Check your gear a month before you GO!

[Travelnsj]

Always check your gear at least a month before you go on a trip. I am leaving tomorrow for the Philippines and Palau for a bit over 3 weeks. I got out my Suunto Cobra and D9 to adjust the time and date for the Philippines....My D9 came up with a...."LOW BATTERY" warning....called my local LDS to see if Suunto has approved LDS's to change the Battery....Nope still has to be sent in!....he said it should last about 15 dives....so I have my trusty Cobra....but this could of been prevented if I would of changed the battery after the recommended 2 years instead of 2 1/2 years or I would of checked it a MONTH ago!!!

[Byte Me]

or bought a computer with a user replaceable battery!

[CompuDude]

Sound advice!

[Diver Kat]

Yeah ... we leave in 3 weeks, and I started pulling stuff out a few days ago to give it a look over. Learned that lesson once when I spotted the bladder bungee had gone bad on my DH's Escape BC about a week before leaving on one trip. Luckily Scott Zeagle does super customer service and got me a replacement in just a few days!

[cowgirldiver]

Travelnsj, like you, I have a computer that has a battery that has to be replaced by the manufacturer and I always worry that right before (or during) a big trip that the battery is going to go out. I learn stuff everyday. Like, don't just buy a computer (cause your a girl) and it looks good on your wrist...In reality, I love my computer (now that after a year of owning it, I think I finally have everything figured out), but I wish I had one that has a battery that was easier to replace. So....when I buy my son his computer I need to remember that (as it will likely be my backup computer).

[Zenagirl]

We always hit a pool for a check-out dive about 4-5 weeks prior to any dive trip. Gives us plenty of time for something to be serviced or replaced in plenty of time. Good habit and good reminder, thanks for the post!

[Drewskey]

Leaving in a little less than a month for PR. Thanks for the reminder!

[Travelnsj]

I have a tank in my Garage only for the purpose to check gauges and BC prior to leaving on a trip. I forgot about it until the other day. I've had the D9 since they first came out around 3 years ago. Sent it in for that software update about 2 1/2 years ago and they put in a new battery....I remembered to change the transmitter battery last year (which i can do)....but forgot the computer!

Good advice from Byte Me and CompuDude....buy one that is easly servicable.....But I am not ready to throw 2K away....so I will learn my lessons!

[Chocoholic]

I bought a Suunto Vyper that is user replaceable but couldn't get the thing out of the wrist mount. Luckily the Dive Shop here was able to replace it while I waited. I was trying to adjust the time to Cabo time three days before I left and found that the battery was low. The original battery lasted three and a half years.

[scubasamurai]

Originally Posted by Travelnsj

Always check your gear at least a month before you go on a trip. I am leaving tomorrow for the Philippines and Palau for a bit over 3 weeks. I got out my Suunto Cobra and D9 to adjust the time and date for the Philippines....My D9 came up with a...."LOW BATTERY" warning....called my local LDS to see if Suunto has approved LDS's to change the Battery....Nope still has to be sent in!....he said it should last about 15 dives....so I have my trusty Cobra....but this could of been prevented if I would of changed the battery after the recommended 2 years instead of 2 1/2 years or I would of checked it a MONTH ago!!!

too bad your not on the east coast , we are the service center for suunto on that side and sometimes get stuff from CA we could have had the d9 back to you in a week!!! it is the slow time for diving even in florida haha