Suunto Gekko Instruction Manual
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Suunto Gekko Instruction Manual

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G E K K O
I N S T R U CT I O N M A N U A L
G e k k o
Valimotie 7
FIN-01510 Vantaa, Finland
Tel. +358 9 875 870
Fax +358 9 875 87301
www.suunto.com
www.suunto.com

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  • Page 1 G E K K O I N S T R U CT I O N M A N U A L G e k k o Valimotie 7 FIN-01510 Vantaa, Finland Tel. +358 9 875 870 Fax +358 9 875 87301 www.suunto.com www.suunto.com...
  • Page 2 EN 13319 EN 13319 “Diving accessories - Depth gauges and combined depth and time measuring devices - Functional and safety requirements, test meth- ods” is a European diving depth gauge standard. The GEKKO is designed to comply with this standard.
  • Page 3 ISO 9001 SUUNTO Oy’s Quality Assurance System is certified by Det Norske Veritas to be according to the ISO 9001 in all SUUNTO Oy’s operations (Quality Certifi- cate No. 96-HEL-AQ-220). SUUNTO Oy does not assume any responsibility for losses or claims by third parties, which may arise through the use of this device.

  • Page 4: Warnings

    WARNING! NOT FOR PROFESSIONAL USE! Suunto dive computers are intended for recreational use only. The demands of commercial or professional diving may expose the diver to depths and exposures that tend to increase the risk of decompression illness (DCI).
  • Page 5 WARNING! SUUNTO STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT SPORT DIVERS LIMIT THEIR MAXIMUM DEPTH TO 40 M [130 FT] OR TO THE DEPTH CAL- CULATED BY THE COMPUTER BASED ON THE SELECTED O % AND A MAXIMUM PO OF 1.4 BAR! WARNING! DIVES WITH REQUIRED DECOMPRESSION STOPS ARE NOT REC- OMMENDED.
  • Page 6 work (DAN) in chapter 3.5.3. “Flying After Diving”. There can never be a flying after diving rule that is guaranteed to completely prevent decompres- sion illness! WARNING! THE DIVE COMPUTER SHOULD NEVER BE TRADED OR SHARED BETWEEN USERS WHILE IT IS IN OPERATION! Its information will not apply to someone who has not been wearing it throughout a dive or sequence of repetitive dives.
  • Page 7 WARNING! SET THE CORRECT PERSONAL ADJUSTMENT MODE! Whenever it is believed that factors that tend to increase the possibility of DCI exist, it is recommended that you use this option to make the calculations more conser- vative. Failure to select the correct Personal Adjustment setting will result in erroneous dive and planning data.

  • Page 8: Table Of Contents

    2. GETTING ACQUAINTED ............. 12 2.1. FUNCTIONS ................12 2.2. PUSH BUTTONS ............... 12 2.3. WATER CONTACTS ..............14 3. DIVING WITH THE GEKKO ..........15 3.1 BEFORE DIVING ............... 15 3.1.1. Activation and Prechecks ............15 3.1.2. Battery Indication ..............17 3.1.2.1.
  • Page 9 5.4. WATER RESISTANCE INSPECTION ........47 5.5. BATTERY REPLACEMENT ............. 48 6. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION ..........52 6.1. OPERATING PRINCIPLES ............52 6.2. SUUNTO REDUCED GRADIENT BUBBLE MODEL (RGBM) ............... 54 6.3. OXYGEN EXPOSURE .............. 55 6.4. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ..........55 7.

  • Page 10: Introduction

    It is a signif- icant advance on the classic Haldane models, which do not predict free gas. The advantage of Suunto RGBM is additional safety through its ability to adapt to a variety of situations and dive profiles.

  • Page 11: Emergency Ascents

    If you have any questions about the manual or the dive computer, contact your SUUNTO dealer before diving with the dive computer. Always remember that YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SAFE- When used properly, the dive computer is an outstanding tool for assisting prop- erly trained, certified divers in planning and executing sport dives.
  • Page 12 However, when the gas mix is altered, the oxygen content of the mix is generally increased. This increase exposes the diver to an oxygen toxicity risk not usually considered in recreational diving. In order to manage this risk, the dive compu- ter tracks the time and intensity of the oxygen exposure and provides the diver with information to adjust the dive plan in order to maintain oxygen exposure within reasonably safe limits.

