Upgrading Computer Peregrine vs Perdix

[rfwoodvt]

Well, the last of my 15+ year old Cobras has finally given up the ghost. Been happy with them save for the small screens. Thing I liked most about them was their hose connection air Integration.

I went with Suunto for several reasons: prior experience with their other products, I was able to get several used computers at really great prices.

I've never been sold on electronics for safety gear when existing analog tech had proven so reliable for decades so having backups to my backups on the computers was paramount and the prices I was able to get the Cobras for made the redundant redundancy possible.

Now that I've been at this a few years and despite my cobras dying from old age, I'm more inclined now to trust quality dive computers. I am also no longer inclined to be looking to get by with the cheapest, almost adequate, gear any more.

So, now that I am in the market for a new primary computer I figure it is time to upgrade to one that can also into Tech diving. Despite being more than satisfied with the Cobras, I'm not sold on Suunto for moving into the tech realm.

To clarify, I have no desire, or plans, to ever deco dive. But I do see myself getting into doubles/independents, perhaps side mount, overhead/ice dives and work dives.

I really like/prefer Air integration but am not completely sold on wireless AI. When I first started diving I used a Suunto Vyper Air with transmitter. It was OK but too often I lost signal during a dive especially when operating my metal detector. It seems that any tech computer with AI worth its salt these days will be wireless.

Just reading around this weekend it seems that Shearwater owns the top of the mountain. For my eyes and having AI, the only real options are the Peregrine TX and the Perdix.

I think the Perdix is overkill as I don't think I'll ever need the deep tech. However, I love its replaceable AA form Battery. On the other hand the Peregrine is way more affordable, does everything I think I could ever need, but it runs on a rechargeable battery, which for me is highly inconvenient.

So, I'd like to as for opinions and reasons for those opinions on one over the other. Also, I'd really like to listen to some well thought debate over the battery differences between the two.

Also wanted to get your take on their AI and transmitters such as how reliable are the connections? Will a whip hose be necessary or just good insurance? Also, will they connect with any MH8A transmitter or are the transmitters proprietary?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mobulai]

Also, will they connect with any MH8A transmitter or are the transmitters proprietary?

Yes, that’s a big advantage of shearwater computers

The Peregrine seems to be very capable of almost everything the Perdix can do

I don’t own either, so can’t comment on either form a user pov

i do have a computer that has a rechargeable battery — and I prefer that, less chances of water ingress on a rushed battery change
Not that I saw that happen to someone I know, but I did read about it (rare occasions)

I’ll leave it to others to provide better comments on that

 

[rhwestfall]

Tern TX or Peregrine AI

 

[lexvil]

Peregrine tx, will connect to any MH8A transmitter, very reliable connection, I use them directly on the first stage, some like them on a hose. I prefer rechargeable over replaceable battery but hard to argue against the perdix performance.

I just moved back the SW and even after a year diving SP computers I set up the peregrine without even looking at the manual, also just picked up a Tern tx as a back up, also set up without instructions.

Shearwater is indeed at the top right now, the market is there’s to lose but no signs of that happening.

 

[macado]

I guess I am not really sure what you are asking. You said you wanted to get into technical diving? While that doesnt necessarily always imply decompression diving doubles/sidemount, or overhead environments almost always put you into the realm where you can easily get into a decompression obligation and not be gas limited by a single tank. Both computers will handle that just fine.

The Shearwater Swift (newer Shearwater-made MH8A transmitters) have been super reliable for me personally but they are not perfect. They are also great if you have plans to go sidemount however I still keep traditional SPGs in my save-a-dive kit and the majority of my regulators are still standard brass/glass SPGs. This shift has been slow for a lot of people. If you asked technical divers 10 or even 5 years ago if they prefer AI most would look at your funny. Today there is a growing number of people who use AI.

A lot of people don't always know what the future holds in regards to their diving career. Both are very good computers. I own both. The Perdix is no doubt a better computer. It has a larger screen, AA user-replaceable batteries and includes trimix and CCR support. It has a titanium bezel which is more durable and piezo buttons which are more reliable. Even if you have no plans to use AI I would still say to get it for better resale value of the computer.

I also prefer the screen size of the Perdix but the compared to what you're coming from, the Peregrine will be a huge upgrade in readability. I bought a Peregrine as "backup" to my Petrel and Perdix computers. I use it quite often.

You already said it yourself you dislike non-replaceable batteries. I agree. If money is not an option then I would say go for the Perdix AI.

The Peregrine is their budget / basic line designed to capture the recreational market. It will do almost everything you ask and more. The one potential downside (beyond the non-user replaceable battery) is the buttons themself get a little "sticky" if you're diving in salt water and don't rinse it well after diving.

I'm also not a fan of watch-style computers (Tern / Teric). I just overall prefer a larger display.

TL;DR - If money is not a consideration, get the Perdix 2. If you're not sure buy a Peregrine TX and then keep it as "backup" if you decide to upgrade. I don't think you'd necessarily regret either option.

 

[rmorgan]

On the other hand the Peregrine is way more affordable, does everything I think I could ever need, but it runs on a rechargeable battery, which for me is highly inconvenient.

I I just finished a trip with a new Peregrine AI and was very happy. On the battery piece, it is a Qi charger that comes with the device, and plugs in to USB-C. I did 45 dives over 16 dive days (in three weeks) and charged the device before we left and about 30 dives in (it was above 50% but I wanted to see how it went). It charged for a little over an hour and after more than two weeks it's at about 90%. I'm an internal-battery skeptic, but I'm confident of the Peregrine based on reputation and my limited experience.

The AI is easy to pair (a serial number instead of Bluetooth) and while the computer takes a bit of work to fully understand and configure, I'm quite pleased so far.

 

[scubadada]

I I just finished a trip with a new Peregrine AI and was very happy. On the battery piece, it is a Qi charger that comes with the device, and plugs in to USB-C. I did 45 dives over 16 dive days (in three weeks) and charged the device before we left and about 30 dives in (it was above 50% but I wanted to see how it went). It charged for a little over an hour and after more than two weeks it's at about 90%. I'm an internal-battery skeptic, but I'm confident of the Peregrine based on reputation and my limited experience.

The AI is easy to pair (a serial number instead of Bluetooth) and while the computer takes a bit of work to fully understand and configure, I'm quite pleased so far.

This is much, much better than my current Teric is doing. My Teric is consuming around 8% per hour dive. The battery life in storage is also below spec. This computer will join my others in my Teric thread in the near future. Fortunately, I have 2 years.

Teric owners, have you required repair or replacement service?

There have been multiple threads discussing repair and/or replacement service for Shearwater Terics. Nearly always, repair and/or replacement service has been praised for responsiveness and speed. As, generally, only problems are reported and discussed, the need for service or replacement may...

scubaboard.com

 

[GreggS]

I have the Peregrine TX. Unless you get into tech diving, the Peregrine TX is all you need. I've also been using wireless AI for years and have never had a problem.

 

[gbeasley]

I'd definitely suggest putting the transmitter on a short hose. That way someone won't accidentally use it as a hand hold.

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

I'll say this: I have a peregrine (non-tx). I've used it for probably 10-12 dives totaling around 8-12 cumulative hours since I last charged it, and the battery is still over half. I wouldn't worry much about the user changeable battery. Like, charge it ahead of time and you could probably make it through a whole liveaboard on a single charge.