Tern owners, does it work?

[jborg]

Hi all,

I'm low key considering a smaller dive computer, for additional use when snorkling and freediving. I have two Perdixes (AI & 2). The Teric seems nice but also incredibly flaky and prone to break, and being in Europe means we're likely to get shafted by a Shearwater service center and not enjoy the awesome service you US people see.

The Tern has been out for a while now. Is there experience in the group to tell if they fixed the manufacturing problems that's been plaguing the Teric, or am I better off looking at a Garmin Descent or a Suunto Ocean? I don't need trimix capabilities in this specific computer.

 

[boqurant]

I’ve had my TernTX about 1 year, approx 100 warm water dives, no issues at all

 

[lexvil]

I dive two of them, so far pretty perfect, one I bought here on SB used (very little) I really liked the Teric too but those did go through the battery thing a few times, bought a peregrine tx but sold it and bought another Tern tx. My only complaint is the straps, to short for drysuit and the don’t include an extension.

I had some extensions laying around so I get by. At this time I would rate a Tern to as a Best Buy for a dive computer.

 

[Rilelen]

I own two Terics; the only issue I've encountered is a battery that slowly lost its ability to keep its charge after a year of very intensive use (hundreds and hundreds of dives). Shearwater replaced the battery for free.

I've dived a Tern as part of a test dive, and really enjoyed it. It's basically the Teric sans some of the tech features, but no idea how it holds up longterm. The Suunto Ocean is also very nice, I wouldn't have any hesitation about purchasing it for recreational diving - and I say that as someone who's not a big fan of Suunto and otherwise personally owns all Shearwater.

 

[Moby Dickins]

I have six dives on it now with no issues. Only gripe is the compass is not quite as snappy as my Garmin Fenix 8, and it seems to be off consistently by 20 degrees.

 

[tursiops]

I have six dives on it now with no issues. Only gripe is the compass is not quite as snappy as my Garmin Fenix 8, and it seems to be off consistently by 20 degrees.

Is one showing magnetic North and the other adjusted for location to show true North? Is it "of" by 20 deg East or West?

 

[boqurant]

I have six dives on it now with no issues. Only gripe is the compass is not quite as snappy as my Garmin Fenix 8, and it seems to be off consistently by 20 degrees.

Three things to try:
1. Calibrate the compass (it’s a menu option), when you’re away from large metallic structures
2. Adjust the setting for magnetic declination according to your location on Earth
3. Make sure you’re don’t have any large metallic objects mounted right next to the computer when using it

 

[Moby Dickins]

Great tips guys, let me try to find a magnetically neutral spot. Looks like the magnetic declination where I am is just over 11 degrees.

I'll be honest, my real issue is just how the compass kind of lags. The Garmin Fenix is, no doubt due to some software trick, instantaneous and snappy.

 

[tursiops]

Great tips guys, let me try to find a magnetically neutral spot. Looks like the magnetic declination where I am is just over 11 degrees.

I'll be honest, my real issue is just how the compass kind of lags. The Garmin Fenix is, no doubt due to some software trick, instantaneous and snappy.

Some lag (it is called "damping") is good; you really don't want it bouncing around while you are trying to read it.

 

[EngageUnderwater]

I appreciate the discussion here and the tips from @boqurant. I can confirm that adjusting the magnetic declination definitely helped me. I set the magnetic declination for my area (+3 degrees) and it was pretty much dead-on with my manual compass today - a welcome change from what I had previously experienced.