Mares Smart Review: An Entry-Level Dive Computer With Style

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The Mares Smart is a fully functioning dive computer watch, with a stopwatch, wake-up alarm, second time-zone, and date functions, available in a variety of fashionable colors.

It is also a fully functional entry-level dive computer, with the all basic features that beginning scuba divers and free divers rely upon.

 In this review, you will find why it’s sporty enough to wear every day but has the features and performance to keep you safe on a dive.

Manufacturer: Mares.com

Overall Score:

8.5

Design
Functionality 
Ease-of-use 
Price 9/10

View Product on Recommended Retailers Site:

  • Reasonable price
  • Easy to use and easy to read
  • Available in a variety of colors, attractive enough to wear as a everyday watch
  • Small log capacity
  • 2-button navigation of the menus can be slow and cumbersome

Summary:
The attractive, streamlined Mares Smart offers all the basic functions of a dive computer in a package compact enough to wear every day and does it at an incredible price.

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Mares Smart Review: Video

Below is a video overview of the computer done by the guys over at SimplyScuba.com. In the video, you can get a closer look at some of the features and functions of the dive computer.

Mares Smart Review Key: Features and Benefits

Gas Switching Capabilities

More advanced dive computers allow more sophisticated switching, and the Mares Smart only allows two. However, it’s a fantastic way for beginners to learn and practice, without getting confused or overly complicated. Many beginner dive computers don’t have gas switching capabilities at all, so it’s nice to see in the Mares Smart.

Three algorithms settings

You can set decompression and altitude settings at standard, intermediate, or conservative, to customize your dive plan and maximize dive time safely.

 Mares Smart Review: Specs

Computer Type

Watch Sized

Display Type

Segmented Dot Matrix

Air integration

No

Nitrox Compatible

Yes

Gas Switching

Yes, 2 Gases

PC Interface Compatible

USB Cable

Integrated Compass

No

User Changeable Batteries

Yes, CR2430 lithium battery

Memory Capacity

36 Hours

Free Dive Mode

Yes

Trimix Mode

No

Rebreather  Mode

No

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Our Rating

How does it Stack up?

Design: 8

It’s definitely an attractive dive computer, and can be comfortably worn as a watch, but the segmented display feels a little old-fashioned. Two button navigating is a little slow.

Functionality: 8 

Good choice of diving modes and the ability to switch gasses is great. On-board memory is small, and it’s easy to accidentally trigger a 24 hour lockout.

Ease-of-use: 10

A simple user interface definitely makes it easy to use and easy to understand

Price: 10

Strong features for the price. Delivers great value for the money

What We Like

The Mares Smart has all the necessary features in a clean, easy-to-read display, with simple menu navigation. It’s designed to keep beginning divers safe without creating confusion or offering too many options, and packaged in a watch attractive enough to be a sports watch for daily wear.

The price on the Mares Smart is incredibly affordable, making it even more appealing to a beginner. It’s a fantastic entry point into dive computers, and a great device to learn and practice on until a beginner is ready for an upgrade. With a dive watch this handsome, that day may be a while.

What We Don’t Like

When worn constantly as a watch, the backlight features will drain the battery faster than the 2-3 years projected by Mares. Anticipate changing the battery once a year or more unless you actively take steps to conserve battery life. While the battery is user-replaceable, it is difficult for a person to correctly re-set the seals, and a few people have encountered leaks. It may be smarter to have it done by a professional.

The two-button operation streamlines the design, but it can take a long time to navigate menus and sub-menus.

While the ascent rate lockout is a good safety feature, beginners should be careful when using free dive mode. If free dive mode is enabled incorrectly, it can unexpectedly lock the device for 24 hours, when the Mares Smart thinks that scuba and free diving are being done consecutively.

The onboard log is only 36 hours or 20 dives, which isn’t a lot of onboard memory compared to competitor products.

Overall Score

8.5

View Product on Recommended Retailers Site..

Who Should Buy the Mares Smart Dive Computer?

This product is definitely for entry-level divers. It keeps all the necessary information available in a compact, easy-to-read display. It doesn’t provide a lot of extra information or features that may confuse new divers, and it’s attractive and easy to use.

More advanced divers who are accustomed to more information, larger dive logs, and more customization options won’t be happy with the Mares Smart, but it’s not made for them. It’s an entry-level dive computer, with a very accessible price.

An easy-to-use Free Diving Mode with dedicated Alarms also makes it a great choice for those serious about the sport.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the units be switched on the Mares Smart?

Can this computer be used as a daily watch?

Is the download kit Included?

The Bottom Line

The Mares Smart may have some durability concerns, and some people do accidentally ruin it when replacing the battery.

It’s a good entry-level dive computer, an attractive design at an attractive price, but expect to need to replace it or upgrade to a more feature-rich dive computer within a year or two.

Buy it with lowered expectations, or spend a little more on a more durable dive computer.

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