Display states and views

Suunto D4f has three main modes: time, dive and memory. Change modes by pressing MODE.

Unless Dive mode is turned off, Suunto D4f automatically switches to dive mode if you are more than 1.2 m (4 ft) under water.

Time and dive modes have different views in the bottom row which you can scroll through with DOWN and UP.

Set up

To get the most out of your Suunto D4f, take some time to read this manual and familiarize yourself with the modes and settings. Make absolutely sure you have it set up as you want before getting into the water.

To get started:

1. Wake up the device by keeping any button pressed until the display turns on.
2. Keep DOWN pressed to enter General Settings.
3. Set time. See Time.
4. Set date. See Date.
5. Set units. See Units.
6. Press MODE to exit settings.

The default dive mode is Free. For more information on dive modes, see Dive modes.

Icons

Suunto D4f uses the following icons:

Activation and pre-checks

Unless the dive mode turned off, the dive mode activates automatically when you dive deeper than 1.2 m (4 ft). However, you should switch to dive mode before diving to check battery condition, the display and so on.

Each time your Suunto D4f enters dive mode, a series of automatic checks are performed. All graphical display elements are turned ON, and the backlight and the beep are activated. Then the battery level is checked.

Before leaving on a dive trip, it is highly recommended that you switch to dive mode to make sure everything is functioning properly.

After the automatic checks, Suunto D4f enters surface mode. At this point, you should perform your manual checks before entering the water.

Ensure that:

1. Suunto D4f is in the correct mode and provides complete displays.
2. Unit system is correct.
3. Correct temperature and depth are shown.
4. The alarm beeps.

Alarms, warnings and notifications

Suunto D4f has audible and visual alarms designed to let you know when important limits or presets are being reached.

The one audible alarm type indicating low priority:

Alarm type	Sound pattern	Duration
Low priority		0.8 s sound + 3.2 s break

In addition, there are two audible guidance notifications:

Instructional beep	Sound pattern	Interpretation
Ascending		Start ascending
Descending		Start descending

Suunto D4f displays information during the alarm breaks in order to save battery life.

Low priority alarms:

Visual alarms

Symbol on display	Indication
	Do not fly (after single 10-minute free dive)

Apnea timer

You can use the apnea timer for interval training when freediving. You can adjust the following settings:

• Vent.: ventilation time; this is the starting duration of the time your breathing time. The time is increased by the increment time for each interval.
• Incr: increment time; this is added to the ventilation time for each interval. For example, if your ventilation time is 1:00 minute and your increment time is 0:30 seconds, the first interval ventilation is 1:00, the second is 1:30, the third is 2:00, and so on.
• Repeats: number of intervals

To adjust apnea timer settings:

1. While in time mode, keep UP pressed to enter the apnea timer view.

2. Keep DOWN pressed to enter apnea timer settings.
3. Adjust the ventilation time with UP or DOWN and confirm with SELECT.
4. Adjust the increment time with UP or DOWN and confirm with SELECT.
5. Adjust the number of intervals with UP or DOWN and confirm with SELECT.

To use the apnea timer:

1. Press SELECT to start the first interval. The timer counts down the ventilation time. The countdown continues up to -0:30 seconds beyond the defined ventilation time.
2. Press SELECT to start the apnea cycle. You can start this at any time during the ventilation countdown. The apnea time is not defined in the watch. It is as long or short as you choose.
3. Press SELECT again to start the next ventilation cycle.
4. Repeat until the end of the defined number of intervals.
5. Press MODE to exit the apnea timer.

You can reset the apnea timer by keeping SELECT pressed.

The apnea timer supports up to 20 intervals, but this is dependent on the ventilation and increment times. The last ventilation cycle cannot be shorter than 0:05 seconds or longer than 20:00 minutes.

Backlight

To active the backlight while diving, press MODE.

Otherwise, keep MODE pressed until the backlight activates to use the backlight.

You can define how long the backlight stays on when you activate it or turn the backlight off altogether.

To set backlight duration:

1. While in time mode, keep DOWN pressed.
2. Press DOWN to scroll to Backlight and press SELECT.
3. Set duration or turn off with DOWN or UP.
4. Press MODE to save and exit to settings.

