Shearwater Dive Computers are the pinnacle of dive computer engineering and design. They are known to set a benchmark for recreational, extended range and technical dive computers. Only recently, Shearwater introduced two new and upgraded versions of their best-selling units - Shearwater Perdix 2 and Shearwater Petrel 3. But it may be a bit overwhelming when it comes to choosing which Shearwater Computer is the right for you. Together with Shearwater Research, we put a quick comparison guide to help you choose the best Shearwater dive computer for your type of diving.
I have used Shearwater dive computers throughout my diving carrier, from Shearwater Pursuit and Predator to now owned Perdix and Perdix AI. While Pursuits and Predators were not the smallest dive computers on the market, they offered the most user-friendly interface with their famous two-button navigation and customisation suitable for technical diving. There must be a good reason mainstream rebreather manufacturers have been using Shearwater computers as controllers for their closed circuit units.
Nowadays, Shearwater Perdix Dive Computer and Shearwater Perdix AI Dive Computer are some of the most popular computers in advanced scuba diving. One of the most useful features I find on these computers is a fantastic colour screen, two-button navigation, and a 3D tilted compass. The Perdix AI can connect up to two transmitters making it a convenient dive computer for sidemount diving. One other benefit of the first-generation Perdixes is their price tag. The unit with an air integration is around £100-150 cheaper than their successors Perdix 2 but still packs a lot of qualities of the latest model.
While the new Shearwater Perdix 2 may appeal to extended range and technical divers, the Petrel 3 appeals more to a demanding diver engaging in advanced technical open circuit and closed circuit diving. The Shearwater Perdix 2 Ti Black dive computer is a full-size wrist dive computer enclosed in precision engineered casing with a titanium armoured bezel and operated by the same two titanium piezo buttons.
The new Petrel 3 Fisher Dive Computer offers an optional Fisher connection for external PPO2 monitoring, which means you can plug it into your rebreather for oxygen partial pressure monitoring.
Shearwater also produces a unit suitable for beginners and advanced divers in the form of the Shearwater Peregrine Dive Computer. The Shearwater Peregrine is an ideal dive computer for the everyday recreational and extended-range diver that wants Shearwater-level quality and performance without the high-end features such as air integration, trimix or closed circuit integration. Beginner divers will find it easy to use, while more advanced divers engaging in extended range diving may appreciate 3 nitrox gas switching allowing multiple cylinder usage and vibration alarms.
The Shearwater Teric is an excellent choice for recreational and technical divers who want an amazing-looking watch-style computer for everyday use. The Shearwater Teric may appeal to all divers with a multidisciplinary approach to diving as it is the only computer in the family with the best selection of diving modes - from freediving mode to stand-alone rebreather closed circuit mode. All delivered in the smallest package that looks just like an everyday diving wristwatch. Shearwater Teric is also produces in multiple colour patters with fabulous Journeys Edition Teric Bronze - we absolutely love it.
