Suunto Cobra 3 Air Integrated Computer

2022-12-31T12:15:45

I have owned my Suunto Cobra 3 for about 6 years with 50 dives on it. I?m a rec diver, mostly fresh water and take very good care of my gear. Had the battery serviced a couple of times at my local dive shop in Toronto. Recently the depth sensor starting providing erratic readings. I tried contacting Suunto in Canada (a very frustrating process) only to be told mine is out of warranty - which I expected. I didn?t expect to be told it can?t be fixed but they would give me 20% a new one. How generous?. I have also learned that there is a class action suit against Suunto in Ontario. Although both sides have agreed on a settlement, I can?t find out what it is other than Suunto will add me to the claim and consider looking at my Cobra. Did I miss something. I have another Suunto product , a watch, which has had the strap replaced 3 times. I finally just tossed it. I am sure there are other companies who want my business which have a greater customer focus. I?m done with Suunto?

Peter B.

2021-09-30T14:02:42

Suunto Cobra3 Air Integrated with QR hose is a great computer, absolutely love the quick release so I can take my computer with me after boat trips while still leaving most of the gear on the boat for the next day. I?ve been diving Suunto since i started buying all my own equipment in 2011! Still have my first computer Viper console and no issues other than having to change the batteries. Highly recommend

PATRICIA S.

2021-07-12T16:43:02

Excellent Dive Computer. Just upgraded to this model after using the original for many years.

Joseph K.

2021-05-06T12:04:10

It is a dependable computer, but I suggest getting the one with the quick disconnect air hose. The reason is some operators want you to leave your gear on the boat if your are diving the next day. The operator will wash your gear in place. Take your computer and leave the rest of your gear on board. If you leave your computer and the connection that is water activated gets wet it will run the battery down.

JEFFREY L.

2019-11-01T14:42:56

A little tricky to use, definitely not an entry level computer, but good display & lots of capabilities! No regrets :)

ERIKA P.

2019-05-26T23:01:30

Just recently had my Cobra 3 go into a non-stop beeping in a simulated dive mode, and I can't stop it without removing the battery. The problem, the water pressure sensor apparently goes bad. Suunto said, sorry, it is irreparable! Really! I've always taken care of my gear, and when it goes bad, the manufacturer says sorry, can't fix it. I can fix it. I'll NEVER purchase another Suunto brand ANYTHING ever again!

TIMOTHY H.

2018-10-24T20:00:00

Then it had accuracy issues with depth and stops. When I contacted Suunto - they immediately took care of the problem and that speaks volumes about a company. Kudos Suunto.

grieker

Originally posted at

2018-04-03T20:00:00

I recommend it. If I had to find a fault it would be that the bleeps are a little faint underwater. Air integration is a brilliant feature and gives you accurate air time left readings. Nitrox levels are easily adjusted before dives. Robust case. Easy to read dial. It can also be used without the hose attached as a stand alone computer if you're travelling light and don't want to take your regs/hose on a dive trip.

SteveBlakemore

Originally posted at

2018-01-12T19:00:00

It's an excellent all-in-one tool including a compass and air integration - conveniently all in one instrument. It does everything it's designed to do but it takes a few dives to familiarise with the functions and readouts and maybe I'm just a slow learner, but when you're underwater you can't refer back to the manual, although divers already familiar with the Suunto interface shouldn't have any issue. Due to my deteriorating eyesight - even with reader lenses in my dive mask - I struggle to read the smaller digits. For people with good eyesight, this won't be a problem. Cons: The plastic protective screen cover scratches very easily when your gear is being handled and is a nightmare to remove or insert. When it gets badly scratched, you will eventually have to change it to continue to clearly see the display - at your own cost and they're not cheap. The Cobra is attached to your first stage regulator with a hose, so you have to find a happy place for it where it's easy to reach. Standard hose clips are too wide to fit the thinner hose that's supplied with this computer. Most people will probably pass it through their BCD waist strap so it lies against the stomach but I find this position a little too short for quick and easy reach. I usually just leave it to dangle loose in front of me or hold it with my left hand but it's extra work making sure it doesn't fall by the wayside or dangle along underneath, damaging the reef below. I always dive with a big camera housing and I don't need the extra hassle of constantly worrying about where to place my computer. In conclusion it's an excellent instrument and certainly other people whose bodies are built different to mine won't have the same positional or visual issues that I have. It works with my iMac but not particularly well and I really wish Suunto could fix that.

raoulcos

Originally posted at

2017-09-03T09:32:52

I been using for about 4 years now, computer works good and love the air integration. I don't trust the built in compass so I added a real compass to my console. But the cobra3 has issues downloading, when new it took about 2 to 4 hours for the DM5 software to down load my dive information, just thought it was still wet. Over the last several months it has been taking a week or longer connected to the computer to down load. Called Suunto tech support an said its a know issue and finally gave up waiting for them to fix. Found third party dive software (Subsurface) for free and now I can download within 1 minute every time I connect, and the software is so much better. So sad that Suunto cant provide software that works with there own computer that works. I'm giving this one to my wife and just bought my self a Shearwater Perdix AI and LOVE this computer, the on board compass is amazing, so easy to see the display even in low light conditions.

