suunto new compass sk-8

Choosing the SK-8 dive compass
Jukka Saarikorpi 3.11.2014
When navigating underwater I use always a compass at least just as a backup. Sometimes also my whole
dive route depends on it. Especially knowing where the shallow end is, where the shore is and where I
left my boat eases my mind to know that you are swimming into the correct direction.
4 steps in buying a compass
1.
2.
3.
4.
Choose the balance between northern or southern hemisphere
First choose wrist-mount or console mount.
Select a brand that does this well - Suunto SK-8
Buy the compass
Choosing the balancing between Northern and Southern hemisphere
For the SK-8 we have built it with a global ring magnet. However with the compass rose so big we ended
with still having Northern and Southern hemisphere balancing. Magnetic fields in the world differ, so
this is why we have to balance the compass whether you are based in northern part of the globe or the
southern part. Compass balancing means that when we build the compass we balance the magnet so
that the compass rose is level as possible in certain hemisphere.
Just to give you indication of the tilt of the rose I will put some pictures to describe what is meant by
this.
We had the compass tested by a special lab simulating different magnetic fields in the world.
SH means the southern version and NH the Northern version of the SK-8 compass module.
North
Canada
SK8NH3
SK8NH4
SK8SH1
SK8SH2
Slightly tilted to North
GOOD
Slightly tilted to North
GOOD
Heavily tilted to North
Might work
Heavily tilted to North
Might work
Rovaniemi (Finland)
SK8NH3
SK8NH4
SK8SH1
SK8SH2
Tilt
Status
Slightly tilted to North-East
GOOD
Slightly tilted to North-East
GOOD
Tilted to North
Still works
Tilted to North
Still works
No picture sorry
No picture sorry
SK8NH3
SK8NH4
SK8SH1
SK8SH2
Straight
VERY GOOD
Straight
VERY GOOD
Tilted to North
GOOD
Tilted to North
GOOD
Tilt
Status
Paris
(France)
Tilt
Status
Mexico City (Mexico)
SK8NH3
Tilt
Status
Almost straight. Slightly
tilted to South-East
VERY GOOD
SK8NH4
SK8SH1
SK8SH2
Almost straight. Slightly
tilted to South-East
VERY GOOD
Tilted to North-West
GOOD
Tilted to North-West
GOOD
SK8SH2
Slightly tilted to NorthWest
GOOD
Bangkok (Thailand)
SK8NH3
SK8NH4
Tilt
Status
Slightly tilted to South-East
GOOD
SK8SH1
Slightly tilted to NorthWest
GOOD
Port Elisabeth (South Africa)
SK8NH3
SK8NH4
SK8SH1
SK8SH2
Tilt
Status
Tilted to South
GOOD
Slightly tilted to NorthWest
VERY GOOD
Slightly tilted to NorthWest
VERY GOOD
Slightly tilted to South-East
GOOD
Tilted to South
GOOD
Cairns (Australia)
SK8NH3
Tilt
Status
Tilted to South-East
Still works
SK8NH4
SK8SH1
SK8SH2
Tilted to South-East
Still works
Slightly tilted to SouthWest
VERY GOOD
Slightly tilted to SouthWest
VERY GOOD
Choosing wrist-mount or console mount
My personal selection is the Bungee mount. I think this is the easiest way to keep the compass and
navigate. Also having one attached to the console would ease your mind in having to think about
another accessory to carry with. Here are all the options.
Suunto SK-8 Bungee Mount – My personal favorite
This is by far the easiest way to carry the compass with you. Bungee mounted comes with the 1 metre
bungee that can be easily setup. Works with drysuit or wetsuit and it’s easy to put on and take off. Also
usability in water is great.
Codes sold in:
NH = Northern hemisphere & SH = Southern hemisphere
SS021118000
SS021119000
SUUNTO SK-8 Bungee Mount NH
SUUNTO SK-8 Bungee Mount SH
SK-8 Console Mount, front
fits into the Suunto console on top of the console. It’s handy that it’s always with you attached to your
regulator set and is easy to ready and use if necessary. To the Suunto console you can fit your Zoop /
Vyper easily and your SPG so you have everything in one package.
Codes sold in:
NH = Northern hemisphere & SH = Southern hemisphere
SS021122000
SUUNTO SK-8 Console Mount, front NH
SS021160000
SUUNTO SK-8 Console Mount, front SH
SS021271000
SUUNTO SK-8 Console Mount, front NH / Bulk (20 pcs)
SS021272000
SUUNTO SK-8 Console Mount, front SH / Bulk (20 pcs)
SK-8 Console Mount, back
SK-8 Console Mount, back -means double-side for the Suunto Combo Console. This means it goes to the
other side of your SPG and is there easily to be found. Makes the console a bit bulky, but doesn’t add on
the length which might be an issue with the front mounted version.
Codes sold in:
NH = Northern hemisphere & SH = Southern hemisphere
SS021123000
SUUNTO SK-8 Console Mount, back NH
SS021161000
SUUNTO SK-8 Console Mount, back SH
SS021269000
SUUNTO SK-8 Console Mount, back / Bulk NH (Bulk lot 15 pcs)
SS021270000
SUUNTO SK-8 Console Mount, back / Bulk SH (Bulk lot 15 pcs)
Suunto SK-8 Strap Mount
This is currently the most favorite version. This can be used in wrist with the strap. Strap can however be
sometimes a hassle to put on and off. When you are in the water diving - its very usable and a robust
version. This boot also survived the best in hammer tests. Video on that test at the end of this text.
Codes sold in:
NH = Northern hemisphere & SH = Southern hemisphere
SS020981000
SUUNTO SK-8 Strap Mount NH
SS020982000
SUUNTO SK-8 Strap Mount SH
Also there is an option to use this Suunto SK-8 Strap Mount version with a retractor which is sold
separately as an accessory. You just take the strap off and replace it with a retractor. Retractors are
made by GearKeeper company who has made an easy fit system to fit into the wrist strap version of the
Suunto SK-8. You can do the change yourself easily.
You can also buy the compass module as an accessory. This is then just the capsule and it comes in a
plastic bag.
Codes sold in:
NH = Northern hemisphere & SH = Southern hemisphere
SS021120000
SUUNTO SK-8 CAPSULE NH
SS021121000
SUUNTO SK-8 CAPSULE SH
Robustness of the compass
We hammer tested the compass with the hammer and tried to break it. Here a short version of the test.
IMG_2564.MOV
With this test we improved the construction from the SK-7 to SK-8 so that we can easily hit the compass
from the back with 15 hits without losing the magnet or breaking the capsule. We improved also the
manufacturing process so that we can say that the SK-8 is more robust than the SK-7.