Table of Contents
The Shearwater Perdix 2 is a rugged, feature-rich dive computer with advanced functionality and exceptional durability, perfect for technical and advanced recreational divers.
Category | Score | Weight | Weighted Score |
---|---|---|---|
Design and Build | 5.0/5 | 0.15 | 0.75 |
Display and Readability | 4.5/5 | 0.20 | 0.90 |
Features and Functionality | 5.0/5 | 0.25 | 1.25 |
Ease of Use | 4.5/5 | 0.15 | 0.675 |
Battery Performance | 4.5/5 | 0.10 | 0.45 |
Value for Money | 4.5/5 | 0.15 | 0.675 |
Total | 4.78/5 | 1.00 | 4.78/5 |
Final Verdict: ★★★★★ (4.8/5)
Shearwater Perdix 2
The Shearwater Perdix 2 is a high-performance dive computer designed for technical and advanced recreational divers who require precision, durability, and advanced features. Building on the legacy of its predecessor, the Perdix 2 introduces enhanced durability, an intuitive interface, and robust dive capabilities, making it a trusted companion for demanding underwater adventures.
Equipped with a vibrant color display, multiple dive modes, and air integration for up to four transmitters, the Perdix 2 excels in functionality. Its rugged design, featuring a titanium bezel and sapphire crystal screen, ensures it stands up to harsh conditions while providing reliable performance.
Best For: Technical divers, advanced recreational divers, and those seeking a dive computer with exceptional durability and advanced features.
Design and Build
The Shearwater Perdix 2 is engineered with durability and functionality in mind, offering a robust design that stands up to the most challenging dive environments.
Key Features
- Titanium Bezel: Lightweight yet incredibly durable, the titanium bezel protects the dive computer from impacts and harsh conditions.
- Sapphire Crystal Screen: Scratch-resistant and highly durable, the sapphire crystal ensures clarity and protection during intense dives.
- Compact Yet Rugged: Despite its tough build, the Perdix 2 maintains a slim profile that is comfortable on the wrist.
- Button Layout: Two large, tactile buttons are easy to operate, even with thick gloves, ensuring effortless navigation underwater.
Durability
The Perdix 2 is rated to a depth of 260 meters (850 feet), making it suitable for technical divers and extreme diving conditions. Its robust build quality ensures long-lasting performance, even in challenging environments.
Aesthetics
The Perdix 2 combines industrial ruggedness with modern aesthetics. The titanium bezel adds a sleek touch to its otherwise functional design, appealing to divers who value both durability and style.
Score for Design and Build: 5/5
The Shearwater Perdix 2 sets a new standard in dive computer durability and functionality, making it an ideal choice for advanced and technical divers.
Display and Readability
The Shearwater Perdix 2 excels in providing a bright, customizable display that ensures vital dive information is clear and accessible in any underwater condition.
Key Features
- Full-Color LCD Display: The vibrant screen offers excellent contrast and clarity, ensuring dive metrics are easy to read, even in low visibility conditions.
- Customizable Layouts: Divers can personalize the screen to display critical information such as depth, time, gas mixes, and decompression data.
- Large Screen Size: The spacious display allows for clear, uncluttered data presentation, reducing the chance of misreading critical information.
- Brightness Control: Adjustable brightness settings help optimize visibility while conserving battery life.
- Readable at Depth: The high-resolution screen remains crisp and legible even in deep dives with reduced light.
Strengths
- Customizable layouts ensure divers see the most relevant data at a glance.
- The full-color screen provides excellent readability in all underwater conditions.
- The large display is particularly beneficial for technical divers who need to monitor multiple metrics simultaneously.
Limitations
- Some divers may prefer an AMOLED display, as found in the Shearwater Teric, for even greater vibrancy.
Score for Display and Readability: 4.5/5
The Shearwater Perdix 2 delivers a bright, clear, and customizable display that meets the needs of both recreational and technical divers, with only minor room for improvement in screen technology.
