Question Help with choosing new computer

[GreenSalad20]

Hey everyone!

I'm looking for some advice on choosing my next dive computer and would love some input from more experienced divers (I've passed OWD and in september I'm doing AOWD).

I'm aiming for solid build quality, reliability and good display. Compass and air integration would be a nice addition too as well as other advanced functions.

Here are some (mostly used) options I’ve found:

Suunto Ocean + transmitter – $930
Ratio iDive + transmitter – $740
Scubapro Galileo G3 + transmitter – $505
Scubapro Galileo G2 + transmitter – $580

Tern TX (new) – $735
Shearwater Peregrine – $500
Ratio iDive (new) – $470

Price-to-value ratio is really important for me and I’d like to keep my budget as low as possible without getting something I’ll regret

If anyone has experience with any of these, I’d love to hear how they’ve held up and whether you’d recommend them
Also open to other suggestions that offer great bang for the buck

(btw I know that shearwater is pretty much the best choice out there, but it's also pricey here in EU so that's why I'm considering other brands)

Thanks in advance

 

[tursiops]

You've got multiple critera, but they are not prioritized. Which MUST you have, and which are just nice-to-have?
I'm guessing quality, reliability, and readability are MUST have. Right?
You did not mention the deco algorithm. Some people MUST have an adjustable and transparent Buhlmann algorithm; others don't care (Suunto and SP folks, for example).

You're going to get a lot of personal opinions (from the Suunto fanboys and the SP fanboys for sure) and a lot of "Just buy a Shearwater and don't look back" responses. None of that is very helpful.
You are NOT likely to get a considered response from someone who has owned SW, Suunto, SP, and Ratio.
If you lived in the US or Canada, then SW Peregrine TX, especially if you can find a used one, is surely your best bet.

My guess is -- based on what you've said and werhe you live -- you will go with the Ratio.

 

[chrisch]

I would also look at the cheapest option. Really at this point you are liable to the enthusiastic overthinking that new divers suffer from. As you dive more and progress through the training jungle you will be exposed to more and more "marketing" as the industry tries to empty your wallet.

I have a 30+ year old computer (Oceanic Datamax) that sits in my bag as an emergency spare and still works just fine. It has a end user replaceable battery which costs peanuts. It doesn't do nitrox but hey it will track your dive better than a wristwatch and a depth gauge (neither of which I have).

The post above is 100% correct - you will get a lot of personal opinions, most of which are well - err - personal. You will not get much actual hard data.

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

As you live in Europe you should give consideration to German OSTC computers: like Shearwater, but with better display and layout. Either that or Italian Ratio computers, which have air integration.

As Tursiops mentions - you need to prioritize your wish list.

To future-proof your computer you probably want Buhlmann (ie non-suunto), Nitrox and ability to fit air integration: the ratio seems to tick those boxes.

The OSTC doesn't have air integration, but is strongly built, has a user-replaceable rechargeable battery, a great display and can be upgraded to more advanced gas mixes if required.

Cheers
Rohan

 

[PatW]

I have the Suunto Ocean. I really like it. It is quite read able and easy to navigate the options. It also works as an exercise watch (if that is relevant to you). And it holds a good charge.

I am not familiar with the other computers so I can not give you a comparison.

 

[GreenSalad20]

You've got multiple critera, but they are not prioritized. Which MUST you have, and which are just nice-to-have?
I'm guessing quality, reliability, and readability are MUST have. Right?
You did not mention the deco algorithm. Some people MUST have an adjustable and transparent Buhlmann algorithm; others don't care (Suunto and SP folks, for example).

You're going to get a lot of personal opinions (from the Suunto fanboys and the SP fanboys for sure) and a lot of "Just buy a Shearwater and don't look back" responses. None of that is very helpful.
You are NOT likely to get a considered response from someone who has owned SW, Suunto, SP, and Ratio.
If you lived in the US or Canada, then SW Peregrine TX, especially if you can find a used one, is surely your best bet.

