Shearwater Dive Computers Comparison

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 OC Tec (Trimix enabled) CC/BO (Fixed PPO2) Gauge	Air / Nitrox / 3 Gas Nx OC Tec (Nitrox/Trimix Enabled) CC/BO (Fixed PPO2) Gauge	Air / Nitrox / 3 Gas Nx OC Tec (Trimix enabled) CC/BO (Fixed PPO2) Gauge	OC Rec (Air / Nitrox / 3 Gas Nx) OC Tec (Trimix enabled) CC/BO (Fixed PPO2) Freediving Gauge	Air Nitrox (Up to 40%) 3 Gas Nitrox (Up to 100% O2) Gauge
5 OC/CC	5 OC/CC	5 OC/CC	5 OC/CC	3 OC
ZHL16-C Optional VPM / Optional DCIEM	ZHL16-C Optional VPM / Optional DCIEM	ZHL16-C Optional VPM / Optional DCIEM	ZHL16-C	ZHL16-C Optional VPM / Optional DCIEM
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 (3.3” x 2.97” x 1.5”)	81mm x 71mm x 38mm (3.2” x 2.8”x 1.5”)	55mm x 55mm x 18mm (2.17” x 2.17”x 0.71”)	77mm x 68mm x 25mm (3.09” x 2.67”x 0.98”)
154g (0.34 lbs)	SA – 266g (9.38 oz) EXT – 285g (10.05 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 (Lithium 1.5V - Recommended) Up to 40 hours (AA Alkaline - No Vibration Support)   Up to 100 hours (Saft LS14500 - No Vibration Support)	Up to 60 Hours (Lithium 1.5V - Recommended)   Up to 40 hours (AA Alkaline - No Vibration Support) Up to 100 hours (Saft LS14500 - No Vibration Support)	(AI enabled) Up to 30 Hours (Dive mode) Up to 50 Hours (Watch mode)	Up to 30 Hours (Medium Brightness)
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 (Piezo, Titanium)	2  control buttons (Piezo, Titanium)	2  control buttons (316 stainless steel buttons)	2  control buttons (316 stainless steel buttons)
Compass  - YES (3 axis, tilt compensated, digital compass)	Compass  - YES (3 axis, tilt compensated, digital compass)	Compass  - YES (3 axis, tilt compensated, digital compass)	Compass  - YES (3 axis, tilt compensated, digital compass)	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.