Features and Functionality
The Shearwater Perdix 2 is packed with advanced features, making it one of the most versatile and capable dive computers available for technical and recreational divers.
Key Features
- Multiple Dive Modes:
- OC Rec: Air and nitrox for recreational divers.
- OC Tec: Trimix support for technical divers.
- CC/BO: Closed-circuit rebreather mode with bailout.
- Gauge Mode: Functions as a bottom timer for advanced training.
- Freediving Mode: Tracks apnea dives with precision.
- Air Integration:
- Supports up to four wireless transmitters, allowing divers to monitor multiple tank pressures simultaneously.
- Advanced Decompression Management:
- Uses Bühlmann ZHL-16C algorithm with gradient factors for customizable decompression settings.
- Customizable Alarms and Notifications:
- Visual, audible, and vibration alarms keep divers informed of critical dive parameters.
- Dive Logging and Connectivity:
- Syncs via Bluetooth to the Shearwater Cloud app for easy dive logging, firmware updates, and configuration.
Strengths
- Comprehensive dive modes cater to a wide range of diving styles, from recreational to technical.
- Air integration enhances safety and convenience for multi-tank setups.
- Robust decompression management ensures precision and flexibility for advanced dives.
- The intuitive interface and connectivity simplify dive management.
Limitations
- The advanced features and settings may feel overwhelming for novice divers.
- No smartwatch capabilities, unlike models such as the Garmin Descent series.
Score for Features and Functionality: 5/5
The Shearwater Perdix 2 offers unmatched functionality for technical and advanced recreational divers, providing the tools needed for precise and safe underwater exploration.
Ease of Use
The Shearwater Perdix 2 is designed with a user-friendly interface that simplifies operation, even for complex diving scenarios, making it accessible for both technical and advanced recreational divers.
Key Features
- Two-Button Navigation:
- The large, tactile buttons are easy to operate underwater, even when wearing thick gloves, ensuring effortless navigation through menus.
- Intuitive Menu System:
- Organized menus and clear labels make it easy to access features and adjust settings without confusion.
- Customizable Screen Layouts:
- Divers can prioritize critical metrics like depth, gas pressure, or decompression data, tailoring the interface to their preferences.
- Bluetooth Connectivity:
- Wireless syncing with the Shearwater Cloud app simplifies dive logging, firmware updates, and customization.
- Readable Alerts:
- Visual, audible, and vibration alarms ensure divers are always aware of critical parameters.
Strengths
- The two-button design minimizes complexity while providing full access to features.
- Customizable screens make it easy to focus on essential dive data.
- Clear alerts enhance safety, keeping divers informed throughout their dive.
Limitations
- The advanced features may require a learning curve for first-time users.
- Lack of touchscreen functionality, which some divers may prefer for faster navigation.
Score for Ease of Use: 4.5/5
The Shearwater Perdix 2 strikes a balance between advanced functionality and intuitive operation, ensuring that even technical divers can navigate its features with ease.
Battery Performance
The Shearwater Perdix 2 is equipped with a reliable and versatile power system designed to meet the demands of both recreational and technical divers.
Key Features
- User-Replaceable Battery:
- Uses a standard AA battery, giving divers flexibility to use alkaline, lithium, or rechargeable NiMH batteries.
- This ensures easy replacements, even in remote locations.
- Battery Life:
- Up to 40 Hours: On a single AA lithium battery in standard operating conditions.
- Variable Duration: Battery life depends on factors like screen brightness and dive mode.
- Low-Battery Alerts:
- Visual warnings notify divers when battery levels are running low, ensuring preparation for future dives.
- Power-Saving Features:
- Adjustable screen brightness and power management options help conserve battery life during extended trips.
Strengths
- User-replaceable battery offers convenience and eliminates reliance on proprietary charging systems.
- Exceptional battery life ensures reliability for multi-day or technical dive trips.
- Availability of battery options (alkaline, lithium, rechargeable) adds flexibility for divers in various environments.
