Shearwater Perdix and Petrel 2 Dive Computer Comparison

Shearwater Perdix and Petrel 2 Dive Computer Comparison

The Perdix and Petrel 2 dive computers offer many of the same features but whilst the Petrel 2 has an external connection model for remote PPO2 monitoring the Perdix is the more technologically advanced.

Feature Perdix Petrel 2
Dimensions 81 x 71 x 38mm 83 x 74 x 39mm
Volume 110cm3 160cm3
Weight 152g including alkaline AA battery 218g including alkaline AA battery
Buoyancy 42g negatively buoyant 60g negatively buoyant
Display 2.2" QVGA, Full colour LCD with always on LED Backlight 2.4" QVGA, Full colour LCD with always on LED Backlight
Display Colour Range 35% NTSC 22% NTSC
Wrist Attachment

2 x elastic straps with locking buckles
&
Integrated bungee holes

 2 x elastic straps with locking buckles
Battery Life (3.6V Lithium)

Brightness level & hours:

Cave - 230 hours
Low - 200 hours
Med - 130 hours
High - 100 hours

Brightness level & hours:

Cave - 160 hours
Low - 130 hours
Med - 100 hours
High - 70 hours
Battery Life (1.5V Alkaline)

Brightness level & hours:

Cave - 100 hours
Low - 76 hours
Med - 50 hours
High - 36 hours

Brightness level & hours:

Cave - 70 hours
Low - 46 hours
Med - 38 hours
High - 26 hours
User Replaceable Battery Yes - Double o-ring seal Yes - Single o-ring seal
Deco Tissues and Clock restored on battery change Yes - store in permanent memory every 16 seconds Yes - backed up by super-capacitor
Settings retained on battery change Yes - all settings saved in permanent memory Yes - all settings saved in permanent memory
Decompression Model
  • Buhlmann ZHL-16C with GF
  • VPM-B optional upgrade
  • Buhlmann ZHL-16C with GF
  • VPM-B optional upgrade
Models
  • Stand alone
  • Stand alone
  • EXT Fischer
Operating Modes
  • Open circuit tec (trimix)
  • Closed circuit - Fixed PPO2
  • Open circuit Rec (air & nitrox)
  • Gauge (Bottom timer)
  • Open circuit tec (trimix)
  • Closed circuit - Fixed PPO2
  • Open circuit Rec (air & nitrox)
  • Gauge (Bottom timer)
  • Closed circuit - external PPO2 (Fischer model only)
  • Semi closed - external PPO2 (Fischer model only)
Gases 5 each mode (air, nitrox, trimix) 5 each mode (air, nitrox, trimix)
Gauge (Bottom Timer) Mode Yes Yes
Connectivity Bluetooth Smart Ready (dual mode 2.1 / 4.0) Bluetooth Smart Ready (dual mode 2.1 / 4.0)
Firmware Upgrades Yes - via Bluetooth Yes - via Bluetooth
Dive Planner Yes Yes
Units Metric and Imperial Metric and Imperial
Buttons 2 Piezoelectric buttons 2 Piezoelectric buttons
Compass Yes - 3 axis tilt compensated Yes - 3 axis tilt compensated
Launch Date Jan 2016 Oct 2014

 

The Perdix improves on the Petrel 2 by featuring:

  • Significantly reduced thickness
  • Double O-rings on the battery cap
  • Integrated bungee mount holes
  • Improved colour on the display
  • 30% longer battery life

The firmware feature set is identical to the Petrel 2. The Perdix inherits Shearwater’s mature, easy to use, and well validated firmware. Both the Perdix and Petrel 2 will continue to be supported moving forward with free firmware updates.

The Perdix is a stand alone only product, meaning that there is no model with a connection to a closed circuit rebreather. The Perdix does have a closed circuit mode using fixed PPO2 setpoints (as does the Petrel 2). The Petrel 2 Fischer and DiveCAN models will continue to be sold for users requiring a connection to a rebreather. The Perdix display is slightly smaller than the Petrel, at 2.2” vs. 2.4”.

The Perdix display, however, features better colour, higher contrast, and lower power consumption.