The Shearwater Perdix AI is a versatile dive computer that can accompany you on your diving career whether you’re a casual recreational diver or someone that looking for a dive computer for more technical diving.
With the introduction of the Petrel dive computer, Shearwater Research quickly became known for creating robust and reliable dive computers with a logical user interface.
And, after listening to customer feedback, they have now developed the Perdix to be a more sleek, low profile design without sacrificing any features or reliability. It’s the perfect upgrade from the Petrel, just in a lighter and compact package.
This dive computer comes in two versions, the Perdix and the Perdix AI. The AI in the name standing for Air Integrated. Both are similar in design and function, only that the AI version is able to display the current air pressures, air consumption rates, and other air integrated features.
In this review, we are going to look at some of the features that make this dive computer one of the best on the market. As well as, what we liked and don’t like about it, and give it our rating.
Manufacturer: Shearwater
Our Score:
9.8
/10
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SUMMARY:
The Shearwater Perdix AI is a compelling dive computer that gives you full customization over everything, from the vivid color screen to your gradient factor. While being very powerful, it is surprisingly very simple to use. This makes it a favorite for both serious recreational and technical divers who would like to get the most from their diving.
Shearwater Perdix AI Review: Video
Below is a quick video review of the Shearwater Perdix AI done by the guys over at SimplyScuba.com. In the video, you can get a closer look at the dive computer and some of its key features.
Jeff.
-Amazon.com-
The best dive computer I’ve ever used. Excellent Recreation and Tech features and easy to program and use. Also one of the best screens I’ve seen with vibrant colors and large digits, extremely easy to view underwater. The AA battery is easy to change and completely hassle-free to swap. I would tell anyone looking for a dive computer to consider anything made by Shearwater.
Review is rewritten for uniqueness
Shearwater Perdix AI Review: Key Features
This dive computer is packed full of all the features any scuba diver would ever need. In our opinion, the features below are the best selling points of this dive computer.
Image from Shearwater.com
4 Dive Modes
The Shearwater Predix AI features four different dive modes, allowing the dive computer to be used in almost any dive scenario you can imagine.
- In Recreational Mode, it can be used for diving with standard air or Enriched Nitrox with up to 3 gas mixes for serious recreational divers.
- It also has an Open-Circuit Technical Mode that will make full decompression calculations for trimix diving.
- And, a Closed-Circuit more with a constant po2 for diving with rebreathers.
- It also has a Guage Mode that will take time, depth, act as a resettable stopwatch, and allow you to see tank pressure information, but will not make any decompression calculations.
Vibrant Color Display
The Shearwater Perdix features 2.2 inches full-color LCD display that is bright, crisp, and easy to read in any position. The brightness of the screen can also be set to automatically adjust to variable light conditions. It also features a large easy to read digits and color-coded alarms on the display allowing you to monitor safety information quickly.
User Customizable Display
Another excellent feature of the Perdix is that it only shows the essential diving information relevant for the dive mode you’re in. This ensures no redundant information is displayed, keeping the display neat and tidy. You also have the option to adjust certain rows of information to further customize it to your liking.
Optional Wireless Air Integration
There are two versions of this dive computer, the original Perdix and the Perdix AI, the ‘AI’ standing for Air Integrated. The ‘AI’ version of this dive computer allows you to monitor your current tank pressure as well as your Gas Time Remaining. It’s also capable of connecting to two wireless transmitters, which is great for monitoring two tanks or when diving Sidemount. It also, capable of displaying tank pressure in all dive modes.
Slim, Low-Profile Design
One of the main feedback from customers about the Petrel is its size, and Shearwater Research listened. They designed the Perdix to be 30% smaller in volume than the Petrel. This makes the computer more streamline and lighter on your wrist.
Digital Compass
Another feature that makes the Perdix stand out from others on the market, is its highly responsive digital compass that’s simple to read, use, and very accurate. It’s also 3 axes tilt-compensated, meaning you don’t need to have to the compass level to get an accurate reading. It can easily be accessed in all dive modes by pressing the right button once.
User-Replaceable Battery
The Perdix AI is also equipped with a user-replaceable battery. It very simple to change and uses a standard AA battery that can be found worldwide. The battery plug can be unscrewed using a coin and has 2 o-ring for double security against flooding the battery compartment. You can expect to get about 40 hours of battery life with air integration enabled. The transmitter also uses a not so common 3V Cr2 Lithium battery, so you might want to pack a few extras when on a dive holiday.
Bluetooth Smart Technology
You can easily upload your dive log to your PC, Mac, Phone, or smart device using Bluetooth Smart Technology via the Shearwater Cloud app. The App is fully customizable, easy to use, and full of useful information. It also provides a great way to download firmware updates for Shearwater. This ensures your dive computer keeps advancing as updates become available.
