SK-7 - Compass SUUNTO - Free user manual and instructions

Product type	Dive compass
Brand	Suunto
Model	SK-7
Maximum tilt	30°
Side window	Yes
Lubber line	Red line on the capsule
Graduation	360° clockwise
Use	Land and underwater
Maintenance	Rinse with fresh water after each use
Weight	Approximately 50 g
Dimensions	Approximately 5 cm diameter
Power source	None (mechanical)
Marks	Double mark on bezel
Material	Plastic and metal
Safety	Hold horizontally; check needle freedom
Accessories	Wriststrap or console module
Country of origin	Finland

Frequently Asked Questions - SK-7 SUUNTO

How to use the SK-7 compass for a bearing on a map?

Place the compass on the map, aligning the lubber line with the target. If necessary, use a ruler. Rotate the bezel to align the double mark with the map's magnetic north. Then, on the ground, move while keeping the north needle in the notch of the double mark.

How to follow a given heading underwater?

Set the heading by rotating the bezel to bring the desired value in front of the red line. Keep the compass horizontal and turn until the north needle is in the notch of the double mark. The lubber line then indicates the direction to follow. Swim towards fixed landmarks.

What is magnetic declination and how to account for it?

Magnetic declination is the difference between geographic north and magnetic north. It varies by location and is indicated on maps. For accurate readings, add or subtract the local declination to your heading.

What to do if the needle does not rotate freely?

Slowly rotate the compass right and left. If the needle remains stuck, the compass is not horizontal or is damaged. In murky waters, check the needle's freedom before relying on the heading.

Can the compass be used vertically?

No, the compass must be held horizontally (30° tolerance for the SK-7). Otherwise, the needle or compass card may stick, giving incorrect readings.

How to clean the compass after a dive?

Rinse the compass with fresh water after each use to remove salt, sand, or dirt. Dry it with a soft cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals.

What is the difference between the SK-6 and SK-7 models?

The SK-7 allows a maximum tilt of 30°, compared to 14° for the SK-6. Also, the SK-7 graduation is clockwise, while the SK-6 is counterclockwise. The SK-7 has a red line on the capsule as the lubber line.

Can I use the compass with dive gloves?

Yes, the SK-7 bezel is designed to be easily operated even with gloves. Make sure to turn it to set the heading without forcing.

What is the side window of the SK-7 used for?

The side window allows direct reading of the bearing angle after orienting the lubber line towards the target. This facilitates taking bearings without having to memorize the angle.

How to avoid accidentally adjusting the bezel?

Memorize the heading before entering the water. After setting, handle the compass carefully. Some models allow locking the bezel, but on the SK-7, be careful not to turn it unintentionally.

USER MANUAL SK-7 SUUNTO

SUUNTO Diving Compasses

USER'S GUIDE

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THE SUUNTO DIVING COMPASSES USER'S GUIDE

The high-quality, liquid-filled Suunto diving compasses are durable, reliable and easy to use. The Suunto diving compass range includes both wrist and combo models. The SK-6 and SK-7 compasses have a side reading window.

The direction line, which indicates the direction of your destination, is indicated as follows:

Compass

SK-5 wrist compass

SK-6 wrist compass

SK-6 combo compass

SK-7 wrist compass

SK-7 combo compass

Direction line

Arrow on the compass body and capsule.

Arrow on the compass body

No line, the console center line shows the direction.

Red line on the compass capsule

Red line on the compass capsule and console center line.

COMPASS USE FOR DIVERS

ABOVE WATER

- Sighting a compass bearing

Hold the compass so that the compass is in a horizontal position and the direction line points away from you. Turn with the compass until the direction line points at your destination, then turn the direction ring until the magnetic North needle is aligned between the direction slit marks. The index mark, or on the SK-7 compass the front end of the direction line, shows your compass bearing, and as long as the North needle is aligned between the slit marks, the direction line points toward your destination. If the compass has a side-reading window, you can also take a bearing by directing the compass towards the destination and by reading the compass bearing from the side window. This bearing can be memorized by turning the direction ring to that bearing.

