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The Suunto EON Steel was created with the feedback of active divers from all over the world. Among them was our own ambassador Jill Heinerth. In case you don't know Jill, she's a renowned underwater explorer and 2013 recipient of the Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for exploration from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. She's dived inside caves, underneath icebergs and in some deep waters all over the world – the ideal person to put the Suunto EON Steel through its paces. Here's what she had to say about Suunto's new launch: We're guessing you gave it a good testing! I first took the EON Steel to Christmas Island on a unique cave and deep ocean exploration project sponsored by National Geographic. The device was in its earliest form, but I could already understand the potential of the product. I wasn't really supposed to show it to anyone, so I had to quietly hide it in my pocket until we could snap a few photos! I finally had the chance to dive a fully functional device in France when other Suunto Global Distributors got to see it for the first time. The boat was buzzing with excitement form everyone that used it. And you also used in the Arctic right? Later, I took a unit to Newfoundland and on the Sedna Epic Expedition to the Arctic this summer. It was on these trips that I had the full opportunity to appreciate its full potential and functionality. I realize now that I have taken it from the warmest to the coldest conditions on the planet in the last year. I'm never very kind to my gear but it doesn't need to be handled with kid gloves. It is well built and simply works! Jill Heinerth tested the Suunto EON Steel in both warm and cold climates. ©Jill Heinerth What was the feedback you gave Suunto?What I saw in the Suunto EON was far beyond a typical diving computer. The EON is capable of taking a diver from their first dives, through technical and eventually CCR diving. The beauty is that the diver can customize their display and won't be mired in unnecessary features that they are not ready to use. As they progress, they can move to new modes of diving and use additional features. Furthermore, I envision the EON as more of a platform than a singular device that will need to be replaced. How do you like the product?I love the quality build and easy readability of the EON. I also love being able to plug it in for recharge or downloading.How is it different to previous dive computers you've used. The EON feels fully modern and fresh – more like my iPhone than a tired old diving computer display that looks like a relic of Windows 98. The EON interface is simple and intuitive and although it came with excellent instructions, there was no need to refer to them. The three button operation was obvious and features were easily found and activated. The audible alerts are also intuitive with unique, well designed sounds that make sense. The alarms alone can guide the diver to correct their behavior. Anything else? I was using the EON with a cave survey class recently and should add that the compass feature on the computer is extremely easy to access, very accurate and quick to respond. This feature can be used easily without losing other critical display information. Jill Heinerth is a Suunto ambassador. Discover more about her exploits and photography here. All images ©Jill Heinerth

The location for the Suunto Vertical Blue could not be more conducive to diving deep. Dean's Blue Hole is a natural wonder and is the deepest known blue hole in the world. Situated off Long Island in the Bahamas, it opens up approximately 10 m beneath the surface before plunging to 202 m. “It has a reputation for being the greatest freediving location on the planet,” says multiple record holder and Vertical Blue organiser Will Trubridge. “Its deep, warm and calm waters which are literally a step off the beach, provide the best environment for freedivers to attempt to break national or world records, or just to exceed their own personal bests. Spectators on the beach. Photo ©zooom.at/Samo Vidic “Spectators can watch the whole event from the warm Caribbean water, while feasting on local seafood salad that is prepared on the beach,” he adds. “It is an event like no other, not just in freediving, but in all sport.”One of the area's attractions is also its remoteness. Long Island, Bahamas is not as developed as many Caribbean destinations – just getting there is an adventure. Hotels and bars are laid back and you're unlikely to bump into lots of other tourists. In fact, during the nine days of Suunto Vertical Blue, probably every hotel guest will be a fellow freediver, which adds to the familiar atmosphere that makes the event so special. Dean's Blue Hole, the view from 15m. Photo: zooom.at/Agustin Munoz

The next generation dive computer is here, offering full customization and amazing color screen. What's next for dive computers? That question has come a little closer to being answered today as market leader Suunto unveils the Suunto EON Steel, the first fully customizable dive computer. It's so intuitive it takes ease of use to a new level. Full customizationWith Suunto CustomDisplay™, you can tailor your EON Steel so that it shows exactly what you want. You can choose from a traditional text-based interface or a graphical view, and customize up to five different displays with Suunto DM5 software, the program that transfers your logbook data to your computer for detailed analysis.  Unrivalled clarityThe EON Steel also offers divers unrivalled clarity thanks to its new, innovative wide-angle BrightSee™ screen. The brightness, high color contrast and easy handling mean the display can be read in all conditions, whether you're diving in shallow and light waters, or deep and dark ones. Comments Mika Holappa, Dive Business Unit Director at Suunto: “We are delighted to launch the Suunto EON Steel, which is the result of our desire to produce the best possible diving computer for active divers. Its customization possibilities and ease of use make it ideally suited to every diving occasion.” Diving with you for years to comeThe Suunto EON Steel will grow with you as your diving and skills evolve, thanks to the way you can customize it to your needs. With user updatable software, including a free fixed point CCR upgrade in 2015, it will dive with you for many years to come, whatever diving you're into. It comes with the choice of a strap or bungee attachment so it can be physically customized as well. The Suunto EON Steel uses the highly advanced Suunto Fused™ RGBM algorithm to maximize your dive time. When used together with the new Suunto Tank POD, you can get tank pressures from multiple PODs with just a glance at the wrist. The EON Steel is rated to 150 m and offers a dive time of 20-40 hours after one charge – meaning it's ideal for those week-long liveaboard trips. Finland-based Suunto has developed many diving innovations in the last 50 years – including the first diving compass and early dive computers. Creating reliable products that are tested and designed for the harshest of elements has been a part of its heritage for almost 80 years. The Suunto EON Steel builds on that tradition. The bezel is made from brushed stainless steel while the housing uses reinforced composite. The Xensation™ glass display is also built to withstand every diving situation. Inside and out the Suunto EON Steel is made with the most advanced components, making it extremely durable and accurate. It's another reason why the Suunto EON Steel makes the perfect partner for your diving adventures. The Suunto EON Steel will be available in spring 2015, at the recommended price of €999. The Suunto Tank POD is available at €299.

