Review Suunto Nautic

Suunto has seemingly been in no rush to release a new full-sized dive computer. The EON Core and EON Steel were released in 2017 and 2014 respectively, so there was significant buzz when the Suunto Nautic finally dropped at the end of 2025.

I’ve racked up hundreds of dives on my EON Core and felt no pressing need to upgrade. It does everything I need: a colour display, support for mixed gas diving, and wireless tank integration—it covers most bases.

Suunto has thrown practically everything in their locker at the Nautic in terms of features, and it still comes in at a highly competitive price of just £625 ($699). So what I really want to find out is: is the Nautic a generational leap forward, and has it been worth the wait?

Design

Unboxing the Nautic, the first thing you’ll notice (unsurprisingly) is that screen. It boasts a 3.26” full-colour AMOLED display, the first on a dedicated dive computer, and it looks awesome. Underwater, this additional screen real estate is incredibly useful, allowing me to have all the dive data I needed on a single page—so there’s no need to scroll to see your compass.

The large display looks great, but the real improvement wasn’t what I expected. Resolution and vibrancy are important in something like a TV, but a dive computer is a tool with a purpose above looking good. The real advantage of the AMOLED screen that I haven’t heard mentioned enough is viewing angle.

The clarity and readability are a huge step up from Suunto’s previous computers. This was particularly appreciated while diving in the UK’s unforgiving early spring conditions. Rather than having to bring the computer up to eye level to read it, I could cast a quick glance down at my wrist to get the dive info I needed. When you’re holding a decent-sized camera, that’s a big plus.

My buddy even commented it was easier to read my Nautic’s display than his own EON Steel’s as we drifted next to each other during a safety stop.

The Nautic is operated by four buttons, grouped in pairs on the top and bottom edges of the body. The buttons have a short throw and a satisfyingly tactile clickiness to them. Using thick gloves, I found them both easy to locate and use.

One thing I did find, at least for me, is that the button layout isn’t immediately intuitive.

I’m sure this is very much a me problem, but it took a while to get familiar with the layout (particularly which was the forward and back button). It probably didn’t help that I kept switching the display to work out whether I preferred the button clusters on the right or left of the screen.

One big thumbs up for Suunto is that you can buy the Nautic with your choice of strap—so no need to fork out extra for a bungee adapter (a pet peeve of mine). The Nautic comes with either a textile strap or a bungee mount. My review sample arrived with my preferred bungee-style setup, and it was easy to put on over dry-glove rings and secure safely.

Features

There are no gaps in the Nautic’s extensive feature list. It’s a multi-gas computer, rated to 200m, with wireless tank integration, and it also has a host of smart features which I’ll discuss later.

Key features:

The Nautic uses the familiar Bühlmann ZHL-16C algorithm with fully adjustable gradient factors. Suunto has moved on from its own proprietary RGBM algorithm and doesn’t even offer it as an option.

The UI is clear, uncluttered, and easy to navigate. The Nautic’s processor, coupled with those fast-clicking buttons, allows you to quickly move through menus and adjust settings. If you’ve ever had the pre-dive panic of forgetting to adjust your gas mix, you’ll appreciate the speed.

It comfortably passed my ‘no-look manual test’—as I was easily able to find all the customisation options I needed without consulting the manual. You can edit the default dive view, but with the larger screen I found the stock layout had everything I needed.

Next Gen?

I’m sure part of the wait for Suunto to release a new dive computer was finding meaningful new features to add to an already capable line-up: there’s only so much you can do with a dive computer. My guess is the focus has been on adding smart features and improved connectivity to the Nautic.

Suunto’s supporting app has been vastly improved since I last used it in anger. Crucially for me, the Nautic automatically syncs with the app to upload and log your dive data. I’m not great at logging dives at the best of times, and if I have to manually connect or sync my phone, it’s probably not going to happen.

One of the coolest features is route tracking. First introduced on the Suunto Ocean, it allows you to view a 3D summary of your dive in the app, and it soon became one of the first things I checked after a dive. I’m not sure how accurate it is, particularly in strong currents, but it was always interesting to see how a dive (may have) unfolded.

The Nautic, coupled with its GPS, also has the ability to download and display offline maps. These maps can be downloaded through the Suunto app directly onto the device, meaning you don’t need a phone or signal to view your position. They are maps, not nautical charts, so you don’t get detailed marine information—but they’re still useful. There’s something very satisfying about seeing exactly where your dive boat is on a map.

The Nautic’s advertised battery life is up to 120 hours of use on a single charge. I can’t verify that figure exactly, but I can report that it is excellent. Putting the Nautic through its paces over several weeks, it lasted remarkably well and is definitely a generational step up. Depending on how much you use the smart features—I imagine GPS and maps are a drain—I can easily see the Nautic lasting an intensive week of diving without a charger. Having one less thing to remember to keep charged on a trip is a definite plus.

One feature that isn’t particularly ‘next gen’ but was still appreciated is the Nautic’s small built-in torch. I didn’t manage to find a use for it but it feels like a nice touch.

Comparison

The Nautic is excellent value compared with the competition:

Verdict

The Suunto Nautic is the complete package, and I think it’s the best value dive computer on the market. It supports recreational through to technical diving along with plenty of useful smart features. Retailing at just £625 ($699), Suunto has really crammed in the diving features and opted for an aggressive pricing strategy.

To answer my original question: the Nautic is definitely a generational step forward for Suunto. In truth, it’s going to be hard to go back to my lil’ Eon Core.

The Suunto Nautic is available now and retails at £625.00 ($699)

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