Suunto is committed to achieving Level AA conformance for this website in conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and achieving compliance with other accessibility standards. Please contact Customer Service at USA +1 855 258 0900 (toll free), if you have any issues accessing information on this website.

Suunto D6i User Guide

Compass

Suunto D6i includes a digital compass.

The tilt-compensated compass gives you accurate readings even if the compass is not horizontally level.

The compass can be activated from either time or dive mode and shows the current bearing and depth.

  1. While in TIME or DIVE mode, keep SELECT pressed to activate the compass.

compass Dseries

  1. Press MODE to exit the compass display. If you are underwater, keep [SELECT] pressed to exit.

When in dive mode, the compass display includes additional information in the bottom left and right views.

  1. Press DOWN to scroll through the bottom left views. (tank pressure, max. depth, time)
  2. Press UP to scroll through the bottom right views. (dive time, temperature, bearing)

compass divemode Dseries

Calibrating compass

When you first start using Suunto D6i, the compass needs to be calibrated. Suunto D6i displays the calibration icon when you enter the compass.

compass calibrate Dseries

Calibrate the compass by slowly rotating the unit in your hand in large figure-8 loops..

During the calibration process, the compass adjusts itself to the surrounding magnetic field.

If the calibration fails,Try Again appears. If calibration continues to fail, move to another location and try again.

When traveling overseas, it is recommended that you recalibrate the compass at the new location before using it.

To manually start the calibration:

  1. While in the compass view, keep DOWN pressed.
  2. Press DOWN to scroll to Calibration.
  3. Press SELECT to start the calibration.

Setting declination

You should always adjust your compass declination for the area where you are diving to get accurate heading readings. Check the local declination from a trusted source and set the value in Suunto D6i.

  1. While in the compass view, keep DOWN pressed.
  2. Press DOWN to scroll to Declination and press SELECT.
  3. Press DOWN to toggle to East or West and confirm with SELECT.
  4. Set Declination Degrees with DOWN or UP.
  5. Press MODE to save and exit.

Setting compass timeout

You can define how long the compass stays on after you have activated it. Reset the timeout with any button press while using the compass.

After the timeout, the Suunto D6i returns to time or dive mode.

To set the timeout:

  1. While in the compass display, keep DOWN pressed.
  2. Press DOWN to scroll to Timeout and press SELECT.
  3. Adjust the timeout time with DOWN or UP.
  4. Press MODE to exit.

Setting bearing lock

A bearing is the angle between north and your target. In simple terms, it is the direction you want to travel. Your heading, on the other hand, is your actual direction of travel.

The default bearing is North.

You can set a bearing lock to help you orientate yourself underwater and ensure you maintain your direction of travel. For example, you can set a bearing lock for the direction to a reef before leaving the boat.

The last locked bearing is stored and available the next time the compass is activated. In Dive mode, the locked bearings are also stored in the log. To lock a bearing:

  1. With the compass active, hold the watch in front of you and turn yourself towards your target.
  2. Press SELECT to lock the current degree displayed on the watch as your bearing.
  3. Press SELECT to clear the lock.

compass bearinglock Dseries

If, at any point, your bearing moves outside the compass display, right or left arrows appear to show turn direction.

Suunto D6i provides help for navigating square and triangular patterns, as well as navigating a return heading with the following symbols.

SymbolExplanation
bearing1You are traveling towards the locked bearing.
bearing2You are 90 (or 270) degrees from the locked bearing.
bearing3You are 180 degrees from the locked bearing.
bearing4You are 120 (or 240) degrees from the locked bearing.

Table of Content