Dive computers are essential kit for scuba divers, from entry-level recreational diving to deep tech and rebreathers. Here’s some of the best dive computers available on the market today.
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Dive computers date back to the 1950s when analogue ‘decompression calculators’ were tested by the US Navy. The first digital dive computer as we know it today is credited to Swiss manufacturer Divetronic AG, with the release of its Hans Hass DecoBrain in 1983.
In 1987, UWATEC’s iconic Aladin Pro took the market by storm, using algorithms based on the work of Albert Bühlmann, the godfather of decompression theory. As technology rapidly advanced and scuba diving became a more affordable leisure activity during the 1990s, divers started to ditch their analogue watches and dive tables in favour of computers, which significantly extended dive times by continuously re-calculating no-decompression limits throughout the dive,
Nowadays, dive computers are essential pieces of kit, but there is a huge variety to choose from, spanning a wide range of budgets. Here are some of the best dive computers available in 2024, priced (approximately) from low to high.
Aqua Lung i100
RRP: £220
Aqua Lung’s best-selling entry-level dive computer has been around for a while now, but the i100, a wrist-mounted, single-button computer designed to be as simple and user-friendly as possible, remains the company’s top seller. Unusually for an entry-level computer, it allows for the management of two gases, with nitrox percentages programmable between 21-100 per cent. The display is a simple, segmented LCD display but does not come with a backlight. Dive logs are transferable to personal computers via an optional cable and Aqua Lung’s DiverLog software (sold separately)
Specifications
Modes: air, nitrox, gauge, free
Algorithm: Pelagic Z+ (Bühlmann ZHL-16C)
Max Depth: 100m
Air integration: no
User-replaceable battery: yes
www.aqualung.com
Suunto Zoop Novo
RRP: £235
One of the most recognisable computers on the market, the Zoop Novo is Suunto’s entry-level dive computer and one of the most popular dive computers of all time. Similar in design to its Vyper and Gekko predecessors, the Zoop Novo includes gauge and freediving modes with an updated, dot-matrix display with backlight and four-button menu system. The Zoop is a single-gas computer, programmable to 50 per cent nitrox, and connectivity to Suunto’s DM5 dive manager is via an optional USB cable.
Specifications
Modes: air, nitrox, gauge, free
Algorithm: Suunto RGBM
Max Depth: 80m
Air integration: no
User-replaceable battery: yes
www.suunto.com
Mares Quad/Quad Air
RRP: £300 (Quad)/£350 (Quad Air; £545 with transmitter)
The Mares Quad and Quad Air dive computers have large and clear displays with a limited amount of customisation also available, such as the inclusion of optional deep stops or swapping the position of the ascent rate monitor. Four buttons access the menu system at the surface but become two sets of ‘mirrored’ buttons underwater, allowing for ease of use on either wrist. Three gas mixtures up to 99 per cent oxygen are programmable for use during the dive. The Quad comes in slightly cheaper than the Quad Air at the cost of wireless air-integration, possible with the Quad Air through the use of an optional transmitter, available for an extra £195 (MSRP). Data is downloadable through an optional Bluetooth or USB interface.
Specifications
Modes: air, nitrox, gauge
Algorithm: Mares-Wienke RGBM
Max Depth: 150m
Air integration: no (Quad); yes (Quad Air)
User-replaceable battery: yes
www.mares.com
Deepblu Cosmiq+
RRP: £347
Now in its 5th generation since its 2019 launch, the Cosmiq+ is remarkably easy to use dive computer which can be set from your smartphone and is fully integrated with an excellent diving app. It has one of the clearest interfaces and is ideal for non-decompression diving – it can handle a simple decompression stop if you overrun your dive time, but is not meant for complex, planned deco diving. This is a new style of dive computer for the iPhone generation.
Read DIVE’s review of the Cosmiq+
Specifications
Modes: dive, gauge, free
Algorithm: Bülhmann ZHL-16C
Max Depth: 100m
Air integration: no
User-replaceable battery: no
about.deepblu.com
Garmin Descent G1/G1 Solar
MSRP: £479.99 (Descent G1)/ £569.99 (G1 Solar)
Like all Garmin’s dive computers, the Descent G1 comes packaged with 24/7 health and wellness features, smartwatch functionality and optional solar charging, all packed into a compact, rugged design. The high-contrast display is built into a 45mm watch case and customisable to user preference, with accompanying vibrating alerts keeping the user up-to-date on dive limts. The Descent G1 handles muiltiple gas mixtures, including trimix and 100% 02, with modes for freediving and CCR use also available. The computer is compatible with Garmin’s interchangeable QuickFit watch bands and contains a multitude of built-in sports and fitness apps, and can be paired with smartphones to receive notifications and satellite communications for emergencies. GNSS tracking is built in.
