Using the Suunto D4

[anthropisces]

I just acquired a Suunto D4. I did some research on freediving computers but I am learning more about what I want after the purchase than before it. I bought the watch based largely on reviews and recommendations.
Can anyone provide a basic discussion of how they use the D4? The Suunto manual is not very readable.
Also I may ultimately get the data package for it. Does anyone here use that and can you tell me what it provides? Are you able to see all the details of every dive profile?
I want to refine my form for efficiency. For that, I’d like to see my rates of descent and ascent for all of my dives over the course of a day’s diving. I also would like to see my surface interval, max depth for each dive, etc.
I want to plot these parameters so I can better criticize my dive profile.
If you have experience with any of this, please comment.

 

[scottdk]

I got the computer attachment and software package. That allows you to easily see your entire dive history and all dive profiles. The watch itself has a generous (but no infinite) memory, and I believe mine has started deleting older dives in order to record new ones. (I upgraded my computer and forgot to save the Suunto datafile, so lost it. I reconnected my watch, and although most dives were still there, the oldest ones weren't there.) The main depth and time records of course remain intact. As far as I can see looking at it now, you press the top right button and go into LogBook, and then you can scroll through your dives saved in the watch (with the bottom left and right buttons). The top left button will then page through 3 screens: basic dive info, Surface time, then the dive profile is on the 3rd screen. Again the bottom left and right buttons will scroll through the time axis of the dive profile chart. Thanks! I've never actually done that before. I just look on the computer. But don't forget to make backups!!!!

For looking at rates of ascent & descent etc, that's in the software. You might want to get hold of one of those overpriced usb connectors. It will give you what you want to see. Any qns, hit me up. I can send some screenshots from my software for example.

 

[ericvrp]

Good working and nicely priced data cables for many dive watches including the D4 can be bought from Smartinterface - Ihr Webshop für Tauchzubehör .