Question Help with choosing new computer

[DrakeTheDiver]

Exactly that, the situation can change fast. If everything goes well and air consumption remains constant, I don't need a computer to tell me how much gas I need to get to the surface safely. As an alternative to an SPG, there is more to go wrong with AI than brass and glass. I have had AI fail on me previously, but I understand it has become more reliable in recent years.

That’s reasonable. I suppose it is all about knowing and trusting your gear. I do believe it to be a nice tool, but I agree you must know its’ limitations.

 

[WreckWriter]

I went with a Peregrine, the standard version. I don't completely trust the AI units, I'm used to an SPG and will stick with that. Shearwater seems to have the best name these days. I would have liked to get one of the trimix models but since I tweaked my back I won't be able to dive with doubles and trimix on a single tank is a bit silly so Peregrine it is for me.

Kinda weird, I now have 2 things called Peregrine. The computer and my motorcycle. Hayabusa means peregrine falcon in Japanese. Just found that interesting, it had no bearing on my computer choice.

 

[RoscoeRedThree]

I know this sounds shallow, but why do you need such a specialized dive computer. Also, which one have you used before?

 

[J12345]

the shearwaters are great. The peregrine, perdix, and teric. I love the teric because of it allows recharging and don’t have to change battery, although I have to charge every other day if I do a full day of dives. It is on the small side from what I have heard, and why a bunch of my friends opted for the perdix. The perdix is also good if you decide to go ccr in the future.

 

[Subcooled]

A lot of rubbish about Suunto seems to have become accepted as fact by a lot of people.

[...]

I have a number of issues with the company and with the battery replacement but they are not bad devices by any sensible measure.

True. I am still alive after more that 500 dives using a Suunto Vyper or Zoop. They just work. A little bit boring devices, though.

• The battery lasts forever but is not trivial to change
• The dot matrix screen is a bit boring
• If you attach the convex plastic screen protector, readability may suffer from reflections of dive light etc. Aiming the light and tilting the device may frustrate you then
• When I compare a HW Bottom timer to a Suunto Zoop, I made a surprising observation though. The LCD screen which is a black screen covered with glass (a.k.a. a mirror) was more difficult to read in bright light due to reflections. In darkness it's good, but let there be sunlight and you may curse. The boring dot matrix display, on the other hand, was clearly visible and a joy to read. Which screen is optimal may thus depend on the environment (bright sunlight, darkness, turbid water all different) and on your eye sight.

This is based on hundreds of dives using Suunto computers, and only 20 using the bottom timer, so I have much to learn about the latter in various environments.

The bottom timer is very sturdy and easy to adjust. Unfortunately, it cannot withstand a 62 mph impact with asphalt and being overran by a lorry (truck), though.

 

[Subcooled]

Lockouts

That has to be the most i**otic thing Suunto has come up with. "Hey, You made a mistake. I won't help you now. You will die, but not my fault, your relatives can't sue me". Not a problem in gauge mode, though. And I haven't experienced a lockout (because I did not violate the limits).

Pending fact check (AI generated): "If the diver stays above the ceiling for more than three minutes, the computer's algorithm becomes locked"

setting O2 percentages higher than entered

I haven't seen this, but maybe in some models?

dubious service

Could be, if you are not in Finland

and user-interface

I never really leaned how to operate the on-demand backlight. It was so difficut with drygloves on. I hate those buttons. The screen is underwhelming but actually quite nice in some conditions. The menus then? I don't care.

and extreme sensitivity to yo-yo profiles, ascent speeds, and short surface intervals, plus mysterious proprietary algorithms.

At least it does err on the safe side. Maybe too safe? I suspect that this is less of a Suunto problem and more of a Bubble model vs. Haldanean deco model problem, which is a deep subject, as we know.

All these issues are well documented. Recent models may have alleviated some of this, but the reputation is based on the past, not the future.

It's like salty liquorice. Not loved by all but still enjoyed by some.

 

[Jai Bar]

Shearwater are ok, but from the two options you posted (Tern, Peregrine), the latter is by far better, a larger screen and the battery lasts significantly longer.

Matter of fact, my wife's Tern Tx battery went all the way down from approximately 15 hours when it was new to less than 5-6 hours battery time after some 100 dives (about six months).

So for liveaboards, where my Peregrine holds charge for the whole week's diving, hers must be charged every night. Quite annoying for a new computer.

 

[tursiops]

Shearwater are ok, but from the two options you posted (Tern, Peregrine), the latter is by far better, a larger screen and the battery lasts significantly longer.

Matter of fact, my wife's Tern Tx battery went all the way down from approximately 15 hours when it was new to less than 5-6 hours battery time after some 100 dives (about six months).

So for liveaboards, where my Peregrine holds charge for the whole week's diving, hers must be charged every night. Quite annoying for a new computer.

She should send it in and get a new battery.

 

[Jai Bar]

She should send it in and get a new battery.

That's not the point, we don't want to send for new battery every six months or so, but to have a reliable computer.

When traveling to vacations, we just take a backup suunto, just in case

 

[tursiops]

That's not the point, we don't want to send for new battery every six months or so, but to have a reliable computer.

When traveling to vacations, we just take a backup suunto, just in case

The point is that the battery problem seems unusual for a Tern, hers is apparently faulty.
It is probably still under warranty; why not get it fixed?
The Tern users I know feel their computer is quite reliable.
Suunto? Jeez.