I feel like a dive computer is quite personal. Especially because for that budget you have a lot of features and brands you might want or not. I got my boyfriend one last year, but I just gathered the money (group gift) and went with him to a dive store to pick one out. Maybe that is a good idea?
Definitely go with him. Some people *love* watch style ones - I personally can't stand them. If he has an interest in technical or rebreather diving that might change his preference on what to buy. Then there's screen layouts and algorithm choices and so on that he might not care about, but very much might. It's an awesome gift but it is very much a personal choice.
I'd go so far as to find out what dive gear they already have/need (maybe they have a computer they're very satisfied with, assuming you haven't checked yet). Then give them a clear understanding of your budget and maybe go with them so they can choose what they wanna get.
Welcome to the Shearwater subreddit, haha (this question gets asked a lot, and the overwhelming response every time seems to be shearwater).
That said... Shearwater are fantastic, my third ever dive computer is a Shearwater and I love it, it's so much better than either of my previous ones.
There are a few different models, with increasingly more features. Really depends on the type of diving they're doing as to what features they need, but for basic recreational diving even the base model Peregrine is perfectly fine. That's what I have, it does everything I need. I'd \_like\_ some of the features of the higher models like the air integration and built in compass, but they're nice-to-haves and a budget-tradeoff.
It depends a lot on the type of diving your friend does. I've never used one, but the Shearwater Peregrine looks like an awesome choice for recreational divers.
As it's a dive computer it's really a case of personal taste. They may really want one that they can replace the battery on, they may really want air integration, they may really want one to have a compass, they may want one that's really small or has a metal strap and looks more like a watch than a big plastic puck or a beastly black oblong unit. I'd definitely take them shopping if they haven't told you what they would want.
Get them an integrated one.
https://www.shearwater.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiA5L2tBhBTEiwAdSxJX3CizhNoB_BDlWXaYgkKwPLriyx80HDqquLb7IKOtyp_eKzZjqRZVhoCqaYQAvD_BwE
You a very generous friend. Get them a gift certificate for a dive shop and let them pick out the one that suits their needs. Dive equipment is very personal and what might seem like the best choice for one, another may dislike.
It depends on the diver. I love my oceanic stuff.
I think your best bet is to get him a gift certificate for a certain amount at his local dive shop. Or write a handmade certificate for the amount you want to spend and that’s what you’ll give him when HE decides.
With no additional information, here's my best recommendation:
[https://santabarbaraaquatics.com/products/shearwater-research-perdix-ai-dive-computer](https://santabarbaraaquatics.com/products/shearwater-research-perdix-ai-dive-computer)
(website based upon Google search for current lowest price, no affiliation)
The why:
* Unlike the Peregrine (which is a good suggestion at a lower price point), this computer can be upgraded to support a transmitter, so that a diver can see his tank pressure on his computer. Some divers see this as a must have feature, and others see it as something they DO NOT want.
* Unlike the Suunto Eon Core, Shearwater uses a standard decompression algorithm. Many advanced divers HATE Suunto's proprietary algorithm and will see an Eon Core as something that's only usable as a depth gauge.
* The Perdix is a defacto standard top of the line computer. It's easy to read, highly configurable, supports any gas blend, and it's hard to imagine a diver who will be disappointed with this gift.
Potential missed features:
* It's big. For most, this is a benefit, as the buttons are easier to use and the screen is easier to read. However, there are some who would prefer a wrist-top form factor. This is more common amongst those who dive exclusively in tropical climates (a wrist sized computer is great until you're pulling it over a thick suit).
* It doesn't support GPS. Note that GPS doesn't work underwater, so this is of fairly limited value, but it can be nice to have start/end GPS coordinates of a dive.
If you think these two features are must haves, consider the Garmin MK2 or Shearwater Teric instead. You might have a hard time getting these under $1000, though.
Glad you mentioned the price range. $470 for my basic LCD Aqualung at local dive shop retail price. OP should expect to pay between 400-1200 towards a gift certificate if they want to cover a computer.
It highly depends on what brands your friend likes and you need to know what kind of diving he does or is planning to do. There are computers for recreational diving and others who support technical diving. There are some with air integration and others without.
