The Shearwater Perdix 2, Garmin Descent MK3i, and Shearwater Teric are the top dive computers for wreck diving, offering durability, advanced features, and exceptional functionality tailored to the unique challenges of underwater exploration.

Editor’s Choice

For technical wreck divers who need a durable and feature-packed dive computer, the Shearwater Perdix 2 is our Editor’s Choice. Its titanium bezel, advanced dive modes, and customizable display provide unmatched reliability and functionality for navigating challenging wreck environments.

Final Verdict: ★★★★★ (4.81/5)

Image	Product	Ratings	Price
	Shearwater Perdix 2	★★★★★ (4.81/5)	Click for Best Price
	Garmin Descent MK3i	★★★★★ (4.81/5)	Click for Best Price
	Shearwater Teric	★★★★★ (4.75/5)	Click for Best Price

Introduction

Wreck diving is an exhilarating way to explore history beneath the waves, but it comes with unique challenges that demand precision, reliability, and advanced functionality from your equipment. A high-quality dive computer is essential for ensuring safety and optimizing your underwater experience as you navigate tight spaces, monitor gas usage, and manage decompression stops.

The Shearwater Perdix 2, Garmin Descent MK3i, and Shearwater Teric are three of the best dive computers for wreck diving, offering features that cater to the specific needs of wreck divers. From advanced dive modes and air integration to durable builds and bright, readable displays, these devices provide the tools you need for safe and enjoyable wreck explorations.

In this guide, we’ll explore why these three dive computers stand out and how they can enhance your wreck diving adventures.

Best For: Wreck divers seeking durability, advanced functionality, and reliability for exploring underwater treasures.

What Wreck Divers Should Look for in a Dive Computer

Wreck diving presents unique challenges, requiring a dive computer with specific features to ensure safety and maximize the experience. Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a dive computer for wreck diving:

Durability and Build Quality

• Rugged Construction: A sturdy dive computer can withstand impacts, scrapes, and harsh conditions commonly encountered in wreck environments.
• Scratch-Resistant Screen: Sapphire crystal or reinforced glass ensures the display remains clear and intact over time.
• Depth Rating: Look for a computer with a depth rating sufficient for deeper wrecks, often exceeding recreational limits.

Advanced Navigation Tools

• Digital Compass: Helps with precise navigation inside wrecks where visual landmarks may be limited.
• Built-In GPS: Allows divers to mark entry and exit points for safer surface navigation.

Air Integration

• Tank Pressure Monitoring: Wireless air integration ensures you can track gas usage accurately, which is crucial during extended dives or while managing multiple tanks.

Customizable Alarms and Alerts

• Ascent Rate and Depth Warnings: Ensure safety when moving through tight spaces or ascending from deeper dives.
• Gas Switch Alerts: Vital for divers using multiple gas mixes during technical wreck dives.

Readability and Display

• Bright, High-Contrast Screens: Essential for low-light environments inside wrecks.
• Customizable Layouts: Allows divers to prioritize critical metrics like depth, gas pressure, and no-decompression limits.

Advanced Dive Modes

• Technical Diving Features: Modes like trimix and closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) are invaluable for deeper wrecks or longer exploration dives.
• Decompression Management: Algorithms with customizable conservatism settings enhance safety during dives requiring staged decompression.

Battery Performance

• Long Battery Life: Ensures reliability for extended or multi-dive days.
• User-Replaceable or Rechargeable Options: Adds convenience for divers on remote trips.

Why It Matters

Choosing the right dive computer can make a significant difference in your wreck diving experience. A device tailored to the challenges of wreck diving ensures not only safety but also the confidence to explore these underwater treasures to their fullest.

Why These Three Dive Computers Are Ideal for Wreck Divers

The Shearwater Perdix 2, Garmin Descent MK3i, and Shearwater Teric are exceptional dive computers that excel in meeting the unique demands of wreck diving. From their durability to advanced features, these models stand out for wreck divers of all levels.

Shearwater Perdix 2

• Why It’s Great for Wreck Divers:
  • Rugged Durability: Titanium bezel and sapphire crystal screen ensure it withstands the rigors of wreck environments.
  • Advanced Dive Modes: Includes trimix, CCR, and gauge modes for technical wreck dives.
  • Air Integration: Tracks up to four transmitters, offering precise tank monitoring during extended explorations.
  • Customizable Alarms: Depth and gas warnings enhance safety in tight spaces.
  • Bright Display: Large, clear screen is perfect for low-light conditions inside wrecks.

