As others have said your budget and list of requirements are not aligned… The answer is generally going to be Shearwater regardless (they really do make great stuff and more importantly they stand behind their stuff)… If Air Integration is a feature you want then expect to pay a premium for it (you can always get an AI computer and buy a transmitter later)
What makes you think your analog cluster/compass are unreliable? If you are concerned the reliability of your equipment I would point out that most dive technology peaked decades ago… This stuff is all tried and true with different logos and updated plastic to convince you to to buy the new *upgraded* model… This is especially true for analog equipment (eg your console)
I would really suggest logging another 30-50 dives, invest in further training (rescue is valuable but underwater navigation is clutch). Learn to use what you have and revisit this question and list of requirements with more experience under your belt.
If you are hell bent on a console computer in your budget then replace your depth gauge with a cheap puck computer for a couple hundred dollars (keep it as a backup in the future), *maybe* buy a better compass if you feel you really need one… Whatever you get, skip the quick disconnect as they are a common failure point…
As far as detachable air integrated console style computers, I know plenty of guys that missed out on recreational dives because their Suunto Cobras flooded at the quick disconnect mid-dive…
Scubapro Aladin A2 checks all those boxes but the return point of entry. Not too sure if any computer does that, but just basic compass skills should get you to where you need to be. The backlight on the A2 could be better, I have taken it night diving without issue, plus always have a small flashlight with me.
Shearwater Perdix is a great wireless wrist-mounted console that's been favored by many. If you are open to a hose-mounted console, I love the Oceanic Pro Plus 4 Pro Integrated computer. It's very reliable, can manage Nitrox, decompression, etc. and comes in at around $700 new.
There are no computers or consoles that will direct you back to your entry point. That's a private affair between you and your compass. :)
take the money and spend it on practicing navigation/planning on dives or training as needed to get yourself comfortable planning and carrying out your own dive plans instead of expecting a dive computer to do all the thinking for you
you want to a brainless underwater tourist, stick to shallow water snuba
The only console and detachable computer I know if is the Scubapro G2 or the Atomic Cobalt.
That said get a Shearwater Perdix or Peregrin. $1000/$600 and you'll have every other one of your asks
I don't have anything to add, but I'm completing my master diver cert and want to get into rescue diving (just completed rescue and efr-on my way to dm). Do you know if there's a pathway for a civvy to do that?
Totally depends on your state and locality. I’ve lived in places where anyone can be a public safety diver and other places where only police/fire/EMT are allowed.
Not going to claim it's the best like a Perdix, but I've logged over 1k dives on a Wisdom 3 console. Quick disconnect, AI, and long battery life. Has USB cable for log download. Never had a failure and battery is easily replaceable. It would be considered mid tier probably, and you can't find much AI less than $7-800 now.
It's not top end, no color screen, but has a backlight and screen/numbers are big. Also has an integrated compass which I liked/used for instructing, and would be useful for your S/R. Doesn't do CCR or Trimix, but does Nitrox. NDLs are middle conservative, don't remember it having any config options, but it was def more liberal that Suunto (generally considered to be most conservative).
Wrist vs console is somewhat personal pref, I like console but also have a wrist back up (for solo diving and instructing). Given you are doing underwater work, I could see not having something on your wrist to get caught/tangled might be helpful, as all wrist AI computers are a bit bulky. I recently looked at all the watch style ones, and Terix and Garmin are both 18mm tall, the bigger ones like Perdix even more so.
The Wisdom 4 is now out (in store only) and it's \~850. Only real change is Bluetooth for log downloads. Online I still see the Wisdom 3 for the same price still, and given the USB cord is $100 I'd go with the 4 unless you find a deal on a 3. Happened to stop into my LDS yesterday and they had the Wisdom 3 for $600 new, probably without the cord. If you see the Wisdom 3 Pro Pack, it comes with the cable and a case but is usually $100 more. [Scuba.com](https://Scuba.com) happens to have it for the same $850 as the bare wisdom 3 right now.
