Suunto Zoop Novo Dive Computer Review

Reviewed By Travis Turgeon / Scuba Editor

November 11, 2022

THE SUUNTO ZOOP NOVO REVIEW

Suunto Zoop Novo Dive Computer for Recreational Scuba Divers

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Summary

The Suunto Zoop Novo is an excellent entry level dive computer for recreational scuba diving. Reasonably priced, incredibly easy to use, and durable, it is one of the best dive computers for beginners. One that is often recommended by dive masters to their students.

This diving computer is one of the easiest to use, even for first-time users. An intuitive four-button user interface makes setup and navigation a breeze. It has four diving modes: air, nitrox, gauge, and free diving. It automatically activates when you hit the water and does all the hard work for you. It keeps track of your dive, calculates and displays all the information you need for a safe dive, reminds you to make safety stops and warns you with audible and visual alarms when you violate safety limits.

With the large matrix display, visibility, and readability aren't issues whether you're on the surface or exploring the underwater world. If you're diving at night or in murky waters, the electroluminescent and phosphorescent back-light come in handy. As for reliability, Suunto is a reputable name in scuba and the Zoop Novo is a top rated diving computer by divers.

If you're a recreational scuba diver or looking for your very first dive computer, the Suunto Zoop Novo has everything you need and more at an attractive price. With nitrox and adaptive decompression capabilities and a robust, durable build, this is a dive computer that will serve you well for quite a while.

You will only have to upgrade once you become a more advanced diver and need features such as air-integration and trimix capability, which the Zoop Novo doesn't have. Even then, the Zoop Novo will still be valuable as a reliable backup dive computer. Keep reading our in-depth review of the Suunto Zoop Novo for more details about its features, functionalities, and shortcomings.

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What Makes This Dive Computer Stand Out
Air, nitrox, gauge, and free dive modes
Four-button interface, extremely easy to use
An adaptive decompression algorithm enhances diving safety
Nitrox capable and decompression calculator
A dive logbook memory of a whopping 140 hours
Allows for personal, altitude, and alarm customizations
Large matrix display and numbers that are easy to see and read
Strong and adjustable electroluminescent or phosphorescent back-light
Wrist mounted and modular console options
Comfortable fit over a wetsuit or drysuit
The solid reputation and reliability of Suunto dive computers
Entry level price and an amazing value
Robust and durable design

MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Dimensions: 66.1 x 66.1 x 26.2mm/2.6 x 2.6 x 1.03″
Weight: 120g/4.23oz
Algorithm: Suunto RGBM
Gases: Oxygen 21 – 50%
Surface Interval: 5 Minutes
Backlight: Electro-luminescent and phosphor-luminescent
Maximum Depth Display: 330ft/100m
Materials: Elastomer rubber strap, Composite bezel and case, and Acrylic face glass
Logbook Memory: ~140hrs

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Features

The Suunto Zoop Novo is an entry-level dive computer that has the essential features for recreational scuba diving. It is designed to be simple, easy to use, and adaptable and intended to make diving safe and enjoyable, even for beginning scuba divers. It has the following features:

Five Modes: Air, Nitrox, Gauge, Freedom, and Off modes
Suunto RGBM Algorithm: The Suunto Reduced Gradient Bubble Algorithm calculates decompression limits, is adaptable, and allows for altitude and personal adjustments.
Altitude Adjustable: You can adjust the altitude manually and the Zoop Novo will calculate your decompression limit and other safety data. It doesn’t display the no-fly icon on standby mode though.
Dive Planner: Accessible in surface mode, here you can plan your dive and adjust settings.
Imperial or Metric Programmable: Before you start diving, you can select your preferred display units (feet or meters, ºF or ºC). You can’t change the units on the fly during a dive though.
Customizable Audible and Visual Alarms: This computer is programmed to remind you to make a safety stop and beeps at you if you violate safety limits. You can set alarms for maximum depth and dive time and adjust standard dive alarms.
Wrist Mounted or Console Based: This is a wrist-mounted option. A console-based option is also available.
Four-Button Menu: Makes set up and navigation quick and easy even in less than ideal underwater conditions.
Big, Matrix Screen with Backlight: Has amazing contrast and readability and features electro-luminescent and phosphor-luminescent backlight.
Water Activated: It automatically activates once you’re underwater deeper than 1½ feet/0.5 meters and goes into dive mode at depths greater than 4 feet/1.2 meters.
Dive Log: This computer automatically creates logs of your dives. The logbook can hold up to 140 hours of dive time. The history set contains data from your last dive. You can also create bookmarks and adjust the sampling rates.
Battery Indicator: This shows the current battery level in dive mode.

