Which dive computer is the best

It also tied the top score for overall ergonomics, thanks to its unobtrusive dimensions and precise, comfortable four-button control. With wireless air integration in a refined, watch-size package at an attractive price, the iTC was among the favorites of test divers and a top contender in our test. So it proved, taking very good scores for its intuitive operation and its readability underwater.

The operation uses long and short presses to toggle and select settings, with highlighted options blinking to guide the process. The high-contrast display, with an effective backlight and characters that are almost a half-inch tall, make it highly visible, while the segmented screen has a clean if basic layout. Test divers rated it very good for readability at depth and on the surface although bright sun did tend to wash it out.

Testers also liked the menu navigation, which identifies the function at play and shows its current setting. That helps even a new diver keep track of where they are in the menus, which are long but logically organized. Part of the reason for the long menus is the Centauri offers a fair amount of adjustment, including a choice of standard six-field dive display or a simplified three-field view. Capable and easy to use, attractively priced and selected among the favorites of test divers, the Centauri is our Best Buy.

By submitting above, you agree to Scuba Diving's privacy policy. Aimed at entry-level divers, the A1 goes beyond the basics, with features including Bluetooth, adjustable microbubble levels and an altimeter. Watch-size and stylish, the A1 has a screwed-down stainless bezel surrounding a labeled ring that itself circles the 1. The glossy bezel, buttons and buckle mark this as the HR high resistance version of the Action, which is also available with stainless highlights in a standard version.

USB transfer is also possible with the use of an optional cable. Atomic Aquatics has concentrated its efforts into a single dive computer, rather than the broad ranges available from other manufacturers. The Cobalt 2 is an air-integrated console computer featuring a bright, full-colour, customisable LED display and 3D integrated compass.

The comprehensive menu system is navigable through four magnetic buttons, with gas switching between up to six nitrox mixtures available.

The rechargeable lithium ion battery provides up to 60 hours of dive time and hours of detailed, graphical dive profiles can be stored in memory, or downloaded via USB cable. The Giotto has three buttons, as opposed to the single button of the Leonardo, allowing for easier navigation of the menu system, and the Giotto allows for gas-switching between two nitrox mixtures up to 99 per cent oxygen during the dive.

Also available in wrist or console version, data transfer is possible through the same, optional, IR interface as the Leonardo. The Descent allows up to six gas mixtures, including Trimix and up to per cent oxygen. The 3cm, high-resolution screen is LED backlit with a rechargeable battery lasting up to 40 hours in dive mode. Built-in GPS tracking can be used to store waypoints for water entry and exit, and dive profiles can easily be synced to smart devices.

With the most important information covered, the display allows for limited customisation to include optional deep stops or the position of the ascent rate monitor. Three gas mixtures up to 99 per cent oxygen are programmable for use during the dive. The Quad Air has wireless air-integration through a transmitter.

Data is downloadable through an optional Bluetooth or USB interface. As with the entry-level Geo 2. The OCi features wireless air integration allowing the diver to monitor four independent transmitters sold separately , with gas switching between four nitrox mixtures 21— per cent oxygen available. PC and Mac dive profile download is through an optional cable. The freediving update is available free of charge. Log transfer and firmware upgrades are through an inbuilt IR connection.

The menu system is extremely intuitive and the bright TFT display is user-customisable to display preferred information in classic or graphical formats, and the screen can be flipped to place the three buttons on either side of the display. Out of the box, the EON Core operates in a standard recreational mode, but advanced modes for multiple gases including helium and rebreathers CCR can be activated as required by the user.

The Guru can handle two gas mixtures up to 99 per cent oxygen and can simultaneously measure the air supply from two of the separately sold wireless transmitters. These computers are geared towards technical divers, those who need to switch between gas mixtures including helium during a dive, make multiple decompression stops and perhaps dive with closed-circuit rebreathers.

This does not mean they are unsuitable for recreational divers; all the models listed here are able to switch between recreational and technical modes of operation. They come at a price, but are the most versatile of dive computers. One of the most dominant dive computers within the technical community is the Shearwater Perdix, but the Canadian manufacturer is keen to point out that the Perdix is equally at home as a three-gas nitrox open-circuit recreational computer, as it is in the world of deep tech and rebreathers.

The vivid, 5. Five open-circuit and five CCR gases are programmable through the adaptive menu system, which displays settings relevant only to the current mode of operation, with a two-button system for ease of navigation.

Desktop connection is via a Bluetooth interface. A user-changeable AA battery ensures easy availability of replacements. Wireless air-integration with optional transmitter is built into the solid design with support for up to 11 different transmitters.

A choice of user-customisable screens with 19 languages accompanies the three-button navigation system. The G2 can be used as a basic recreational computer, or with up to eight gas mixtures, including helium. CCR capability can be activated when needed. An air-integrated console version is also available.

Many of the products included in this post are new releases, updated editions of older dive computers, or soon-to-be-released new dive computers for Looking for the all time best dive computers? We've included our latest poll March at the end of this article, from our 51, strong female dive group. The results are super interesting! This powerful computer is bright and easy to read in all conditions, with an intuitive colour display showing your most important information at a glance.

The bright, clear screen is what makes this our favourite pick for freediving, alongside the ability to illustrate your dive profiles for freediving with a high sampling rate to ensure accuracy. The D5 can be paired with up to three Suunto Tank Pods for air integration, allowing you to see the cylinder pressure for yourself and your buddy, students or group. Weighing in at 90g, the D5 is lighter than many similar watch-style dive computers making it a fantastic travel companion.

The battery life also makes it a great option for travelling divers, offering easy charging via USB cable and up to 12 hours battery in dive mode or 6 full days in time mode. The Peregrine is simple and intuitive, yet powerful enough to support more advanced diving if you choose to do so in the future.

The large, coloured display is bright and easy to read, with a customisable interface to ensure your most important information is displayed first. The built in dive log can store up to hours of dives, and the computer is easily connected via Bluetooth to the Shearwater Cloud on Mac, Windows, iOS and Android for more detailed logging. On medium brightness, you can expect this computer to last 30 hours on a full charge. Powerful technical dive computer?