  • Page 13: Getting Acquainted

    2. GETTING ACQUAINTED 2.1. FUNCTIONS The Suunto GEKKO can be set to function as a regular air dive computer or as a nitrox dive computer. The GEKKO features two dive computer models (AIR, NITROX), three main operating modes (TIME/STAND-BY, SURFACE, DIVING), two menu based main modes (MEMORY, SET) and seven menu based submodes (review sepa- rate Quick Reference Guide).
  • Page 14 Press the SMART (MODE) button • To activate the dive computer. • To change from the Surface Mode to the menu based modes. • To select, confirm or quit a submode (short press). • To immediately exit any submode to the Surface Mode (long press).

  • Page 15: Water Contacts

    2.3. WATER CONTACTS The water contacts control the automatic activation of the Dive Mode. The water and data transfer contacts are located on bottom of the case (Fig 2.3). When submerged the water contacts are connected to the push buttons (which are the other pole of the water contact) by the conductivity of the water.

  • Page 16: Diving With The Gekko

    3. DIVING WITH THE GEKKO This section contains instructions on how to oper- DIVE CEILING ate the dive computer and interpret its displays. You AVGPO2 SURF STOP ASC TIME QUIT will find that this dive computer is easy to use and...
  • Page 17 At this time, perform your prechecks making sure that: • the instrument operates in the correct mode and provides a complete display (Air/ Nitrox modes) ° DIVE TIME • the low battery indicator is not on • the altitude and personal adjustment TIME settings are correct Fig 3.3.

  • Page 18: Battery Indication

    3.1.2. BATTERY INDICATION 3.1.2.1. Battery Power Indicator This dive computer has a unique graphic Battery Power Indicator designed to give you an advance notice of impending need to change the battery. The Battery Power Indicator can always be seen when the Dive Mode is activat- ed.

  • Page 19: Dive Planning [Plan]

    3.1.3. Dive Planning [PLAN] To enter Planning Mode, press the PLAN button at any time during Surface Mode. After showing the text “PLAN” (Fig. 3.5.), the display will show the no- decompression limit for the depth of 9 m [30 ft]. By pressing the down arrow (M) (TIME) button, the dive computer will calculate and show the next deeper no-decompression limits in 3 m [10 ft] increments ending at 45 m [150 ft].

  • Page 20: User Definable Functions And Alarms

    3.1.4. User Definable Functions and Alarms The GEKKO has several user definable functions and depth and time related alarms that you can set according to your personal preference. The dive computer model (Air/Nitrox) can be set in the MODE- SET- MODEL submode.

  • Page 21: Diving With The Gekko

    3.3. DIVING WITH THE GEKKO depth during this dive was 19.8 m [65 ft], water The GEKKO has two operating modes: Air mode for temperature is 18¡ C [64¡F], elapsed dive time is 16 diving with standard air only and Nitrox mode for minutes.

  • Page 22: Bookmark

    All information on the display is labeled (Fig. 3.6). During a no-decompression stop dive, the follow- ing information will be displayed: your present depth in meters [ft] NO DEC TIME the maximum depth during this dive in meters ° [ft], indicated as MAX DIVE TIME the available no-decompression time in minutes in the center window as NO DEC TIME and as...

  • Page 23: Consumed Bottom Time (Cbt)

    As your body absorbs more nitrogen, more seg- ments start to appear. Green Zone - As a safety precaution Suunto recommends you should maintain the no-decompression bar graph within the green zone. Segments start to appear when the available no-decompression time decreases below 100, 80, 60, 50, 40, 30 and 20 minutes.