Battery indicators

Temperature or internal oxidation can affect the battery voltage. If you store your Suunto D4f for a long period or use it in cold temperatures, the low battery warning may appear even though the battery has enough capacity.

In these cases, re-enter dive mode and check the battery power. If the battery is low, the Low Battery warning comes on.

If the low battery icon appears in surface mode, or if the display looks faded, the battery may be too low. Battery replacement is recommended.

Calendar clock

The calendar clock is the default mode of Suunto D4f .

Time

In the time settings, you can set the hours, minutes, seconds, and format (12 or 24-hour).

To set time:

1. While in time mode, keep DOWN pressed.
2. Press UP to scroll to Time and press SELECT.
3. Set hours with DOWN or UP and confirm with SELECT.
4. Repeat for minutes and seconds. Set the format with DOWN or UP and confirm with SELECT.
5. Press MODE to exit.

Date

The date and weekday are shown in the bottom row of time mode. Press DOWN to toggle between views.

To set the date:

1. While in time mode, keep DOWN pressed.
2. Press UP to scroll to Date and press SELECT.
3. Set year with DOWN or UP and accept with SELECT.
4. Repeat for month and day.
5. Press MODE to exit.

Units

In the units setting, choose whether the units are displayed in the metric or Imperial system.

1. While in time mode, keep DOWN pressed.
2. Press UP to scroll to Units and press SELECT.
3. Press DOWN to toggle between Metric and Imperial and confirm with SELECT.
4. Press MODE to exit.

Dual time

Dual time allows you to keep track of the time in a second time zone. Dual time is shown in the bottom left of the time mode display by pressing DOWN.

To set dual time:

1. While in time mode, keep DOWN pressed.
2. Press UP to scroll to Dual Time and press SELECT.
3. Set hours with DOWN or UP and confirm with SELECT.
4. Repeat for minutes.
5. Press MODE to exit.

Alarm clock

Suunto D4f has a daily alarm which can be set to activate once, on weekdays or every day.

When the daily alarm activates, the screen blinks and the alarm sounds for 60 seconds. Press any button to stop the alarm.

To set the daily alarm:

1. While in time mode, keep DOWN pressed.
2. Press UP to scroll to Alarm and press Select.
3. Select alarm activation with DOWN or UP and confirm with Select. The options are Off, Once, Weekdays, or Every Day.
4. Set hours with DOWN or UP and confirm with SELECT.
5. Repeat for minutes.
6. Press MODE to exit.

Display contrast

You can adjust the contrast of the display according to your preference or, for example, to suite changing dive conditions.

1. While in time mode, keep DOWN pressed.
2. Press UP to scroll to Contrast and press Select.
3. Use DOWN or UP to change the contrast from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
4. Press MODE to exit.

Depth alarm

By default the depth alarm sounds at 30 m (100 ft). You can adjust the depth according to your personal preference or switch it off.

To adjust the depth alarm:

1. While in a dive mode, keep DOWN pressed to enter settings.
2. Press UP to scroll to Depth Alarm and press SELECT.
3. Press UP to toggle the alarm on/off and confirm with SELECT.
4. Adjust depth with DOWN or UP and accept with SELECT.
5. Press MODE to exit.

When the depth alarm activates, the backlight blinks and the low priority audible alarm pattern sounds. Acknowledge the alarm by pressing any button.

Dive history

Suunto D4f has a detailed logbook and dive history available in memory mode.

The logbook contains a sophisticated dive profile for each recorded dive. The time between each data point saved in the log is based on the configurable sample rate (see Sample rate).

The dive history is a summary of all recorded dives.

To access dive history:

1. Press MODE until you see MEM.
2. Switch between History and Logbook with DOWN or UP.
3. When you are viewing the history or logbook, you can press MODE to go back and select the other one. Press MODE a second time to exit.

History

When you have entered the dive history view, you can switch between Scuba History and Free Dive History with DOWN and UP.

Scuba dive history shows you a summary of the following:

• Dive hours (if a single dive exceeds 10 minutes)
• Total number of dives
• Maximum depth

The scuba dive history records a maximum of 999 dives and 999 diving hours. When these limits are reached, the counters reset to zero.