Specifications
Modes: air, nitrox, trimix, gauge, apnea, apnea hunt and CCR
Algorithm: Bühlmann ZHL-16c with gradient factors
Max Depth: 100m
Air integration: no
User-replaceable battery: no
www.garmin.com
Suunto EON Core
RRP: £689; transmitter: £320
Suunto’s EON Core is a slimline version of its popular tech-oriented EON Steel, retaining many of the same features and the same sized screen, but less than half the weight of the Steel and a significantly lower RRP. The menu system is extremely intuitive and the bright TFT display is user-customisable to display preferred information in classic or graphical formats, and the screen can be flipped to place the three buttons on either side of the display. Out of the box, the EON Core operates in a standard recreational mode, but advanced modes for multiple gases (including helium) and rebreathers (CCR) can be activated as required by the user. Up to ten optional wireless tank PODs can be monitored by a single EON Core, and 17 languages are programmed as standard. Suunto’s DM5 software allows for dive log transfer, firmware upgrades and full customisation of the computer.
Specifications
Modes: air, nitrox, trimix, gauge, CCR
Algorithm: Suunto fused RGBM
Max Depth: 80m
Air integration: yes, optional
User-replaceable battery: no, rechargeable
www.suunto.com
iPhone with Oceanic+ Housing
RRP: $489.95 (housing); Oceanic + subscription from $79.99 USD
The news that millions of divers were waiting for broke in 2023 as Oceanic Worldwide launched the Oceanic+ dive housing for iPhones. Compatible with any iPhone running iOS 16.0 or above, the housing turns the phone into a fully functional dive computer and underwater camera. all the standard dive computer featured are available together with deep stops, 40% nitrox, compass and GPS tracking, plus automatic adjustment for altitude, all packaged into a housing rated to 60m. An Oceanic+ subscription is required to unlock all the features, currently priced at $79.99 USD per year. As of January 2024, the Oceanic+ i{Phone housing is only available in North America, but is expected to hit the European market later in the year.
Specifications
Modes: air, nitrox, freediving, snorkelling
Algorithm: Bühlmann ZHL-16C with gradient factors
Max Depth: 60m
Air integration: no
User-replaceable battery: no
www.oceanicworldwide.com
Apple Watch Ultra with Oceanic +
RRP: from £849 (Apple Watch Ultra); Oceanic + from £81.99 p/a
The Apple Watch Ultra already contains a range of features for health and fitness tracking, on top of its ability to sync with other Apple products. The watch itself is already 100m water resistant and contains a depth gauge with water temperature sensor, but the new Oceanic+ app transforms the Apple Watch Ultra into a fully-functional recreational dive computer. The app functions as both dive planner and tracker, providing all the relevant no decompression time, adn the watch’s haptic feedback provides vibration alerts as well as audible alarms. GPS entry and exit data is automatically added to the dive log. The Oceanic+ app is free to download and includes basic dive functions. but access to decompression tracking, tissue loading, the location planner, and an unlimited logbook capacity requires a subscription to Oceanic+ at £9.99 per month, or £81.99 per year, with a £113.99 annual family subscription (for 5 people) is also available.
Specifications
Modes: air, nitrox, snorkelling
Algorithm: Bühlmann ZHL-16C with gradient factors
Max Depth: 40m
Air integration: no
User-replaceable battery: no
www.apple.com
Ratio iX3M | 2 GPS
MSRP: €849.99 (Pro); €999.99 (Deep); €1199.99 (Tech+)
The Italian Ratio iX3M 2 is probably one of the most versatile of dive computers, and has recently been updated with integrated GPS tracking. Both the GPS and non-GPS models are available in Pro (air + nitrox; 3 mixes), Deep (air, nitrox, normoxic trimix; 3 mixes) and Tech+ (air, nitrox, full trimix & CCR; 10 mixes) versions, but are packaged into a single device, with the different models available via firmware updates rather than distinct pieces of hardware, meaning you don’t need to buy a new computer if your diving style advances. The high-resolution colour display has a four-button navigation system; up to four different algorithms with user-programmable gradient factors and critical bubble radius settings available. Air integration is through optional colour-coded transmitters which flash green, yellow or red to provide a visual indication of tank pressure, with up to 10 tanks able to be monitored. The iX3M 2 GPS can be turned into a nitrox analyser with an optional accessory cable; data transfer and battery charging is via USB.