My guess is -- based on what you've said and werhe you live -- you will go with the Ratio.

I would also look at the cheapest option. Really at this point you are liable to the enthusiastic overthinking that new divers suffer from. As you dive more and progress through the training jungle you will be exposed to more and more "marketing" as the industry tries to empty your wallet.

I have a 30+ year old computer (Oceanic Datamax) that sits in my bag as an emergency spare and still works just fine. It has a end user replaceable battery which costs peanuts. It doesn't do nitrox but hey it will track your dive better than a wristwatch and a depth gauge (neither of which I have).

The post above is 100% correct - you will get a lot of personal opinions, most of which are well - err - personal. You will not get much actual hard data.

Right, with deco I was thinking about buhlmann algorithm. Quality, reliability and good screen are also important, other things not so much but it'd be nice to have them.

When it comes to personal opinions, well - you're both right, but there is not much info about ratio and suunto ocean as ratio isn't really popular and ocean is pretty new. And the thing with scubapro is that I've seen mixed reviews on them, caused by unstable connection and some other minor problems (although it could've been already fixed by updates and price for a used one with transmitter is really good).

 

[GreenSalad20]

As you live in Europe you should give consideration to German OSTC computers: like Shearwater, but with better display and layout. Either that or Italian Ratio computers, which have air integration.

As Tursiops mentions - you need to prioritize your wish list.

To future-proof your computer you probably want Buhlmann (ie non-suunto), Nitrox and ability to fit air integration: the ratio seems to tick those boxes.

The OSTC doesn't have air integration, but is strongly built, has a user-replaceable rechargeable battery, a great display and can be upgraded to more advanced gas mixes if required.

Cheers
Rohan

Never heard of OSTC but they seem pretty decent. Thanks, I will definitely check them out!

 

[Blackcrusader]

You've got multiple critera, but they are not prioritized. Which MUST you have, and which are just nice-to-have?
I'm guessing quality, reliability, and readability are MUST have. Right?
You did not mention the deco algorithm. Some people MUST have an adjustable and transparent Buhlmann algorithm; others don't care (Suunto and SP folks, for example).

You're going to get a lot of personal opinions (from the Suunto fanboys and the SP fanboys for sure) and a lot of "Just buy a Shearwater and don't look back" responses. None of that is very helpful.
You are NOT likely to get a considered response from someone who has owned SW, Suunto, SP, and Ratio.
If you lived in the US or Canada, then SW Peregrine TX, especially if you can find a used one, is surely your best bet.

My guess is -- based on what you've said and werhe you live -- you will go with the Ratio.

I've owned both Suunto and Shearwater. I will say the Shearwater Perdix I have is the best dive kit I have ever owned. Had it since 2018 with over 1000 dives on it. I am a recreational diver who does also some deco dives from time to time.

You want to understand what you need from your DC. One thing, a Suunto can lock you out if you go into deco not realize it and do not complete the deco stop. A shearwater wont. IF you ever needed emergency like a chamber and your suunto is locked out the diving doctor cannot see your dive log.
Whereas with the shearwater you can see the dive log on screen or upload it.

Shearwaters hold their value and are hard to buy second hand as one someone advertizes one they have buyers wanting them immediately. I have a Perdix without air intergration but you can get them with air intergration and they have a great screen and replaceable battery. Also you can setup what you want to see on your screen.

 

[KenE]

I would recommend staying away from Suunto or SP and stick with a computer using Buhlman algorithm. I started with a Suunto and later moved to SW Perdix 2. However, with your location the Ratio may be a better option than the SW. Both will provide the flexibility to progress and both hold value. If your intent is to just dive on vacation a couple times a year than most of your list will work just fine. If your intent is to progress to diving regularly, invest in the SW or Ratio.

 

[brsnow]

Peregrine TX, can add AI if needed. If you progress it would be a great back up but can really do everything. If you don’t need AI, look at a garmin.