The Suunto D4I Novo is an upgrade to Suunto’s popular D4i Dive Computer Watch, with a few feature upgrades. The Novo is sleeker and more stylish than the original D4I, and has a comfortable silicone band, making it even more appealing for daily wear as a watch.
It’s clear from the bright colors and integrated ability to display time in two different time zones that it’s meant to be a vacation watch, keeping you company on a beach holiday, in and out of the water.
The ability to turn it off is helpful in that scenario, so it won’t turn on in the water of a pool or when engaging in non-diving sports, recording false dives.
Freedivers and skin divers love the D4I Novo for its compact size and ease of use, and it’s a great all-around dive computer for beginner to intermediate divers. However, the price point is a bit expensive for a dive computer that doesn’t have a compass and doesn’t have a replaceable battery.
Manufacturer: Suunto
Overall Score:
8.3
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Summary:
The Suunto D4i Novo Dive Computer is a great looking, watch-sized dive computer, that packs all the features of a more conventional dive computer in a lightweight compact package. It features Air, Nitrox, and a dedicated Freediving mode for those who are serious about apnea diving, as well as wireless air integration. The user interface is easy to understand the dot-matrix screen is clean and easy to read. A great choice for active divers who want to wear their dive computer all the time.
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Suunto D4i Novo Review: Video
The Suunto D4i Novo is a great all-around dive computer watch and in the video below done by SimplyScuba.com, you can see why. In the video, you can get a closer look at most of the dive computer features and how easy it is to operate.
Suunto D4i Novo Review: Key Features
Despite its compact size, the Suunto D4i Novo offers all the features you would expect from a standard dive computer. Below are some of the features we think makes this watch-sized dive computer stand out from its competitors.
Stylish and Comfortable
Lightweight, comfortable, fashionable design in a range of colors. One of the key features of the D4I Novo is that it doubles as a daily wear watch. In that respect, it has all the features you would look for in a watch, with a sleek style, comfortable silicone band, and a range of colors for every style.
Solid Dive Computer Features
Easy to read display tracks and notifies divers of dive time, compression time, current and maximum depth, and other critical information is right at your wrist. Four diving modes, apnea timer, and optional wireless air integration make this an excellent dive computer for a range of divers.
Optional Air Integration
No more chasing hoses and consoles to find out your cylinder pressure. The optional wireless air integration on the D4i allows you to easily track current tank pressure and remaining air time with a quick glance at your wrist, along with other critical information, giving you more time to truly enjoy your dive.
Dedicated Freediving Mode
The Suunto D4i Novo is also the perfect freediving computer if you’re serious about apnea diving. Because freedivers move faster through the water, the D4i Novo can be programmed to sample your depth three times per second, allowing for highly accurate data and true depth reached.
Suunto D4i Novo Review: Specs
Computer Type | Watch |
Display Type | Partial Dot Matrix |
Air integration | |
Nitrox Compatible | |
Gas Switching | No |
PC Interface Compatible | USB Cable |
Integrated Compass | |
User Changeable Batteries | |
Free Dive Mode | |
Trimix Mode | |
Rebreather Mode |
Our Suunto D4i Novo Rating
How does it Stack up?
Design: 8
It's sporty and stylish while still being incredibly useful. Silicone bands are very comfortable and dry quick out of water. However, the screen might be too small for aging eyes.
Functionality: 8
It all the functions you would expect from a mid-price dive computer like Air, Nitrox, and even a dedicated Freediving mode. However, it lacks some more advanced features as well as Integrated compass. .
Ease-of-use: 9
The new 4 button user interface makes setting up and using the dive computer very easy. However, the small buttons on the computer might be hard to press while wearing thick gloves.
Price: 8
The D4i Novo is reasonably priced for a mid-Level dive computer and what it can offer. It is a great buy if you can afford it.
What We Like
We love that the D4I Novo combines all the necessary features of a good, reliable dive computer into a compact and attractive wristwatch. It’s the perfect accessory for a scuba vacation, or for those lucky enough to live a full-time diving lifestyle.
The menu system is very intuitive. you can grasp the key operations of the computer with only a few minutes of use. The four-button user interface also makes navigating options and setting simple.
We were also impressed with the display. Although it’s small compared to a full-sized diver computer, you can still clearly read the large digits on the dot-matrix display.
What We Don’t Like
We didn’t like there is no ability to use multiple functions at the same time. For example, If you have the stopwatch activated, you cannot scroll through a menu.
There is also no integrated compass, something we can easily forgive since the dive computer is in the mid-price range.
Changing batteries can also be a hassle since the batteries are not user-changeable. Battery replacement must be done by a professional or void the warranty.
Overall Score
8.3
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Who Should Buy The Suunto D4i Novo
The Suunto D4I Novo is for everyday recreational divers, free divers, and for those who dive so frequently that it makes sense to combine a dive computer and a watch for everyday wear.
Suunto D4i Novo: FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the wireless air interaction work with older Suunto tank transmitters?
Does it warn you if you ascend from your dive too fast?
Is the wireless transmitter included?
The Bottom Line
Suunto makes exceptional dive computers, known around the world for their high quality and durability. The D4I Novo is an attractive dive computer and a nice upgrade for the popular original D4I.
My D4i diving computer’s button on the top right fell off while I was diving So water went inside the watch and ruined the computer. Beware of Suunto, low quality and very slow customer support. Never buying anything from this brand again. Which respectable company has buttons fall off their watches?? Now they want me to ship to Finland, pay shipping, pay for diagnosis and for replacing the watch. No thanks, I’ll buy another new watch for the same amount of money from another better and more respectable brand with better quality…