- Obtaining a bearing from a map

Place the compass on the map, the direction line pointing from your point of departure to your destination. If necessary, use a ruler to connect the two points, and hold the compass

against the ruler. Turn the direction ring until the direction slit marks point to the magnetic North on the map. When proceeding from map to terrain, all you have to do is keep the North needle between the slit marks while going from point of departure to destination.

- Setting a given bearing or direction

The scale division is 360 degrees going counterclockwise (clockwise in SK-7) from 0 degrees at North. Turn the direction ring until the index mark, or on the SK-7 compass the front end of the direction line, is at the desired direction. Turn the compass until the needle falls between the slit marks. The direction line now points in the desired direction.

- Magnetic declination

Maps are drawn in correlation to the geographic poles, while the magnetic compass needle is subject to magnetic declination, which varies according to the location. For absolutely exact map work, local declination (which is usually given on the map) should be taken into account.

- General orientation on the diving site

Before diving, check the main compass bear

ings at the diving site, paying special attention to memorizing the direction of the shoreline and bearings of landmarks that may be of importance.

UNDER WATER

Natural aids to underwater navigation

• The underwater extension of the shore's inclination tells the diver if he is following the shoreline. Be extremely careful, however: underwater ridges may lead you astray. Surface occasionally to check.
• The dip and stratification of rocks on the shore can often be followed over large areas under water.
• Sand ripples form long lines parallel to the shore.
  The direction of currents should be noted by their effect on algae or drifting particles. (Use the compass to check the bearing of the current).
• In shallow water, the sun's direction can be seen from shadows on the bottom, or by looking toward the surface.
• Swimming in a straight line along the bottom

is greatly facilitated if you can line up three distinctive objects in your line of vision. As you reach the first one, line up a new one farther away, so that you again have three points determining your course. This way you can counteract the effect of a side current.

Using the compass under water

Usually, a compass must be held precisely in a horizontal position, otherwise the magnetic needle will stick. However, the SK-5 compass may be inclined about ± 10 degrees from the horizontal. In the SK-6 the allowed inclination is approximately ± 14 degrees and in the SK-7 approximately ± 30 degrees.
- Do not attempt to use the compass before you come to rest and can align the compass horizontally with the aid of a flat bottom, a glimpse of the surface, your own bubbles going up, or the pull of gravity. When doubtful, as in darkness or very murky water, turn the compass slowly right and left, checking that the North needle swings freely, before trusting your bearing.
- Swimming along the bottom, make use of fixed points. Keep still until the needle set

ties between the slit marks (your predetermined bearing), choose a distinctive object near the edge of vision in that direction, swim toward it, and repeat the operation on reaching it.

Commonly, the diver wants to follow a predetermined bearing under water, trying to reach a wreck, a rock etc. When submerging after obtaining the bearing on the surface, he must be careful not to accidentally disturb the direction ring, and to be on the safe side, the compass bearing should always be memorized.

• Avoid swimming long distances "in the blue". With practice you can swim straight by holding the compass constantly in front of your face, making sure that the direction line as precisely as possible points in your swimming direction. This can be facilitated by holding the compass in your hand instead of attaching it to your wrist. When possible, start by diving straight down to the bottom, then use the compass to follow fixed points, as described above.

• In clear water, the compass can be used to swim in a search pattern over a fairly large area. Count your swim kick pairs (each left

or each right kick), swimming on one of the main bearings (North, South, East, West). Count to 100 kick pairs (roughly 100 meters), turn 90 degrees, swim a few kicks, then turn 90 degrees further, and again swim 100 kick pairs. The pattern is continued for as long as necessary. The side displacement between the long legs in a search pattern depends on visibility. Make it preferably shorter than theoretically possible, as your directional error on the long legs is apt to be in the order of several degrees.

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Suunto, Wristop Computer, Diving Compasses, Replacing Luck and their logos are registered or unregistered trademarks of Suunto Oy. All rights reserved.

While we have taken great care to ensure that information contained in this documentation is both comprehensive and accurate, no warranty of accuracy is expressed or implied. Its content is subject to change at any time without notice.

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