Looking for new DC. Advice?

[Truculent Llama]

Looking to upgrade from an old Suunto Vyper and would love to tap into the experience of some of the more… uh… experienced divers here.

I’ve already done some reading and my needs/wants are:
1. beginner-mid range with the possibility of getting into nitrox. Doesn’t cost the world.
2. would like to have a more liberal deco algorithm than Suunto’s RGBM. I’ve heard good things about Oceanic but I’ve no brand loyalty.
3. My Vyper only samples temps at the start and end of the dive. Is this normal DC behaviour? Would like to have temps throughout the dive.
4. AI is not essential, in fact would likely be cost prohibitive. Perhaps an AI compatible DC that I can buy the Tx for later ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
5. Digital compass would be awesome but more a nice-to-have than a need.
6. User replaceable battery preferable.

Any suggestions/ideas/preferences on wrist/console? I realise it’s a personal choice but would love to hear your thoughts.

 

[tbone1004]

If you want that list, then you are basically limited to the Perdix AI which is currently out of production due to supply shortages on screens but should be back soon ish.

If you forego 4/5/6 and are OK with a rechargeable battery, the Deep6 Excursion is on Black Friday for $275 and can't be beat for that price and gives you full control of your decompression. Peregrine would also be an option, but is also on production hold due to screens right now and is $500usd right now. It has QI charging and a color screen, but isn't as capable as the Deep6. Personal preference, but I couldn't justify the extra money.

 

[Blackcrusader]

Shearwater Peregrine would be what you need. Cheaper than the Perdix which I bought but I love it and had a Suunto Vyper before it crapped itself with the normal pressure sensor failure known to Suunto dive computers.

 

[tbone1004]

Shearwater Peregrine would be what you need. Cheaper than the Perdix which I bought but I love it and had a Suunto Vyper before it crapped itself with the normal pressure sensor failure known to Suunto dive computers.

Peregrine doesn't have 4/5/6 though

 

[Truculent Llama]

I’d really like to avoid the large rectangular screens. I just don’t like the look and feel of them.

If you forego 4/5/6 and are OK with a rechargeable battery, the Deep6 Excursion is on Black Friday for $275 and can't be beat for that price and gives you full control of your decompression.

Thanks tbone. 4 & 5 were literally nice to haves. 6: didn't even consider rechargable batteries. Just so used to the ancient DC's where they were either user replaced or not.

I'll check out the Deep 6 again, but IIRC I've looked at it before (in no great detail) and passed over it.

 

[tbone1004]

I’d really like to avoid the large rectangular screens. I just don’t like the look and feel of them.


Thanks tbone. 4 & 5 were literally nice to haves. 6: didn't even consider rechargable batteries. Just so used to the ancient DC's where they were either user replaced or not.

I'll check out the Deep 6 again, but IIRC I've looked at it before (in no great detail) and passed over it.

Deep 6 Excursion Dive Computer

Key Product Features Multi-Gas Nitrox (20%-99%, 4 gases) Helitrox Capable (up to 22% Helium) Bühlmann ZHL-16C Algorithm User Settable Gradient Factors Preset Safety Factors of 35/75, 40/85, 45/95 available Scuba, Planning, Apnea/Free Diving, & Gauge Modes Screens for Surface GF, Current GF...

www.deep6gear.com

Check it out again.
Only thing I wish @cerich would have put in there was Qi charging so I didn't have to remember an extra cable but know it would be too big since the Qi hardware isn't small, and a digital compass just for convenience, but for that price I'm buying one anyway now that it has custom GF's as it will be easier for a lot of my diving than the Freedoms that I use normally.

Check this post out for the new features coming out with the next 2 firmware updates which will make it just as capable as the Petrel for a third of the price.
<iframe src="Facebook" width="500" height="717" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe>

 

[Wibble]

The Perdix is all you need, probably more so. But it's not cheap.

It's one of those bits of kit that will last a lifetime of diving, be it simple recreational or technical and everything in between.

 

[Truculent Llama]

I'm buying one anyway now that it has custom GF's

Had no idea what GF’s was. Reading an article last night, i thought the writer meant “I was diving with multiple girlfriends”

Having found this great article and edumacated myself, I feel like custom GF’s is something just a little beyond me for now, but potentially something I might be interested in looking at.

A few questions about the Excursion:
1. How does it compare in allowable bottom time to something like the famed “Oceanic”? From this post I gather at least on first dives they’re much the same. How about subsequent dives?
2. Is downloading dives from the Deep 6 an easy process? I’d like to be able to geek out on the data after the fact. As I said I got my hands on Diver Log 6.0 for PC and it would be nice to see all the data there. Does it come standard with the usb cable, or will I be reamed $100+ like most other manufacturers?
3. Do they ship international?

 

[scubadada]

Oceanic runs 2 deco algorithms, DSAT, quite liberal, around a GF high of 95, and PZ+, middle of the road, around a GF high of 85. The Geo 4 is watch style, replaceable battery, Bluetooth, no compass, I think around $400 US.

The Excursion has a preset at around a GF high of 95 , one around 85 and one more conservative. It will soon have custom GFs.

For reference, 1st dive on your Suunto is close to a GF high of 85. You may be penalized for infractions like shorter SI or ascent rate and have somewhat more conservative repetitive dives.

 

[Truculent Llama]

Oceanic runs 2 deco algorithms, DSAT, quite liberal, around a GF high of 95, and PZ+, middle of the road, around a GF high of 85. The Geo 4 is watch style, replaceable battery, Bluetooth, no compass, I think around $400 US.

Thanks for the input dada.

After the advice from tbone and “checking it out”, I’m kind of liking the Excursion.
And with the touted new firmware I could tinker with GF’s (to some degree at least) so comparing it to Oceanic would sort of become a moot point. Plus with the BF sale now it’s hard to go past for a reasonable price point. Being in Australia, US$400 kind of blows out quickly to unaffordable.

I’d still be interested to hear people’s personal opinions on wrist vs console style computers.