Shearwater Perdix 2 Dive Computer Review [2024]
As a reader-supported, independent site, we may earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting our work!
This Shearwater Perdix 2 review is by world-expert marine biologist, Dr Simon Pierce, head of the Global Whale Shark Program and co-founder of the Marine Megafauna Foundation. Simon is also an award-winning underwater photographer and has done thousands of dives worldwide.
Overview
Easy to Use • Large Color LED Screen • Full Tech Features
The Shearwater Perdix 2 is my choice as the best dive computer available in 2024. The Perdix 2, an update on the legendary Perdix AI (which I’ve been using since 2017), is packed features but is still easy to use, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced rebreather diver. Everyone can appreciate the large, clear, customizable screen and fantastic user interface. Shearwater computers are the top choice for many professional and technical divers, and the Canadian company has put all their knowledge into this excellent dive computer.
What’s great about the Shearwater Perdix 2 Dive Computer?
It Does Everything… Really, Really Well.
Excellent user interface. Why can’t other brands be like this?
It’s bright and easy to read underwater. Excellent contrast with a big full-color 2.2” screen – the important information is always displayed clearly.
Intuitive navigation with a 2-button system. Changing % nitrox, or anything else you might need to look, at is simple – even in a rocking boat.
Great battery life. Depending on what kind of AA battery you use, and air integration on / off, you’ll get ~40–100 hrs of diving per battery.
Super tough. Titanium bezel, strengthened aluminosilicate glass screen.
Air integration. With the optional purchase of a Shearwater Swift transmitter.
Built for tech divers. The Perdix 2 is a top-level technical diving computer, supporting multiple tanks and trimix.
Vibration alerts to ensure you’re aware of important safety warnings (if desired).
Internal dive log stores around 1,000 hours of dives.
Bluetooth connectivity to the desktop / mobile Shearwater app for downloading dive data and updating firmware.
Designed to last. No planned obsolescence here – my Perdix AI from 2017 is still routinely getting firmware updates in 2024.
Worldwide two-year warranty. Just in case.
It’s a great choice for discerning divers:
Customizable conservatism. the Perdix 2 has preset low, medium, and high conservatism to choose from, along with a ‘custom’ option for manual input of gradient factors.
Broadly-used dive algorithm. the Perdix 2 uses Bühlmann ZHL16-C with Gradient Factors, so you won’t be ‘forced-up’ by your computer (looking at you, Suunto). The DCIEM algorithm is also available.
It won’t lock you out. (With great power, comes great responsibility.)
Downsides of the Shearwater Perdix 2:
It’s not a watch-style computer. I love the big screen, and it’s still low-profile, but you won’t be wearing this around between dives. (For that, check the similarly-featured Shearwater Teric.)
No conventional strap. The Perdix 2 comes with bungee cord and clips, great for thick wetsuits and drysuits (and camera strobe arms), but a normal strap would have been better for bare-arm dives in the tropics.
You’re paying for all the features…. whether you use them or not. The Shearwater Peregrine is a trimmed-down ‘recreational’ version, without the advanced tech features, but the Peregrine doesn’t have air integration.
How does the Shearwater Perdix 2 compare to other Dive Computers?
The Shearwater Perdix 2 has few obvious competitors in the dive computer market, and I’ve added some notes here on direct comparisons.
You can also read our full guide to the Best Dive Computer in 2024, which has more details on the models mentioned below, and I’ve also added an in-depth Shearwater comparison guide: Shearwater Dive Computers: Which is Best For You?
Shearwater Perdix 2 vs
Perdix AI
Is the 2022 version more capable than the older Perdix AI? Yes, but there’s not much in it. I’m still using my Perdix AI, while my wife Mads has the Shearwater Perdix 2.
The Perdix 2 does bring new features to the table, such as the vibration mode, but they’re generally similar. The thing is, they’re also very similar in price – secondhand Shearwaters tend to hold their value, as they still have great firmware support.
So, if you’re wondering whether you should upgrade from the Perdix AI… well, I’m not planning to. But if you’re buying your first Perdix, you might as well get the new one!
Shearwater Perdix 2 vs
Shearwater Teric
Want the functionality of the Perdix 2, but in a watch-style dive computer? Get the Teric.
I think we’re done here.
Okay fine. There are a few differences. We thought hard about this before Mads bought the Perdix 2. The Teric is a really good-looking dive computer, but it’s quite large for a watch, and doesn’t have ‘smart’ features like GPS, exercise tracking, or showing phone notifications.
As Mads did want a smartwatch, we decided it was best to just go with an Apple Watch SE, then get the Perdix 2 as a specialist dive computer as it has a larger screen and better battery life.
For a really detailed comparison, check out our Shearwater Showdown page, or my Teric review (like this one) here.
