Mares Icon HD vs. Uemis Zurich SDA

[nwflyboy]

These two gizmos seem like the iPads of dive computers: cool, bright, colorful, pretty...and expensive.

A comparison review seems like it would be inevitable, I haven't seen any.

(BTW, are these the only high end color computers currently available? I'm sure there will be more rolling out in the next year or two.)

I'd be really curious to see how these compare. Anybody know of such a review?

 

[ijdod]

I'm not aware of any comparing review. As for other computers, there's a few computers with color screens aimed at the tech divers (Pursuit, VRx). I'm sure some other brands are looking into things; Atomic apparently has one in the pipeline called the Cobalt.

I own a SDA, and I've held and played around with an IconHD a bit. There's only a few features that really set them apart. The SDA screen wins easily; the Icon is more clunky. I don't like the white background on the Icon dive screen; this may be user configurable though. The Icon has a compass, and a map feature. The SDA works with an online portal for your dive data, currently there's no data export function, although that's reportedly in the pipeline; the Icon might do better there.

 

[DiveNav]

.....A comparison review seems like it would be inevitable, I haven't seen any.....

.....A comparison review seems like it would be inevitable, I haven't seen any. (BTW, are these the only high end color computers currently available? I'm sure there will be more rolling out in the next year or two.) I'd be really curious to see how these compare. Anybody know of such a review?[/QUOTE]"]HERE a comparison for you.
And yes, you are right ... there will be more color dive computers coming to the market in the next year or so (we saw some previews )

.....are these the only high end color computers currently available? .....

The Dive Computers Research Tool lists 3 so far.

Alberto (aka eDiver)

 

[nwflyboy]

HERE a comparison for you.

That link doesn't seem to work.

Thanks.

 

[nwflyboy]

I own a SDA, and I've held and played around with an IconHD a bit. There's only a few features that really set them apart. The SDA screen wins easily; the Icon is more clunky. I don't like the white background on the Icon dive screen; this may be user configurable though. The Icon has a compass, and a map feature. The SDA works with an online portal for your dive data, currently there's no data export function, although that's reportedly in the pipeline; the Icon might do better there.

Thanks for the input.

One thing that's most important to me is readability and ease of interpretation of the data that's presented. Like many aging divers, my near vision ain't what it used to be. I have corrective lenses on my mask, which certainly helps me see small details up close, but it's not a perfect system. Whichever computer I settle on, I'd prefer it to have large, bold, easy-to-read numbers on a clear, high-contrast display.

Based on the screenshots that I've seen of these two units (and that's all I've seen - just screenshots - so it's hard to really judge), my initial impression is that the Mares has a simpler presentation, with larger digits. The SDA display appears to present a much richer set of data, but the digits look tiny, or at least a lot smaller than the Mares. Does that seem to match your impressions?

Thanks again, it's very useful to hear from someone who has actually used one.

 

[formula1mb@aol.com]

Have you looked at the Shearwater Predator oled color computer too? I don't have one but it has some great reviews and the screen is incredible. Plus it's supposedly very user friendly:

Predator Dive Computer by Shearwater Research - Dive Gear Express

 

[ijdod]

I honestly didn't think the size of the main numbers (depth, no-deco time) differed that much between them, but I didn't have them next to each other. The secondary information (dive time, temperature, and so on) is smaller on both of them.

Movie of what the SDA looks like under water: Uemis Zurich
Couldn't find something similar for the IconHD, but Mares has a simulator online:
Mares Icon HD SIMULATOR

 

[DiveNav]

That link doesn't seem to work..

mmhhh ... works fine here ... press F5 to refresh browser

 

[divinglog]

There is also the DR5 and the OSTC Mk2 with a color display from HeinrichsWeikamp

 

[mark260165]

The UK magazine "Diver" did a review with both the Mares & Uemis, here is the link......
Divernet

With regards the size of the digits, I am 45 and don't need to wear glasses but have to admit that I do find it almost impossible to read the tank pressure digits if I am wearing my Uemis Zurich on my fore arm, its blurred, but when its on my wrist its just readable.
Before I bought mine I watched a few youtube videos showing the Uemis underwater, I could see all those screens perfectly so I was suprised to see the smaller figures blurred when I dived with it.
I would say however, the more important Remaining air time is very readable & if I do need to look at my tank pressure its just one slide of the bottom right button, this gives you the tank pressure in BIG numbers & also in a guage form, PERFECT!
If uemis had not included the tank pressure on the first screen I don't think it would have been detrimental as it is so simple to call it up.

I have had mine now since April & dived with it loads, to me its a perfect computer which gives me all the information in a form I find easy to understand.

Customer service from Uemis has been second to none!

Regards

Mark