Suunto Spyder User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Spyder
Dive Computers

2
0
0
m
/
6
6
0
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t
Fig. 1.1 Quick reference quide
NO DECTIME
SURF TIME
R
MAX DIVE TIM
m
°F°C
m
ft
MAX
ft
AVG
Low Battery Warning
Mode text
Maximum Depth during Diving
Temperature
Day of the week
Stopwatch
Personal Adjustment
High Altitude Mode
Do Not Fly Icon
Daily Alarm On Indicator
Present Depth
Maximum Depth
at the Surface
Average Depth
in the Logbook Mode
Fast Ascent Warning (SLOW)
Arrows:
- Decompression Stop
at the Ceiling Depth
- Ascent Recommended
- Must descent
Dive Time
Current Time during Diving
Dive Counter
Month and Day
Seconds
Stopwatch
Multifunctional Bar Graph:
- Mode Indicator
- Ascent Rate Indicator
- Battery Power Indicator
Multifunctional Bar Graph:
- Mode Indicator
- Reverse No-Decompression
Time
Depth Alarm On Indicator
AM/PM Indicator
Time Display
Surface Interval / No Flying Time
No-Decompression Time
Ceiling Depth / Total Ascent Time
Decompression Dive Icon
Plus (+) Button
Mode Button
Backlight Button
Select Button
Minus (-) Button
Water Contact
Depth Sensor
Serial number on the case back

1
SUUNTO SPYDER
ADVANCED COMPUTER WATCH
The Suunto Spyder Advanced Computer Watch is a true multi-
level dive computer. The Spyder features:
Advanced Watch Functions
·complete calendar clock, also during diving
·stop atch ith elapsed time and split time measurement
·alarm clock
Advanced Dive Computer Functions
·personal adjustability
·altitude adjustability
·continuous decompression
·ascent rate indicator and arnings
·visual and audible alarms
·complete memory capabilities including a 36-hour profile
memory
·planning mode for dive planning before and bet een dives
·user definable display field
·electroluminescent illumination
·battery po er indicator and lo battery arning
·PC-Interface capability
All the advanced features of the Spyder are bound in a durable
high-quality metal case.

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MENUS AND OPERATION
Fig. 1.2 Menus of the Spyder

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DEFINITION OF WARNINGS, CAUTIONS AND NOTES
Throughout this manual, special references are made hen deemed important.
Three classifications are used to separate these references by their order of
importance.
WARNING is used in connection ith a procedure or situation that may result
in serious injury or death.
CAUTION is used in connection ith a procedure or situation that ill result in
damage to the product.
NOTE is used to emphasize important information.
COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK AND PATENT NOTICE
This instruction manual is copyrighted and all rights are reserved. It may not, in whole or in part, be
copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to any media without prior written consent
from SUU TO.
SUU TO, Spyder, Lux, ACW (Advanced Computer Watch), ACW Dive Log, User Definable Display
Field, Continuos Decompression and their logos are all registered or unregistered trademarks of
SUU TO. All rights are reserved.
Patents have been issued or applied for one or several features of this product.
CE
The CE mark is used to mark conformity with the European Union EMC directive 89/336/EEC. The
SUU TO dive instruments fulfill all the required EU directives.
ISO 9001
SUU TO Oys Quality Assurance System is certified by Det orske Veritas to be according to the
ISO 9001 in all SUU TO Oys operations (Quality Certificate o. 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.
Due to continuous product development the Spyder is subject to change without notice.

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WARNING!
ONLY DIVERS TRAINED IN THE PROPER USE OF SCUBA EQUIP-
MENT SHOULD USE THE SPYDER! No dive computer can replace the
need for proper dive training. Insufficient or improper training may cause
diver to commit errors that may lead to serious injury or death.
WARNING!
READ THIS MANUAL! Carefully read this instruction manual in its en-
tirety, including Section 2, For Your Safety. Make sure that you fully
understand the use, displays and limitations of the Spyder. Any confusion
resulting from improper use of this device may cause diver to commit errors
that may lead to serious injury or death.
WARNING!
NOT FOR PROFESSIONAL USE! SUUNTO dive computers are intended
for recreational use only. The demands of commercial or professional div-
ing often expose the diver to depths and prolonged exposures including
multiday exposures that tend to increase the risk of decompression sickness. There-
fore, SUUNTO specifically recommends that the Spyder is not used for commercial
or other severe diving activity.
WARNING!
PERFORM PRECHECKS! Al ays check the Spyder before diving in order
to ensure that all LCD segments are completely displayed, that the Spyder
has not run out of battery po er, and that the altitude and personal adjust-
ment mode is correct.

