Suunto D3 water temp. accuracy

[Seacidal]

I apologize in advance if this has been previously beaten to death, but here goes.

I've noticed that my Suunto D3 consistently reports water temperature that is 1.5-1.75 degrees F below actual water temp.

I've checked the D3's displayed temperature after letting the unit equilibrate (10-60 mins.) And I've compared it to temperature readings displayed by my boat's depth sounder unit, as well as a calibrated digital sampling thermometer. The depth sounder and the thermometer are in agreement (within 0.1 degree F).
But the D3 consistently reads 1.5-1.75 F too low. I've spoken with another local diver who has noticed the same error.

I'm wondering if anybody else has had this problem? I can't find anything in the D3 literature about how to calibrate the temperature sensor, nor on the Suunto website.

Other than just accepting the error and getting used to it, does anybody have any suggestions as to how to cure this?

Thanks!

 

[efattah]

I think the manual states the accuracy as +/- 2C (+/- 3F).

I guess you should just mentally subtract 1.5F from the displayed temperature....

 

[Stavros]

I doubt that the D3 temp sensor can be calibrated as the D3 is really a low end diving computer and a feature like sensor calibration would most likely not fit in the tight pricetag of this watch. I have also seen that there is usually a small difference between my boat's depth gauge temp reading and my D3 but it is of the order of >1C so it is not really an issue...what difference does it really make if I know that it is 26C instead of 27C?....?

Cheers Stavros

 

[Seacidal]

Essentially, that's what I do. As my D3 reads about 1.5 F too low, I just add 1.5-2 F to the indicated temperature.

It doesn't make much of a difference, although I am glad that it is at least consistent in its error.

Still, I must admit that I'm a bit surprised if D3's have this error on a not so infrequent basis. I've done a fair bit of work with thermistors and such, and have found them to be inexpensive and surprisingly accurate devices. This is a large part of the reason for my initial post. The circuitry and components for the temperature display feature of the D3 is rather insignificant, in light of the whole device, and I was surprised to find the consistent temperature discrepancy.

Thanks for all your input.