Help me out here...

[doctormike]

If he's serious about tech, or if you want absolute top of the line, the Petrel might be the only way to go.

HOWEVER, it's drastically overkill for the VAST majority of divers.

Well, I guess I was responding to the OP's question about getting her husband a "fabulous" present for their anniversary and his birthday. It seems that the Petrel would be a good candidate based on that, but of course I don't know anything about their relationship or their finances!

I think that if you dive the Petrel in rec mode, you have one of the best computers available for even a new diver (based on the points I mentioned, not based on it's tech capabilities). Of course her husband could get plenty of use out of an entry level computer, wasn't implying that. But for a big gift, it's something to consider...

 

[snickerdoodle]

Haha thanks guys. Much appreciated, really.

As for the "let him choose" thing....I'm the techy one in this house. Most of the electronics and stuff are mine and he trusts my judgement when I tell him what to buy because I do all the research. That's part of why I'm asking actually because I started looking into midrange DC's and got overwhelmed. Things have changed since I last went diving regularly! I did come across Petrel (here and elsewhere) but I'm not completely sold that that's something he NEEDS right now. I'd rather pocket the difference in price right now for a trip somewhere, you know? And while he wants to do tech diving later, there's no guarantee he will.

His lists of "wants" is kind of minimal. He's fairly sure he prefers wrist mounted but that's not a must. Something that does Nitrox as well IS a must.

The proprietary stuff mentioned upthread....Hella lame. I hate companies that do that but I guess that's the nature of the beast. Sigh.

You guys have given me lots of food for thought so thank you! Everything is so overwhelming now and having to order everything online limits my options somewhat. I hate not being able to play with stuff in person first but c'est la vie!

 

[sphyrnidus]

Interesting comments about the Suunto ones. There is however a reason that tons of users have them. My wife has a Suunto Gekko. She uses it now about 10 years and over 1000 dives. It never failed. Never any issues with its algorithm. Ans she used it on liveaboard while doing up to 5 dives a day.... For a starting rec diver the newer Zoop has all you need for a reasonable price. The rest you can spend on a trip to the Maldives..


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[doctormike]

He's fairly sure he prefers wrist mounted but that's not a must. Something that does Nitrox as well IS a must.

Wrist mount is a great idea. I'm not even sure that you can buy a new dive computer today that doesn't do nitrox.

He is lucky to have a wife who buys him dive gear as a present!

 

[snickerdoodle]

Interesting comments about the Suunto ones. There is however a reason that tons of users have them. My wife has a Suunto Gekko. She uses it now about 10 years and over 1000 dives. It never failed. Never any issues with its algorithm. Ans she used it on liveaboard while doing up to 5 dives a day.... For a starting rec diver the newer Zoop has all you need for a reasonable price. The rest you can spend on a trip to the Maldives..

Maldives is actually one of the places I was looking for a quick weekend trip. Prices are kind of reasonable from here actually so it's on the list.

Wrist mount is a great idea. I'm not even sure that you can buy a new dive computer today that doesn't do nitrox.

He is lucky to have a wife who buys him dive gear as a present!

Hahaha well I never know what to get him because he's not been home much/doesn't have many hobbies. I mean, there's only so much gear you get someone for Ultimate Frisbee. But he's decided he REALLY likes diving and plans to stick it out and has mentioned wanting a DC so...here I am looking stuff up!

 

[doctormike]

Hahaha well I never know what to get him ....But he's decided he REALLY likes diving and plans to stick it out

 

[commitch]

I mean, there's only so much gear you get someone for Ultimate Frisbee.

New cleats and plenty of gear from Five.

Sincerely,
A fellow ultimate frisbee player.

 

[diversteve]

Shearwater wins for functionality but couldn't they spend just a little? on design - those things are butt-ugly.

I would guess that costs them some sales in the rec-maybe-going into-tech space. It will only get worse if Atomic comes out with a wrist Cobalt.

 

[victorzamora]

Shearwater wins for functionality but couldn't they spend just a little? on design - those things are butt-ugly.

I would guess that costs them some sales in the rec-maybe-going into-tech space. It will only get worse if Atomic comes out with a wrist Cobalt.

I actually LOVE the look of the Petrel. It's minimalistic, a little industrial, and 100% functional. I honestly don't see anything to not like.

 

[doctormike]

I actually LOVE the look of the Petrel. It's minimalistic, a little industrial, and 100% functional. I honestly don't see anything to not like.

Totally agree. Awesome steampunk vibe. Looks like it would be at home in a space ship.

Never understood the point of cramming your critical data display into something the size of a wristwatch.