Garmin Descent MK3i

• Why It’s Great for Wreck Divers:
  • Built-In GPS: Allows precise marking of wreck entry and exit points for easier surface navigation.
  • Air Integration: Utilizes SubWave sonar to monitor tank pressure, making it ideal for managing gas consumption.
  • AMOLED Display: High-resolution screen ensures excellent visibility in dimly lit wreck interiors.
  • Durable Design: Sapphire crystal screen and titanium bezel withstand impacts and scratches.
  • Smart Features: Combines dive capabilities with smartwatch and fitness functions for versatile use.

Shearwater Teric

• Why It’s Great for Wreck Divers:
  • Compact and Durable: Stainless-steel bezel and sapphire crystal screen provide durability in a sleek, wearable design.
  • Advanced Dive Modes: Includes technical features like trimix and CCR for deep wreck exploration.
  • Customizable Layouts: Tailor the screen to prioritize critical wreck-diving metrics like depth and decompression limits.
  • Air Integration: Tracks multiple transmitters for comprehensive tank monitoring.
  • Vivid AMOLED Display: Ideal for low-light wreck interiors, ensuring data is always visible.

Key Takeaways

• Shearwater Perdix 2: Best for technical wreck divers who need advanced features and unmatched durability.
• Garmin Descent MK3i: Ideal for wreck divers who value GPS navigation and multi-sport versatility.
• Shearwater Teric: Perfect for wreck divers seeking a compact, stylish device with robust technical capabilities.

These dive computers deliver the durability, advanced functionality, and readability needed to safely explore wrecks and enjoy every dive to its fullest.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s a table of ratings for the Shearwater Perdix 2, Garmin Descent MK3i, and Shearwater Teric:

Summary

• Shearwater Perdix 2: Best for technical wreck divers requiring durability and advanced functionality.
• Garmin Descent MK3i: Ideal for wreck divers who value GPS navigation and multi-purpose versatility.
• Shearwater Teric: Perfect for stylish wreck divers seeking compact, high-performance functionality.

Detailed Dive Computer Highlights

Shearwater Perdix 2

The Shearwater Perdix 2 is a rugged and feature-packed dive computer, perfect for technical wreck divers who need durability and advanced functionality.

• Rugged Design: Titanium bezel and sapphire crystal screen withstand harsh conditions in wreck environments.
• Advanced Dive Modes: Includes air, nitrox, trimix, CCR, gauge, and freediving modes for versatility in technical diving.
• Air Integration: Supports up to four transmitters, providing precise tank pressure monitoring during extended dives.
• Customizable Display: Large, bright LCD screen allows for tailored layouts, prioritizing essential metrics like depth and gas pressure.
• Battery Flexibility: User-replaceable AA battery ensures reliability for multi-dive trips or remote wreck sites.
• Best For: Technical wreck divers exploring deeper wrecks with complex decompression needs.

Garmin Descent MK3i

The Garmin Descent MK3i blends advanced diving features with multi-sport functionality, making it an excellent choice for active wreck divers.

• Built-In GPS: Allows precise marking of entry and exit points for safer surface navigation.
• AMOLED Display: High-resolution screen ensures excellent visibility in low-light conditions inside wrecks.
• Air Integration: Garmin’s SubWave sonar technology supports wireless tank pressure monitoring for up to five tanks.
• Smartwatch Features: Tracks fitness metrics, offers smartphone notifications, and includes Garmin Pay for convenience.
• Battery Life: Up to 30 hours in dive mode and 16 days in smartwatch mode, ensuring reliability on extended trips.
• Best For: Wreck divers who value GPS functionality and multi-sport versatility in a stylish design.

Shearwater Teric

The Shearwater Teric combines sleek aesthetics with advanced diving features, making it a top choice for wreck divers who value performance in a compact design.

• Smartwatch-Inspired Design: Compact and stylish, with a stainless-steel bezel and sapphire crystal screen for durability.
• Advanced Dive Modes: Includes air, nitrox, trimix, CCR, gauge, and freediving modes for technical and recreational diving.
• Air Integration: Tracks up to four transmitters, ensuring precise gas management during wreck dives.
• Customizable AMOLED Display: Bright, vivid, and user-friendly, ideal for low-light conditions inside wrecks.
• Wireless Charging: Convenient and hassle-free recharging between dives.
• Best For: Wreck divers seeking a high-performance device with a sleek, wearable design for everyday use.