Limitations
- Lack of a rechargeable built-in battery may be less convenient for divers accustomed to wireless charging.
- Performance varies slightly depending on the battery type used.
Score for Battery Performance: 4.5/5
The Shearwater Perdix 2 offers excellent battery performance with the flexibility of user-replaceable batteries, ensuring reliable operation for extended and technical diving.
Value for Money
The Shearwater Perdix 2 is a premium dive computer that delivers exceptional value for advanced and technical divers, offering top-tier performance, durability, and reliability.
Why It’s Worth the Investment
- Advanced Features: Multiple dive modes, air integration, and robust decompression management make it one of the most feature-rich dive computers available.
- Rugged Build: Titanium bezel and sapphire crystal screen ensure durability, reducing the need for replacements over time.
- Battery Flexibility: The user-replaceable AA battery offers long-term savings and convenience, especially for extended or remote dive trips.
- Customizable Interface: Personalization options enhance usability, ensuring divers can tailor the device to their needs.
- Comprehensive Ecosystem: Integration with the Shearwater Cloud app streamlines dive logging and firmware updates, adding long-term functionality.
Considerations
- Higher Price Point: With a cost around $1,200 USD, the Perdix 2 is a significant investment, making it less accessible for budget-conscious or beginner divers.
- Overkill for Recreational Divers: Some features may be unnecessary for those who dive primarily for leisure.
Score for Value for Money: 4.5/5
The Shearwater Perdix 2 justifies its premium price with unmatched durability, advanced functionality, and long-term reliability, making it an excellent value for technical and advanced divers.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Comparison
The Shearwater Perdix 2 is a powerhouse dive computer designed for technical and advanced recreational divers, but how does it stack up against other top models like the Garmin Descent MK3i and the Shearwater Teric?
While the Perdix 2 excels in rugged durability, advanced dive modes, and user-replaceable battery flexibility, the Garmin Descent MK3i offers multi-sport versatility with fitness tracking and smartwatch features, and the Shearwater Tericcombines premium functionality with a sleek, smartwatch-inspired design.
For a detailed side-by-side comparison of these three top-tier dive computers, including their features, pricing, and best-use scenarios, visit our dedicated page:
Click here to compare – Shearwater Perdix 2 vs. Garmin Descent MK3i vs. Shearwater Teric
Whether you’re a technical diver seeking unmatched durability, a multi-sport enthusiast, or someone who values advanced features in a sleek package, this page will help you decide which dive computer is the perfect fit for your needs.
Overall Rating
Here’s the Overall Rating section with the rating table for the Shearwater Perdix 2:
The Shearwater Perdix 2 is a rugged and feature-packed dive computer designed to meet the needs of technical and advanced recreational divers. Its customizable interface, advanced dive modes, and exceptional build quality make it a top choice for those seeking reliability and performance in extreme environments.
Final Scoring
Category | Score | Weight | Weighted Score |
---|---|---|---|
Design and Build | 5.0/5 | 0.15 | 0.75 |
Display and Readability | 4.5/5 | 0.20 | 0.90 |
Features and Functionality | 5.0/5 | 0.25 | 1.25 |
Ease of Use | 4.5/5 | 0.15 | 0.675 |
Battery Performance | 4.5/5 | 0.10 | 0.45 |
Value for Money | 4.5/5 | 0.15 | 0.675 |
Total | 4.78/5 | 1.00 | 4.78/5 |
Best For
- Technical Divers: Ideal for extreme dives requiring advanced decompression management and multiple gas mixes.
- Advanced Recreational Divers: Offers robust features and flexibility for a wide range of diving scenarios.
- Rugged Environments: Titanium bezel and sapphire crystal screen make it highly durable.
Final Verdict: ★★★★★ (4.8/5)
The Shearwater Perdix 2 is a premium dive computer that excels in functionality, durability, and reliability, making it one of the best options for serious divers.
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