Best diving computer on the Market

[Dogbowl]

Also they're not as common world wide on vacations as some suggest. But who cares.

Hmmm, if you were referring to my post where I said half of the divers on liveaboards wear Shearwaters...let me clarify. This observation was only based on 2 liveaboard trips, one to Belize and one to Raja Ampat. It is true that half of the passengers on those 2 liveaboards were wearing Perdixes, and the remaining divers were wearing other brands. Another observation was that they were all Americans or Canadians, so definitely a North American preference, and they were either tech divers, tech leaning or very experienced.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

The Petrel is an older model than the Perdix, but is still a Current product. The Petrel has unique features the other models do not such as the Wired connection port for Rebreather O2 cell monitoring.

The other factor that weighs heavily in Shearwaters favor is ongoing software and firmware support. I've been using the Shearwater Predator since 2010. There has been a continual stream of firmware and feature updates for this computer ever since. Bug fixes, new features, improvements, PC and Mobile software etc.

This is the sort of support that makes their devices valuable, and retain a high resale value. I don't think you'll find this level of commitment in any other dive equipment manufacturer.

Dave,

Absolutely agreed. However, you'd think for a 2019 review, they'd discuss the most recent releases from every manufacturer.

 

[fullytek]

When I talk with new divers about computers I show them a mares puck and a shearwater perdix.

The puck and other computers in the same price class $200-300 will will do everything a new diver needs and more. Well not breaking the bank. And in the likely event it is lost or stolen it's not going to be a hart breaker.

The shearwater cost atleast 3 times a much but will last along time and be useful on every dive throughout a divers life.

My point is buy a 300 dollar or less unit or bite the bullet and get the shearwater. Dont bother buying a $500 computer because it wont do any thing that the Puck cant and it's so close to the cost of a perdix.

 

[The Chairman]

I was impressed with myself.

You should be: you picked a great product!

I've learned more than my share of PDCs over the years. I've dove with prototypes where there was no manual and the easiest to learn by far has been the Shearwater system. If you're stuck, they will be glad to answer your question in a timely manner, but only if they beat the bazillion Shearwater owners on SB already.

However, you'd think for a 2019 review, they'd discuss the most recent releases from every manufacturer.

It makes you ponder. It reminds of the old Rodale review of snorkels where three were made by the same OEM, but they all got different scores. Their biggest advertiser got the highest rating and the OEM got the lowest. The only difference was the screen printing.

 

[MrBigfins]

No one said Shearwater is the only option. The OP was asking explicitly about the best computer out there. That is a Shearwater and I stand by that view. When you look at serious divers the numbers resoundingly back me up. Look at any technical diver, rebreather diver, cave diver, week-in-week-out diver ... the vast majority use Shearwater. There's a reason.

I didnt disagree with that part of your original statement, I disagreed w iui th the never buy a suunto part. I layed out why that wasnt the case for me. However if I had to choose between the dx and perdix, I would choose perdix.

 

[runsongas]

I do love my Suunto computers but I have to admit, when my D6i recently needed a new battery it took them two $%^&*&^%#$% months to get it back to me. I've been seriously looking at the Shearwater dive computers and they look really sweet. Which is the best Shearwater for tech diving and which has the most options for different gas mixes beyond air and EAN?

They all function the same. even the predator does ccr and trimix with 5 gasses. the perdix ai and teric do have air integration though and the petrel 2/perdix/teric have a compass.

 

[The Chairman]

the perdix ai and teric do have air integration though and the petrel 2/perdix/teric have a compass.

As does the Nerd. One day I'll try a Nerd. I would like one just to reduce the clutter of PDCs on my arm. Doubly so if you can get one with a Fischer cable and it had wireless AI. I really hadn't thought of that until now.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

It makes you ponder. It reminds of the old Rodale review of snorkels where three were made by the same OEM, but they all got different scores. Their biggest advertiser got the highest rating and the OEM got the lowest. The only difference was the screen printing.

Yeah, that’s not suspicious </sarcasm>. I disregard any review where there is money/sponsorship/ads involved.

 

[markmud]

As does the Nerd. One day I'll try a Nerd. I would like one just to reduce the clutter of PDCs on my arm. Doubly so if you can get one with a Fischer cable and it had wireless AI. I really hadn't thought of that until now.

Hey Pete,

I tried the Nerd. It is amazingly clear and easy to read. I forgot the name of the focal point thing that Shearwater Research patented, but it works. I did not need my reading glass lens to clearly see the display.

For me, it would take some getting used to. I tend to grab my reg at the same point where the Nerd attaches to the second stage hose fitting. Nothing wrong with it, just different.

If I dived on a more regular basis, I would have chose the Nerd.

cheers,

markm

 

[The Chairman]

I tried the Nerd.

I was going to and then took a hit to the eye socket orbit.