Key Takeaways

• Shearwater Perdix 2: Built for extreme durability and technical wreck diving, offering unmatched functionality for advanced divers.
• Garmin Descent MK3i: Combines advanced dive features with GPS navigation and fitness tracking, making it a versatile choice for active divers.
• Shearwater Teric: Compact and stylish, it delivers premium technical capabilities in a wearable, user-friendly package.

Pros and Cons

Shearwater Perdix 2

Garmin Descent MK3i

Shearwater Teric

Summary

• Shearwater Perdix 2: Best for durability and technical wreck diving, but lacks multi-sport features.
• Garmin Descent MK3i: Ideal for wreck divers who value GPS navigation and multi-purpose functionality, but its depth rating may be limiting.
• Shearwater Teric: Perfect for divers seeking a compact, stylish device with advanced technical features, though its smaller display may not suit all preferences.

How to Choose the Right Dive Computer for You

When selecting a dive computer for wreck diving, it’s important to match the device’s features to your diving style and specific needs. Here’s how to decide between these top three models:

Assess Your Wreck Diving Style

• Technical Wreck Divers: If you dive deeper wrecks or use advanced techniques like multiple gas switches or closed-circuit rebreathers (CCR), the Shearwater Perdix 2 is the best choice.
• Recreational Wreck Divers: If you explore shallower wrecks and prioritize ease of use, both the Shearwater Teric and Garmin Descent MK3i are excellent options.

Consider Navigation and Exploration Needs

• Built-In GPS: The Garmin Descent MK3i stands out for its GPS functionality, allowing you to mark entry and exit points for enhanced safety during surface navigation.
• Digital Compass: The Shearwater Perdix 2 and Shearwater Teric feature reliable digital compasses for navigating inside wrecks.

Prioritize Display and Readability

• Dimly Lit Wrecks: If you often dive in low-light environments, the Garmin Descent MK3i and Shearwater Tericoffer vibrant AMOLED displays with high visibility.
• Detailed Metrics: For those who need large, detailed displays to track multiple metrics simultaneously, the Shearwater Perdix 2 excels.

Evaluate Durability

• Rugged Environments: For wrecks with tight spaces or abrasive surfaces, the Shearwater Perdix 2’s titanium bezel and sapphire crystal screen offer the most durability.
• Compact Wearability: If you prefer a smaller, sleeker device that transitions easily to daily wear, the Shearwater Teric and Garmin Descent MK3i are better options.

Think About Additional Features

• Fitness Tracking and Multi-Sport Use: If you want a device that also tracks health metrics and integrates smartwatch functionality, the Garmin Descent MK3i is ideal.
• Focus on Diving: If you want a dedicated dive computer with technical capabilities, the Shearwater Perdix 2 and Shearwater Teric are excellent choices.

Who Should Choose What?

• Shearwater Perdix 2: Ideal for technical wreck divers who prioritize durability, advanced features, and flexibility.
• Garmin Descent MK3i: Perfect for divers who value GPS navigation, multi-sport functionality, and a vibrant display.
• Shearwater Teric: Best for divers seeking a compact, stylish device that delivers premium technical capabilities.

By aligning your dive computer with your wreck diving style, you’ll enhance safety, convenience, and enjoyment on every dive.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Wreck diving demands a dive computer that offers durability, advanced features, and exceptional readability. The Shearwater Perdix 2, Garmin Descent MK3i, and Shearwater Teric are outstanding choices, each catering to specific preferences and diving styles.

The Shearwater Perdix 2 is the ultimate choice for technical wreck divers. Its rugged construction, advanced dive modes, and customizable display make it ideal for navigating challenging environments and managing complex dives.

For wreck divers who value GPS navigation and multi-sport versatility, the Garmin Descent MK3i is unmatched. Its built-in GPS, vibrant AMOLED display, and smartwatch functionality make it perfect for divers who want a device that transitions seamlessly between underwater and everyday activities.

If you’re seeking a compact, stylish dive computer with premium technical capabilities, the Shearwater Teric is an excellent option. Its sleek design, advanced features, and vivid display make it ideal for divers who value performance and aesthetics.

Editor’s Recommendation

• Best for Technical Wreck Diving: Shearwater Perdix 2
• Best for GPS and Multi-Functionality: Garmin Descent MK3i
• Best for Compact and Stylish Performance: Shearwater Teric

No matter which dive computer you choose, these models are designed to enhance your wreck diving experience by offering the reliability and functionality you need to safely explore underwater treasures.