Choosing Your New Dive Buddy (Computer)
Greg Galford Oct 05, 2025
Choosing Your Dive Buddy: A Guide to Selecting the Perfect Dive Computer
A dive computer is arguably the most crucial piece of personal gear you'll own. It's your safety monitor, your dive planner, and your personal logbook all rolled into one. But with so many options, how do you pick the right one? Here's a quick guide to help you find the perfect electronic dive buddy.
1. Define Your Diving Style
The first step is to be honest about the diving you do now and the diving you plan to do in the next couple of years.1
- Beginner/Recreational Diver: You need a computer that is simple, reliable, and easy to read. Essential features include Nitrox compatibility, clear safety warnings for ascent rate, and no-decompression limits (NDL).2 Most entry-level wrist-mounted or console computers will fit this bill (e.g., ScubaPro Matrix, Seac Tablet).
- Frequent Traveler/Intermediate Diver: Look for something with more convenience and features. Rechargeable batteries and Bluetooth connectivity for easy logbook downloads are great for travel. You might also appreciate a clearer, higher-resolution color display (e.g., Shearwater Peregrine, Garmin Descent G1 or x30).
- Advanced/Technical Diver: You'll need features like multiple gas switching (for Trimix), air integration (optional for recreational, essential for tech), and a more customizable algorithm (like Bühlmann ZHL-16C with Gradient Factors).3 These are often higher-end models (e.g., Shearwater Teric or Perdix, Garmin x50i, ScubaPro G2).
2. Essential Features to Look For
While dive computers have many bells and whistles, these are the core features every diver needs for safety and enjoyment:
|
Feature |
Why It Matters |
|
Clear Display & Intuitive Interface |
You must be able to read critical data quickly, even in low visibility or with gloves on. Large numbers, a good backlight, and simple menus are non-negotiable. |
|
Nitrox Compatibility |
All modern computers have this. It’s essential for safely using enriched air to extend your no-decompression limits. Ability to change oxygen fraction easily is critical. |
|
No-Decompression Limit (NDL) & Ascent Rate |
This is the heart of the computer's safety function. It calculates your remaining bottom time and warns you if you ascend too fast, helping prevent decompression sickness (DCS). |
|
Decompression Algorithm |
This is the mathematical "brain" that calculates your tissue nitrogen absorption. Some brands use more conservative (shorter bottom time, slower ascent) algorithms, which are often preferred by newer divers. |
|
Logbook/Connectivity |
Being able to download your dive data to a phone or laptop makes tracking your progress and logging your dives much easier. |
3. Key Decisions to Make
Console vs. Wrist-Mount
- Console: Integrated with your pressure gauge and often your compass, attached to your regulator hose.4 Pros: Everything in one place. Cons: Bulky, tethered to your gear.
- Wrist-Mount: Worn like a watch.5 Pros: Always with you, great for travel and surface intervals, easier to glance at. Cons: Requires a separate submersible pressure gauge (SPG).
Air-Integrated (AI) vs. Non-AI
- Air-Integrated: Uses a wireless transmitter on your tank's first stage to display your tank pressure and remaining air time right on your computer. Pros: Ultimate convenience and safety. Cons: Higher cost.
- Non-AI: You'll monitor your tank pressure with a separate submersible pressure gauge (SPG). Pros: Lower cost, one less battery to worry about.
Battery Type
- User-Replaceable: Good for remote travel, but you risk flooding the unit if you don't seal it correctly.
- Rechargeable: More common on higher-end models. Convenient charging, but if it dies on a dive trip, you're done until you can recharge.
Ultimately, your dive computer is a long-term safety investment. Choose a model with the features you need today, but also consider one that can grow with you as your diving skills advance. Happy bubble-blowing!