Specifications
Modes: air, nitrox, gauge, free, trimix, CCR
Algorithm: Bühlmann ZHL-12/16B/16C or VPM-B (depending on model)
Max Depth: 220m
Air integration: yes, optional
User-replaceable battery: no, rechargeable
www.ratio-computers.eu
Shearwater Perdix 2 Ti
RRP: from £1070; transmitter £365
One of the most iconic dive computers within the technical community is the Shearwater Perdix, updated during 2022 to the Perdix 2 Ti. The new model’s armoured casing is constructed with a titanium bezel and touch buttons, which the Canadian manufacturer claims makes the Perdix 2 Ti its ‘toughest and most reliable computer yet’. An aluminosilicate glass lens guards a large 5.59cm (2.2”) bright screen with improved clarity, impact, and damage resistance. The simple 2-button menu system remains, with user-customisable displays and strong vibrating alarms for critical points of the dive. 5 open and 5 closed-circuit gas mixtures are programmable, with optional air-integration monitoring up to 4 transmitters simultaneously. The simple, user-changeable AA battery ensures easy availability of replacements, and desktop connection is via a Bluetooth interface
Specifications
Modes: air, nitrox, trimix, gauge, CCR
Algorithm: Bühlmann ZHL-16C with GF / VPM-B (optional)
Max Depth: 260m
Air integration: AI model only, optional
User-replaceable battery: yes, AA
www.shearwater.com
Suunto EON Steel
RRP: £979; transmitter £320
Suunto’s EON Steel is functionally identical to its EON Core derivative but designed to withstand the rigours of technical diving or recreational diving where conditions are more challenging than fair-weather resort-based holidays. The bezel is constructed of brushed stainless steel with a tougher, Xensation glass screen, and the addition of an optional rubber boot and bungee adapter complete the package. The intuitive, three-button menu system is user-customisable and designed for ease of use with thick gloves. As with the EON Core, menus for tech or rec or CCR diving can be activated or deactivated at the diver’s leisure, with up to ten gas mixtures programmable, and support for the monitoring of up to ten optional wireless tank PODs. Connectivity to Suunto’s DM5 and Movescount log-sharing software is via Bluetooth.
Specifications
Modes: air, nitrox, trimix, gauge, CCR
Algorithm: Suunto Fused RGBM
Max Depth: 150m
Air integration: yes, optional
User-replaceable battery: no; rechargeable
www.suunto.com
Shearwater Teric
MSRP: £1025 (computer only); £1248 with transmitter
Shearwater’s Teric does everything the Perdix does – and more. Above the surface, the Teric is a timepiece with a customisable watch face that would look just as at home in the boardroom as it would in the water, where it functions equally well as a dive computer for recreational, deep tech, or CCR diving. The display is smaller than the Perdix but is of a much higher resolution AMOLED design, with the ability to increase font size to make it easy to read. All of the Perdix features are present, with the addition of a new freediving mode, user-configurable audible and haptic alarms, and a wirelessly rechargeable battery. Air integration is standard, with the wireless transmitters an optional extra, and Bluetooth connectivity allows data transfer to all smart devices. The Teric is available with a variety of different coloured bezels and straps, including the 2022 bronze-faced Journey’s Edition.
Specifications
Modes: air, nitrox, trimix, gauge, CCR, free
Algorithm: Bühlmann ZHL-16C with Gradient Factors
Max Depth: 200m
Air integration: yes, optional
User-replaceable battery: no; rechargeable
www.shearwater.com
Scubapro G3
RRP €1300 (computer only); €1590 with transmitter
Scubapro’s G3 is a 2023-updated version of the G2 – a great computer but something of an ugly duckling amongst its peers. The G3, however, is of a slick watch-style design, still packing all the features of the G2 and its personalised decompression profiles, but now with surface-based features included. Much of the intuitive menu design has been retained, now with an additional fourth button and nicer colours. Wireless air integration is standard (transmitter extra), able to monitor up to 8 mixed-gas tanks and one diluent in CCR mode, and the optional heart-rate monitor priced at €128 adds additional physiological tracking both above and below the water. Data transfer is via Bluetooth or USB to Scubapro’s LogTRAK software.