5
WARNING!
USE BACK-UP INSTRUMENTS! Make sure that you use back-up instru-
mentation including a depth gauge, submersible pressure gauge, timer or
atch, and have access to decompression tables henever diving ith the
Spyder.
WARNING!
NO DIVE COMPUTER WILL PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF DE-
COMPRESSION SICKNESS (DCS)! All divers must understand and accept
that there is no procedure or dive computer that ill totally prevent the
possibility of a decompression accident. For example, the individual physi-
ological make up can vary ithin an individual from day to day. The dive
computer cannot account for these variations. As an added measure of
safety, you should consult a physician regarding your fitness before diving
ith the Spyder. Decompression sickness can cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION!
ENSURE THE WATER RESISTANCE OF THE DEVICE! Ensure the a-
ter resistance of the device by servicing the push buttons and protective
seals every t o years. Avoid operating the push buttons unnecessarily un-
der ater. Al ays check the ater resistance of the device hen replacing
the battery. Moisture inside the device ill seriously damage the unit. Bat-
tery replacement and other service activities should be done only by an
authorized SUUNTO dealer or distributor.

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1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... 8
. IMPORTANT INFORMATION .................................................................... 8
.2 KEY FEATURES .............................................................................................. 0
.3 FUNCTIONS AND THE USE OF THE PUSH BUTTONS ........................
.4 GETTING STARTED ...................................................................................... 2
.5 METRIC AND IMPERIAL UNITS ............................................................... 3
2. FOR YOUR SAFETY ................................................................ 4
2. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS .............................................................................. 4
3. TIME MODE .............................................................................. 20
3. TIMEKEEPING DISPLAY .............................................................................. 2
3.2 STOPWATCH ................................................................................................. 22
4. DIVING WITH THE SPYDER ................................................. 24
4. USE OF PUSH BUTTONS AND WATER CONTACT ............................... 25
4.2 BEFORE DIVING ............................................................................................ 26
4.2. Activation, Prechecks and Battery Warning ............................................. 26
4.2.2 Dive Planning ............................................................................................. 3
4.2.3 Example Dive - For Easy Learning ........................................................... 33
4.2.4 Presetting Displays and Alarms ............................................................... 33
4.3 DIVING ............................................................................................................. 37
4.3. Basic Dive Data ......................................................................................... 37
4.3.2 Reverse No-decompression Time Bar Graph .......................................... 38
4.3.3 Ascent Rate Indicator ................................................................................ 39
4.3.4 Audible and Visual Alarms ........................................................................ 4
4.3.5 Decompression dives ................................................................................ 42
TABLE OF CONTENTS

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4.4 AT THE SURFACE .......................................................................................... 47
4.4. Surface Interval .......................................................................................... 47
4.4.2 Flying After Diving ................................................................................... 49
4.5 HIGH ALTITUDE DIVES AND PERSONAL ADJUSTMENT .................. 5
4.6 ERROR CONDITIONS ................................................................................... 55
5. SETTING MODE ....................................................................... 56
5. SETTING TIME AND DATE ........................................................................ 57
5.2 DAILY ALARM SETTING ............................................................................. 59
5.3 DEPTH ALARM SETTING ........................................................................... 6
5.4
ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENT AND PERSONAL ADJUSTMENT SETTING ....... 62
6. MEMORIES AND DATA TRANSFER ..................................... 65
6. LOGBOOK AND DIVE PROFILE MEMORY ............................................. 66
6.2 DIVE HISTORY MEMORY ........................................................................... 7
6.3 DATA TRANSFER AND PC-INTERFACE .................................................. 72
7. CARE AND MAINTENANCE ................................................. 74
7. CARE OF YOUR ADVANCED COMPUTER WATCH .............................. 74
7.2 MAINTENANCE ............................................................................................ 75
7.3 WATER RESISTANCE INSPECTION ........................................................... 76
8. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION .................................................. 76
8. OPERATING PRINCIPLES ............................................................................ 76
8.2 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION .................................................................... 82
9. WARRANTY ............................................................................. 84
1 . GLOSSARY .............................................................................. 86