J. Tarrant D.
-divegearexpress.com-
This is an amazing dive computer! I bought it because I was looking to do technical diving. The Perdix is a computer that will grow with you in your dive career. It is durable, has a bright screen, simple, easy to use, and has great customization ability. You don’t need to worry about buying a padded case because it comes with a very nice case. The AA batteries are also easy to change. Worth every penny, hands down!
Review is rewritten for uniqueness
Shearwater Perdix AI: Manufacturers Specification
Dive Computer Style | Wrist Mounted | |
Dive Modes | Recreation | Trimix | Rebreather | Gauge | |
Algorithm |
| |
Max Diving Depth | 152m / 500ft | |
Display Type | Full colour LED LCD | |
Display Size | 5.59 cm / 2.2" | |
Air Integration | Yes, 2 Transmitters | |
Compass | 3 axis, tilt compensated, digital compass | |
Dive Log Capacity | 1000hrs (Sample rate of 10 seconds) | |
User Changeable Battery | Yes, AA Alkaline | |
Battery Life | 40 Hours | |
Connectivity | Bluethooth | |
Nitrox | 0 to 99 percent | |
Trimix Mode | 0 to 99 percent | |
Rebreather Mode | CCR, Fixed Point | |
Number of Gases | 5OC / 5CC |
Shearwater Perdix AI Review: Our Rating
Design: 10
The Perdix AI features a rock-solid durable design, nothing feels cheap. A slim Profile make it very streamline and hardly noticeable on your wrist.
Functionality: 10
It is a versatile dive computer that can handle any dive situation from Recreational to more Technical Diving. It also has a very responsive digital compass.
Ease-of-use: 10
A simply two button interface with clear menu prompts makes customizing and using the computer very easy. A bright color display makes reading dive information easy.
Price: 9
It is not cheap but is priced well with other dive computers in its category . However for the price we were expecting rechargeable batteries.
What We Like
The Shearwater Perdix is a very compelling dive computer and there are many things that we liked. However, these are the features that stand out the most to us.
The screen is easy to read and understand, even when packed full of dive information. The digits are large and can easily be read at a glance.
Although it’s a powerful dive computer with more advanced features like trimix and closed circuit. It is much easier to navigate, setup, and understand than many dive computers with more basic functions.
This is because of a simple dynamic two-button user interface with hints displayed on the screen that will show what each button does. On each menu screen, it will tell you what will happen if you push the right button and what will happen when push the left button. If you take your time and follow the on-screen instructions, you should get the hang of the computer very quickly.
We also liked the very responsive digital compass, it simply works. We like that there are not a lot of complicated features.
What We Don’t Like
We think the Shearwater Perdix AI is as solid as it gets. However, there are a few things we think need improvement.
The first is, there is no rechargeable battery. For the price, we were expecting this feature, like on the Suunto Eon Steel and the Scubapro G2. However, we cannot hold much grievance since it uses a AA battery that can easily be found worldwide and easy to change.
It can also only connect two wireless transmitters. This is great for side-mount diving but significantly less than a computer in the same price range that can connect up to 9 transmitters.
There is no dedicated go back button. One button is used to move to the next option and the other button is used to select.
Despite these shortcomings, we still believe that Perdix is still one of the best dive computers you will find.
Who Should Buy the Perdix Dive Computer?
The Shearwater Perdix is designed for the more serious recreational or technical divers. A wide range of dive modes and capability makes it a great choice for divers who are looking for a dive computer to accompany them through their diving career.
However, this might be too much dive computer if you’rere looking to do more simple recreational diving. If you are looking for a dive computer with the same intuitive layout as that of the Perdix but with more simplified recreational dive modes, you should check out the new Shearwater Peregrine.
9.8
/10
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Shearwater Teric FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The Shearwater Teric is a watch-sized dive computer, whereas the Perdix AI is a full-size wrist-mounted computer. The Teric is more expensive than the Perdix AI and includes a few additional features.
These are some of the features no found on the Perdix AI:
- Timepiece Mode
- Free Diving mode
- Rechargeable battery
- Options for Haptic (Vibration) and Audible Alarms
- 4 Button Menu System
The Perdix Ai has a 2-year warranty. Shearwater tracks the warranty by serial number and not by the original purchaser. So, if you buy a second-hand the warranty will still be effective once the period has not passed.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is the Shearwater Perdix AI is an excellent dive computer with all the attractive features and high-tech capability you would expect from a top of the line computer.
While being versatile and robust, its ability to work with any type of diving, effortless to read and ease of us, makes it a no-brainer to recommend this dive computer.
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Continue Reading
Do you want more scuba diving gear recommendations? continue reading these articles below:
Dive Computer | Scuba Regulator | Wetsuits | Scuba BCD | Dive Knife | Dive Mask | Scuba Fins
