If you've been keeping an eye on dive gear releases this year, you'll already know the buzz around the Shearwater Perdix 3. Shearwater has quietly built one of the most loyal followings in diving — not through flashy marketing, but by consistently delivering computers that just work, dive after dive, year after year. The Perdix series is the gold standard for serious divers, and the Perdix 3 is the next chapter in that story. Whether you're a recreational diver picking up your first proper wrist computer, a tech diver hunting for trimix capability, or a freediver who wants one device that does it all — this one's worth your attention. Let's break it all down.

The Shearwater Perdix 3 is Shearwater's latest full-size wrist dive computer, and the brand themselves describe it as their "toughest and most capable full-size dive computer to date." That's a bold claim from a company that doesn't typically do hyperbole. But having looked at everything the Perdix 3 brings to the table, it's hard to argue.

Retaining the same form factor as its hugely respected predecessor, the Perdix 2, the Perdix 3 manages to pack a significantly upgraded display, refined software, enhanced connectivity, and new dive modes — all without reinventing the wheel. This is very much an evolution, not a revolution. And honestly? That's exactly what loyal Perdix users want.

The Perdix 3 is coming soon to Mike's Dive Store, expected in the UK around late June 2026. Pre-dive your research now so you're ready to pull the trigger the moment it lands.

Shearwater has also introduced three layout styles — Standard, Big, and Tec — available across all dive modes. The new "Big" layout is particularly useful for divers who want oversized fonts for instant data reading at a glance. It's a simple addition, but one that makes a real difference mid-dive when task loading is high.

The Shearwater Perdix 3 doesn't just look tough — it genuinely is. The precision-machined titanium bezel protects the casing from knocks, scrapes, and the general punishment that dive gear takes. The display itself is covered by aluminosilicate toughened glass, the same material used in premium smartphone screens — highly resistant to scratches and impacts.

The titanium piezo-electric buttons deserve a mention too. These buttons work flawlessly whether you're wearing neoprene gloves or a dry suit, with no compromise in responsiveness. They're the same reliable buttons Perdix users have trusted for years, and they're here again on the Perdix 3.

Depth rating remains an impressive 260m / 850ft — more than adequate for recreational, technical, or even extreme depth diving.

One of the less-headline-grabbing but genuinely important improvements on the Shearwater Perdix 3 is the refined user interface. Shearwater has reworked the menus so that navigating through sub-menus is faster and more logical. The updated UI now shows the previous and next menu titles as you scroll, so you always know where you are in the menu tree — a small change that makes a big difference when you're gearing up on a cold morning or managing a complex technical setup.

This is a feature that tech and mixed-discipline divers will absolutely love. The Perdix 3 lets you save up to three completely independent configuration sets. So if you regularly switch between recreational single-tank diving, twin-set technical diving, and closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) diving, you can pre-configure each setup separately and toggle between them with minimal fuss.

No more manually adjusting every field before each dive type. Your computer is ready when you are.

• Security Enhancements: Encrypted firmware and optional PIN codes protect your dive logs and Bluetooth connections from unauthorised access
• Minimum Dive Time Logging: Set a dive time threshold so that surface splashes and shallow dips don't clutter your dive log
• Surface GF ▲+5 Indicator: A technical diving tool that shows how your surface gradient factor would change if you held your current depth for five more minutes — brilliant for conservative decompression planning
• Extensive Colour Customisation: 14 colour options across thousands of display combinations, so you can dial in exactly the readability and aesthetic you want

The Shearwater Perdix 3 supports simultaneous air integration with up to four Shearwater wireless transmitters. This makes it genuinely suitable for complex multi-cylinder technical setups — backmount, sidemount, stage cylinders, bailout — without any compromise.

Real-time tank pressure is displayed clearly on screen, and the system grows with you as your diving develops. Whether you're monitoring a single tank on your first nitrox dive or tracking four cylinders on a deep cave penetration, the Perdix 3 has you covered.

Previous Perdix models offered a Gauge mode for freediving, but the Shearwater Perdix 3 introduces a dedicated Freediving Mode with configurable sampling rates and alarms — a first for the Perdix line.

Freedivers can set fully customisable vibration patterns: for example, a distinct vibration every 30 seconds and a different alert every 10 metres of descent. This means you can receive all your critical information without ever taking your eyes off the water — exactly what freediving demands. And with the Perdix 3's powerful vibration system (described by Shearwater as their strongest yet), you won't miss a single alert, even at depth.

Note: switching to or from Freedive Mode resets the decompression tissue tracking, so plan your session order accordingly.

Shearwater wisely kept the DNA that made the Perdix famous. The form factor is identical — same dimensions, same straps, same cases, same screen protectors all fit. Same AA battery. Same Bühlmann GF algorithm. Same depth rating. Same vibration alert system. If you loved the Perdix 2, you'll feel completely at home on the Perdix 3 from the first dive.

The Shearwater Perdix 3 improves meaningfully in areas that genuinely affect underwater usability: screen quality, software intelligence, Bluetooth speed, and freediving capability. The AMOLED display alone is a compelling reason to upgrade if screen clarity in varied conditions is important to your diving.

The Perdix 2, however, remains an exceptional dive computer — arguably the best value flagship on the market. Its transflective LCD is famously readable in bright sunlight, it's been battle-tested by thousands of divers in some of the most demanding environments on earth, and it's available right now. If you want a proven, field-tested technical dive computer at outstanding value, the Perdix 2 is still very much the right answer.

The Shearwater Perdix 3 is exactly what the Perdix line needed: a meaningful step forward that respects the platform's legacy while genuinely improving the diving experience. It's not a gimmick-laden overhaul — it's a refined, capable, and beautifully built dive computer from a brand that understands what divers actually need underwater.

Stay tuned to Mike's Dive Store for stock updates, and the first hands-on impressions as soon as the Shearwater Perdix 3 lands.

And remember that if you need any help with the choice, you can always email us at support@mikesdivestore.com, schedule a video consultation, or drop by our Chiswick store for expert, face-to-face advice.