and Suunto Vyper has very easy to read and interpret display - no any doubts about that!
Suunto Vyper: Diving With Air & NitroxCopy this Suunto Vyper NO-DECO Card for your Reference and Share with your friends and buddies!
If you want to enter Bookmark – press Plan button and you will get special mark in dive computer’s memory that you may download to PC to examine it later.
It is worth to mention about Consumed Bottom Time (CBT) Bar Graph here. It is an equivalent of the Nitrogen Tissue Loading Bar Graphs (NTLBG) in Aeris and Oceanic dive computers. Purpose is the same – to inform diver about level of nitrogen absorption. This bar graph has 3 coloured zones: Green, Yellow, and Red.
When Suunto Vyper dive computer set for Nitrox - Consumed Bottom Time Bar Graph is replaced by Oxygen Limit Fraction (OLF) Bar Graph and Consumed Bottom Time Bar Graph can be seen at alternative display.
If your ascent is faster than allowable maximum – dive computer will give you full set of segments on Ascent Rate Bar Graph, message SLOW and audio alarm.
At certain conditions Suunto Vyper may give you Safety Stop prompt.
When we set Suunto Vyper for Nitrox dive – we must enter exact numbers of FO2 and PO2. After we did that – dive computer would calculate maximum operational depth (MOD) according to FO2 and PO2. This Suunto computer allows us to set only 1 Nitrox mix with FO2 22% - 50%. In Nitrox mode dive computer displays similar information to Air dive, but with few differences, related to only diving with Nitrox:
For more data – just press Time button to see alternative display with following information:
If you exceed your No-Decompression Limits (NDLs) – Suunto Vyper will activate Decompression mode. All data that you will get after that is related to this mode. During decompression you will be prompted to complete one or few decompression stops at a range of depths. As other Suunto dive computers, Vyper has Continuous Decompression feature that allows us to perform decompression within the certain range of depths. It starts from the ‘floor’ (deepest depth where deco stop time won’t increase) to the ‘ceiling’ (shallowest depth) and decompression is done between them. In Decompression mode Suunto Vyper will display following data related to decompression stops:
If you missed correct decompression ceiling and ascended above it by any reason, this Suunto computer would give you an audio alarm with corresponding icons, your current depth and ceiling depth, and Error notation. It means that you have only 3 minutes to correct you position and return to ceiling depth displayed or a bit below. Alarm is clearly heard underwater – so we won’t miss it! If you continue to violate decompression – dive computer will activate permanent Error Mode and will work as a depth gauge and timer only. You must not dive for at least 48 hours then!
Suunto Vyper: Diving In GAUGE ModeAnd the last dive mode of Suunto Vyper is Gauge mode. In Gauge mode Vyper won’t calculate nitrogen and oxygen loadings and it will work as a depth gauge and timer, also we may use it for freediving and tech-diving. Dive main display has following data:
After we tested our Suunto Vyper underwater – it is time to discover other functions, like Memory and Simulation modes that are available on surface. In these modes following functions are easily accessible:
Suunto Vyper: What Divers Say
As we have learnt, Suunto Vyper is a basic dive computer that has all necessary functions for Air, Nitrox, and Gauge modes diving and to manage Decompression perfectly. It is well suitable for beginners and good solid choice for backup dive equipment. You can even place it in console by adding pressure gauge. During test dives I didn’t have any problems reading display, but I completely agree with one of our reviewers that it might be inconvenient pressing small buttons if you dive in cold waters and wear thick gloves. So, our experiences with reading the display are controversial! Another 'minus' for this Suunto dive computer - optional PC data cable, but it doesn’t cost too much to be very upset about it!
|
|
This is my first dive computer and I don't have anything else to compare to it. I think it works great: easy to set up, dive, and read display. I just finished my OWD certification and Suunto Vyper covers all my needs.
Buttons are smaller, but I don't have any troubles pushing them even with gloves. Also it seems to be more conservative in comparison with my buddies dive computers made by Oceanic: usually I'm out of the water while they are still have 10-15 minutes diving.
Suunto Vyper that I bought no longer came with instruction book. I got cd and website for downloading. This may be great for those people who can memorize 122 pages or don't mind printing off that much or carry along their laptop on every live-aboard.
I like to know I can readily access any info I want and quickly find the answer, which a hardcopy does like the plasticized summary of functions which used to come with the Vyper, but no more.
Console model also does not provide for user battery replacement, unless you want to kiss your warranty goodby. Instructions specifically note to have authorized dealer open back for battery replacement.