  • Page 24: Decompression Dives

    When the maximum allowed ascent rate is exceed- ed, the fifth SLOW warning segment and the STOP sign appear and the depth reading starts to blink, indicating that the maximum ascent rate has been exceeded continuously or that the current ascent rate NO DEC TIME is significantly above the allowed rate.
  • Page 25 Rather than requiring you to make stops at fixed depths, the dive computer lets you to decompress CEILING within a range of depths (Continuous Decompres- STOP sion). The ascent time (ASC TIME) is the minimum ° DIVE TIME amount of time needed to reach the surface in a de- compression dive.
  • Page 26 In this case it will be more manageable to maintain an additional distance below the ceiling, to make sure that the waves do not lift you above the ceiling. Suunto recommends that decompression takes place deeper than 4 m [13 ft], even if the indicated ceiling is shallower.
  • Page 27 DISPLAY ABOVE THE FLOOR When you ascend above the floor, the ASC TIME CEILING display stops blinking and the upward pointing ar- STOP ASC TIME row disappears (Fig. 3.16.). Decompression will now begin, but is very slow. You should therefore con- tinue your ascent.

  • Page 28: Diving In Nitrox Mode

    3.4. DIVING IN NITROX MODE 3.4.1. Before Diving The GEKKO can be set for diving with standard air only (Air mode) or it can be set for diving with Enriched Air Nitrox (Nitrox mode). If you are educated for nitrox diving and you plan to make nitrox dives, it is recommended that you set the dive computer permanently to its NITROX Mode.

  • Page 29: Oxygen Displays

    NOTE As a safety precaution the oxygen calculations in the computer are made with an oxygen percentage of 1% + setO DEFAULT NITROX SETTINGS In the NITROX Mode, when set to standard air (21% ), the instrument can be used as an air dive com- Fig.

  • Page 30: Oxygen Limit Fraction (Olf)

    graph along the left side of the display (instead of the CBT). In Dive mode, the oxygen percentage labeled with % and the current oxygen toxicity exposure shown with an Oxygen Limit Fraction (OLF) bar graph are NO DEC TIME shown (Fig.

  • Page 31: At The Surface

    icity calculations are based on the factors listed in section 6.3. “Oxygen Exposure”. 3.5. AT THE SURFACE 3.5.1. Surface Interval ° DIVE TIME An ascent to any depth shallower than 1.2 m [4 ft] will cause the DIVING display to be replaced by Fig.

  • Page 32: Dive Numbering

    If set to Nitrox mode, the following information will also be shown: the oxygen percentage labeled with O2% is shown on the left side of the center window the current oxygen toxicity exposure shown ° TIME with an Oxygen Limit Fraction (OLF) bar graph along the left side of the display.
  • Page 33 Following any dive that required a decompres- sion stop, flying should be delayed for at least 24 hours, and if possible, for 48 hours. Suunto recommends that flying is avoided until all the DAN and UHMS guidelines and the dive computer wait to fly conditions are...

  • Page 34: Audible And Visual Alarms

    3.6. AUDIBLE AND VISUAL ALARMS The dive computer features audible alarms to advise when important limits are approached or to acknowledge preset alarms. A short single beep occurs, when: the dive computer is activated. when the dive computer automatically returns to the TIME mode. Three single beeps with a two second interval occurs, when: the no-decompression dive turns into a decompression stop dive.

  • Page 35: High Altitude Dives And Personal Adjustment

    the OLF bar graph reaches 100%. The blinking of the segments exceeding 80% will stop, when the OLF is not loading anymore. At that point the PO is less than 0.5 bar. Continuous beeps for 3 minutes occur, when: the set oxygen partial pressure limit is exceeded. The maximum depth is replaced with a current blinking PO value.

  • Page 36: Personal Adjustment

    Traveling to a higher elevation can temporarily cause a change in the equilibri- um of dissolved nitrogen in the body. It is recommended that you acclimate to the new altitude by waiting at least three hours before making a dive. 3.7.2.

  • Page 37: Error Conditions

    3.8. ERROR CONDITIONS The dive computer has warning indicators that alert the user to react to certain situations that would significantly increase the risk of DCI. If you do not re- spond to its warnings, the dive computer will enter an Error Mode, indicating that the risk of DCI has greatly increased.

  • Page 38: Menu Based Modes

    4. MENU BASED MODES To make yourself familiar with the menu based func- tions, please use your Quick Reference Guide sup- plied with the GEKKO together with the informa- QUIT tion in this chapter. The main menu based functions are grouped under OPTIONS 1) Memory and 2) Setting modes.

