drrich2
Contributor
I think it depends on what you mean by "fullest." I'd bet nobody has ever pushed a Petrel to the fullest if you mean pushing it to the point of it breaking. However, I'd bet nearly all Tech divers use it to its fullest extent if you mean in the fact that it's easy to read, customizable, runs deco algorithms, is easy to use, etc. In some ways, I use it to its fullest extent....and I'm not even 'mix certified.
I meant what % use nearly all the features it's got. People opposed to adding A.I. often use the argument - I don't want to pay for something I don't need & won't use. Yet with a powerful computer made to handle a range of environmental parameters, you're probably already paying for some things you don't need or use.
If Shearwater were to sell a "Rec only" option, it'd be no big deal to me....but their focus, specialty, and money should go towards making their bread and butter better.
This is an interesting point, easy to miss. I think some tec. divers believe for Shearwater to divert resources into developing a recreational Petrel version would somehow take away from improving the 'tec.' Petrel. Thing is, people speak of the Petrel as 'already awesome,' in different words. So I'm curious...
What further improvements/refinements/features do tec. divers desire in the Petrel?
If the answer's nothing, there's little reason not to put the effort into making a recreational version. If there are substantial technical (no pun intended) hurdles to implementing desired improvements, then I understand a fairly small company might not want to divide its focus that way.
Much as Apple views itself as trying to do a few things with excellence, vs. Microsoft's 'a hand in every pie' approach. Of course, both make a lot of money...
Richard.