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1. INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your choice of the SUUNTO Spyder Advanced Computer
Watch. The Spyder is a compact and most sophisticated dive instrument that will
give you years of trouble-free and joyful diving. The Spyder Advanced Computer
Watch ill provide you ith important information that you ill need during,
bet een, and after your dives.
1.1 IMPORTANT INFORMATION
NEVER test the Spyder in a pressure chamber. Only authorized SUUNTO service
personnel may test the Spyder and make test dives in a pressure chamber, as it
requires special equipment and training.
Battery
Battery life of the Spyder is about 1.5 years hen used as a atch. Diving, alarms
and use of the backlight shorten the battery life. Note, that the battery loaded at the
factory may discharge during the shipment and storage. Temperature affects the
battery voltage. If the Spyder is stored at lo temperatures (particularly belo
freezing point), the lo battery arning may be displayed even though the battery
has enough capacity in armer conditions. The battery should be replaced only by
an authorized SUUNTO dealer or distributor.
Water Resistance
This device ill ithstand the ingress of ater at the static pressure of 20 ATM
(200 m [660 ft]). Note, ho ever, that dynamic pressure generated by movement
under ater is greater than static pressure.

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Depth Sensor
The built-in depth sensor of the Spyder is a sophisticated precision instru-
ment. The depth sensor cover may be opened only by an authorized SUUNTO
dealer or distributor. NEVER try to open the cover yourself. Keep the area
around the depth sensor clear from dirt, sand, dust or other substances. Rinse the
device thoroughly ith fresh ater and dry it ith a soft to el. Never use
pins, needles or other objects to clean the depth sensor.
Water Contact
The ater contact controls the automatic activation of the Dive Mode, as ell as
the automatic return from the Dive Mode to the Time Mode. Con-
tamination or dirt on the ater contact may prevent these automatic opera-
tions. It is, therefore, important that the ater contact is kept clean. The
contact can be cleaned ith fresh ater and a soft pencil eraser.
NOTE: Water or moisture build-up around the ater contact may cause the contact
to activate automatically. This can happen, e.g., hen ashing your hands or
s eating. If the ater contact activates in the Time Mode, an ACW text ill appear
on display (see Fig. 4.2. b), and it ill be sho n until the ater contact deactivates,
or the Spyder enters the Dive Mode automatically. To save the battery po er, you
should deactivate the ater contact by cleaning it and/or drying it ith a soft to el.
Exposing the Spyder to great temperature changes may cause the Dive Mode to
activate automatically. The Spyder ill return to the normal display (timekeeping)
10 minutes after the ater contact has dried. To save the battery po er and also to
enable the use of the timekeeping display, it is recommended to return to the nor-
mal display by using the push buttons.

10
1.2 KEY FEATURES
The Spyder Advanced Computer Watch has a built-in calendar clock, stop-
atch and alarm clock.
The Spyder has complete dive computer features. It monitors and reports
vital information such as your dive time, current depth, maximum depth, no-
decompression time and ascent rate. It ill give you visual and audible ar-
nings, as required. Its built-in planning function allo s you to plan dives before
and bet een dives. The Spyder ill also give you information you may need,
if through carelessness or emergency you exceed the no-decompression limits
for any dive.
The Spyder features versatile memory capabilities, including both detailed
profiles and long-term historical data. It can interface ith a PC, allo ing for
additional logbook features and dive simulation. The instrument can be ad-
justed for diving at different altitudes and to add a personal level of
conservativness if desired.
The case of the Spyder is made of a high-quality metal. The special mono-
lithic case makes the Spyder ater resistant and pressure responsive. The
unique triple-gasket push buttons are especially designed to ithstand ater,
pressure and dirt, and to ensure reliable operation under demanding conditions.
The display is protected against damage by a mineral crystal, hich can be
easily replaced. A flexible extension strap allo s the easy fastening of the
device also on an exposure suit.
The Spyder is equipped ith a sophisticated electroluminescent backlight

