The world of dive technology has just been elevated with the introduction of the 2024 Suunto Ocean. This state-of-the-art dive computer seamlessly merges the functionalities of a dive computer with those of a GPS sports watch, offering adventurers unparalleled versatility both underwater and on land. Suunto, a renowned name in the realm of dive equipment, continues to push the boundaries with its latest innovation, making it an essential addition to any diver’s gear collection.
Design and Build Quality
The first thing you'll notice about the Suunto Ocean is its sleek and robust design. Available in 3 colors: an all-black finish, Steel, or the Ocean Sand. It is crafted with durability in mind, featuring a high-quality stainless steel bezel and sapphire crystal glass that is both scratch-resistant and capable of withstanding the harshest underwater conditions. The comfortable silicone strap ensures a secure fit during dives and strenuous activities on land (also available in different colors.
Weighing in at a comfortable 99 grams, the Suunto Ocean is light enough to wear all day without feeling cumbersome. The watch’s dimensions (50mm in diameter and 16.5mm in thickness) strike a perfect balance between visibility and wearability, making it suitable for various wrist sizes.
Display and Interface
The Suunto Ocean boasts a vibrant, high-resolution AMOLED color display that is easily readable in both bright sunlight and the low-light conditions typical of deep dives. The customizable display settings allow users to personalize the screen according to their preferences, displaying critical dive information such as depth, time, and tank pressure in a clear and concise manner.
Navigating through the watch’s numerous features is made easy with its intuitive menu system. The buttons are ergonomically placed and provide excellent tactile feedback, ensuring that users can effortlessly access the watch's functions, even while wearing gloves.
Dive Features
At its core, the Suunto Ocean is a powerful dive computer, equipped with an array of features designed to enhance the diving experience. It supports multiple dive modes, including air, nitrox, gauge, free dive, and even technical diving modes like trimix. This versatility makes it suitable for divers of all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals. The biggest change to this computer is the use of the Suunto Bühlmann 16 GF decompression model, which many technical divers prefer.
The integrated 3D compass ensures precise navigation underwater, a crucial feature for divers exploring unfamiliar territories.
Additionally, the Suunto Ocean is compatible with wireless air integration, allowing divers to monitor tank pressure directly from their wrist. This feature supports up to three transmitters, making it ideal for divers who use multiple tanks.
Surface Features
The Suunto Ocean is not just a dive computer; it’s a comprehensive sports watch designed for adventurers who seek thrills both below and above the surface. The built-in GPS functionality is a game-changer for those who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, running, and cycling. The watch can track routes, distance, speed, and altitude, providing valuable data for post-activity analysis.
For runners and cyclists, the Suunto Ocean offers advanced performance metrics, including heart rate monitoring, VO2 max estimation, and recovery time suggestions. These features are powered by Suunto’s intelligent software, which adapts to the user’s fitness level and goals, offering personalized training plans and insights.
The watch’s smartwatch capabilities are also noteworthy. It can receive notifications from a paired smartphone, allowing users to stay connected without having to reach for their phone. The Suunto App, available for both iOS and Android, enhances the user experience by providing a platform to sync, store, and analyze all activity data.
Battery Life and Charging
One of the most impressive aspects of the Suunto Ocean is its battery life. In time mode, the watch can last up to 12 days on a single charge, making it perfect for extended adventures. In GPS mode, the battery life is approximately 20 hours, which is sufficient for most outdoor activities. When used in dive mode, the watch offers up to 30 hours of battery life, ensuring that it won’t run out of power during crucial moments underwater.
Charging the Suunto Ocean is straightforward, thanks to the included magnetic USB cable. The watch supports fast charging, reaching full battery capacity in just a couple of hours.
Connectivity and Integration
The Suunto Ocean offers seamless connectivity options, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. These features enable automatic syncing of dive logs, activity data, and software updates. The Suunto App provides a user-friendly interface for viewing and sharing dive profiles, making it easier to keep track of your diving history and performance over time.
The watch is also compatible with Suunto’s extensive ecosystem of accessories and third-party apps. This compatibility allows users to expand the watch’s functionality with additional sensors and software, further enhancing its versatility.
Performance and User Experience
In terms of performance, the Suunto Ocean excels across the board. The watch’s powerful processor ensures smooth operation, even when navigating through complex menus and data-heavy screens. The GPS functionality is highly accurate, providing reliable tracking and navigation for outdoor activities.
Underwater, the Suunto Ocean’s sensors perform flawlessly, delivering precise depth and temperature readings. The wireless air integration works seamlessly, providing real-time tank pressure updates that are crucial for managing air consumption during dives.
Testers have praised the Suunto Ocean for its ease of use and comprehensive feature set. The watch’s ability to transition smoothly between dive and surface modes makes it a true all-in-one device for adventurers. The customizable display and intuitive interface are particularly appreciated, as they allow divers to tailor the watch to their specific needs and preferences.
- Robust and stylish design
- High-resolution, customizable color display
- Versatile dive modes and advanced decompression algorithm
- Wireless air integration with support for multiple transmitters
- Built-in GPS for accurate outdoor tracking
- Comprehensive sports watch features with heart rate monitoring
- Long battery life and fast charging
- Seamless connectivity and integration with Suunto App
The 2024 Suunto Ocean sets a new benchmark in the world of dive computers and GPS sports watches. Its robust design, comprehensive feature set, and seamless integration of dive and surface functionalities make it an invaluable tool for adventurers. While its premium price point and complexity may be a consideration for some, the overall performance and versatility of the Suunto Ocean justify the investment.
For divers seeking a reliable, advanced, and stylish dive computer that doubles as a top-tier sports watch, the Suunto Ocean is a perfect choice. Whether exploring the depths of the ocean or trekking through rugged terrains, this watch is designed to meet the demands of the most adventurous spirits.