Free dive history shows the following:

• the deepest and the longest dives of all free dives
• the cumulative dive time in hours and minutes
• the total number of dives

The free dive history records a maximum of 999 dives and 99:59 diving hours. When these limits are reached, the counters are reset to zero.

Logbook

To access the logbook:

1. Press MODE three time until you come to MEM mode.
2. Press UP to choose Logbook.
3. Press DOWN or UP to scroll to the log you wish to look at and press SELECT.
4. Press SELECT to scroll through the pages.
5. Press MODE to exit.

Each log has three pages:

1. Summary
2. maximum depth
3. date of dive
4. type of dive (indicated by first letter of dive mode, F for Free and G for Gauge mode if dive exceeds 10 minutes)
5. dive start time
6. dive number – from oldest to newest
7. total dive time (in minutes)
8. Surface time
9. maximum depth
10. surface time after previous dive
11. average depth
12. Dive profile
13. Dive profile graph
14. water temperature
15. depth/time profile of the dive

Press UP to step through the dive profile graph or keep UP pressed to auto-scroll.

The dive profile graph shows point by point dive information.

The End of Logs text is displayed between the oldest and most recent dive.

The logbook capacity depends on the sample rate. With the default setting (2 sec), the capacity is approximately 3.5 hours.

If the memory is full, when new dives are added, the oldest dives are deleted.

The contents of the memory remain when the battery is changed (providing that the battery has been replaced according to the instructions).

Dive numbering

Repetitive dives on the same day are considered part of the same dive series.

Within each series, the dives are given numbers. The first dive of the series is DIVE 1, the second DIVE 2, and so on.

Dive modes

Suunto D4f has the following dive modes:

• Free: for free diving
• Off: turns dive mode off completely; the dive computer does not automatically switch the dive mode when submerged and dive planning mode is hidden

By default, Free mode is activated when you enter dive mode. You can change which mode is activated or turn dive mode off under the general settings.

To change dive modes:

1. While in time mode, keep DOWN pressed.
2. Press SELECT to enter Dive Mode.
3. Change to the desired mode with UP or DOWN and confirm with SELECT.
4. Press MODE to exit.

Each dive mode has its own settings which you need to adjust while in the given mode.

To modify dive mode settings:

1. While in a given dive mode, keep DOWN pressed.
2. Press DOWN or UP to scroll through the settings.
3. Press SELECT to enter a setting.
4. Adjust the setting with DOWN or Up and confirm with SELECT.
5. Press MODE to exit.

Free mode

With Free mode, Suunto D4f can be used as a freediving instrument. The dive time is indicated in minutes and seconds in the center of the display.

The free dive starts at 1.2 m (4 ft) and ends when your depth is less than 0.9 m (3 ft).

Free mode has the following settings:

• Depth notifications (see Depth notifications)
• Depth alarm (see Depth alarm)
• Dive time alarm (see Dive time alarm)
• Surface timer (see Surface countdown timer)
• Sample rate (see Sample rate)

Depth notifications

You can define up to five independent depth notifications for freediving, for example, to alert you to start free falling or mouth filling. Each notification has a defined depth and can be turned on or off.

When you reach the notification depth, the backlight blinks and the low priority audible alarm sounds.

To define depth notifications:

1. While in Free mode, keep DOWN pressed.
2. Press SELECT to enter the Depth Notify settings.
3. Scroll through the notifications with DOWN or UP and enter a notification with SELECT.
4. Press DOWN or UP to toggle the notification On/Off and confirm with SELECT.
5. Adjust the depth with DOWN or UP and confirm with SELECT.
6. Scroll to the next notification to modify or press MODE to exit.

Surface countdown timer

While freediving, you can use the surface countdown timer to help you prepare yourself for you next dive. Suunto D4f starts the countdown as soon as you reach 1.2 m (4 ft).

To set the surface countdown timer:

1. While in Free mode, keep DOWN pressed.
2. Press UP to scroll to Surf. Time Notify.
3. Press DOWN or UP to toggle the timer on and confirm with SELECT.
4. Adjust the countdown duration with DOWN or UP and conform with SELECT.
5. Press MODE to exit.

