Suunto Helo2 life expectancy

[40Fathoms]

A bit of an odd question, and not one with a definitive answer, I know, but here goes:

I've got a Suunto Helo2 that has served me well on hundreds of dives over the past five years. No problems whatsoever (knock on wood), but now I've started wondering: what is the life expectancy of a dive computer like this? 5 years? 10 years? 500 dives?

I realise that many factors come into play, but buying a computer like this is somewhat of an investment, so I'd prefer to be at least mentally prepared for when I might expect to see problems coming up.

So far, I've replaced computers before they gave up (save for one), so lacking an idea of how long dive computers generally last.

 

[Diver0001]

I have a Vytec that i bought in (I think) 2002 that has 700-800 dives on it and it still works fine.

I know a number of other Suunto owners who have had to retire their computers a lot sooner because of troubles with the pressure sensor that make them start to give incorrect depth readings and/or start to "self dive" (go in dive mode before it is submerged), which makes it impossible to access the menu's.

So the answer is "it depends". If you get a good one and you take care of it then it should serve you well for years. if you're unlucky it could be showing signs of age after just a few years.

R..

 

[Bigeclipse]

A bit of an odd question, and not one with a definitive answer, I know, but here goes:

I've got a Suunto Helo2 that has served me well on hundreds of dives over the past five years. No problems whatsoever (knock on wood), but now I've started wondering: what is the life expectancy of a dive computer like this? 5 years? 10 years? 500 dives?

I realise that many factors come into play, but buying a computer like this is somewhat of an investment, so I'd prefer to be at least mentally prepared for when I might expect to see problems coming up.

So far, I've replaced computers before they gave up (save for one), so lacking an idea of how long dive computers generally last.

I am by far not as advanced of a diver as you but I do have experience with Suunto computers. My parents, like you, have many many dives on their Zoops with out any issues and their computers are now going on 5 years old. I got a used viper2 when I bought a drysuit from someone and that one came defective from the user. It is a weird defect. It functions 100% correct when diving (I have compared it to 3 other computers) BUT it will not save the new dives in it's log book history. What happens is, the next day the computer simply resets and displays the old dives. I sent it back to suunto in hopes to have the software fixed but they couldn't and offered me 50% off on a brand new Vyper-air which I did not want, however, it was nice of them to offer me something since I was not the original owner and the computer was far over it's expiration for warranty. All this being said, this is why I now dive two computers. Once I start seeing a large discrepancy between the two then I know something is wrong. Computers may vary a few feet for depth or temperature. I suspect computers will have varying life expectancies dependent on many factors. I know there are bottom timers (similar to computers) which are approaching the 10 year mark and still function fine.

 

[Fin Finder]

I guess everyone will have a different answer to your questioned based on personal experience.

Suunto Favor: Purchased new 1998. Moderate use (in recent years as my back-up). Functioned until lost during a capsizing in 2015.
Suunto Cobra: Purchased new 2000. Heavy use. Scratched up, but still functioning perfectly.
Suunto Vyper: Purchased new 2005. Moderate use. Failed after about 50 dives in 2007 (depth sensor).
Suunto Helo2: Purchased new 2010. Heavy use. Computer functioning. Transmitter failed and replaced.
Suunto Favor: Purchased used 2015. Heavy use (as back-up). Functioning.

I consider myself a Suunto guy, and I feel I've had pretty good luck with them (well, 4 out of 5). That said, I always have a back-up; if not bungeed on my wrist (Favor), then at least in my dive bag. I also rig an analog SPG anytime I'm on a transmitter. In recent years my Helo2 has replaced my trusty old Cobra as my primary use computer. So far, so good. I'd be satisfied if it lasts another 300 dives.

 

[tr3a]

Purchased 3 gekkos in late 2004 for myself, and my wife and son. The dive count on all 3 have all passed the 1000 mark many years ago (resetting the count to 0). All 3 are still in active service