Rec or Tec?

[Manatee Diver]

Ok can you please educated us why a recreational diver would "need" (key word is need) a decompression CC mixed gas diver computer.

I explained a perfectly valid reason to go for the Perdix AI or Teric a couple of pages back.

Because the US dive computer market pricing is poorly stratified. If you a new recreational diver wants a nicer dive computer with all the features like AI, digital compass, and a color screen you basically have to spend $800-900. Why get a poorly thought out recreational computer that has poor customer service when for the same price you can get the well thought out Perdix AI for the same price?

Now if the Suunto D5 was around $500-600 it would be a killer recreational only dive computer, but it isn't it is the same price as a Perdix AI.

 

[formernuke]

Ok can you please educated us why a recreational diver would "need" (key word is need) a decompression CC mixed gas diver computer.

I fully get "wanting" one and I am guilty of this as I am that guy who buy things that are way more than what I need (I own 3 Petrels, and 2 Perdix's) and there is nothing wrong with recreational divers "wanting" and buying them buy but people want then because its marketed like that. If you don't believe me how many reactional divers new what a Shearwater Predator was when it came out and wanted it? Now with all the advertising and social media how many recreational divers know what a Shearwater Teric is and want one. But like I said nothing wrong with that and I think its good for the industry, helps it grow.

Only explanation I can think of for wanting one is if you have plans to do technical diving. If that is the case then I am 100% for buying something like a Shearwater right off the bat and not screwing around with a basic computer because in the end that will just be a waste of money. I fully support buying a computer once and not having to upgrade later. But if your recreationally diving all you need is depth, time, NDL, gas. Recreationally divers will never need to do Setpoint switches or BO mode (lol unless your like me and your freind want to go for a quick rec dive so you grab you Perdix clipped to your rebreather and never check that its still in CC mode and find out you can not edit the mode once the dive starts so next best thing is to dive in BO mode)

Challenge accepted. Year 2018

A diver needs to track depth and time, in order to do this he or she needs to know depth or time while under water.

Because the diver dives in very low VIS conditions (lose sight of full grown man at 6 inches) the gauges for depth and time needs to large and easy to read.

There are depth gauges and bottom timers in the market but they are expensive and not well lit so the diver is looking at computers.

So that is the divers needs, want is AI. All computers that meet the divers needs are AI so the want is included in the needs. Diver does not want electronic compass but all computers have them. Diver does not care about deco or in water gas change just wants a readable way to track depth and bottom time.

So let's look at computers that meet the divers needs (large easy to read screen lit screen at depth) all computers that have this are back lit and have AI so want is covered.

As the diver looks at options one has a user changeable battery, not only user changeable but the most common battery in the world. The perdix.

 

[formernuke]

Now if the Suunto D5 was around $500-600 it would be a killer recreational only dive computer, but it isn't it is the same price as a Perdix AI.

Friends don't let friends dive suunto

 

[brsnow]

Challenge accepted. Year 2018

A diver needs to track depth and time, in order to do this he or she needs to know depth or time while under water.

Because the diver dives in very low VIS conditions (lose sight of full grown man at 6 inches) the gauges for depth and time needs to large and easy to read.

There are depth gauges and bottom timers in the market but they are expensive and not well lit so the diver is looking at computers.

So that is the divers needs, want is AI. All computers that meet the divers needs are AI so the want is included in the needs. Diver does not want electronic compass but all computers have them. Diver does not care about deco or in water gas change just wants a readable way to track depth and bottom time.

So let's look at computers that meet the divers needs (large easy to read screen lit screen at depth) all computers that have this are back lit and have AI so want is covered.

As the diver looks at options one has a user changeable battery, not only user changeable but the most common battery in the world. The perdix.

That is actually how I found out about shearwater, my eyes weren’t able to see my aeris wrist computer. The search turned up the petrel was the closest fit to what I needed. They soon came out with the perdix. I added cheaters to my mask, but when the Teric came out it checked my boxes. I get a big discount on garmin, so I wavered but decided to get a Teric. I am glad it is now trendy, turning 50 soon and apparently dialed in to what is hot!

 

[Edward3c]

Friends don't let friends dive suunto

That’s the Shearwater marketing, there is nothing wrong with Suunto computers. I’ve just bought my 5th Suunto (EON Steel Black).

 

[Cheizz]

The pricing you're referring to is an American problem rather than a problem that is connected to the computers.

For reference I did a quick search for online purchase prices here in Europe:

~ 500-600 Euro: EON Core, D5, Aqualung i770R, Shearwater Peregrine, Scubapro G2
~ 1000-1100 Euro: Shearwater Teric, Perdix AI, EON Steel Black

Transmitters not included.

 

[BlueTrin]

Now if the Suunto D5 was around $500-600 it would be a killer recreational only dive computer, but it isn't it is the same price as a Perdix AI.

The higher end of Suunto is surprisingly expensive compared to a Peregrine or Perdix AI in the US.

 

[Wibble]

Low end Suunto computers are great starter computers. Cheap, simple, reliable.

Shearwater computers just work. Very easy to use, simple menus, reliable, easy to read, superb user interfaces. They use standard algorithms, interface to phones and computers using Bluetooth, and there’s a nice cloud application to stash your logging info. The user interface is the same for all variants including rebreathers and their Nerds.

My Suunto D9tx was horrible in just about every way. Proprietary algorithms, ridiculously difficult to use underwater, dangerous and perverse conservatism, most definitely not a ‘technical' computer as they claimed. The Suunto logging application was primitive. I would never recommend a higher end Suunto as the Shearwater computers are so much better computers in every way.

These opinions are based upon personal experience and not marketing vomit.

 

[Cheizz]

I've had a look at that D9tx and I wouldn't buy that either. The old algorithm, a segmented little screen, a not very intuitive looking 4-button interface and menu.

EON Core or Steel would be better options at a lower pricepoint with the same capabilities (on paper). Better/larger color screens and very intuitive interface too (know that from experience).

I think it's fair to say: not all Suuntos are created equally.

 

[Wibble]

I've had a look at that D9tx and I wouldn't buy that either. The old algorithm, a segmented little screen, a not very intuitive looking 4-button interface and menu.

EON Core or Steel would be better options at a lower pricepoint with the same capabilities (on paper). Better/larger color screens and very intuitive interface too (know that from experience).

I think it's fair to say: not all Suuntos are created equally.

Moving from the world’s worst user interface on the D9tx to to one of the best user interfaces (plus all the other practicalities; great screen, usability, reliability, simple AA battery) on the Perdix really impressed me.

This just confirmed my poor opinion about Suunto who's marketing gimps had basically lied to me. (Also the £50/€60/$70 charge for replacing the Suunto battery every 10 months -- which always failed just before diving)

Being a simpleton; a brand's poor reputation is built upon poor experiences. When there are patently superior alternatives from other brands, there ceases to be a point in ever looking at the inferior brand.