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.