Specifications

Dimensions: 66.1 x 66.1 x 26.2mm/2.6 x 2.6 x 1.03″

Weight: 120g/4.23oz

Display: Dot Matrix, 49 x 22 Resolution

Backlight: Electro-luminescent and phosphor-luminescent

Materials: Elastomer rubber strap, Composite bezel and case, and Acrylic face glass

Maximum Depth Display: 330ft/100m

Algorithm: Suunto RGBM

Gases: Oxygen 21 – 50% Mixtures

Gas Max pO2: 1.2 – 1.6

Surface Interval: 5 Minutes

Operating Temperature: 0° C to +40° C/+32° F to +104° F

Logbook Memory: ~140 h (20s sampling rate)

Sampling Rates: 10, 20, 30, 60s (1, 2, 5s freediving)

Battery Life: 1.5 years with 100 dives/year, 2 years in time mode

Battery: CR 2450, User-replaceable

User Experience

Size and Fit: The Suunto Novo is one big dive computer and this is a good thing for diving. The large face makes it easy to read the information displayed. The long strap can fit with a wet suit or dry suit and diving gloves on. And the large interface buttons are easy to operate with gloved hands. The best thing is that the computer is still comfortable to mount on the wrist and dive with. If you prefer to have your wrist free, a console mount option is also available. On the downside, it is too bulky to be worn as an everyday wristwatch.

Ease of Use: One consistently top rated quality of the Zoop Novo is just how easy it is to use. Once you strap it on and hit the water, it activates automatically and starts tracking your dive. It features the four-button user interface found in high-end Suunto dive computers so setting it and navigating around the software is quick and easy. The buttons are big and easy to press even with wet, gloved hands. Even the battery is user-replaceable. All you have to do is purchase a battery replacement kit and follow the instructions.

Readability: With the big, dot matrix screen, large digits, and segmented display, you can read and understand the dive data displayed at a glance even in the underwater world with a scuba mask<span style=”font-weight: 400;”> on. For night dives or if you find yourself in murky waters, electroluminescent or phosphorescent back-light lights up the display. You can choose between imperial or metric units, which eliminates the need for mental conversions.

Functionality: This Suunto dive computer has five modes. Air mode for normal recreational dives when breathing air. Nitrox mode is programmable for 21-50% oxygen mixtures. Free mode records the depth and dive time when snorkeling and apnea diving. Gauge mode turns the computer into a simple depth gauge and bottom timer without recording decompression information. You can only switch from gauge mode after 48 hours. Off mode turns off all dive modes so the computer won’t activate in water.

When scuba diving with the Zoop Novo, it displays your depth, dive time, surface time, safety stop, deep stop, ascent rate, water temperature, and no-decompression time. It warns you if you ascend too fast, violate the decompression or deep stop, and in case of high pO2. It keeps detailed logs of your dives that you can download via a USB cable that is sold separately.

The Suunto RGBM algorithm is adaptive. If you exceed the minimum ascent rate, it builds a mandatory safety stop. If you exceed the no-decompression limit or violate any of the safe practices and increase your risk of decompression sickness, the Zoop Novo will calculate your no-decompression limits and provide the information you need to ascend safely. This ability to adapt provides added safety when diving. It also adapts to any personal or altitude adjustments you make.

Being an entry-level dive computer, the Suunto Zoop Novo is non-air integrated and doesn’t have advanced features such as a tri-mix capability and rebreather mode. It also doesn’t have a digital compass built-in and doesn’t show the no-fly icon when on standby mode.

Pros

Simple, intuitive, and super easy to use
Nitrox and decompression capabilities
High level of adjustability and adaptability
Large matrix screen and large, clear digits
Electroluminescent or phosphorescent luminescence
Wrist mounted and modular console options available
Rugged and built to last
Suunto’s solid reputation in scuba

Cons

The computer connection cable isn’t part of the package. You have to purchase it separately
The protective face glass is acrylic, which scratches easily
Bulky on the wrist and not suitable as an everyday wristwatch
Does not display the no-fly icon when on standby
Lack of compass, tri-mix capability, air-integration, and rebreather mode

You might also like: Mares Smart Wrist Dive Computer Review

Overall Rating

Ease of Use: 100% – The large matrix screen and the four-button interface make the Zoop Nova super easy to use and understand, even for first-time users.
Functionality: 90% – The adaptable decompression algorithm enhances driving safety. This computer has all the essential features for recreational scuba diving except for a built-in compass. Also no advanced features such as air integration.
Design: 90% – Zoop Novo is well designed and built. The features, fit, style, and colors are on point. It is a watertight and robust diving computer capable of being your diving buddy for years to come. The design is perfect for diving but not for everyday wear as a watch.
Price: 90% – Zoop Novo offers amazing value for money. Slightly more expensive than other entry-level computers but has more features and capabilities and the reliability of the Suunto name offers peace of mind.
Overall: 92% – A high-quality recreational diving computer that is easy to use, affordable, reliable, durable, and makes diving safe and enjoyable.

Globo Surf Overview

The Suunto Zoop Novo is an excellent entry-level dive computer for recreational divers and a great value for money. The reasonable price, ease of use, reliability, and durability of this Suunto dive computer make it a fantastic first dive computer. If you’re just beginning, it will serve you well and it will be quite a while before you feel the need to upgrade to a more advanced device. Advanced and technical divers who want air integration and gas switching capabilities can only use it as a backup computer.

Suunto Zoop Novo Dive Computer for Recreational Scuba Divers

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Last Updated: July 16, 2019 Last Updated: July 16, 2019

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Suunto Zoop Novo Dive Computer