Finnish company Suunto is known worldwide for making high-end dive computers, and the Suunto Eon Steel lives up to the reputation of the company and the brand.
The rechargeable battery, Bluetooth capabilities, and support for up to 10 wireless pods help to make this dive computer robust enough for even the most advanced divers.
In this review, you will find out why the Eon Steel has won multiple awards, including 2015 Product of the Year from the Diver Awards, 2016 Best Dive Computer by TAUCHEN Awards, 2015 iF Design Award, and 2015 Most Innovative Product from Sport Diver Awards. As well as, our rating, what we like, and don’t like about the dive computer.
Manufacturer: Suunto
Overall Score:
9
View Product on Recommended Retailers Site:
Summary:
The Suunto Eon Steel is remarkable for its construction, and for its functions. The stainless steel design, vibrant color screen, and advanced technical capabilities make this dive computer essential for technical divers who want the very best equipment.
The ability to customize features and views make it a great choice for advanced divers who know exactly what they want in a dive computer and expect it to deliver.
Still Looking For The Right Dive Computer?
Find the right dive computer for your diving needs by checking out our top 10 list of the best dive computers on the market today.
Suunto EON Steel Review: Video
Below is a video overview of the Suunto Eon Steel by the guys over at SimplyScuba.com. In the video, you can get a closer look at some of the features and functions of the dive computer.
Suunto Eon Steel Review: Key Features
Vibrant Display
The large, bright, easy-to-read display can be worn on the left or right wrist and flipped for operation with either hand.
Long-life rechargeable battery
Charges in 4 hours and delivers 20-40 hours of dive time per charge.
Plan and log dives in DM5 and Movescount
Suunto DM5 software allows you to download your dive data for advanced analysis and detailed dive planning. Tag, organize, and compare dives in DM5 and the Movescount mobile app, adding pictures and maps for sharing.
Extreme Durability
Stainless steel bezel, robust construction, Xensation glass, and extensive testing with a guaranteed 150m depth make this dive computer extremely reliable and durable even in difficult conditions.
Advanced Capabilities
The proprietary algorithm maximizes bottom time, but also shows real-time gas consumption for those who want to monitor breathing rate and prolong dives. The Suunto Eon Steel features convenient wireless pairing with Suunto Tank PODs, and can monitor readings from 10 different transmitters with 10 different gases, with labeling fields for each diver. It also has custom setpoint capabilities and automatic switching.
Suunto EON Steel: Specs
Computer Type | Wrist |
Display Type | Color |
Air integration | |
Nitrox Compatible | |
Gas Switching | 10 Mixes |
PC Interface Compatible | USB and Bluetooth |
Integrated Compass | |
User Changeable Batteries | Rechargeable |
Free Dive Mode | |
Trimix Mode | |
Rebreather Mode |
Our Rating: Suunto EON Steel
How does it Stack up?
Design: 10
Attractive design, superb construction, highly durable machine. Easy to read, crisp display
Functionality: 10
This dive computer can do nearly everything a tech diver dreams of.
Ease-of-use: 8
A simple user interface definitely makes it easy to use and easy to understand.
Price: 8
It is expensive, but feature packed. You definitely get what you pay for.
What We Like
The Eon Steel impresses at first glance, with the large display, substantial weight, and quality construction. The bright display remains crystal clear and easy to read during a dive, and the rechargeable battery means you don’t have to worry about shortened downtimes due to the always-on LED.
The advanced customization features on the Eon Steel are impressive, and regular software updates continue to add new enhancements and refinements. Wireless pairing with the Suunto Tank PODs is fast and convenient.
What We Don’t Like
In designing a dive computer easy enough for newcomers and sophisticated enough for experienced divers, Suunto’s safety measures don’t quite hit the mark for either group. New divers find the many notifications, warnings, and alarms potentially overwhelming and confusing, and experienced divers find them too conservative and potentially limiting of dive times. It’s probable that some of these features are driven by a desire to reduce liability and comply with the strictest of safety standards, but the large number of warnings and alarms, and limited ability to customize them, can be a drawback for some users.
In addition, the tendency of the Suunto to react to an error by returning an error message and locking up for 48 hours offers less flexibility than other products, which will adapt to a failure to switch tanks or missing a deco ceiling by recalculating for current conditions.
Overall Score
9
View Product on Recommended Retailers Site..
Who Should Get the Suunto EON Steel?
The exceptional design and clean display of the Suunto Eon Steel make it easy to use, with a range of advanced features and customization options that make this dive computer powerful enough for even the most advanced divers. The Eon Steel will appeal in particular to technical divers who want advanced data and analysis of their dives. The excellent construction and durability, range of features, and ongoing software updates make the Eon Steel an investment in your dive kit that will last for years to come.
The Eon Steel might be too complicated for newcomers, with features and data that might become confusing or too much to manage. Many new divers don’t want to spend their time buried in a manual; they want to be diving.
Some advanced divers and instructors express frustration with the Suunto algorithm lock logic, finding the ascent calculations to be too conservative and the lockout to be too aggressive. For those who are already familiar with the Suunto RGBM algorithm and welcome its conservative behavior, the Eon Steel is an exceptional dive computer.
Unfortunately, all these technological advances and rich capabilities do come at a price. The Eon Steel is expensive enough to weed out buyers who don’t like the RGBM algorithm and who don’t need these exceptional features. And the fact that it requires updated tank pods that aren’t backward compatible with previous Suunto models is another factor in the price
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my old Suunto Transmitter work with the Suunto Eon Steel?
What type of batteries does it use?
Can I monitor my buddy's air supply as well?
The Bottom Line
The Suunto Eon Steel has everything an advanced technical or technically inclined diver needs, with a rugged design and vibrant display that won’t disappoint. For those divers who want these features from the team at Suunto, the Eon Steel is well worth the price. It’s a definite buy, if you can afford it.
