Mark Evans rates and reviews the Scubapro Galileo G2 dive computer.
I was always a massive fan of the original Galileo series of computers, loving the clear display, how it told you on screen the function of the three buttons, the ease of changing the battery, and so on. It was so simple and easy to use. When the colour-screen revolution started, I said all Scubapro needed to do was make the Galileo with a colour screen – and that is essentially what the G2 is. I couldn’t wait to get diving it and see how it stacks up against my old Sol.
Just taking the Scubapro Galileo G2 out of the box, it instantly feels familiar, if just all on a slightly smaller scale than I am used to. I was a firm devotee of the Galileo Sol, and the G2 is, to all intents and purposes, a Sol with a full-colour screen in a smaller package. Yes, there are a few other differences, but for anyone used to the old Galileo series, this will feel like a comfortable shoe.
First dives with the G2, and the familiarity I had on the surface with the unit – after my long history with the Galileo Sol – continued underwater. It is just so simple and intuitive to use, with the screen displaying what the buttons on the top activate at that particular time. For instance, what is one of the things you are most often going to do on your computer? Change the O2 setting, right? Well, with the G2 – as with the Galileo series – when you go into the menu, the initial highlighted next stage is the O2 setting. One more click and you are at the stage where you can alter the mix, and set the PPO2 max. Just so easy to use.
The energy-efficient TFT (thin-film transistor) screen is vibrant, and so easy to read on the surface or underwater, especially when the conditions deteriorate, or on a night dive. As with the original Galileos, there are a choice of screen display configurations – Light, Classic, Full or Graphical – allowing you to personalise how the data is presented.
I am a bit fan of wrist-mounted dive computers, and always wear them with the screen on the inside of my wrist. This way the face of the computer is protected from any impacts, but most importantly it is automatically facing you when you are relaxed into a nice, comfortable trim position underwater, or holding on to your camera or video system. No need to rotate your wrist to read the information on the screen. I also like the thick rubber strap on the G2, which keeps the computer nice and solid on your forearm whether you are in a wetsuit or in a drysuit.
The G2 is genuinely a computer that can grow with you. If you are new to diving, it is so simple to use, it is the perfect partner for your first forays into the underwater world. As your skills and certifications develop and grow, so the G2 and its Predictive Multi-Gas ZHL-16 ADT MB algorithm is more than capable of handling your needs, such as nitrox and even trimix mixes (up to eight), additional cylinders (for sidemount or technical diving), and if you head off into the realm of closed-circuit rebreathers, it can even deal with that.
As well as scuba, gauge mode (for technical diving) and CCR, the G2 also has a freediving mode.
The G2 is different from its older brethren in that it doesn’t have a user-replaceable battery, instead it is equipped with a rechargeable battery that provides up to 50 hours of dive time. It does, however, have a full-tilt digital compass, which is even better than the original.
The G2 comes in a neat zippered storage case with a little carry handle, which contains the computer itself and the download cable, and if you opt for them, the heart-rate chest monitor and elasticated strap, which measures your heartbeat and skin temperature and factors both into your decompression calculations, and wireless transmitter for hoseless air-integration, so air consumption can also be a part of the calculations. The G2 can actually connect to up to nine transmitters.
Our gear content is sponsored by Mike's Dive Store, the UK's premier dive retailer. For all your diving needs visit them in-store or online for your diving, freediving, snorkelling and servicing.
