Hi all
has anyone had any experience with the Suunto Cobra? I'd love to hear feedback.

I have had a Cobra since it was first introduced, and it has worked flawlessley. It is easy to adjust after you get the hang of it and I really like to download the dives to my lap top. I use the software provided and just print the log for my log book. The cobra comes as a kit now with the necessary item for downloading and a attached compass. Some say it is a little conservative, but, I have not found that to be a problem.
Tim

My wife and I each have a Cobra and ours have also worked flawlessly for over four years. It has all the features you'll probably ever want. I have used it in just about every mode including an unplanned decompression dive and find it easy to use. Some people prefer the larger displays of competing models but personally I like the sleek compact design of the Cobra.

Let us know if you have any specific questions but I'm sure you won't be disappointed with the Cobra.

I have a Suunto Stinger. The Stinger/Cobra/mosquito/vyper etal all use the Suunto RGBM decompression model and are pretty conservative. This model is pretty intolerant to saw-tooth type profiles, small (<1hr surface intervals) and deep stops. My own preference is not to have an "integrated" computer like the cobra. My Stinger has worked flawlessly and its great to be able to download profiles into my pc at the end of a trip .... it will "open your eyes" to your perceived dive profiles.

Bob

Unlike Bob, I prefer using an air-integrated computer. I use the Cobra as my backup because I find my Sherwood Wisdom more intuitive to use, and I prefer its slightly larger display, but you might prefer the Cobra's more compact design. The Cobra is certainly an excellent computer.
If you buy it, be sure to let us all know how it works out with your own feedback.
Tish

Hi
In my family we all have Suuntos. I have a Cobra, my wife has a Vyper and my son has a Stinger. They are reliable, easy to use and for me the air integration is a great feature. I believe the air integration is more reliable than a (SPG)pressure gauge. And as a bonus you can see how you are using air and how much air time you have left.
Previously I owned an Oceanic but I find the Suuntos are easier to interpret.
And being an old guy I appreciate the more conservative dive algorithm the Suuntos give compared to the Oceanics. The large read out on the Copra is also great for my old eyes. Wish I was young so I could see the numbers on the wristwatch "Stinger". That way I could use my watch "all" the time.

Thanks guys (n' gals)
I will say that the operation manual looks daunting, but the diveshop guy said that it all makes sense after the first dive...at least I have some "light" reading for the 13 hours of flying

Cam, unless your last name ends in "eau" you should be able to pick up the "flow chart" that comes with the Cobra and learn how to program it and retrieve information out of it in less than a half of an hour. If your name does end or any of your ancestors names did end in "eau" you will be occupied for all 13 hours of your flights, you know;-{)}

Tom Cousino(eau)

Originally, my name ended with an "ov"...Faminow was what some Halifax immigration guy came up with in the 1800's...Our family name was pronounced "Fomanov", Russian for Thomason (Son of Thomas)...I may need more than 13 hours

Carter,

>> I believe the air integration is more reliable than a (SPG)pressure gauge. <<

In fact that's the "opposite" of why I don't prefer to use an air-integrated unit. Its just one more thing to break. A simple SPG is much more reliable. An example:

- What if the battery craps out during the dive? (no air guage, no depth guage)
- What if the sensor becomes screwy? No accurate air guage

I had a friend with an earlier air integrated unit, the Delphi (from the maker's of the Edge ...remember the Edge?) When his sensor started to go bad his unit would read that he had 7,000 psi or 100 psi ... neither was very comforting information during the dive. Eventually they fixed the sensors. He also had to constantly change batteries.

Common wisdom would be that you would have to end the dive if either of these events happened.

That said, the Suunto is a very reliable unit. I just prefer the more minimalist approach (to eliminate hoses last year I actually used one of those small pony bottle guages as my primary SPG ... really confused the divemaster!)

Bob

No matter what, I'll never get rid of "Ol' reliable", my Mares pressure and depth guages...just in case

Cam,
If you go with the Cobra, check back in a couple years. Your definition of "Ol' reliable" will likely be your Cobra.

Cam,
I second Ernie, I have logged 190 dives with my cobra and now would not like to dive without it.
The air intigration is great, lets you know how much time you have at that depth based on your breasthing rate, It is lighted for night dives, even with my bad eyes I can see the readout just fine. Being able to download the dive info into your computer is a valuable tool that can make you a better diver.
This is a great dive computer.

we bought 2 cobras just before our holiday to Egypt, we are completely satisfied and would recommend them to any diver, light works perfect as well on night dive.

We are thinking of converting to "air integrated" I was looking at the Suunto Vytec.

Another benefit is reducing weight for travel by loosing the console and hose.

We are heading to Indonesia in a month and the excess baggage charges are high.

We only get 20 Kilos and 5 extra for dive gear. Carry on is 7 Kilos. Our last trip to Bonaire our luggage was 30 Kilos and dive bag 30 kilos. Each carry on was 10 kilos. So we need to lose 16 Kilos.

30 Kilos is 66 Pounds

So dropping 16 Kilos (35 pounds)is going to be hard.

Great info all....how long does the battery typically last...should I bring spares?

Cam, my Vyper has over 300 dives on the original battery and is still going strong. I am sure that should you have a need for batteries, you could find them at several of the places that sell Suunto products on Bonaire.

It's too early to be getting this excited...5 months...tick tick tick

Cam, if you have a used computer (even dead), are willing to get wet and take a speciality course before your trip to Bonaire and if Aqualung Canada honors this offer:
http://www.aqualung.com/computer_trade_in.html
you can save some serious cash.

Cam, I have a Vyper and a Cobra. Started with the Vyper and have 200+ dives on the original battery. Got the Cobra for the air integration feature. Both are very user friendly.

Smack

I have used Suunto computers since I started diving about 6 years ago. My daughter still uses my first Suunto Favor Airlux air-integrated and I use a cobra. The older computer has had its battery changed once, my Cobra is still on its first battery. I find it intuitive and easy to use. My wife has gone through 2 Oceanics both ditched due to failure, and just bought a Cobra for our last trip to Bonaire. When her Oceanic failed during a dive in the Keys it was reading 50 feet deeper than my Cobra (we were basically power snorkeling at about 20 feet.) Rented a wrist mount and bought an SPG for the rest of the trip which we carry as a backup now. The Suunto rgbm model is definitely conservative which is fine for me. Also allows you to further adjust based on level of fitness.

-David

Bought the Cobra!! can't wait to test it!

Enjoy it, Cam! And let us all know how you like using it.
Tish

Be sure to use some type of retainer for your Cobra - face gets scratched easily if you let it drag (not to mention damage to the reef). I've got over 120 dives on my Cobra in 18 months and the battery still reads max in the green. Carib Inn's Bruce Bowker knows these units very well if you have any problem (mine was brand new and apparently the small o-ring where the HP hose enters the unit had somehow slipped out of place and there was a considerable air leak at that point - tricky to fix it so I took it to Bruce and he knew just what to do and did it fast and free... Also, keep those liquid crystal displays out of the direct sunlight - shortens their lives (also you can't read the numbers if you have polarized sunglasses on!