D4 or D6?

[TheRedDarren]

Hi guys.
I've just completed my ocean diver and having bought all the essential kit from the LIDS in march need to buy a few extras, including a decent computer.
I like to buy quality kit rather than skimp on spending and regret it later, so...
what would be a good computer for me to use in this country until the end of the summer (drysuit) when I will hopefully be going overseas for the winter (wetsuit) :)
I have looked at the Suunto D4 and D6 which look quite good but seem very similar, is the D6 worth the extra, have I overlooked something?
But recommendations from other users will be gratefulloy recieved :D

Thanks in advance,
Darren.

[Janos]

Suunto Gekko. Suunto Gekko. Suunto Gekko.

Anything else is a waste of money unless you are going into seriously fancy pants stuff. And by the time you're ready for that then it will be out of date.

So. Suunto Gekko. Suunto Gekko. Suunto Gekko.

Janos

[PeteM]

Suunto Gekko. Suunto Gekko. Suunto Gekko.

Anything else is a waste of money unless you are going into seriously fancy pants stuff. And by the time you're ready for that then it will be out of date.

So. Suunto Gekko. Suunto Gekko. Suunto Gekko.

Janos

What he said - remember that the internals of all Suunto computers are for all practical things identical

[Gordon]

Thirded.

G

[Michael Purcell]

I have a D9.
Wonderful peice of kit and a great toy.
Having said that there is nothing the Vytek doesn't do just as well.
(Sure the D9 has a compass...but not worthy of a primary compass)

The Gekko really is the ideal starting computer unless you have specific short-term goals that will use the features of the other offerings.

One thing I would point out. If there is someone you dive with on a regular basis it is a good idea to use a similar computer. Not necessary but can make life easier.

I have a Suunto D9 and my wife has a Mares Nemo. Let me tell you have have paid considerably for "cheaping out" on her computer. Slightly different implementations have lead to many a one-fingered salute from both sides. :)

[Phil Mauer]

Suunto Vytec!!

[AndyA]

Ive looked at them both side by side and the D6 seems a better quality build. As for the workings the D6 has a compass and gas switching, the D4 doesnt. There may be one or two other differences, I think there is a comparison chart on the suunto website.

[John Bantin]

D6 looks better on your arm if you use it as a day-to-day watch. Two mixes of nitrox per dive comes in useful. A choice of algorithms (RGBM100 or RGBM50) can be useful too if repeat diving with someone with a less cautious computer.
Gekko is a cheaper solution - and looks it.
(A Gekko owner probably wouldn't waste money buying his wife diamonds!)

[AndyDavis]

Can I remind contributors the the OP has only just passed his Ocean Diver course and, as such is unlikely to require such features as Gas Switching or the option to select more aggressive algorithms.

AS someone has already stated, the Gekko is the perfect entry level computer and covers all of your options until you head in the direction if accelerated decompression diving. By the time the OP has reached this level, there will probably be something newer and better on the market.

The only reason for a D4 or D6 at entry level is if someone has money to burn and/or they really want to wear it as a watch when not diving - although for the money involved they could buy a very nice watch and a Gekko.


(A Gekko owner probably wouldn't waste money buying his wife diamonds!)

Wheras a D9 owner couldn't afford them.....

[John Bantin]

Was not the question D4 or D6? Where did Gekko get mentioned by the OP? There are around 20 alternatives but I think he was asking about the difference between D4 and D6.
I'm surprised no-one suggested he got a good pair of water skis!

[Richard Whitcombe]

Don't see any harm in offering saner alternatives.

Gecko is nigh on perfect for a newly qualified diver. It does nitrox, it does computer download. It doesnt have a gauge mode or proper backlight but thats about it.

[John Bantin]

More than 12,000 Uwatec Galileo Sols have been sold. Suunto tells me they have sold D6 computers to the tune of five figures. The corollory of what you say means there are thousands of insane divers out there. Worried? I'm not!

[Richard Whitcombe]

Lots of people get easily impressed by unfounded claims and marketing hype and not just in diving so its not really a surprise that uwatecs little gimmick has generated a lot of sales.

[Ben Panter]

That's amazing! How many of the seiko/apeks quantum have gone out the door, or even more prevalent, the Gecko? (I'm genuinely interested)

Ben

[AndyA]

The way the gekko gets recommended as an alternative to everything on these forums you would think some people are on commission ;)

[Richard Whitcombe]

The way the gekko gets recommended as an alternative to everything on these forums you would think some people are on commission ;)

I dont even own one but recommend it :)