We are loving diving with the Galileo Luna and have been recommending them to a lot of our divers.  We are so sure that you will like it too that if you call us and mention this article, we’ll give you a special price (that is too low that Andrew will not let me publish it!)

A new addition to the state-of-the-art GALILEO family of computers.

LUNA enhances your dive experience providing intelligence at hand, with key features, and the ability to upgrade:

• Full-Tilt Digital Compass with Bearing Memory
• Extra large Dot-Matrix Display
• Updatable Processor that can be Reprogrammed via Infrared by the User
• EN Certification to 1082 feet (330 meters)
• User-replaceable battery with tissue loading memory
• Hoseless Gas Integration with True Remaining Bottom Time Calculation

Plus all the UWATEC Core Technological Features for which we are renowned

Optional features which can be purchased separately:

• Predictive Multi Gas algorithm
• Exclusive POLAR Heart Rate Monitoring System

Galileo breaks with the past and the present to deliver the future of diving – today.

INNOVATION

* Complete navigational system with integrated digital compass and bearing memory, virtually unaffected by tilt. Ease and accuracy, all in one instrument.
* Galileo combines an extra large dot matrix display with a huge memory for unprecedented flexibility:
* PDIS (Profile Dependent Intermediate Stops) optimizes your dive in complete security.
* Hoseless gas integrated computer: when used with a Smart transmitter you get tank pressure and true remaining bottom time (RBT) on the computer screen.
* Galileo can be reprogrammed through its infrared interface, meaning you can easily upgrade your computer with new functions and features downloaded from our website.
* Predictive Multi Gas algorithm: allowing you to enjoy the full benefits of high oxygen concentration mixes.
* User friendly graphic data display, shows you tissue loading and oxygen toxicity levels as a bar graph.

PERSONALIZATION

The diver can input his personal information (name, certification numbers) and also emergency contact, medical (such as allergies) and dive insurance information into Galileo; in case of an accident the emergency information is displayed at the touch of a button.

* All alarms and warnings are displayed in clear text in the language of your choice so you never misunderstand essential beeps while engrossed in the fascinations of the underwater world. Alarms cannot be turned off, but for warnings you have a choice of either only visual, only audible or both visual and audible.
* Galileo’s user interface is as easy to use as a cell phone so you can easily program and view all interface elements for complete personalization.

LUNA can be upgraded with 2 additional features—available as optional purchases at your Authorized SCUBAPRO UWATEC dealer, these two features can be added quickly via our special site: galileo.uwatec.com.

• Predictive Multi-Gas upgrade: Purchasing this PMG feature at a later time, or whenever you need it, allows LUNA to use up to 3 Nitrox mixes (21-100% O2) during the dive, calculating the ascent schedule for all possible combinations of the programmed mixes. The outcome of the different decompression calculations can be shown on the screen in a dedicated deco summary screen.

• Heart Rate Monitor upgrade: Galileo’s heart rate monitor, jointly developed with Polar (world leader in the field of heart rate monitors), not only measures and records the heartbeat during the dive but allows the dive computer to factor the intensity of the exercise into the decompression calculation, as it is reported by the diver’s physiology. The HRM is also ideal for Apnea divers, measuring heart rate and sounding an alarm if the heart rate drops below the set level.

Related Pages

• Scubapro Fusion Drysuit
• Global Dive Newsletter – June 2009
• Scubapro A700

On a recent trip to the Poor Knights Islands, Tara took her new Suunto Vyper Air.

Here is what she thought:

I was so excited to receive my new Suunto Vyper Air dive computer and wireless transmitter.

However, the weekend I had planned did not quite eventuate and I had to wait longer than I expected to use it (in the swimming pool does not count!).

The Vyper Air holds a lot of features – most of which I have not yet used for too long;

* a digital compass (with greater tiltability – 45 degrees they say)
* a Dive Plan simulator

The main reasons I wanted this computer are in fact the features that I am most happy with;

* wireless air integration
* two gas mixes – between 21% and 99% oxygen

Setting up the transmitter and the wireless integration is a pinch! Have the dive computer near to the transmitter and turn on your tank.
The computer gives you a channel number that you can change if you like – otherwise you are good to go. The computer starts reading the transmitter from 15bar and also completes a pairing procedure that is supposed to prevent channel number conflicts with other divers transmitters and computers.
Seeing as I am the first to own one of these – I do not anticipate any errors so far!

