Shearwater Petrel Review

[ajduplessis]

The best dive computer on the market today! I love my predator and will be adding a Petrel as backup soon. I have VPM-B active on mine to match v-planner/baltic cut profiles. I only use Saft batteries and have short of 100 dives on it.

Review/compare I did some time ago.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/co...lyzers/412189-shearwater-predator-review.html

 

[DiveNav]

Personally, I like the Predator over the Petrel, the screen is just easier to read, for me. Both are awesome computers though.

I agree with You.
I dove with both of them side by side and I could read the Predator better.

But, I am kind of old and my eyes are not that good anymore :depressed:

Alberto (aka eDiver)

 

[mkolba.ppo2]

+1 (Petrel is awesome.)

I share the negative (not a big deal) comment that the temperature sensor is a little high. I completed a dive on Saturday, my backup read 36F, buddy's computer read 36F and the Petrel was a little high at 40F.

 

[smorneau]

The best dive computer on the market today! I love my predator and will be adding a Petrel as backup soon. I have VPM-B active on mine to match v-planner/baltic cut profiles. I only use Saft batteries and have short of 100 dives on it.

Review/compare I did some time ago.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/co...lyzers/412189-shearwater-predator-review.html

Where to get Saft batteries online?

 

[scubafied]

Where to get Saft batteries online?

Even though I am in a jealous rage I'll help a fellow diver out. Here:Petrel Dive Computer by Shearwater Research - Dive Gear Express Batteries are at the bottom.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

Cheapest price ($4.65) I've seen is here: BestByte.net - Discount Computer Hardware & Reliable Service: Lithium

 

[Oldbear]

I am just beginning to acculalate my Tech gear when I cam across this chart http://www.shearwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Petrel_vs_Predator.pdf

As of right now I, from a Rec diver looking into Tech diving, I do not see any reason why I would not consider the Petrel. I have a couple of questions:

1. Is the Predator as easy to work as the Petrel; I hate, (and yes hate IS a strong word) complicated DCs?
2. Is a used Predator that much more of a value than a new Petrel?

I am hoping to make my purchase with this year's tax refund

Thanks,

~Oldbear~

 

[bamafan]

I have both a predator and a petrel. The predator and the petrel both operate basically the same. You can pick either up and they are very self explanatory navigating the menus. The only real difference in the computers is the predator is slightly easier to read while the petrel is smaller and has the battery options. The petrel is selling for around $950 and most used stand alone predators are about $7-800. So the question basically boils down to what you get or don't get for about $200. If I didn't already have a predator I would buy the petrel.

 

[Oldbear]

Bamafan,

Petrel it is...

"Bama fan" ...OMG.:surprised

I'm a Fighting Irish fan.

We came to the BCS looking for a fight on the football gridiron and I think ND's cheerleading squad could have done a better job.





We'll try again next year.
Thanks...for the Petrel info, not the BCS ass whoopin' :whack:

~Oldbear~

 

[Dr. Lecter]

I have a couple of questions:

1. Is the Predator as easy to work as the Petrel; I hate, (and yes hate IS a strong word) complicated DCs?
2. Is a used Predator that much more of a value than a new Petrel?

They're equally easy to use in terms of U/I. My understanding is that most of the software differences (tissues bars, gauge mode, configurable middle row, etc.) will be eliminated in a forthcoming firmware update for the Predator. Size, ease of bungiee mounting, and AA battery options all cut in favor of Petrel.

IMO, the screen on the Petrel is easier to read underwater...I find the Petrel's LCD to be more like eInk or something, whereas the Predator's OLED screen has a weird hologram effect or something going on if I look at it wrong, and the font's edges are grainy-er. YMMV, and I think either screen is overkill in terms of clarity - it's dive data, not the superbowl FFS.

Pricewise, it's hard to beat $950 for a new Petrel (plus the $75 for unlocking VPM variants if that's your thing) when you compare it to things like the X1 or a new Predator. That said, $675 is what I recently paid for an OC only, VPM unlocked Predator in excellent condition with some extra Saft batteries and other goodies... and $350 saved is $350 for spending on something else.