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Suunto Ocean: Two-minute assessment
Suunto has been working exhausting in recent times to innovate in relation to smartwatches, and its newest dive watch carries on that development with colossal enhancements over its predecessor, the Suunto D5 (a watch that I personally personal and dive with, so one which I’m fairly au fait with).
Just like the outgoing mannequin, the Suunto Ocean has a comparatively small 1.43-inch AMOLED show, which works out to be 36mm. That sounds small, however the high-definition, round show with automated brightness adjustment makes it really feel extra just like my 49mm Apple Watch Ultra 2 by way of readability, so don’t be postpone by this.
All fashions profit from sturdy sapphire crystal glass, however the chrome steel case doesn’t provide as a lot safety from unintended dings as one thing like a Garmin Fenix 8, which is out there for the same value with titanium. We’d wish to see titanium utilized in future Suunto fashions for higher longevity, which is clearly an essential consideration for the Finnish firm Suunto quotes 11.63 CO2e emissions for the Ocean’s manufacturing, that are offset by way of a reforestation mission. For reference, Apple claims 12kg of CO2e for the Extremely 2 with the Alpine or Path Loop bands (not the bands constructed for scuba diving), so Suunto’s work to cut back emissions right here is commendable if we take it at face worth.
Among the many 95+ actions you may observe, along with sleep and restoration monitoring, the principle purpose you’ll be contemplating a Suunto Ocean is for its dive-specific capabilities, together with assist for air and nitrox all the best way as much as 100% oxygen. You’ll be able to configure 5 completely different gasses, however if you happen to’re into pushing the bounds, you’ll discover an absence of assist for extra superior methods like rebreathers or trimix (a mix of oxygen, helium and nitrogen).
Handily, if you happen to’re upgrading from a Suunto D5, then you definately’ll be happy to know that the Ocean works with that very same transmitter. In the event you’re shopping for new, then the Suunto Tank Pod is offered individually for round half the worth of the watch (costs under).
Away from all of the technical stuff, the Suunto Ocean can be an amazing possibility for freedivers and holidaymakers who simply need to observe their snorkeling expeditions with one of many best swimming watches. It’ll observe you all the best way all the way down to 60 meters, which is above leisure limits. That mentioned, the watch itself is bodily rated all the best way all the way down to 100 meters, so it will be good simply to have that very same quantity of assist for diving actions. In spite of everything, why cap it?
Our favourite Suunto Ocean function is a brand new one to the business – positive, if you happen to’re an skilled diver, these acquainted dive profiles are extraordinarily useful that can assist you determine tendencies, patterns and potential causes for concern all through your dive, however the watch may also use knowledge from its sensors, just like the gyroscope, to map out your dive in 3D.
In our expertise, it wasn’t at all times utterly correct, however you’d anticipate this from a first-generation product. Even having an concept of the place you’ve been on a map all through your 40-minute dive is nothing in need of a game-changer as a result of it lets you visualize an surroundings that gives very restricted visibility whenever you’re in it (typically centimeters relatively than meters).
Though it handles land-based exercise and sleep monitoring, the Ocean’s battery life far exceeds the D5’s 6-12 hours of dive monitoring. Suunto now claims 40-60 hours of dive monitoring, or as much as 16 days of standard smartwatch mode. That’s significantly greater than the 30 hours’ dive monitoring provided by the ultra-high-end Garmin Descent Mk3i.
On that notice, the Suunto Ocean ships with an old-school USB-A charger, which doesn’t fairly reside as much as fashionable requirements. We’d wish to see it upgraded with a USB-C connection, on condition that the world is shifting that method. Do not forget that Suunto is all about lowering its carbon footprint, and that ought to prolong to e-waste.
Our check watch additionally arrived with a brief strap, which wasn’t lengthy sufficient to go round a drysuit sleeve and won’t be so good for wetsuits both. On condition that it’s designed for diving, it will be good to have an extended strap included within the field. Nonetheless, you’ll need that shorter strap for whenever you’re not diving.
Similar to another piece of diving tools I check, the Suunto Ocean had a number of outings on the dive membership the place it was inspected (in nice element) by many members. On this case, it led to a sale, with one member selecting to improve after witnessing the crisp, colour show underwater and listening to in regards to the spectacular land exercise monitoring and battery life.
I believe that virtually summarizes my expertise dwelling with the Suunto Ocean, too – it’s the right mix of (relative) affordability, perform and design, so it’s a very easy one to suggest to any leisure diver.
Suunto Ocean: Specs
|
Part |
Suunto Ocean |
|
Value |
$899 / £725 / AU$1,399 |
|
Dimensions |
49.9 x 49.9 x 13.2 mm |
|
Weight |
99g |
|
Case/bezel |
Polyamide/chrome steel |
|
Gasoline mixes |
As much as 5 gases (Oxygen 21 – 100%) |
|
GPS |
GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS |
|
Battery life |
As much as 16 days (40-60 hours diving mode) |
|
Connection |
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
|
Water-resistant |
Sure, 60m depth |
Suunto Ocean: Value and availability
- $899 / £725 / AU$1,399
- Suunto Tank Pod: $439.95 / £320 / AU$549
Suunto’s flagship dive watch, the Ocean, prices $899, which places it on the extra inexpensive finish of absolutely fledged smartwatches. It’s greater than the Suunto D5 ($649), however it does the work of two separate watches and nonetheless manages days of battery life, so you would avoid wasting money versus shopping for two separate methods.
Suunto Ocean: Scorecard
|
Class |
Remark |
Rating |
|
Worth |
There aren’t many watches that may do that a lot at this value level. |
5/5 |
|
Design |
It appears very good and clear, however it won’t be as sturdy as titanium-clad rivals. |
4/5 |
|
Options |
You’ll be capable of do every part you want, except your subsequent stage is tech diving with superior gasoline mixes. |
4/5 |
|
Efficiency |
A particularly user-friendly interface with enormous battery life enhancements. |
5/5 |
Suunto Ocean: Ought to I purchase?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
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First reviewed: June 2025