First computer purchase - which shearwater?

[Belzelbub]

You can add SurfGF to the Peregrine main screen too

Correct. And, I believe that's always been the case. Same firmware base, just with some features not available in the Peregrine that are available in the Perdix-Petrel. Main difference is as largely as @stuartv posted.

One other consideration, is that the Tec screen layout is not available in the Peregrine. I run my Perdix in the Rec modes, and don't do helium or ccr, so the Peregrine TX would have been perfect for me. At the time I bought my Perdix AI, there was no Peregrine TX, and likely no Peregrine. However, the Peregrine TX would have suited my needs perfectly.

When the Peregrine came out, I stated that if Shearwater added air integration to this computer, I'd buy two of them. I made good on that threat when I got my daughters Peregrine TXs for Christmas last year.

 

[batdiver_82]

I have got peregrine and got the perdix 2 as a second computer for "advanced nitrox deco diving". I like both of them and if you are only rec-diving the peregrine is as good as the perdix, maybe better because it's slimmer. If you want ai and a compass i would go for den peregrine tx. It will make you happy for rec diving and and vor 3gasNX deco-diving (as a main or backup computer), which would be your first step into tech-diving anyways.... and yes... you can put surfgf and gf99 on the main screen on the peregrine.

 

[lexvil]

I prefer the Tern to the Peregrine because for me to much of the peregrine screen is devoted to NDL, about 30% so there is little space for setting the info I want on the home screen.

 

[NauticalNick]

First question in my mind is do you want large format or watch style?

I do tec diving and have both a Perdix 2 and Teric, so let's ignore me for now.

My fiancé has zero interest in tec diving and wanted a watch style, so I got her a Teric. That being said the Tern Tx wasn't available back then, so if I were to do it over again, that's what I would get her now.

However, if you ever have any interest in tec diving (even years down the road), the extra money upfront for the Teric over the Tern would be worth it (or if you want large format the Perdix over the Peregrine)

This is the answer. /sub

 

[NauticalNick]

Why would you even waste time writing all of this when Op VERY CLEARLY stated “I do want air integration”???? Geez.

The puck users seem to have Stockholm syndrome.

They are like driving around in a 2002 Toyota tercel. Nothing wrong with it at all, and it will generally get you where you need to go, but OP didn't say he was looking for the cheapest, minimally functional option.

 

[Wants2divemore]

Not trying to be snippy but if I flood my Perdix, I probably need to reconsider whether I have the necessary level of attention to detail to be diving. Those two big o-rings and the positive stop thread limit are pretty difficult to mess up.

I completely agree. I don’t think the concern about flooding the Perdix is valid but I was simply trying to summarize some of the arguments I’ve read over the years.

 

[elgringoperdido]

I completely agree. I don’t think the concern about flooding the Perdix is valid but I was simply trying to summarize some of the arguments I’ve read over the years.

I flooded a Shearwater Perdix once. It was about 6 years ago. It was a rental, $15 per day, and the battery was installed by an instructor with many years experience. The shop owner gave me a new one and said that if that one also floods I'll have to pay for a new one. No problems with the second one.

After several trips where I rented them, I finally decided to buy my own Shearwater Perdix. I use the grease every single time I change the battery and I change o-rings once in a while. Just last month a diver on a NJ wreck dive boat told me that he uses channel locks and a coin to tighten his Perdix when he changes the battery, but I think that's overkill. I just use the blue tool that came with it and apply a liberal amount of grease.

I know the thread is stale but I saw the comment and wanted to point out that it is possible to flood the Perdix because it has happened to me. I stumbled in here looking for reviews for the non-AI Peregrine. I'm thinking of getting my son one for Christmas. (His 12-year-old Mares Puck finally failed.) He's not a technical diver so I don't think we need the extra expense of the Perdix for him. Also, we both prefer the analog console with air and depth clipped tight on the left chest, so there's no need for AI. Based on what I have read here and in other places, the Peregrine is probably a durable, dependable computer. As an added bonus, the battery compartment flood doesn't seem to be a problem. There is one facebook post from about 6 months ago stating that a depth sensor failed on a peregrine. I could find no follow-up about service, but I'd hope that Shearwater would replace the sensor.

 

[Wants2divemore]

I stumbled in here looking for reviews for the non-AI Peregrine. I'm thinking of getting my son one for Christmas.

I got a Peregrine for each of my sons several years ago (before the AI was even an option) and they've been great. Plus, I can borrow one if I'm going on a trip without them as a backup for my Perdix, since they're all set the same. I highly recommend the Peregrine.

 

[scrane]

I think it would take some effort to flood a Perdix. Its seal has nothing to do with how much you crank down on the battery compartment.
"many years of experience" sometimes translates to carelessness.