In their latest update, the Under the Pole team share their Arctic adventures, which included a visit to Canada's Ellesmere Island. “Adventure is full of pleasant surprises and twists,” writes Ghislain Bardout in his latest newsletter. “We stopped in one of the wintering grounds of the Fram, the iconic polar exploration ship [of explorers Nansen and Amundsen]. It was here, alongside a glacier, where an idea emerged: what if we went exploring its underside?” © Lucas Santucci / Under The Pole. “Ghislain and Martin spend several hours every day to prepare their recyclers and make their gas mixtures. Before getting on the water, the concentration is maximum, misinterpretation or an error can be fatal at these depths.” “We experienced magical and rare moments,” adds Ghislain. “In the Arctic, a cairn is a hollow that allows leaving messages for future travelers. In an Ellesmere cairn we found a previously undiscovered box containing a message recounting a 1925 expedition.” The team, who are exploring Greenland's coastline, sailed as far north as they could get before ice blocked their path at 80°23N. “We docked to an ice floe in order to achieve the northernmost scuba dive of the expedition,” continues Ghislain. © Martin Martin - Lucas Santucci / Under The Pole. Life and light returns after a 100 m dive. “The second half of August was devoted to finding a wintering place in the Bay of Qaanaaq. After speaking to locals and exploring various sites, the team settled on Uummannaq Bay further south. “Wintering in Uummannaq Bay is also a great happiness for us, since we loved the dives and made good friends there,” adds Ghislain. www.underthepole.com

What’s next for Suunto dive computers? That question will be answered this fall when we unveil our latest creation for divers seeking the best. This advanced, large display dive computer with a bright color screen grows with you. Suunto has developed many diving innovations in the last 50 years together with divers - including the first dive compasses and early dive computers. Our next dive computer continues this tradition of co-creation with you - our diving family - and we thank you all for your valuable feedback.Creating reliable products designed for the harshest of elements is a part our near 80-year heritage. The next great Suunto dive computer adds another chapter to the extraordinary Suunto story. Want to know more? Sign up here and you'll be the first to receive additional details about this exciting new product. 

Suunto ambassador Jill Heinerth has undertaken some extraordinary diving expeditions over the years, but none are quite so unique as the Sedna EPIC Expedition. In her own words below, she describes the team's bid to snorkel across the Arctic. I had my eyes trained on my Suunto Ambit, watching for the approaching landmark. The latitude ticked slowly upwards as the excitement heightened to a fever pitch. The deck was a hive of activity with ten women, scrambling into their drysuits, preparing to leap into the water in unison and swim as a team over the precise location that marks the Arctic Circle. Merino long underwear, a heated vest, a Thinsulate undergarment and finally a cozy drysuit all layered up to protect us from the water that hovered around 2°C. ©SednaEPIC.com – Jill Heinerth Each girl repositioned her Ambit and D4i diving computer on her wrist when suddenly, the positive energy took a startling turn. From above, on the bridge, a voice bellowed an angry retort, “Who’s in charge of this chaos?” he screamed. “I want to know who thinks they are in charge of this fiasco?” The talking stopped instantly and we all craned our heads towards the two figures on the bridge that were backlit by the late night Arctic sun. Whatever they were angry about, it sounded serious. But as soon as we saw them, the deck erupted in laughter. The Captain was wearing a spaghetti strainer on his head. A blonde dish towel appeared like golden locks while he embraced the boat owner Milos, who was wearing a sheep skin vest, large pillow and some women’s clothing. They chanted a traditional welcome to seafarers crossing the Arctic Circe and then finished with, “Now get off my ship!”Giddy with schoolgirl enthusiasm, we leapt into the water to herald this momentous part of our expedition. With my underwater camera, I captured the celebration, relief and excitement of reaching this far north. ©SednaEPIC.com – Jill HeinerthThe 2014 Sedna EPIC Expedition aimed to bring a remarkable team of women together to undertake a long range snorkel relay with a goal to raise awareness of global climate change, loss of sea ice — and the indomitable power of the human spirit. Led by Expedition Founder, Susan R. Eaton, the ultimate goal of the Sedna EPIC Expedition is to snorkel the Northwest Passage. This year, teamwork, technology and outreach techniques were practiced for a longer project that is slated for 2016.It was an honor to photograph and work with such a formidable team of women who will undoubtedly make their mark as environmental advocates, scientists and thought leaders. All images ©SednaEPIC.com – Jill Heinerth