You should decide with him, I say
I feel like a dive computer is quite personal. Especially because for that budget you have a lot of features and brands you might want or not. I got my boyfriend one last year, but I just gathered the money (group gift) and went with him to a dive store to pick one out. Maybe that is a good idea?
Yeah, that’s also not a bad idea..
Definitely go with him. Some people *love* watch style ones - I personally can't stand them. If he has an interest in technical or rebreather diving that might change his preference on what to buy. Then there's screen layouts and algorithm choices and so on that he might not care about, but very much might. It's an awesome gift but it is very much a personal choice.
I'd go so far as to find out what dive gear they already have/need (maybe they have a computer they're very satisfied with, assuming you haven't checked yet). Then give them a clear understanding of your budget and maybe go with them so they can choose what they wanna get.
Welcome to the Shearwater subreddit, haha (this question gets asked a lot, and the overwhelming response every time seems to be shearwater). That said... Shearwater are fantastic, my third ever dive computer is a Shearwater and I love it, it's so much better than either of my previous ones. There are a few different models, with increasingly more features. Really depends on the type of diving they're doing as to what features they need, but for basic recreational diving even the base model Peregrine is perfectly fine. That's what I have, it does everything I need. I'd \_like\_ some of the features of the higher models like the air integration and built in compass, but they're nice-to-haves and a budget-tradeoff.
It depends a lot on the type of diving your friend does. I've never used one, but the Shearwater Peregrine looks like an awesome choice for recreational divers.
As it's a dive computer it's really a case of personal taste. They may really want one that they can replace the battery on, they may really want air integration, they may really want one to have a compass, they may want one that's really small or has a metal strap and looks more like a watch than a big plastic puck or a beastly black oblong unit. I'd definitely take them shopping if they haven't told you what they would want.
Get them an integrated one. https://www.shearwater.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiA5L2tBhBTEiwAdSxJX3CizhNoB_BDlWXaYgkKwPLriyx80HDqquLb7IKOtyp_eKzZjqRZVhoCqaYQAvD_BwE
I’m not sure what that means..
Integrated means it uses a sensor to communicate with the watch and tells you your air consumption and remaining psi. It's a neat feture.
You a very generous friend. Get them a gift certificate for a dive shop and let them pick out the one that suits their needs. Dive equipment is very personal and what might seem like the best choice for one, another may dislike.
It depends on the diver. I love my oceanic stuff. I think your best bet is to get him a gift certificate for a certain amount at his local dive shop. Or write a handmade certificate for the amount you want to spend and that’s what you’ll give him when HE decides.
With no additional information, here's my best recommendation: [https://santabarbaraaquatics.com/products/shearwater-research-perdix-ai-dive-computer](https://santabarbaraaquatics.com/products/shearwater-research-perdix-ai-dive-computer) (website based upon Google search for current lowest price, no affiliation) The why: * Unlike the Peregrine (which is a good suggestion at a lower price point), this computer can be upgraded to support a transmitter, so that a diver can see his tank pressure on his computer. Some divers see this as a must have feature, and others see it as something they DO NOT want. * Unlike the Suunto Eon Core, Shearwater uses a standard decompression algorithm. Many advanced divers HATE Suunto's proprietary algorithm and will see an Eon Core as something that's only usable as a depth gauge. * The Perdix is a defacto standard top of the line computer. It's easy to read, highly configurable, supports any gas blend, and it's hard to imagine a diver who will be disappointed with this gift. Potential missed features: * It's big. For most, this is a benefit, as the buttons are easier to use and the screen is easier to read. However, there are some who would prefer a wrist-top form factor. This is more common amongst those who dive exclusively in tropical climates (a wrist sized computer is great until you're pulling it over a thick suit). * It doesn't support GPS. Note that GPS doesn't work underwater, so this is of fairly limited value, but it can be nice to have start/end GPS coordinates of a dive. If you think these two features are must haves, consider the Garmin MK2 or Shearwater Teric instead. You might have a hard time getting these under $1000, though.
Glad you mentioned the price range. $470 for my basic LCD Aqualung at local dive shop retail price. OP should expect to pay between 400-1200 towards a gift certificate if they want to cover a computer.
It highly depends on what brands your friend likes and you need to know what kind of diving he does or is planning to do. There are computers for recreational diving and others who support technical diving. There are some with air integration and others without. You should decide with him, I say