Scubapro Galileo 2?

[guyharrisonphoto]

I hadn't thought about the issue of premature or unexpected battery failure in an inaccessible area (liveaboard, for example). This seems remote, but it is a legitimate concern. However, I carry a back-up on those trips (Aladin 2G) that goes on every dive and is ready to roll if the main one has an issue.

Scubapro is very tight on quality control in terms of preferring dealers perform maintenance and avoiding more DIY minded persons by limiting warranties if dealers do not do the work, etc. I can understand why some people are not fond of that. I know this makes money for dealers and some people don't like that when they can DIY. But, I don't think it is a racket, as their gear has a good reputation for quality and durability and having the trained dealers handle repairs is probably part of that.

For me, it is not an issue, but I am lucky to have scubapro platinum shops all around. I don't mind letting the dealer do repair work, it bolsters my relationship with them and gives me a good comfort level, as they will stand behind it, and it has paid dividends as, when one of my galileo's failed beyond repair years ago (burned circuit board), the dealer dealt with scubapro and I got a very large discount on a new replacement even tho my computer was well beyond warranty.

So, different strokes . . .

@beaverdivers can you give some insight into how the new algorithm on the G2 compares to the ZHL-8 used on the Galileos?

 

[stuartv]

I held a G2 in my hands on Saturday and played with it for a few minutes at Olympus Dive Center, in Morehead City, NC.

I did not go fetch my Perdix and compare them side by side. But, I had been diving my Perdix for several straight days, including that morning. The G2 screen looked a bit smaller, to me.

I did not see it in Dive mode, but in the surface mode, I went into the menus. The writing on the screen in that mode seemed smaller than the writing shown on a Perdix screen. But, I normally wear reading glasses and I *could* read the G2 without my glasses, so it's not like it is TOO small.

From the Main menu, I scrolled down and went into the Settings submenu. Once I was in there, I could not find any way to get back to the Main menu. The 3 buttons (in that mode) were for Up, Down, and Select, and there was no menu entry in the Settings menu that represented "go back" or "Main". In short, I did not think it was very intuitive at all.

I did like the 3 buttons. They felt solid and the position at the top should make them much less likely to press by accident than the buttons on my Perdix.

All in all, the size and the screen make it a direct competitor to the Perdix - for recreational divers - in my book. The G2 manual talks about CCR and Trimix support, but the actual unit only allowed for Nitrox (no Trimix).

All in all, the slightly smaller screen, the proprietary algorithm, the non-user replaceable battery, the non-intuitive menu navigation, and the price would have me buying a Shearwater Perdix over the G2 any day of the week. No contest. Even if I already had a SP transmitter, I would just sell the SP transmitter and buy the Perdix AI with a matching transmitter for it. If the G2 were $200 or more cheaper than the Perdix, then I might consider the G2 for someone who had zero tech diving aspirations.

ScubaPro really should have brought the H3 to market, with AI, in my opinion. I dived my H3 and my Perdix AI together all last week and they were both awesome. My H3 continues to be flawless and matches the Perdix within 1 foot and 1 minute of deco at all times.

 

[Jondjames]

Can someone explain to me how to tell the difference between the smart, smart+ and smart+ LED transmitter. How can I tell which transmitter I have?

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

Stuart,

Right button "press and hold" steps you back to the menu. Once you know that the menu is extraordinarily easy to get around. During a dive, each button is labeled with a function, so very easy there, too. Interfaces just take time to get used to. Personally, I found the Perdix two button interface awkward and slow at first, but got used to it and I am sure after a few dives it is second nature, like the scubapro.

As for the algorithm, it has served me well as a rec diver. It is a computer for divers that are used to and like the galileo series inculding, I assume, tech divers that are used to the algorithm and its adjustments or that just run gauge mode.

If GFs are on your agenda, no one is suggesting it is for you.

The screen size, though, does seem small compared to my Sol. The Perdix is a nice size so hopefully this is close and the color makes up for the smaller size.

I completely agree that they should have kept the H-3 going, or, even better, the other model (forget the number) with the wheel interface. That was the best interface I ever used on a dive computer and put the H3, the Perdix, and the Scubapro (all of which I handled) to shame. It also came with a bigger battery, too. Can't believe that got lost in the shuffle . . .

 

[scubadada]

...I completely agree that they should have kept the H-3 going, or, even better, the other model (forget the number) with the wheel interface. That was the best interface I ever used on a dive computer and put the H3, the Perdix, and the Scubapro (all of which I handled) to shame. It also came with a bigger battery, too. Can't believe that got lost in the shuffle . . .

The T1. I played around with one on land, never had the opportunity to dive it. I liked it very much also, a casualty

 

[TekprimeMIA]

I had a chance to play with one recently. I have to say I also found the interface to not be well designed. A 3rd button is great and I like that they are tactile unlike the shearwaters, but they way they are utilized is not intuitive; At least updating the interface is an easy fix. Not having software like multideco to access the algorithm and test parameters of a dive however... without that I don't see it being of use in technical diving. Both issues easily fixed with more software development!... we''ll see what they do... I love my scubapro regs and the people at my LDS (happen to be a platinum dealer) but god does scubapro drive me crazy with some of their design decisions(little plastic hooks on their wetsuits!). They consumed a great company, I'd expect much better than the G2... to ignore all the other great design elements and just cannibalize the color screen was a "stuck in their ways" bonehead kind of move. And now I'll never get my hands on one of those damned GPS Bouys!

 

[Hatul]

I have the Galileo Sol and I'm salivating as I read about the G2. The Shearwater Perdix AI was disappointing with its lazy implementation of their air time which does not include deco stops nor time for ascent (I believe).

I really like the algorithm of my Galileo and the way it works. Need to wait for some user reviews. For example the color Oceanic computer looked good until users started reporting poor visibility in daylight .

 

[stuartv]

The Perdix AI does account for ascent time in the GTR calc. It just doesn't include safety stop time. And it does not show a GTR at all once you pass your NDL and go into deco. It's dumb that it doesn't include the safety stop time in the GTR, but, it's pretty dang simple to figure out how many psi of gas you will use at a normal safety stop and simply adjust the settings on the computer to include that in the Reserve setting. I.e. if you want to be back on the boat with 500 psi and you normally use 200 psi at your safety stop, then set the computer's Reserve setting to 700psi.

If you're worried about things your computer does when you are in deco, well, I would definitely NOT be buying a G2. When I'm doing a deco dive, I want a non-proprietary algorithm that matches my planning software on my desktop computer. And I really don't care about what the computer says for GTR.

Also, I can't remember if I mentioned this before, but the compass in the G2 sucks compared to the compass in the Petrel 2 and Perdix. The update speed is really slow.

 

[Hatul]

Does the G2 work with the old Galileo Sol transmitter?

 

[stuartv]

I read somewhere (here on SB, I think) that ScubaPro has had 3 different generations of their transmitter and that the G2 is compatible with all of them.