D5 or Teric - convince me

[dbernard01]

Hi!

Since we've been on lockdown, I've got the bug to buy a new computer. Currently using a D4i which I have been (mostly) happy with and a Vyper Air as a backup in a boot with my SPG. I say 'mostly happy' because I love wrist AI but the lack of being rechargeable has let me down more than once. Died on a trip once even though the battery check said it was OK two weeks before the trip and required a rush replacement before another trip. The Vyper Air is my backup because I got it cheap with a free (spare) transmitter and they both pair with the same transmitter.

Getting older, the idea of a color screen being more visible is highly attractive and the fact that they are both rechargeable is huge.

Whatever I do, I'll likely pass the D4i/vyper combo to my daughter as she's familiar with Suunto - currently diving with a Cobra AI.

So.... Since the D5 and Teric both require a new transmitter, which would you choose? I'll likely stuff a Zoop or a Puck into the console with my SPG.

All thoughts welcome - even from Suunto and Shearwater fanboys.

Thank You!

 

[AdamSa]

Shearwater make the ultimate dive computer. You will never grow out a shearwater no matter where you take your diving. Recreational, Technical, Rebreather...shearwater just does it all. That for me is enough reason to always choose shearwater.

 

[BoltSnap]

I wouldn't buy anything Suunto at all anymore! Suunto, in addition to technical inferiority, has a terrible customer service with an arrogant attitude.

I would look at the Teric, Ratio's iDive color or the new offering from SP, the A2.

 

[ToneNQ]

My D9 is quite old now, but on its features I wouldn't buy another Suunto. The cost is serious, but the functionality is nothing special and the interface isn't simple. It does stupid things like lock you out if you miss a stop, so it's a terrible backup as you need to treat it like a primary.

Shearwater upgrade their firmware regularly via the cloud. Better interface, less restrictive algorithm, etc.

Pick whatever works for you and your diving.

 

[Mike1967]

The answer is obviously Shearwater, don't forget about the Perdix though.

 

[tbone1004]

no decompression research is currently being done with RGBM, no one leading the field in decompression research advocates for RGBM. Don't buy Suunto, if anything because of its algorithm...

 

[loosenit2]

A Dive Computer is a tool, what do you need the tool to do? If you are purely a recreational diver there is nothing wrong with the Suunto, it has modern technology, is made by a large company with support (panned as it might be), and has a large support network, and costs a couple hundred dollars less than a Shearwater. On the negative side it uses a proprietary and conservative algorithm, does not have trimix capability, and is not really designed as a technical diving computer.

The Shearwater Teric (full disclaimer I have one), is designed to be a fully capable tech computer, has user adjustable conservatism (gradient factors), uses an open source algorithm, and has legendary customer support. The downside is that it does cost a bit more. You can make up some of the cost difference by getting a used transmitter, i find them available commonly for about $200-250 vice $350 new.

Is the cost and extra functionality worth it to you? Only you can answer that based on what you want the tool to do.

 

[tbone1004]

@loosenit2 and the Teric has a more reliable AI design.

 

[dbernard01]

Thanks everybody! Teric it is!

 

[BoltSnap]

Thanks everybody! Teric it is!

Consider also Ratio's iDive color and the new A2 from SP.