Dive time alarm

The dive time alarm can be activated and used for several purposes to add to your diving safety. It is simply a countdown timer in minutes.

To set the dive time alarm:

1. While in a relevant dive mode, keep DOWN pressed.
2. Press DOWN or UP to scroll to Alarm Time.
3. Press UP to toggle the alarm on and press SELECT to confirm.
4. Adjust the duration with UP or DOWN and accept with SELECT.
5. Press MODE to exit.

Sample rate

The sample rate controls how often information from the dive is saved to the active log. The default sample rate is 2 seconds.

To change the sample rate:

1. While in a dive mode, keep DOWN pressed.
2. Press UP to scroll to Sample Rate and press SELECT.
3. Press DOWN or UP to change the rate and confirm with SELECT.
4. Press MODE to exit.

The sample rate options are: 1, 2 and 5 seconds.

Stopwatch

The stopwatch can be used to measure elapsed and split times.

To activate the stopwatch:

1. While in time mode, scroll through the bottom row view by pressing UP or DOWN until the stopwatch is displayed.

2. Press SELECT to start/stop the stopwatch.
3. Press DOWN to take split times.
4. Keep SELECT pressed to reset the stopwatch.

After stopping the stopwatch, you can scroll through the split times with DOWN.

Surface and no-fly time

Once back at the surface, Suunto D4f continues to provide post-dive safety information and alarms. If, after your dive, you need to wait until flying, the no-fly symbol displays in all modes.

To access further information about your surface and no-fly times, enter dive mode.

Suunto D4f shows the time since you surfaced in the Surf t. field. The airplane symbol indicates that you should not fly. The countdown until you will be safe to fly is shown in the No Fly field.

If single free dive lasts longer than 10 minutes or if a dive is done in Gauge mode (bottom timer), the no-fly time is always 48 hours.

The Divers Alert Network (DAN) recommends the following on no-fly times:

• A minimum surface interval of 12 hours would be required in order to be reasonably assured a diver will remain symptom free upon ascent to altitude in a commercial jetliner (altitude up to 2,400 m (8,000 ft)).
• Divers who plan to make daily, multiple dives for several days, or make dives that require decompression stops, should take special precautions and wait for an extended interval beyond 12 hours before a flight. Further, the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) suggests divers using standard air cylinders and exhibiting no symptoms of decompression sickness wait 24 hours after their last dive to fly in an aircraft with cabin pressure up to 2,400 m (8,000 ft). The only two exceptions to this recommendation are:
  • If a diver has less than two (2) hours total accumulated dive time in the last 48 hours, a 12 hour surface interval before flying is recommended.
  • Following any dive that required a decompression stop, flying should be delayed for at least 24 hours, and if possible, for 48 hours.

Suunto recommends that flying is avoided until all the DAN and UHMS guidelines, as well as the dive computer’s no-fly conditions, are satisfied.

Tones

Device tones can be turned on or off. When tones are off, there are no audible alarms.

To set tones:

1. While in time mode, keep DOWN pressed.
2. Press DOWN or UP to scroll to Tones and press SELECT.
3. Press DOWN or UP to toggle on/off and confirm with SELECT.
4. Press MODE to exit.

Water contact

The water contact is located on the side of the case. When submerged, the water contact poles are connected by the conductivity of the water. Suunto D4f switches to dive state when water is detected and the depth gauge senses water pressure at 1.2 m (4 ft).

The AC is shown until the water contact deactivates. It is important to keep the water contact area clean. Contamination or dirt can prevent automatic activation/deactivation.

Handling guidelines

The Suunto D4f dive computer is a sophisticated precision instrument. Although it is designed to withstand the rigors of diving, you must treat it with the same proper care and caution as any other precision instrument.

Handle the unit with care – do not knock or drop it.

Do not fasten the strap of your dive computer too tightly. You should be able to insert your finger between the strap and your wrist.

After use, rinse it with fresh water, mild soap, and carefully clean the housing with a moist soft cloth or chamois.

Use only original Suunto accessories - damage caused by non-original accessories is not covered by warranty.