Sample of screen display on Shearwater Teric
Shearwater Dive Computers Comparison Chart
|
PERDIX / PERDIX AI |
PETREL 3 |
PERDIX 2 |
TERIC |
PEREGRINE |
|
DEMANDING DIVER ADVANCED and TECH |
DEMANDING DIVER ADVANCED and TECH |
DEMANDING DIVER ADVANCED and TECH |
DEMANDING DIVER EVERYDAY WEAR |
EVERYDAY DIVER(Air and Nitrox) |
|
Powerful computer with advanced feature set, air integration (AI), and user replaceable battery |
Powerful computer with advanced feature set, bigger screen display, air integration, vibration alerts and user-replaceable battery |
Powerful computer with advanced feature set, air integration, vibration alerts and user-replaceable battery |
Powerful dive computer in a wristwatch size with full-colour AMOLED screen, air Integration and advanced feature set |
Great Screen, exceptional value, simple dive modes with vibration alerts |
|
Air / Nitrox / 5 Gas Nx |
Air / Nitrox / 3 Gas Nx |
Air / Nitrox / 3 Gas Nx |
OC Rec (Air / Nitrox / 3 Gas Nx) |
Air |
|
5 OC/CC |
5 OC/CC |
5 OC/CC |
5 OC/CC |
3 OC |
|
ZHL16-C |
ZHL16-C |
ZHL16-C |
ZHL16-C |
ZHL16-C |
|
320x240 QVGA |
320 x 240 |
320 x 240 |
400 x 400 |
320 x 240 |
|
Full-colour LCD with LED backlight |
AMOLED |
LCD with LED backlight |
Full Colour AMOLED |
LCD with LED backlight |
|
5.59cm / 2.2" |
6.60cm / 2.6" |
5.59cm / 2.2" |
3.53cm / 1.39" |
5.59cm / 2.2" |
|
83 x 74 x 39 mm (3.26" x 2.9"x 1.53") |
83mm x 75.5mm x 39mm |
81mm x 71mm x 38mm |
55mm x 55mm x 18mm |
77mm x 68mm x 25mm |
|
154g (0.34 lbs) |
SA – 266g (9.38 oz) |
190g (4.32 oz) |
120.4g (4.16 oz) |
122g (4.32 oz) |
|
Single AA (any type) |
Single AA (any type) |
Single AA (any type) |
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery |
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery |
|
With 1.5V Alkaline: 40 Hours With Saft LS14500 3.6V Lithium: 100 hours Dive Log 1000 hours Transmitter 300 hours |
Up to 60 Hours Up to 40 hours
Up to 100 hours |
Up to 60 Hours
Up to 40 hours Up to 100 hours |
(AI enabled) |
Up to 30 Hours |
|
Approximately 1000 Hours |
Approximately 1000 Hours |
Approximately 1000 Hours |
Approximately 500 Hours |
Approximately 200 Hours |
|
260m (850ft) |
290m / 950ft |
260m / 850ft |
200m / 660ft |
120m / 394ft |
|
Visual colour-coded |
Vibration only |
Vibration only |
Vibration & audible alarms |
Vibration only |
|
Air Integration - YES |
Air Integration - YES |
Air Integration - YES |
Air Integration - YES |
Not Available |
|
Air Integration Up to 2 (only Perdix AI) |
Air Integration Up to 4 |
Air Integration Up to 4 |
Air Integration Up to 4 |
Not Available |
|
Bluetooth wireless - YES |
Bluetooth wireless - YES |
Bluetooth wireless - YES |
Bluetooth wireless - YES |
Bluetooth wireless - YES |
|
2 control buttons Piezoelectric buttons |
2 control buttons |
2 control buttons |
2 control buttons |
2 control buttons |
|
Compass - YES |
Compass - YES |
Compass - YES |
Compass - YES |
Not Available |
|
NDL PLANNER- YES |
NDL PLANNER- YES |
NDL PLANNER- YES |
NDL PLANNER- YES |
NDL PLANNER- YES |
|
DECO PLANNER - YES |
DECO PLANNER - YES |
DECO PLANNER - YES |
DECO PLANNER - YES |
DECO PLANNER - YES |
|
FIRMWARE UPDATES -YES |
FIRMWARE UPDATES -YES |
FIRMWARE UPDATES -YES |
FIRMWARE UPDATES -YES |
FIRMWARE UPDATES -YES |
Shearwater Swift Air Integration
All Shearwater Air Integrated dive computers can be paired with Shearwater Swift Transmitter. Shearwater designs the Swift transmitter to enable divers to carry multiple transmitters more reliably. Primarily aimed at technical or sidemount divers, the swift drastically reduces the chance of transmitters dropping out when carrying multiple tanks.
Shop for Shearwater Dive Computers
Get In Touch with Us
If you have any questions about any type of dive computer including tips and advice, please email us at support@mikesdivestore.com where we have a team of diving professionals here to assist you in making the right decision on dive computer options.
Or if you live locally or in the surrounding areas of London, pop in and come visit us in-store where you can try on a wide range of dive computer and accessories for yourself and get a feel of which styles you like best.