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display, hich does not significantly reduce battery life because of the highly
energy-efficient system design and because the lamp goes off automatically
after a fe seconds from activation. The electroluminescent lamp ill give
excellent backlight quality in darkness and lo ambient light conditions. The
backlight is not visible during daylight.
1.3 FUNCTIONS AND THE USE OF THE PUSH BUTTONS
In the Spyder Advanced Computer Watch, there are four main modes (TIME,
DIVE, SET, MEM) and 13 submodes (see Fig. 1.2). You can scroll through
the modes using the push buttons. The mode indicator at the left or the right
side and the mode text at the bottom of the display indicate the selected
mode.
The Spyder is controlled ith four push buttons as follo s (see Fig. 1.3).
button
To change from a main mode to another main mode press .
To exit from a submode to a main mode press .
To activate the electroluminescent backlight hold do n for more than
t o (2) seconds.
To accept the settings in the Setting Mode press .

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button
To select a submode press .
To select the active segment in the Setting
Mode press .
To select the display in the Logbook Mode
press .
and buttons
To sho the date or seconds in the time keep-
ing display press or .
In the Setting Mode
press to increase the value.
press to decrease the value.
To operate the stop atch see section 3.2,
Stop atch.
To select the dive in the Logbook Mode
press to move for ard,
press to move back ards.
1.4 GETTING STARTED
Before you start using the Spyder you must
read and understand this manual in its en-
tirety. Before your first actual dive it is of
utmost importance that you read Section 2,
Fig. 1.3 The push buttons of the
Spyder.

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For Your safety, and Section 4, Diving ith the Spyder. Section 3, Time
Mode, teaches you ho to use the clock functions of the Spyder. Section 5,
Setting Mode, gives instructions on ho to set the time, date, daily alarm
and the time format in the clock, and the depth alarm and Altitude and
Personal Adjustments in the dive computer. Section 6, Memories and Data
Transfer teaches ho to access the memory functions and ho to transfer
the data from the Spyder to a PC. Section 7, Care and Maintenance, gives
you detailed information about the care and maintenance of your Spyder, and
the battery replacement. Finally, there is technical information in Section 8,
and information on service and arranty in Section 9.
1.5 METRIC AND IMPERIAL UNITS
All examples in this manual are sho n in metric units, including meters
and °C. The corresponding imperial units are sho n in brackets. The Spyder is also
available in imperial units, i.e. feet and °F. THE UNITS CANNOT BE
CHANGED BY THE USER.
WARNING!
VERIFY THAT THE UNITS OF MEASURE, WHETHER METRIC OR
IMPERIAL, ARE CORRECT BEFORE DIVING! Any confusion resulting
from improper units may cause the diver to commit errors that may lead to
serious injury or death.

14
2. FOR YOUR SAFETY
Do not attempt to use the Spyder ithout reading this instruction manual in its
entirety, including all the arnings in the beginning of this manual and the entire
section 2, For Your Safety. Make sure that you fully understand the use, displays
and limitations of the Spyder. If you have any questions about the manual or the
Spyder, contact your SUUNTO dealer before diving ith the Spyder.
Al ays remember that THE DIVER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS OR HER OWN
SAFETY!
When used properly the Spyder is an outstanding tool for assisting properly trained,
certified divers in planning and executing standard and multi-level sport dives ithin
the described no-decompression limits. It is NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR
CERTIFIED SCUBA INSTRUCTION including training in the principles of de-
compression.
2.1 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Sharing the Spyder
WARNING!
THE SPYDER SHOULD NEVER BE TRADED OR SHARED BETWEEN USERS
WHILE IT IS IN OPERATION! Its information ill not apply to some-
one ho has not been earing it throughout a dive or sequence of repetitive
dives. Its dive profiles must match that of the user. If it is left on the surface
during any dive, it ill give inaccurate information for subsequent dives. No