Keep the water contact and depth sensors areas on the sides of the watch clean using fresh water and a soft brush, such as a toothbrush.

Never try to open the case of the dive computer. Have your Suunto D4f serviced every two years by an authorized Suunto service center.

This service includes a general operational check, replacement of the battery, and water resistance check. The service requires special tools and training. Do not attempt to do any servicing yourself.

Should moisture appear inside the case or battery compartment, immediately have the instrument checked by your Suunto service center.

The optional scratch guard for Suunto D4f is designed to help prevent the display from getting scratched. Scratch guards can be purchased separately from your authorized Suunto dealer.

Should you detect scratches, cracks or other such flaws on the display that may impair its durability, immediately contact your authorized Suunto dealer.

Protect the unit from shock, extreme heat, direct sunlight, and chemicals.

Store your dive computer in a dry place when you are not using it.

Water resistance

Suunto D4f is water resistant to 100 meters (328 ft) in compliance with the dive watch standard ISO 6425.

To maintain water resistance, it is recommended to:

• never use the device for other than intended use.
• contact an authorized Suunto service center, distributor or retailer for any repairs.
• keep the device clean from dirt and sand.
• never attempt to open the case yourself.
• avoid subjecting the device to rapid air and water temperature changes.
• always clean your device with fresh water if subjected to salt water.
• never knock or drop the device.

Battery replacement

Suunto D4f displays a battery symbol as a warning when the power gets too low. When this happens, your Suunto D4f should not be used for diving until the battery has been replaced.

Contact an authorized Suunto service center for battery replacement. It is imperative that the change is made in a proper manner to avoid any leakage of water into the battery compartment or computer.

Defects caused by improper battery installation are not covered by the warranty.

All history and logbook data, as well as the altitude, personal and alarm settings, remain in the dive computer memory after the battery change. Other settings revert back to default values.

Technical specifications

Dimensions and weight

• Length: 50 mm (1.97 in)
• Width: 50 mm (1.97 in)
• Height: 16.0 mm (0.61 in)
• Weight: 85 g (3.0 oz)

Operating conditions

• Water resistance: 100 m (328 ft) (complying with ISO 6425)
• Normal altitude range: 0 to 3,000 m (0 to 10,000 ft) above sea level
• Operating temperature: 0 °C to 40 °C ( 32 °F to 104 °F)
• Storage temperature: -20 °C to +50 °C ( -4 °F to +122 °F)
• Maintenance cycle: 2 (two) years

Depth gauge

• Temperature compensated pressure sensor
• Maximum static pressure: 10 bar (145 psi) (complying with EN 13319 and ISO 6425)
• Accurate to 100 m (328 ft) complying with EN 13319
• Depth display range: 0 to 300 m (0 to 984 ft)
• Resolution: 0.1 m from 0 to 100 m (1 ft from 0 to 328 ft)

Temperature display

• Resolution: 1 °
• Display range: -20 °C to +50 °C (-4 °F to +122 °F)
• Accuracy: ± 2 °C (± 3.6 °F) within 20 minutes of temperature change

Other displays

• Dive time: 0 to 999 min
• Surface time: 0 to 99 h 59 min
• Dive counter: 0 to 999 for repetitive dives

Calendar clock

• Accuracy: ± 25 s/month (at 20 °C (68 °F))
• 12/24 h display

Stopwatch

• Accuracy: 1 second
• Display range: 0’00 – 99’59
• Resolution: 1 second

Logbook

• Sample rate in free diving mode: default 2 seconds
• Memory capacity: approximately 3.5 hours with 2-second recording interval

Compliance

CE

Hereby, Suunto Oy, declares that the radio equipment type DW172 is in compliance with Directive 2014/53/EU. The full text of the EU declaration of conformity is available at the following internet address: www.suunto.com/EUconformity.

EU depth gauge standard

EN13319 is a European diving depth gauge standard. Suunto dive computers are designed to comply with this standard.

