Northwest Dive Club

So, I'm getting old. My current puck computer is getting difficult to see in the murk. I'm looking for a wrist mounted computer with the largest display I can find, without feeling like I've got a cinder block on my arm.

Yes, Shearwaters are totes amazeballs!! but I keep my computer in gauge mode, so the bells and whistles are lost on me.

The display on this one is wonderful: https://shop.mares.com/us/diving/comput ... ion_id=120 , but I've never owned a Mares product. Anyone have this one? Thoughts?

I think it's funny that many of the reviews are "I couldn't see the display on my old computer, so I got this one." I guess I'm in good company!

Pen, I'm there with you. Ive pretty much settled on the shearwater petrol not so much for all the woofie wowzers, but because of the large easy to read display, even in right conditions. That's a big deal for me.
Yes it does everything else too, and will even bake a batch of cookies, but the display is the best I've seen for these old eyes.

It's a fantastic computer, but I'm balking at the price tag for what will essentially be a bottom timer. :(

But I do love cookies.....

You can find a used Shearwater predator online for 300-400 from time to time. (There is one on Rebreather World right now) The predators are a bit thicker, but otherwise awesome even in gauge mode. With Shearwater's awesome service and software updates it will be a good unit for a long time. If you can find a later model Petrel used, even better. Even if you pay double for a Shearwater I think you'll be happy with it in the long run.

I literally just use it for depth and duration. Sometimes I will download my dives, but I usually forget. So getting an $800+ computer for that is like buying a Ferrari to run to the grocery store. Super nice, but not necessary. The used price is better though!

The one on RW is in Egypt....hm.

Another vote for a used Predator or Petrel. Love Shearwater units SO MUCH!

I am curious why you only use your computer for gauge mode.

Even if you like to run tables, having the computer to balance real time calculations and provide accurate repetitive dive guidance is useful for reference. Also, the with the Shearwaters the deco algorithm parameters are adjustable allowing for more customization than was common in older devices, and allowing you to fine tune the device to your preferences.

I have two Shearwaters...that I run in gauge mode

Great display. Other display that's great as a bottom timer is the Liquivision...but it fades after a couple years.

Yeah, until recently I would have recommended a Liquivision as the best and most readable display, which it still is. Even compared to my Shearwater. However, they have been discontinued, and the OLED displays do wear out and fade after a few years. My Xen is finally on its last legs after four years of heavy use.
I finally broke down and got a Perdix, which I run alongside my Xeo. Both are set to tech mode. The Perdix has a slightly larger display, but the font size is not as large for the main numbers - depth and bottom time. Still, it's easily the best display available these days.


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Jeremy wrote:I have two Shearwaters...that I run in gauge mode

Great display. Other display that's great as a bottom timer is the Liquivision...but it fades after a couple years.

Oh, so you have a grocery store Ferrari and a coffee shop Ferrari?

Yeah, the Liquivisions are great, but they've closed up shop.

You gotta get your coffee and cheese somehow...

Put out a "want to buy" ad out for someone's Liquivision on Rain City Scuba - I bet you could get a bright one for $100

I have a suunto vyper that I use as a backup in gauge mode. It's ok, but not nearly as easy to read as a petrel.
Good luck!!!!

or the old predators, with oled.

Used petrel would be my vote despite the ~$350 used price tag. The predator is fine too but only takes the more expensive lithium batteries.

batteries are the price you pay for probably the best readable screen there is. A Petrel is a far distant second.

Maybe some of you can enlighten me on this topic. I frequently see this question asked but I never see what is, to me, the simplest answer, which is get corrective lenses. About 30 years ago I went to my optometrist asking about contacts for diving. His answer was, if you've never worn contacts get corrective lenses in the mask, which I did. 15 years later when the numbers on the gauges got too small to read I had bifocal lenses glued into my mask. I'm still using those lenses today. Not only can I use whatever gauge or computer I choose to use I can see my camera's view screen and, even better, I can see the little tiny things like sea spiders and the detail in other organisms. I got all of this for a lot less than the cost of a new computer. Finally, I'm the guy you see walking back to my vehicle wearing his mask because now I can see where I'm going.

I use lenses in my mask. There are still times when getting shallower, a comp cant even be viewed because of all the ambient light.

One of the issues is that my prescription is changing for the first time in decades, so until it stabilizes I don't want to keep getting multiple new lenses for regular eyes/diving eyes/mask/etc.. But yes, I very seriously considered that, and probably will when it does stabilize a bit more.

But......."Be like the rest of us and don't give in to peer pressure!"

So I caved and bought a used Shearwater. I blame you all.

Haha. Good choice Pen, peer pressure or not!

Welcome to the dark (lighter...?) side now!

I wear my contacts, and have these dive Optx 2x readers for gage viewing.