I took off diving for the weekend and planned to use my current dive computer and my Suunto Dive Computer and compare the two.
My other computer has been diving with me for about three years and I know it so well – so I thought that it was a good plan to use both and to see how the functions I use, and glance at the most, appear on the screen of the Vyper Air.

I found the screen very easy to read – except that in some bright light, the cover that is provided places a shadow over the bottom left and right corners which is where the current tank pressure (left) and dive time (right) are. I am sure that resolving this will simply be a case of turning my wrist.
No decompression time is easy to read – it is basically the largest and the boldest number on the screen.
Receiving more information is simple enough to find – the left and right (or up/down) buttons will scroll through dive time, temperature, max depth, current time and tank pressure. With the wireless transmitter enabled, you can also see remaining Air Time.

I notice immediately that my older computer is a lot more conservative – it generally reads 2m deeper and gave me 2 minutes decompression whereas the Vyper Air was clear. I don’t find this a problem – it will be a good computer to follow when I am diving with students – or guiding. However, I have set deepstops on the Vyper Air to up the conservatism a little.

Changing the computers settings is very easy – using the same select/mode buttons that have been appearing on console and wrist mounted Suunto computers for a while now. If you are unsure of how to change the settings, the date or calibrate the compass, the manual is well written with images detailing the screens you should expect to see.

Over the weekend my primary gas mix varied from an EANx32 down to a basic air fill. I simply used Nitrox Mode and altered my mixtures between 21% and 32%. I did not see the point in switching back to air mode and I will probably leave it like this. It reminds me to check my mixes and to make sure that my computer is reading the same as the check I have just completed on my tanks.

It does seem a shame that Suunto are not catering to the Mac users for Dive Log software – especially for a wireless transmitter enabled dive computer.
I have spent some time researching alternatives online and having a look at what other Suunto owners are using. Installing Microsoft Windows and dual booting was not an option for me, and I wanted to be able to use the data I already had saved in my previous electronic dive log (JDiveLog).

I have selected MacDive as my free electronic dive log.

So far, I have not been able to merge the two log files, but I am happy with the profile information that MacDive gives me and I cannot see it being any more work to maintain the data however if anyone has suggestions – let me know!

You need to download and install the USB/Serial drivers before you install the MacDive software. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

*Dive Software for Mac*

Dive Log Sofware – http://thedoorisajar.org/macdive/

USB and Serial Port Drivers – http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

Related Pages

• Suunto Vyper Air
• Suunto Helo2
• Christmas Sale
• Suunto Cobra3

The Suunto Cobra3 is engineered for avid divers and features Suunto’s all new electronic 3D compass and an easy-to-read matrix display with simplified four-button operation.

The Cobra3’s new electronic 3D compass offers divers the unique ability to tilt the compass up to 45 degrees in any direction without impairing the ability to read figures clearly and accurately.

With two-gas switching Nitrox, Air, and Gauge modes, this air-integrated computer delivers everything you need to maximize bottom time and make the most of every dive.

Going beyond the numbers, the Suunto Cobra3 graphs your dive profile with an informative matrix display and its built-in dive simulator allows you to test potential dives without getting your fins wet.

The Suunto Cobra3 is a full-featured decompression dive computer with air integration.
It monitors and displays pressure, tracks your rate of air consumption and continuously calculates your remaining air time.

The Suunto Cobra3 also provides visual and audible alarms for depth and pressure and warns you when you’re running low on air so that you are free to focus on the dive.

The Suunto Cobra3 uses the Suunto Deep Stop RGBM algorithm, that features continuous decompression for optimal ascent time.

For deeper dives, the Deep Stop option adds further protection with a series of “deep stops” between your maximum depth and ceiling.

Related Pages

• Suunto Vyper Air
• Suunto Helo2
• Product Review : Suunto Vyper Air
• Dry Suit Rental

The Suunto Vyper Air is one of the newest additions to the Suunto family and includes optional wireless air integration and a technologically advanced electronic 3D compass.