15
dive computer can take into account dives made ithout the computer. Thus
any diving activity 48 hours prior to initial use of the computer may give mis-
leading information, hich may substantially increase the risk of decompres-
sion sickness and must be avoided.
Altitude and Personal Adjustments
WARNING!
SET THE CORRECT ALTITUDE AND PERSONAL ADJUSTMENT MODES!
Failure to properly select the Altitude and Personal Adjustment Modes correctly
ill result in erroneous data and can greatly increase the risk of decompression
sickness. More information about this is given in Section 4.5, High Altitude
Dives and Personal Adjustment.
WARNING!
SET THE CORRECT ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENT MODE WHEN DIVING AT
ALTITUDES GREATER THAN 700 M [2300 FT]! When diving at altitudes
greater than 700 m [2300 ft] the altitude adjustment feature must be correctly
selected in order for the computer to calculate no-decompression status. Failure
to select the Altitude Adjustment Mode correctly ill result in erroneous data
and can greatly increase the risk of decompression sickness.

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WARNING!
THE SPYDER IS NOT INTENDED FOR USE AT ALTITUDES GREATER THAN
2400 M [8000 FT]. Diving at altitudes above this limit may significantly increase
the risk of decompression sickness.
Decompression Dives
SUUNTO does not recommend this instrument to be used to conduct decompres-
sion dives. Ho ever, if through carelessness or emergency a diver exceeds the
no-decompression limits on a dive, the Spyder ill provide decompression infor-
mation required for ascent. After this the Spyder ill continue to provide subse-
quent interval and repetitive dive information.
WARNING!
DO NOT USE THIS INSTRUMENT TO CONDUCT DIVES WITH NECES-
SARY DECOMPRESSION STOPS! SUUNTO does not recommend this instru-
ment to be used to conduct these types of dives. Decompression Diving limits
the divers ability to ascend directly to the surface and may substantially increase
the risk of decompression sickness.
Emergency Ascents
In the unlikely event that the Spyder malfunctions during a dive, follo the emer-
gency procedures provided by your certified dive training agency or, alternatively,
immediately ascend at a rate slo er than 10 m/min [33 ft/min] to a depth bet een
3 and 6 meters [10 to 20 ft] and stay there as long as your air supply ill safely
allo .

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Higher Risk Dive Profiles
The user must understand that all decompression
devices (decompression tables and/or dive com-
puters) are based on mathematical models and
that many experts are currently concerned that
these models may not under certain conditions
adequately describe the physiological phenom-
ena. These conditions are presently identified as
dives hich incorporate the follo ing:
·REVERSE PROFILES here the diver
spends most of the dive at shallo depths
and then descends to the maximum depth
shortly before surfacing.
·SAWTOOTH PROFILES here the diver
alternates bet een greater and shallo er
depths repeatedly throughout the dive.
·CONSECUTIVE DIVES here the diver
performs repetitive dives to approximately
the same maximum depth ith only short
surface intervals bet een dives. The risk of
decompression sickness increases hen
depth and the number of repetitive dives in-
crease and hen the surface intervals are
shortened.
Fig. 2.1 Reverse profiles.
Fig. 2.2 Sawtooth profiles.

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·MULTIDAY DIVES. Repetitive dives per-
formed during several consecutive days.
·DECOMPRESSION DIVES. Any dive dur-
ing hich the no-decompression limit has
been exceeded or the diver is advised by
the computer that he may not return directly
to the surface.
Dive Computer Limitations
While the Spyder is based on current decom-
pression research and technology, the user/diver
must realize that the computer cannot monitor
the actual physiological functions of an indi-
vidual diver. All decompression schedules cur-
rently kno n to the authors, including the U.S.
Navy Tables, are based on a theoretical math-
ematical model hich is intended to serve as a
guide to reduce the probability of decompres-
sion sickness.
The mathematical model uses a fixed ascent rate
of 10 m/min [33 ft/min] even at greater depths to
reduce the build-up of microbubbles, hich can
gro larger and turn into harmful bubbles in a
later phase of the dive. Therefore it is critical
that a proper ascent rate is al ays used.
Fig. 2.3 Consecutive dives
multiday dives.
Fig. 2.4 Recommended dive
profile.