  • Page 39: Memory Functions [1 Memory]

    THE LIST OF THE MENU BASED MODES 1. MEMORY FUNCTIONS [1 MEMORY] QUIT 1. Logbook and Dive Profile Memory [1 LOGBOOK] OPTIONS 2. Dive History Memory [2 HISTORY] 3. PC Settings [3 PC SET] Fig. 4.4. Memory options. 2. SET MODES [2 SET] [3 MEMORY].

  • Page 40: Logbook And Dive Profile Memory [1 Logbook]

    4.1.1. Logbook and Dive Profile page 2 Memory [1 LOGBOOK] DIVE STOP ASC TIME This instrument has a very sophisticated high ca- QUIT pacity Logbook and Profile Memory, with a data recording interval of 30 seconds. Dives shorter than ° DIVE TIME the recording interval are not registered.
  • Page 41 Page II (Fig. 4.7.) • dive number in the dive series • maximum depth (NOTE! Due to lower resolution, the reading may differ from the maximum depth reading of the Dive History up to 0.3 m [1 ft].) • total dive time •...
  • Page 42 Press the SMART (Select) button once to change the scroll buttons to scroll the different dives for- DIVE ward and backward (Fig. 4.10.). Press the SMART (>Select) button again to change function of the scroll buttons back to scroll the different pages of SELECT TIME the selected dive.

  • Page 43: Dive History Memory [2 History]

    SELECT 4.1.3. PC Settings Mode [3 PC SET] Although the Gekko does not support PC-download, Fig. 4.14. Data Transfer the tissue calculations can be reset and all settings mode. [3 PC SET]. returned to factory defaults using a PC-Interface cable and special software.

  • Page 44: Set Modes [4 Set]

    4.2.1. Dive Computer Model Settings[1 SET MODEL ] Fig. 4.16 Set Model mode In the Model Setting mode the Gekko can be set to function in Air or Nitrox model. To enter the model settings select MODE- SET- MODEL (Fig. 4.16).

  • Page 45: Dive Time Alarm Setting

    4.2.2.1. Dive Time Alarm Setting The instrument has one Dive Time Alarm Setting, which can be used for several purposes to add to your diving safety. The alarm can be set, for exam- ple, to your planned bottom time. DIVE TIME Set the Dive Time alarm ON or OFF and the alarm time from 1 to 999 minutes.
  • Page 46 MODE- SET- SET ADJ (Fig. 4.24). The adjust- ments are altitude, personal and dive computer units The current Altitude and Personal Adjustment modes are shown when diving and at the surface. If the mode does not match the altitude or personal conditions (see section 3.7.

  • Page 47: Care And Maintenance

    SUUNTO dealer or distributor. • Should you detect scratches, cracks or other such flaws on the display that may impair its durability, have it replaced immediately by your SUUNTO dealer or distributor. • Check the spring bars holding the strap and the buckle for flaws. If the flexibility of the spring bars has reduced, have them replaced immediately by your SUUNTO dealer or distributor.

  • Page 48: Maintenance

    A leak must be corrected without delay, as moisture will serious- ly damage the unit, even beyond repair. SUUNTO does not take any responsibil- ity for damage caused by moisture in the dive computer, if the instructions of...

  • Page 49: Battery Replacement

    5.5. BATTERY REPLACEMENT NOTE! It is advisable to contact an authorized Suunto dealer for battery replacement. It is imperative that the change is made in a proper manner to avoid any leakage of water into the battery compartment or computer.
  • Page 50 Check for any traces of flooding, particularly between the beeper and the lid, or for any other damage. In case of a leak or any other damage, bring the dive computer to an authorized SUUNTO dealer or distributor for check and repair.
  • Page 51 11. Reinstall the battery retainer in its correct position. 12. Check that the new lubricated O-ring is in good condition. Put it in the right position on the battery compartment. Be very careful not to get any dirt on the o-ring or its sealing surfaces. 13.
  • Page 52 Complete Strap (V5841) Securing Ring (V5844) Short Strap with buckle (V5836) Battery Compartment Lid with buzzer (V5843) Spring Bar O-Ring (K5588) (K5664) Battery Retainer Long Strap (V5842) (K5592) Battery (K5597) Fig. 5.1 Instrument parts. The code after the name stands for spare part order number. Fig.