HERBERT R.

2016-05-02T15:29:38

I have 3 Cobra 2's and love them. Both are over 10 yrs old. I got the C3 for the small profile (digital compas). Right off, the tank pressure was never displayed as a default - had to toggle to it via button, which is annoying. After about 10 hrs of use, the software crashed. Stays in dive mode all the time with warnings to ascend to a 250' ceiling - and buttons are useless. Have to remove battery to shut it up. Compass is fixed and won't calibrate. Dealer says this is common for these units at about 4-5 yrs old no matter how much use and the Mfg. will do nothing. The program itself is fantastic, albeit extremely more conservative than any of the 4 other brands I have. For the price, I expect this to last longer so I'll never buy another.

MIKE S.

2014-08-31T20:00:00

Great delivery time

David M.

2014-08-23T20:00:00

I think this is an excellent instrument with great customer support; it is a bit complicated to access the different menus at first. I changed the battery once with no problems - the second time I changed it, I inadvertantly pinched the o-ring (as another reviewer stated) and it flooded on the first dive - however, Suunto service was able to repair it for $200 (it was out of warranty). OTOH, the compass remains a mystery to me!

bubbycasey

2014-08-12T20:00:00

Delivery was within expected dates and, so far, customer service has been cooperative in handling the return and credit.

Tom

2014-06-10T20:00:00

I lost my D6i a few weeks ago. Realized I was not responsible enough to have a wrist computer. Now that I have a hose integrated computer I will not have to worry about losing it again. The great thing about changing over is that the cobra's functions are exactly the same as the D6i.This allowed me the freedom of not having to be educated on a new computer.Being that I am a cold water diver I loved how the buttons were large.I wear 5 mm gloves and it was always hard to press buttons underwater on the D6i.

Puget W.

2014-01-26T19:00:00

Good purchase, good price, everything works well…

andresladoa

2012-03-28T20:00:00

clear view, easy to change screens, Still need to work on accessing the planner and quick look at the reccomended surface interval

Dave d.

2011-06-02T20:00:00

Spent a week in Cozumel right after I purchased this. I used the 50% RGBM. It worked great and was similar in dive times/No Decompression times as other computers. I had a variety of computers to compare with my friends I was diving with. We all had very similar data. The 50% RGBM is a great improvement for the Suunto Cobra 3 if you want a less liberal computer. Depth seemed to be accurate within 1ft. of all other computers in my party. I say this because some have their computers at chest level, while others have theirs at waist level. The quick disconnect is a great feature, especially if you need to remove your computer to keep it out of the sun. I don't like to keep my computer in the sun for extended periods of time, so it is easier to just remove it temporarily without removing your complete rig from your tank. After I was able to purchase the download cable, the data was a smooth transition from the Cobra 3 to my laptop for a more indepth look at the dive data.

TRAVIS P.

2010-11-21T19:00:00

Delivery was extremely fast. I was amazed that it arrived in about a week after ordering it, considering that I'm at an FPO address. Usually our stuff takes forever. Definitely happy with the service that I've received for the last 2 major orders I've placed.

GARY H.

2010-10-18T20:00:00

Warm water

Rubens V.

2010-06-19T20:00:00

IT TOOK FORTY TRIES TO CALIBRATE COMPASS,...REALLY, THE PRESSURE READOUT IS TO SMALL FOR ME(I DO USE READING GLASSES)ALSO IT IS LOCATED NEAR THE PROTECTIVE COVER,BLOCKING THE VIEW OF THE PRESSURE READOUT WHEN HELD AT CERTAIN ANGLES,THIS PRODUCT MAY WORK FOR MANY AS FOR ME ..NO

THORFX

2010-06-06T20:00:00

The tables used are way to Conservative. We have a Sherwood Wisdom that is easier to read & operate. not as many functions. Using them side by side on 22 Dives in Bonaire the Suunto went in to a decompression mode way to soon. Then it would not let me dive in the AIR mode until it was out of the water for 24 hours. The Wisdom said we were fine. We keep diving for 4 days after that with no problems using the Wisdom as the reference & computer. If you want the Computer to cut your diving SHORT Buy the Suunto. Not for me. We dive 3-4 dives a day. The Suunto said no fly for 18 hours longer than the Wisdom. We flew a 6 hours flight & were home for 6 Hours before the Suunto said we could fly.

1973Diver

2010-02-28T19:00:00

This is a great dive computer. It has all the functions you would need, then some. It is perfect for the rec diver, and has the ability to do full deco if you loose track of time. If you want to be a safe diver, the Cobra 3 is the computer for you.

Cephasiii

2010-02-16T19:00:00

GREAT 3D COMPASS

DRAGON S.

2010-01-26T19:00:00

This is, by far, the most complicated dive computer I have ever seen or used. Suunto factory service also leaves much to be desired. If you want something that is easy to operate, look at a computer that has no more than 2 buttons. There are many computers that can run circles around the Suunto and are MUCH easier to program and operate.

hunter

2009-11-18T19:00:00

With navigation it is the best. With it 45 degree angle makes it much easier to read.

Q

2009-10-08T20:00:00

Best computer you can get

PAUL T.