I started Shearwater completely recreational diver 7 years ago. Ton of research back then has proven to be the right move. That Petrel1 is the same as the Peregrine. Love it. Would recommend either.
I have since moved into the dark world of technical diving. Doesn't matter. The Shearwater is extremely user friendly for a novice. The tissue loading chart is a great teaching tool for a novice diver. You can actually understand why the residual nitrogen calculation does what it does. Trying to teach it, learn it from books or the net is one thing. To experience it, do a dive, see how the fast and slow tissues ramp up and down. Other computers hide that as part of the magic vail of how they work. Shearwater doesn't hide it, puts it on the platter right in front of you.
Odds are you won't need customer service. But if you do they are legendary. I inquired what material they used for the screen protectors so I could make a new one. They just asked for my address and sent a couple so I could replace the one I gawked.
I know shops that don't carry them, not enough profit margin. Not selling a computer at all is less than selling a Shearwater at low margin.
But even for the recreational computer that the Peregrine is marketed for, it is very capable. Couple years ago I was in Truk and one guy had a rebreather issue. Doing 5-tank, 3-gas, deep and long deco dives keeping up with the rebreathers. As much as he would liked to have had Helium, we didn't let him have any. Those dives could have been done on the Peregrine. At the upper limit of capability, but could be done. So there is room to grow even if you are not planning on it.
Another hint on Shearwater, look for used ones. For all of them out there, very few used ones are for sale. And when they are sold, usually asking near new pricing, they sell quick. There are a few times I swear I have seen them sell used for more than what they go for new.
If I was starting all over again, knowing what I know now, yes I would pick up a Peregrine.
