Question Help with choosing new computer

[34109411]

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

you should go with the peregrine TX. AI plus digital compass.

 

[Subcooled]

I have actually seen few of these but didn't know if the brand was good quality, will check them out

This is just a guess:

I believe that their biggest problem was that the device had great features and a very low price and it got very popular then but it was not mature enough for mass sales. It had some problems, and I guess they did not have the resources to provide support.

Then Covid19 came and selling full face masks with filters was more profitable.

 

[NothingClever]

I just don't like the idea of having an electronic device just for diving, which is essentially another box to carry.

Well, that narrows the options pretty quickly.

The upside is those companies that specialize in diving have some expertise.

We’re an Apple family but diving is just outside of their scope of expertise and so I’d never choose one. Not going to cross my fingers and hope they’ll “get it right” like their other products.

 

[Subcooled]

To future-proof your computer you probably want [...] ability to fit air integration

Some of us reject the idea of air integration. And yet we can do some serious dives.

Some people love the idea of seeing the remaining air on a screen, though.

Air integration is not a key feature. It is a nice thing to have in case you love it. Buhlman algorithm (if you become a decompression diver), gauge mode (same), nitrox mode (all you, who dive to 90 feet) and so on, are important.

 

[MB NZ]

Some of us reject the idea of air integration. And yet we can do some serious dives.

I reject it not least because AI can only reflect the information it has at the time, it can't predict the future.

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

Some of us reject the idea of air integration. And yet we can do some serious dives.

Some people love the idea of seeing the remaining air on a screen, though.

Air integration is not a key feature. It is a nice thing to have in case you love it. Buhlman algorithm (if you become a decompression diver), gauge mode (same), nitrox mode (all you, who dive to 90 feet) and so on, are important.

I agree 100% - I've never owned an Air-integrated computer and never will. I am fine with checking my spg a few times each dive - and usually only to confirm that the pressure is what I think it should be by that point.

However - for new or holiday divers who are attracted to such features, and the OP had AI on his list of features, then having the ability to fit AI needs to be considered.

Personally my key 'must haves', after owning several computers, is bulhmann, built in recharging with a user-replaceable battery and a good display with big numbers: hence I went with OSTC.