Dive Watch Recommendations?

[maytag]

Hey Paul,
Can you write off the F1 on your taxes, though - work expense?

 

[efattah]

You can often get Suunto Stingers (brand new) on ebay for $500 USD. For example there is one right now, check Ebay Item #150047804950.

You need the steel stinger with rubber strap. It is the least expensive by far. I find it weirdly ironic that the stinger is still suunto's best product, and it is the only main suunto computer which has been discontinued....

The stinger is way more reliable than the D3. The only drawback is the surface interval only counts in minutes.

 

[Paul Kotik]

Well I guess some do need that extra inch.... :martial

What inch ? The man said centimeter.

 

[Paul Kotik]

Hey Paul,
Can you write off the F1 on your taxes, though - work expense?

If I could only afford a pencil, I could write it off.

 

[DiverTodd]

The F1 is superb. If you can swing it get one of these - it is the ultimate freediving unit. I've been waiting outside of bars with a sockful of sand collecting money for mine.

Wow! Why didn't I think of that! Here, I was planning on robbing the bank! It would be SO much easier to mug drunken folk on their way out of a bar! Heck, they wouldn't even remember it! Or, I could just stick with Plan B: winning the lottery. Oh, wait...that's for Grand Cayman this April! rofl

Todd

 

[Pocoshower]

As a conclusion, we need that a lot of people buy a F1 so the price come down and in the future everybody can have one at something like the D3 cost !!!!

Ok I'll wait, no problem.

So Snorkels, please buy a F1 for your boyfriend, he will be so happy when see the world best diving computer for his bday.

Carlos

 

[Paul Kotik]

As a conclusion, we need that a lot of people buy a F1 so the price come down and in the future everybody can have one at something like the D3 cost !!!!

Ok I'll wait, no problem.

So Snorkels, please buy a F1 for your boyfriend, he will be so happy when see the world best diving computer for his bday.

Carlos

Has Eric responded to the leasing/financing idea ? How many of you would order an F1 if it was for, say, $12.99 /month ?

 

[ADR]

Financing is a geat idea Paul, as it would get the F1 on the wrists of more freedivers....just a couple less drinks per week for the best unit on the market 'by a country mile'

 

[Bill McIntyre]

The stinger is way more reliable than the D3. The only drawback is the surface interval only counts in minutes.

Maybe you freedive specialists just put more stress on the D3 by diving so much deeper.

But in any even, the surface interval counting in minutes would be a deal breaker for me. The feature of the D3 that I treasure the most is the surface interval, but I might well want an interval of 1:30 but not want to wait until 2 minutes to make sure I had it.

 

[jens_elsborg]

Hi all,

I have just found out about the F1, but the F1 website is not that extensive - is the F1 also a dive computer? I use the Mosquito as i sail a lot and do a mix of scuba and free and therefore need the decompression features...

Thnx

 

[DiverTodd]

Has Eric responded to the leasing/financing idea ? How many of you would order an F1 if it was for, say, $12.99 /month ?

I'd gladly jump on an F1 for $12.99/month! Finally, something WORTH making monthly payments for! Heh heh...

Todd

 

[TheDude]

Mares dropped their prices considerably. Now you can get a Mares Nemo for almost the same price as a Mosquito. For around 70$ more you get a titanium one with saphire glass. Only drawback is its logging ability for freedive, otherwise its equal or better than the Mosquito. If you want also a scuba computer, I would highly recommend the Nemo. For pure freedive the D3 might be better value for money.

The scuba abilities are the deal breaker for F1 for me. I just don't have enough money to buy two computers. If I had though, I would get one for sure :inlove

 

[ADR]

F1 has a guage mode for scuba but more importantly has been created in a way that the software that drives it can be upgraded for any type of diving. I am now a freediver primarily but was a tech diver a few years back and wish the F1 had been around in my tech diving days as the versatility and customisation that he will make available for it over the coming months and years will be unmatched.

To all the freedivers who are complaining about the price I say "find a way", just as we have to for expensive wetsuits that only last a season or carbon fins etc etc.

 

[SanderP]

Hi folks!

This might not be the right thread to post this, but...

Today I finally picked up my D3. Really easy to use and looks like a perfect freediving computer to me. There is one little thing I don't like about it though... the frickin' strap. I don't think I have the same strap as can be seen on that picture for example. Mine is some cheap-ass cloth strap with a stupid buckle. I definetly need to get a new strap.

Or do you guys have the same kind of strap?

And one question: the manual says I should wash it with freshwater after every use. Is this only for diving in saltwater? And how exactly do you do it, soak it in plain water for a certain amount of time and that's it? If so, for how long?

 

[Bill McIntyre]

I have the velcro strap, and I think it is by far preferable. I will fit around a wet suit sleeve and glove, won't come loose, and will still hold the watch if one pin comes out.

I simply run mine under a hose or faucet for a few seconds, making sure the water is directed at the contacts that seem to get the information.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

I guess I should have called it the neoprene strap, but it has velcro closures. Here is a photo I found online.

 

[DiverTodd]

Hmmm...mine has yet a THIRD kind of strap, a solid rubber strap with curved lines sculpted into it. I like it, because it makes it look more like a watch, which is nice since it can be worn as one.

Todd

 

[SanderP]

I was certain to get the solid rubber strap also. I'd even be a lot happier with the neoprene strap, but oh well... I'll contact the store and see what they tell me abot it, maybe I can buy an aditional rubber strap from them.

One thing I'm really pleasantly surprised about though is the black color. I didn't think they were even made in black since I have never seen a black colored D3.

Oh, and:

1) How do you wash your D3 after use?
2) Does chlorine damage the computer? Does anyone use it in the pool?

 

[demasoni]

Nice D3 SanderP, I've never seen a black one before.

I have used my D3 in a chlorine pool many times without problem.

After diving I just rinse my the top and bottom (where the contacts are) under the sink faucet for a few seconds and all is fine.

Have had my D3 for 18 months and changed the batts twice and its still going strong. I even use it for regular watch duty.

 

[Pocoshower]

I have the velcro strap, and I think it is by far preferable. I will fit around a wet suit sleeve and glove, won't come loose, and will still hold the watch if one pin comes out.

I simply run mine under a hose or faucet for a few seconds, making sure the water is directed at the contacts that seem to get the information.

they say that the neopren strap floats. Is it true? Well I think it is true for the strap but, can it give the D3 enough floatation?

Carlos