EU Personal Protective Equipment

The combination of Suunto D4f and Suunto Wireless Tank Pressure Transmitter is a personal protective equipment under the directive 89/686/EEC. The notified body no. 0078, Institut National de la Plongée Professionnelle, Entrée 3 - Port de la Pointe Rouge, 13008 MARSEILLE, France, has completed the EC type-examination to the combination mentioned above and assured the conformity with the European standard EN250:2014. The certification is up to the depth of 50m as defined in the EN250:2014.

Trademark

Suunto D4f, its logos, and other Suunto brand trademarks and made names are registered or unregistered trademarks of Suunto Oy. All rights are reserved.

Patent notice

This product is protected by pending patent applications and their corresponding national rights: US 5,845,235. Additional patent applications may be filed.

International Limited Warranty

Suunto warrants that during the Warranty Period Suunto or a Suunto Authorized Service Center (hereinafter Service Center) will, at its sole discretion, remedy defects in materials or workmanship free of charge either by a) repairing, or b) replacing, or c) refunding, subject to the terms and conditions of this International Limited Warranty. This International Limited Warranty is valid and enforceable regardless of the country of purchase. The International Limited Warranty does not affect your legal rights, granted under mandatory national law applicable to the sale of consumer goods.

Warranty Period

The International Limited Warranty Period starts at the date of original retail purchase.

The Warranty Period is two (2) years for Products and Dive wireless transmitters unless otherwise specified.

The Warranty Period is one (1) year for accessories including but not limited to wireless sensors and transmitters, chargers, cables, rechargeable batteries, straps, bracelets and hoses.

For all Suunto Spartan watches purchased in 2016 the Warranty Period has been extended to three (3) years.

The Warranty Period is five (5) years for failures attributable to the depth measurement (pressure) sensor on Suunto Dive Computers.

Exclusions and Limitations

This International Limited Warranty does not cover:

1. 1. normal wear and tear such as scratches, abrasions, or alteration of the color and/or material of non-metallic straps, b) defects caused by rough handling, or c) defects or damage resulting from use contrary to intended or recommended use, improper care, negligence, and accidents such as dropping or crushing;
2. printed materials and packaging;
3. defects or alleged defects caused by use with any product, accessory, software and/or service not manufactured or supplied by Suunto;
4. non-rechargeable batteries.

Suunto does not warrant that the operation of the Product or accessory will be uninterrupted or error free, or that the Product or accessory will work with any hardware or software provided by a third party.

This International Limited Warranty is not enforceable if the Product or accessory:

1. has been opened beyond intended use;
2. has been repaired using unauthorized spare parts; modified or repaired by unauthorized Service Center;
3. serial number has been removed, altered or made illegible in any way, as determined at the sole discretion of Suunto; or
4. has been exposed to chemicals including but not limited to sunscreen and mosquito repellents.

Access to Suunto warranty service

You must provide proof of purchase to access Suunto warranty service. You must also register your product online at www.suunto.com/register to receive international warranty services globally. For instructions how to obtain warranty service, visit www.suunto.com/warranty, contact your local authorized Suunto retailer, or call Suunto Contact Center.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable mandatory laws, this International Limited Warranty is your sole and exclusive remedy and is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied. Suunto shall not be liable for special, incidental, punitive or consequential damages, including but not limited to loss of anticipated benefits, loss of data, loss of use, cost of capital, cost of any substitute equipment or facilities, claims of third parties, damage to property resulting from the purchase or use of the item or arising from breach of the warranty, breach of contract, negligence, strict tort, or any legal or equitable theory, even if Suunto knew of the likelihood of such damages. Suunto shall not be liable for delay in rendering warranty service.

Copyright

© Suunto Oy 10/2012. All rights reserved. Suunto, Suunto product names, their logos and other Suunto brand trademarks and names are registered or unregistered trademarks of Suunto Oy. This document and its contents are proprietary to Suunto Oy and are intended solely for the use of clients to obtain knowledge and information regarding the operation of Suunto products. Its contents shall not be used or distributed for any other purpose and/or otherwise communicated, disclosed or reproduced without the prior written consent of Suunto Oy. While we have taken great care to ensure that information contained in this documentation is both comprehensive and accurate, no warranty of accuracy is expressed or implied. This document content is subject to change at any time without notice. The latest version of this documentation can be downloaded at www.suunto.com.