What about ‘smart’ dive computers? Well, the Apple Watch Ultra doesn’t have air integration, and the Garmin Descent Mk2i was too chonk for a daily-driver smartwatch. (They’re both really good though.)
Shearwater Perdix 2 vs
Shearwater Peregrine
The similar-looking Shearwater Peregrine Dive Computer is the most popular dive computer in 2024, If you’re a recreational diver, and you don’t mind the lack of air integration, the Peregrine will almost certainly do everything you need. You can read my full review here.
Honestly, even as a ‘professional’ diver, the Peregrine would be just fine for me… except I love air integration (I’d never go back to looking at a gauge, like a Neanderthal). If you’re happy to check your gauge from time to time… well, you can save a lot of money here.
But know that I’m judging you.
Shearwater Perdix 2 vs
Garmin Descent Mk2i
Clash of the titans! The Garmin Descent Mk2i is the best of the non-Shearwater dive computers, and it does a bunch of stuff that other computers only dream about.
If you want a full tech-capable dive computer slash smartwatch, the Garmin is the best and only option. The caveat here, for me, is – do you want one device that can do both (at a hefty expense), or want two devices that might be more optimized for you?
What do I mean? Well, the Garmin is a chunky smartwatch if you’re wearing it every day, but only diving occasionally. A smaller, dedicated smartwatch is a more streamlined solution – and if you’re an iOS user, an Apple Watch of some flavor might work better across your devices.
For regular divers, who won’t be using all the tech features on offer, you could also buy a large-screen dive computer for a lower price.
That’s the route my wife decided to take – a Shearwater Perdix 2 plus an Apple Watch SE. The Apple Watch Ultra is also an obvious competitor, although it’s less capable than the Garmin as a dive computer.
That all said, the Garmin is pretty amazing. Once (if) you got over the sticker shock, you might well love it.
Shearwater Perdix 2 vs
Apeks DSX
I love Apeks regulators, so I was excited to see the Apeks DSX released in early 2024. It offers some next-gen features, like inbuilt GPS, an accessory gas analyzer, and wireless charging.
The Apeks also costs more, and doesn’t have the beautiful user-interface or the long history of top-level support offered by Shearwater computers. And, subjectively, it’s kinda ugly. This is a very tech-focused computer.
It’s good to see solid competition emerging in this space, though. Having built-in GPS, especially, seems like a missed opportunity for the Shearwater Perdix 2.
There’s a good video review of the Apeks DSX here – I haven’t seen one in the wild yet:
General Notes:
The Shearwater Perdix 2 is the best dive computer available in 2024. The bright 2.2” slate-style screen allows for big, clear text, and the Perdix 2 does a great job of displaying the most important dive information in an easy-to-read, uncluttered arrangement. They use color well, too.
The large screen form-factor has pros and cons – I love it, but if you’re a dive instructor who’s wearing your computer all day, and doing demonstrations, the watch-style Teric could be a better choice.
Check out our full guide to the best dive computers for more on all that.
Still here? Okay, let’s get nerdy.
What’s it like to use? Lovely.
The Perdix 2 has so many nice little user-friendly features that other companies, frankly, fail at.
For instance, consider safety stops – something you’ll have to put up with on almost every dive.
I’ve dived with so many people that have to keep their eyes glued to their computer throughout their 3–5 min stop – if they deviate more than 1–2 m in depth, their computer will restart the whole process. Dangnabbit.
Meanwhile, I simply initiate my safety stop countdown by going up to >6 m, then continue pootling around. If I accidentally go under 8 m (it happens… often), it’ll pause the countdown. It won’t restart unless you go under 11 m. The actual countdown is good too: you get a min:sec readout.
There are many examples of these user-facing improvements to remove little frustrations from diving. The Perdix excels in just making things easy, so you can focus on what’s around you, rather than your dive computer.
Built to Last: Firmware Updates & Battery Life
You can reasonably expect your Perdix 2 to last for years. Shearwater computers are built tough and have a longstanding reputation for excellent firmware updates. I personally use the Shearwater Perdix AI, which I’ve had since 2017 (and love!). It still gets routine firmware updates now, years after it came out.
Connectivity & Apps
The Shearwater smartphone app is… okay. which is honestly the case for most diving apps these days.
The user interface team certainly spent more time on the computer itself than the app, but it’ll likely do the job for you – it does for me.
Is the Perdix 2 a good dive computer for beginners?
Absolutely, if you don’t mind spending serious money. The Peregrine is Shearwater’s ‘beginner’ model (though it’s still very capable), but if you see tech diving in your future then you could jump straight to the Perdix 2 instead. One major omission in the Peregrine, for me, is the lack of air integration (i.e. being able to see your tank pressure on the computer, rather than checking a gauge). As a scientist / photographer, I typically dive with my hands full, so this is a must-have feature for me even though I’m not a tech diver.