  • Page 53: Technical Description

    6. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION 6.1. OPERATING PRINCIPLES NO-DECOMPRESSION LIMITS The no-decompression limits displayed by the dive computer for the first dive to a single depth (see Table 6.1. and Table 6.2.), are slightly more conservative than those permitted by the U.S. Navy tables. TABLE 6.1.
  • Page 54 TABLE 6.2. NO-DECOMPRESSION TIME LIMITS (MIN) FOR VARIOUS DEPTHS [FT] FOR THE FIRST DIVE OF A SERIES ALTITUDE DIVING The atmospheric pressure is lower at high altitudes than at sea level. After traveling to a higher altitude, the diver will have additional nitrogen in his body, compared to the equilibrium situation at the original altitude.

  • Page 55: Suunto Reduced Gradient Bubble Model (Rgbm)

    It is a significant advance on the classical Haldane models, which do not predict free gas (microbubbles). The advantage of Suunto RGBM is additional safety through its ability to adapt to a wide variety of situations. Suunto RGBM addresses a number of diving circumstances outside the range of just dissolved gas models by:...

  • Page 56: Oxygen Exposure

    6.3. OXYGEN EXPOSURE The oxygen exposure calculations are based on currently accepted exposure time limit tables and principles. In addition to this the dive computer uses several methods to conservatively estimate the oxygen exposure. These include for ex- ample: the displayed oxygen exposure calculations are upped to the next higher percentage value for recreational scuba diving, the recommended upper limit of 1.4 bar PO is used as a default...
  • Page 57 Maximum depth of operation: 80 m [262 ft] (complying with EN 13319). Accuracy: ± 1% of full scale or better from 0 to 80 m [262 ft] at 20°C [68°F] (complying with EN 13319). Depth display range: 0 … 99,9 m [328 ft]. Resolution: 0.1 m from 0 to 99,9 m [1 ft from 0 to 328 ft].
  • Page 58 NOTE! Do not leave the dive computer in direct sunlight! Tissue Calculation Model Suunto RGBM algorithm (developed by SUUNTO and Bruce R. Wienke, BS, MS and PhD). 9 tissue compartments. Tissue compartment halftimes: 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 120, 240 and 480 minutes (on gassing).
  • Page 59 The quality of the battery (some lithium batteries may exhaust unexpect- edly, which cannot be tested in advance). The time the dive computer has been stored until it gets to the customer. The battery is installed into the unit at the factory. NOTE! Low temperature or an internal oxidation of the battery may cause the battery warning even though the battery has enough capacity.

  • Page 60: Warranty

    The claim will be honored and the product repaired or replaced at no charge and returned in what your Suunto dealer or distributor deter- mines a reasonable amount of time, provided all necessary parts are in stock. All repairs made, not covered under the terms of this warranty, will be made at the owner’s expense.

  • Page 61: Suuntosports.com

    My Suunto The My Suunto section of the site is meant for your personal information. You can store information about yourself, your Suunto computer, your sporting and training activities, etc. When you upload your personal logs to SuuntoSports.com they are...

  • Page 62: Getting Started

    You can also publish your logs and compare them with other users’ logs. The My Suunto section also contains a personal calendar that you can use to mark personal events and other useful information.

  • Page 63: Glossary

    9. GLOSSARY A dive made at an elevation greater than 300 m Altitude dive [1000 ft] above sea level. Ascent rate The speed at which the diver ascends toward the surface. ASC RATE Abbreviation for ascent rate. The minimum amount of time needed to reach the Ascent time surface on a decompression stop di Abbreviation for ascent time.
  • Page 64 Dive series A group of repetitive dives between which the dive computer indicates some nitrogen loading is present. When nitrogen loading reaches zero the dive computer deactivates. Elapsed time between leaving the surface to descend, Dive time and returning to the surface at the end of a dive. Abbreviation for equivalent air depth.
  • Page 65 Oxygen Limit Fraction A term used by SUUNTO for the values displayed in the Oxygen Toxicity bargraph. The value is either the CNS% or the OTU%. Oxygen percentage or oxygen fraction in the breathing gas. Standard air has 21% oxygen.
  • Page 66 QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE Printed in Finland 06.2003 / Esa Print Oy / 130578...

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