Suunto Zoop Novo Dive Computers

Product Information

Before you do a decompression dive, you need to understand the meaning of ceiling, ceiling zone, floor, and decompression range. You need to understand these concepts to be able to correctly interpret the guidance provided by the dive computer. For an entry-level dive computer, the Zoop Novo boasts a large logbook memory and can store up to 140 hours of data (approximately 100 dives). However, in freediving mode, this reduces to 35 hours. At first glance, it’s easy to think there’s not much separating these two. Both have nice big displays and offer similar functionality. Looking closer, the main difference is how you access these functions. The Zoop Novo has four navigation buttons while the Leonardo has just one.

One change Suunto has made to the original Zoop is to add a fourth button to the Novo for easier navigation. You have mode, select, up, and down, all clearly marked, and with the large display, it’s super easy to navigate through the menus to find what you’re looking for. You may surface only after ASC TIME and CEILING have disappeared. This means that the decompression stop and any mandatory safety stop have been completed. Suunto uses its own customized RGBM model which was developed in collaboration with Dr. Bruce Wienke. Unlike the classic Haldane models still used in some dive computers, the Suunto RGBM predicts free gas as well as dissolved gas in the tissue of divers. Your actual ascent time may be longer than displayed by Suunto Zoop Novo. It may be longer if your ascending speed is slower than 10 m (32.8 ft) per minute or you are doing a decompression stop deeper than the recommended ceiling. Take this into account, since it might increase the amount of required breathing gas to reach the surface. Decompression guidance The Zoop Novo computer includes full decompression capabilities, five dive modes (Air, Nitrox, Gauge, Free and Off) and straight-forward, menu-based Suunto user interface. Suunto Zoop Novo Dive Computer – Features

The blinking ASC TIME text and an upward arrow indicate that you are below the floor. A low priority alarm will also sound. You should start your ascent immediately. The ceiling depth is shown on the left side of the center field, and the minimum total ascent time on the right side. If you exceed the no-decompression limits on a dive, the dive computer provides the decompression information required for ascent along with subsequent details that are updated as you ascend. There are many audible alarms on the Zoop Novo to let you know when important limits are being reached or passed. This doesn’t mean it’s going to be beeping at you every two minutes though. There are different tones to indicate high and low priority. High priority alarms will sound if the decompression ceiling depth is exceeded, the current depth is too deep for the gas mix in use, or if you’re exceeding the maximum ascent rate (10m/32ft per minute). Whether scuba diving or freediving, the low priority alarm will sound when you reach the defined maximum depth. Logbook Memory

It’s possible to change the Zoop Novo’s battery without having to head to a registered service center. We recommend getting the Suunto Zoop Novo battery replacement kit which includes the battery, O-ring and extra screws. With the right screwdriver and this kit, we found replacing the battery pretty easy and straightforward.In other words, rather than requiring you to make stops at fixed depths, the dive computer lets you decompress within a range of depths. This is known as continuous decompression. Ceiling, ceiling zone, floor and decompression range Memory capacity: approximately 60 hours with 20-second recording interval and without transmitter data. With transmitter data, the capacity is approximately 40 hours. In free dive mode (2-second recording interval), maximum capacity is 3 hours. The Leonardo allows you to easily reset the computer, wiping the memory. This is a great feature for dive centers and schools; each new diver can start fresh. However, we found that if you’re using it as a personal computer, it’s not a function you would use at all. This offer excludes large items (Kayaks, SUP,canoes, waterski’s) and hazardous products, lift rafts, distress flares, electronics.

Both offer air, Nitrox (to 50%), and gauge modes. In addition, the Zoop Novo has a freediving and an off mode. Below is an example of a decompression dive with a ceiling of 3 m and total ascent time of 9 minutes.

If you exceed the NDL on a dive, the Zoop Novo provides the decompression information you require to make a safe ascent. Rather than making a number of stops at fixed depths, the computer allows you to decompress within a range of depths by continually correcting the rate and ceiling depth as you ascend.

Suunto Zoop Novo shows the ceiling value always from the deepest of these stops. Deepstop and safety stop ceilings are always at constant depth when you are at the stop. Stop time is counted down in minutes and seconds. During the decompression stop, your total ascent time continues to count down towards zero. If the ceiling moves upwards, you can ascend to the new ceiling.Suunto and Cressi both use their own RGBM (reduced gradient bubble model) for calculations. Suunto’s comes in on the conservative side while Cressi’s is slightly more liberal. Which model is better? The Leonardo may give you a tiny amount of extra bottom time but there’s not much to really tell them apart. If you are based in one of 36 countries, you can apply for an online service request and send your Zoop Novo for repair. If your computer is outside the warranty period, Suunto will send a quote before beginning any repairs. Turn around time is generally seven working days. If you ascend above the ceiling during a decompression stop, a downward arrow appears in from of the ceiling depth, and a continuous beeping starts. When you reach the ceiling zone, the display will show you two arrows pointing at each other as shown below.