Cheap Freediving Watch review

[RabiSpear]

After going through my third Suunto, the wife kind of put the cabash on getting another one right away. Having dove for the last couple months without a watch, I was getting kind of used to not having one, but I started looking into alternatives to the Suunto just the same. I settled on a watch called a Timex HELIX DM that I bought for $50 on ebay. It recorded depth and had some semblemce of a timer on it, so I decided it was worth the risk.

First impression is that the watch is built much better than the Suunto. It looks cooler too. I tried it out Saturday for the first time to mixed results. The watch will work for me, but I don't know if it is for everyone. The timer starts after decending 5 ft and restarts upon reaching 5 feet of the surface. This means it performs its most important function (to me), surface interval, very well. It also keeps depth, but it only updates every 5 seconds...not that big of a deal. Also reads bottom time, but doesn't log it.

All in all, I think I will be happy with it. It tells me the depth and surface interval, so I get what I want. Unfortunately, it doesn't work as an anti-BS meter like a Suunto. "Oh, you just dove 200ft for 4mins? Let me see that on your watch!"

[Spearo_Fla]

Pics, we need pics!

[RabiSpear]

I know this sounds stupid, but I have no idea how to resize pics in order to post them. I think you can see one on ebay if you type in Timex Helix. I'll see what I can do. Maybe it is time to learn how to put up pics with the new camera, huh?

[czspearfisher]

here you guys go. http://spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=13528&page=2&pp=15 i had one for while but i lost it. i would still be using it if i had not lost it.

[RabiSpear]

Does it really save dives? I didn't know that.

[NOTANX]

what were the problems you were having with your suunto. i have one and i cant keep it working right. i guy i dive with has a casio (i believe) and its seems to work much like the suunto for a fraction of the price. did you send the suunto back and were they receptive to fixing it.

[richhermes]

Here's a pic

http://www.websitement-tm.com/z_websitement/images/D_M.47651.jpg

[EEZerik]

"Oh, you just dove 200ft for 4mins? Let me see that on your watch!"


:D :D :D :D :D :D That is classic. "CHECK YOUR WATCH"


I had the Timex before moving up to the D3 but I think the battery died on me I originally thought the watch was dead, so I bought the D3.

Here are my thoughts as well on the Timex:

Pos
+ well built, dropped it many times and it still works
+ can buy 4 for the price of 1 suunto
+ led light
+ can switch from time to bottomtime u/w

Neg
- bottom time didn't start for me many times until 15-30 seconds into the dive
-wrist band was not long enough to go around a thick wetsuit (7mm) at the wrist..but I think this can be fixed with a new band
-no log to chart progress

[RabiSpear]

User error was my problem with the Suunto. I had one stolen when my car was broken into, I lost one and I negligently changed the battery on the last one causing water leakage. I have no problem with the Suunto...in fact, I definitely want to get another one. There is the slight issue being a student supported by his wife that I am having trouble with...

It seems like this watch might work for me.

[Southern Cross]

Recently invested in a Suunto Mosquito. Awesome piece of equipment.
Has Air, Nitrox, and Free dive modes.
Can scroll through my dives. I have 5 scuba and about 80 free dives on it, and it holds them all. Same size as the Suunto Freedive watch too.
Paid $400, but worth every penny. I can safely dive rigs on Scuba, and switch to free dive mode between scuba dives for some light snorkeling.
This thing is completely dummy proof. Just get wet, and it knows what to do. All you do is change from Air to Free mode. I'll never dive without one. Cheaper than a ride in the chamber any day.

[thecrab87]

Unfortunately, it doesn't work as an anti-BS meter like a Suunto. "Oh, you just dove 200ft for 4mins? Let me see that on your watch!"

Ha! An old trick is to drop your watch down on your tagline or on a rod and reel.

"See, my watch shows that I hit 130 feet."

[frogman]

I have been using the Suunto Stinger and it is a great dive watch with free, Scuba and Nitrox capabilities and it doesn't look like it came out of a cereal box (like the D3 :D ).
thecrab87, I bet I could tell that you were faking it with the rod'n'reel trick, if you check the profile on the dive ;)

[thecrab87]

I have been using the Suunto Stinger and it is a great dive watch with free, Scuba and Nitrox capabilities and it doesn't look like it came out of a cereal box (like the D3 :D ).
thecrab87, I bet I could tell that you were faking it with the rod'n'reel trick, if you check the profile on the dive ;)

Oh, I've never done that. I dive alone most of the time, and the partners that I do have are all in there fifties or sixties and wouldn't give a shit how deep I dove. They're really a mellow bunch.

I do know a few guys that have done it just to screw with a rookie's head! I guess I was just trying to say that unless you see it with your own eyes, don't believe it!