I don’t get good enough viz for the sundial to be reliable, egg timer in a waterproof bag may work if you like strict limits on dive time. Liquid filled gauges are the best.
The Best Dive Computer on the Market? Defining the benefits in the real world
- Thread starter Gary_Ward
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drakcheslav
Contributor
drakcheslav
Contributor
I already do that, the Teric is just to look cool.I think we can streamline this setup a bit more.
predict your SAC, and use the pressure gauge to calculate the time, and use your inner ear pressure as a pressure gauge.
You wouldn't want to use an device that could fail like a bottom timer or such.
Cert1967
Contributor
Shearwater folks are pretty smart.
Easy to use - just like an IPhone
Easy to see
Easy to see
Added a rec mode and AI and their market exploded
My speculation is that the majority of SW computers sold stay in rec mode with no alternations to settings
Want more - its easy to access
Want more - its easy to access
More important the SW became the computer to have - cool kids on the boat
Reliability / Durability
Buildt like brick ...
Resale Value
The best in the industry
Customer Service
The best in the industry
Well, to be fair, I haven't tried every other dive computer. The reason I think that Shearwater is awesome and worth it for any diver if you can afford it has nothing to do with their technical diving capabilities.
1) Build like a tank. VERY reliable gear, and I have used and abused a few.
2) Incredibly readable screen (admittedly many other brands have this, but Shearwater stands out).
3) User replaceable AA battery (not the Teric, obviously). This has saved me on many occasions. You can get a AA battery anywhere in the world, and you can replace it easily on a bouncing wet dive boat.
4) Great user interface (I hate those one button computers).
5) Will grow with you. Yes, if you will never do tech, this isn't important, but it also means that Shearwaters really hold their value for resale in the future - you can sell it to any diver.
6) Very reliable download system (I struggled with Suunto cables for years).
7) Great information on their website (you don't need to buy one to get this). So many terrific articles about diving physiology, etc...
8) The most important one. The company provides AMAZING customer support. Whether you need to send it in or just need help trouble shooting something, they are there for you. Knowledgeable, available and helpful. I have on two occasions emailed in a question on a Sunday night and gotten a response within less than a half an hour.
I like the Bontrager reference! Last thing I expected to see on Scubaboard.
BAM! Drop the Mike! You nailed all of the points that drove me to my Perdix purchase.
1. My failing eyesight was my first push to consider something new.
2. Easily replaceable AA batteries was a huge win for many reasons. I love my backup Aeris Elite T3 and my wife has had zero issues with her Oceanic VT 4.0 but those batteries are definitely more challenging to replace and I did screw up one battery change (totally on me), that did result in me having to throw away a very good computer; due to flooding.
3. Impeccable customer service!
There is a huge amount of people pushing the cult of SW but there are a lot of choices has that offer different advantages.
Suunto has better screens and really nice layouts.
The algorithm is only a factor to a few divers who like thinkering, it has a very minor impact on 99.9% of dives, and for thinkering something like the old Uwatec Galileo offers a lot more options.
Connectivity is just as bad as most dive computers, it takes me 5 minutes to connect with my Petrel.
It's not bulletproof, if you don't believe me hit it with a VR and see who survives.
While a changeable battery is great there are computers where you don't need to worry about it for years of active diving.
Customer service may be great in your side of the globe, here it's just as bad as Suunto.
That said I'm buying my third SW computer next week, I just like it.
Suunto has better screens and really nice layouts.
The algorithm is only a factor to a few divers who like thinkering, it has a very minor impact on 99.9% of dives, and for thinkering something like the old Uwatec Galileo offers a lot more options.
Connectivity is just as bad as most dive computers, it takes me 5 minutes to connect with my Petrel.
It's not bulletproof, if you don't believe me hit it with a VR and see who survives.
While a changeable battery is great there are computers where you don't need to worry about it for years of active diving.
Customer service may be great in your side of the globe, here it's just as bad as Suunto.
That said I'm buying my third SW computer next week, I just like it.
Can you read it
Do you know how to use it
Does it meet your current needs, remember by the time you might need a high end, an newer better model might be around
What can you afford? - would you rather keep the difference and spend it on diving
DEVICE Support in your Region
SB, being SB, often forget there is a big world outside their borders, and support /prices can be much different
A different view. I want it, I can afford it, I'm having it, I don't care. - Cue lots of justifications to support their purchase, which really isn't needed. Buy it.
My one grip with ALL entry level models, is that the UI is generally not though out. I often get asked if I know how to change someone's settings (nitrox) - RTFM generally not helpful (at first)
It can be a chore even acknowleging the limitations of a single button operation - I sometime question whatt the designers were thinking with their choice. Obviously made sense to them at a desk. In the real world...
Do you know how to use it
Does it meet your current needs, remember by the time you might need a high end, an newer better model might be around
What can you afford? - would you rather keep the difference and spend it on diving
DEVICE Support in your Region
SB, being SB, often forget there is a big world outside their borders, and support /prices can be much different
A different view. I want it, I can afford it, I'm having it, I don't care. - Cue lots of justifications to support their purchase, which really isn't needed. Buy it.
My one grip with ALL entry level models, is that the UI is generally not though out. I often get asked if I know how to change someone's settings (nitrox) - RTFM generally not helpful (at first)
It can be a chore even acknowleging the limitations of a single button operation - I sometime question whatt the designers were thinking with their choice. Obviously made sense to them at a desk. In the real world...
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