Whether you’re replacing an ageing dive-computer or investing in a first unit, dive-gear guru MARK NEWMAN thought it might help to run through 10 of his favourite models as of spring 2024. There will be other desirable models out there, but here he sticks to the bigger brands easily available in most countries.
Shearwater Tern
The Shearwater Tern released in early 2024 is a watch-sized, colour-screen recreational computer. It’s kind of a Teric Lite. The Shearwater Teric is held in high esteem, but the premium price tag and technical features can put off some divers. So Shearwater has removed some of the more technical features and reduced the price for what is more of an entry-level dive-computer.
It has the colour display, rechargeable battery and optional wireless air integration, and a further reduction in the cost if you’re not interested in AI. The Tern functions much the same as a Teric which is renowned for its user interface.
Garmin Descent Mk3i
When Garmin released the Descent Mk3i it wanted to make the definitive smart watch, the only computer you will ever need. It’s actually quite difficult to compare the Mk3i to traditional dive-computers because it has so many extra features above and beyond what even the big diving brands can produce.
On top of the plentiful diving features, the Mk3i is a fully tricked-out smartwatch that has GPS, sporty heart-rate monitoring and a plethora of surface features that make it one of the best dive-computers out there.
All the fancy features come a price, naturally. The Mk3i is one of the most expensive computers out there but, if you want an all-singing, all-dancing smartwatch that’s also a powerful dive-computer, it is worth the investment.
Apple Watch Ultra
If you’re less Android operating system inclined and want your dive-computer to connect to your iPhone, the Apple Watch Ultra has scuba-diving features. Apple partnered up with Oceanic to develop the diving side of the Ultra, which is aimed more at recreational divers and has Apple’s signature simplicity built into it.
There are no complicated settings or confusing screen layouts. Much like the Garmin, the Apple Watch Ultra isn’t cheap because of all of its fancy surface features. It also has subscription-based dive features. You can still use it to go diving without a subscription, but some features will remain behind that paywall.
If you’re buying an Apple Watch anyway and you don’t need an all-singing, all-dancing dive-computer, it’s a decent choice.
Suunto EON Core
I really like the Suunto EON Core. It’s a nice, thin colour-screen computer with all the features that most divers will ever need. As with many computers today you can change the screen layout to show the information you want, and have either the raw numbers or infographics that are easy to understand at a glance.
A built-in rechargeable battery also means that you can top up the battery as you go. Unlike computers with a user-changeable battery, where you risk that you have enough charge when going on a dive, or risk opening the computer and hope that the seal is still intact after changing the battery, you can simply plug the EON Core in like your smart phone between dives.
Shearwater Perdix
I had to include the Perdix in my list. Similar to the EON Core, it has a full-colour screen and is widely considered one of the best dive computers on the market. It has a dedicated recreational mode that makes it easy for new divers to understand, and when you decide to make the move to technical diving you can unlock the extra features and customise the dive screen however you need it.
The Perdix runs off a single AA-sized battery so replacements are easy to find. It could be your dive computer for many years, whereas a model with a rechargeable battery might lose its charge over time.
Suunto Zoop Novo
This is a very popular dive-computer, and for good reason. The Zoop Novo has a strong heritage as a very affordable model with a sensibly sized screen and multiple-button interface. Where most budget dive-computers only have a single button, which can be hard to navigate, this one has four buttons for ease of use.
It also has a partial dot matrix screen that can display more complicated information without confusing icons. Compared to many other computers in its price range, the Zoop Novo has a better screen and better user interface.
Mares Sirius
The Mares Sirius is a new colour-screen, watch-sized computer with a rechargeable battery. It’s a computer that you can wear day to day and on the dive-ite. That’s thanks to it’s quick-change strap – if the regular watch-strap isn’t long enough to go around your wet or drysuit, you can swap them over quickly without needing any tools.
Wireless air integration and all the diving modes you can shake a stick at make the Sirius a nice dive-computer at a sensible price, compared to other colour-screen, air-integrated dive-computers.
Scubapro Luna
The new Scubapro Luna 2.0 is a large-screen computer with a beautifully slim design. There are two versions, one with and one without wireless air integration. The low-power screen display and user-changeable button battery mean that the Luna should last for years.
You have the option to pair it with a heart-rate monitor that you wear over your chest – the Luna can use this to tailor your dive-profile, based on how warm or cold you are and how much work you’re doing, if the Luna notices that you’re working particularly hard or you’re too cold, it will adjust your dive-profile accordingly.
Shearwater Peregrine
The Peregrine is a lovely dive computer. Similar to the Tern, it’s a version of the Perdix with a lot of the technical features taken out. It has a rechargeable battery and everything that an entry-level and even advanced scuba diver will need.
Bluetooth allows you to pair it with your smartphone, and the vibration alerts mean that you don’t bug other divers with a beeping computer.
Garmin Descent G1 Solar
If you like the idea of the Descent Mk3 but don’t like the price-tag, there is always the Descent G1 range.
Instead of the colour screen, you have a super-clear MIP display that draws less power, and the G1 Solar has a sun-powered panel around the face to top up the battery as you wear it.
It’s a nice, neat, sensibly priced dive-computer with everything from Apnea, Nitrox and Trimix and Rebreather modes to heart-rate monitoring, GPS, compass amnd pairing to your smartphone. Apart from the cheaper non-solar version, there is also a new Ocean Edition that’s made from recycled plastics.
Also read: When should you replace your dive computer or BCD?, Top 10 Dive Computers 2022, Five best dive computers under £300, Air integrated dive computers