Specifications
Modes: air, nitrox, trimix, gauge, CCR, free
Algorithm: Uwatec Predictive Multi-Gas ZHL-16 ADT PMG, ZH-L16 GF
Max Depth: 300m
Air integration: yes,
User-replaceable battery: no; rechargeable
www.scubapro.com
Garmin Descent Mk3/Mk3i
RRP £1099.99 (Mk3); £1299.99-£1599.99 (Mk3i)
Garmin’s MK3 and MK3i launched at the end of 2023, represent the pinnacle of the wearable tech specialist’s scuba diving computers. A better question than asking ‘what does it do’ would be ‘what does it not do’, as it is probably the most feature-rich watch-style dive computer on the market. The Mk3 is available as a single option in a 43mm casing, but the flagship Mk3i comes in both the smaller size and a larger, 53mm casing. Up to eight divers can be networked, with each able to monitor the others’ tank pressure, and a forthcoming (at the time of writing) firmware update will give divers the ability to message each other underwater, or track divers in need of assistance. Wellness is at the heart of Garmin’s philosophy and the Mk3 series comes with a ‘dive readiness’ feature tracking physiological responses and previous dive history, plus the full suite of Garmin’s topside sporting apps and maps. GPS tracking is available and the larger Mk3i even comes with a built-in flashlight!
Specifications
Modes: air, nitrox, trimix, gauge, CCR, apnoea, apnoea hunt
Algorithm: Bühlmann ZHL-16c with gradient factors
Max Depth: 200m
Air integration: yes, up to 8 tanks, Mk3i only
User-replaceable battery: no; rechargeable
www.garmin.com
Tips for buying a dive computer
Budget and requirements
Dive computers in 2024 range from around £200 to £1500, and all of them will handle the needs of entry-level recreational divers, but some are more suited to tech and may put divers without advanced-level knowledge at something of a disadvantage with confusing settings and menus. For easy, recreational holiday diving then pretty much any budget computer will suffice, but if you’re planning on developing your diving further, then a more advanced computer that grows with your experience may be a better option – and save you from having to buy another computer a few years down the line.
Nitrox and gas mixtures
All computers on the market today are compatible with recreational (21–40%) ‘enriched air’ nitrox, which is all that most recreational divers will ever need. Any serious venture into tech, however, will require a computer that can handle different gas mixtures, including helium (eg trimix) and pure oxygen. Most top-of-the-range computers cover all bases in a single model range, and an increasing number of mid-range computers feature programmable, gas-switching computers that cater to the tech/rec market, but not full-on deep technical diving.
Air Integration
Some people love it, some people don’t. On the plus side, all the information you need is in a single device, with remaining dive time calculated both in terms of nitrogen loading and and remaining gas supply. It is also the case that transmitter-integrated computers are now capable of monitoring multiple tanks, including those of other divers – a great safety feature. On the minus side, battery failure in either computer or transmitter means no diving unless you can either change or charge your batteries. Having a backup analogue pressure gauge is advised.
Wrist-mounted, wristwatch or console?
Mostly down to personal preference. Consoles can bash into things, wrist-mounted computers can fall off; wristwatch-sized computers may be hard for some divers to read. Wrist-mounted models with large displays are most common. The choice is yours.
Algorithms
Haldane, Bühlmann, RGBM (and others), algorithms are the mathematical models used to calculate nitrogen exposure, based on your depth and time underwater. Technical divers may have a preference, but for easy recreational diving – apart from small differences to no-decompression limits and surface interval credit – it really doesn’t matter. As we learn more about the physiological effects of diving on the body, however, the algorithms are evolving to cater to personal dive fitness levels and the demands of multi-day, repetitive dive holidays, so adjustable levels of conservatism are definitely a thing to look out for.
RTFM!
Computers do not make your diving safer. Read The FULL Manual before you jump into the water, and don’t expect that your buddy or instructor will know how to work your computer. Dive computers will not prevent you from doing stupid things, such as making ‘sawtooth’ dive profiles, an easy way to end your vacation in the chamber. Remain conservative, don’t push limits, adhere to safe diving practices.
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