With wireless air integration, the Suunto Vyper Air allows divers to monitor tank pressure and air consumption from the computer on your wrist.
The Vyper Air’s new electronic 3D compass has user adjustable time out and offers divers the unique ability to tilt the compass up to 45 degrees in any direction without impairing the ability to read figures clearly and accurately.

The Vyper Air includes Air, Nitrox and Gauge modes and gas switching.
For divers using enriched air, the Suunto Vyper Air can be programmed in one percent increments for nitrox mixtures between 21 and 100 percent oxygen. Divers can also adjust oxygen partial pressure between 0.5 and 1.6 in 0.1 unit increments.

Using the Suunto Deep Stop RGBM algorithm that features continuous decompression and optimal ascent time allows for deeper dives. The Deep Stop option adds further protection with a series of “deep stops” between a diver’s maximum depth and ceiling.

The Suunto Vyper Air also boasts a built-in dive simulator, allowing divers to test potential dives before dropping into the water. It also features large digits and a Matrix display that clearly shows critical dive information including dive profile graphs.
After the dive, you can download the data to your PC and easily maintain a detailed logbook.
The Suunto Vyper Air can be worn as a wrist unit with a protective boot, or mounted on a two gauge console.

Advanced Features of Suunto Vyper Air:

• Electronic 3D compass (user-adjustable time out)
• Matrix display
• 2 gas switching
• Optional wireless transmitter providing cylinder pressure and remaining air data
• Optional Deep Stop
• Dive profile displayed graphically on the screen
• Other Main Features:
• 3 operating modes (Air, Nitrox, Gauge)
• Complete decompression stop data
• Suunto Deep Stop RGBM
• 42 h logbook and profile memory*
• Lifetime history memory
• Profile memory bookmark
• USB compatible PC interface (optional)
• Multi step ascent rate indicator
• Personal adjustment
• Altitude adjustment 0-3000 m (0-10000 ft)
• Automatic safety stop countdown
• Extended decompression range (ceiling, floor)
• Built-in dive simulator
• Calendar clock
• Alarm clock
• Electroluminescent illumination (backlight)
• User-replaceable battery
• Depth display range 0-150 m (0-450 ft)
• Audible alarms
• Max. depth alarm
• Display shield and protective boot
• User-selectable metric or imperial units

Related Pages

• Suunto Cobra3
• Suunto Helo2
• Product Review : Suunto Vyper Air
• Dry Suit Rental

The Suunto HelO2 is the first dive computer from Suunto with full mixed
gas capability.

It is rated to 120 m/393 ft and incorporates the new Suunto Technical RGBM algorithm.

Based on the RGBM algorithm developed by
Dr. Bruce Wienke, widely recognized decompression scientist, the Suunto Technical RGMB algorithm extends decompression flexibility into the world
of technical diving.

The algorithm introduces helium tissue groups in the decompression model to enable trimix diving, as well as diving on air and nitrox.

It allows eight gases to be programmed as primary or secondary gases, and enables oxygen content of 8-100%, and helium content of 0-92%.
For the technical diver, the great benefit of the algorithm is that it provides more flexibility and reduces task load when  decompressing by removing the need to constantly monitor a slate and watch.

Sunnto Technical Dive Planner

The Suunto technical dive planner is an easy-to-use graphical planner for planning dive profiles, gases, and back-up plans.

The intuitive interface enables the diver to try different variations of depth, time, gases and partial pressures without having to continuously recalculate.

Suunto technical dive planner calculates all changes instantly and presents the results on on easy-to-read graph.
When ready, the diver can simply export the planned gases and other dive-critical information from PC to dive computer with the included USB cable – removing the need to copy all the calculations onto a slate.

Divers are also provided with gas mixing instructions for their planned dive, which they can print out and give to a dive shop if not mixing themselves.

The Suunto technical dive planner enables divers to plan dive series based on real dive profiles – not planned dive profiles – making the plans for later dives in the series more accurate and realistic.
The planner also allows divers to compare the planned dive and the and actual dive, helping them pinpoint future areas of improvement in both planning and diving.

To coincide with the release of Suunto HelO2, Suunto Dive Manager PC software has also been updated to support the analysis of up to eight gases, making it fully compatible with the new device.

Related Pages

• Suunto Vyper Air
• Christmas Sale
• Product Review : Suunto Vyper Air
• Dry Suit Rental