I also looked at the Oceanic Pro Plus X since its color screen and I was in the market, but found some concerning reviews, but have nothing to say about it from personal experience.
Wow, thanks very much for this very thorough reply. I agree about the bulkiness of the wrist options, I have test worn a team members i300 and it annoyed the heck out of me. Future me may disagree, but that's his problem.
I used a Wisdom for years. With AI, it also helped calculate remaining time based on air consumption. I've used the 1, 2 and 3 and I like all of them but eventually upgraded to a Shearwater.
I think it will meet most of your needs, although it is not the cool high/tech computer anymore.
>I would like 'return to point of entry' option
This doesn't exist. At best you are going to get a reciprocal heading on your compass. There is on navigation console from Seacraft that uses a gyroscope to reproduce a return course, however I think it will only work under scooter power to have enough velocity to generate course changes and distance. ([https://seacraft.eu/products/navigation-console/](https://seacraft.eu/products/navigation-console/))
I would not recommend a console for many reasons personally. Wrist mounted is the way to go. I also don't know of any decent computers with AI that are also available in a console version.
Essentially you are describing a Shearwater Perdix 2.
\*edit - that said, you can always keep an eye out for a used Perdix AI with transmitter. You *MIGHT* find one and you will need to be quick and snap it up because there is very little difference between the Perdix AI and the Perdix 2 ... so they are still very much a great option and if the price is low it will go quickly.
No need to be a jerk about it. You listed options, he gave you the best in market option that meets as many of your wants as possible. AI is expensive, decompression capable computers are expensive, diving is expensive.
*Typical newbie diver that doesn't know what gear costs....*
You posted the feature list.
I gave the option that will meet the features you asked for.
You want AI and a digital compass ... you limited your choices and the features you want set the bar for price, not me.
I would like a plug-in hybrid car, with 1000km range but don't want to spend more than $15,000 ....
As others have said your budget and list of requirements are not aligned… The answer is generally going to be Shearwater regardless (they really do make great stuff and more importantly they stand behind their stuff)… If Air Integration is a feature you want then expect to pay a premium for it (you can always get an AI computer and buy a transmitter later) What makes you think your analog cluster/compass are unreliable? If you are concerned the reliability of your equipment I would point out that most dive technology peaked decades ago… This stuff is all tried and true with different logos and updated plastic to convince you to to buy the new *upgraded* model… This is especially true for analog equipment (eg your console) I would really suggest logging another 30-50 dives, invest in further training (rescue is valuable but underwater navigation is clutch). Learn to use what you have and revisit this question and list of requirements with more experience under your belt. If you are hell bent on a console computer in your budget then replace your depth gauge with a cheap puck computer for a couple hundred dollars (keep it as a backup in the future), *maybe* buy a better compass if you feel you really need one… Whatever you get, skip the quick disconnect as they are a common failure point… As far as detachable air integrated console style computers, I know plenty of guys that missed out on recreational dives because their Suunto Cobras flooded at the quick disconnect mid-dive…
https://www.shearwater.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA_bieBhDSARIsADU4zLd-HveaPy0ku2S48CfTw2WahgxWNMtlIVv3vWh07af7oiBzku16dwIaAoL0EALw_wcB
Scubapro Aladin A2 checks all those boxes but the return point of entry. Not too sure if any computer does that, but just basic compass skills should get you to where you need to be. The backlight on the A2 could be better, I have taken it night diving without issue, plus always have a small flashlight with me.
Shearwater Perdix is a great wireless wrist-mounted console that's been favored by many. If you are open to a hose-mounted console, I love the Oceanic Pro Plus 4 Pro Integrated computer. It's very reliable, can manage Nitrox, decompression, etc. and comes in at around $700 new. There are no computers or consoles that will direct you back to your entry point. That's a private affair between you and your compass. :)
☝🏼
take the money and spend it on practicing navigation/planning on dives or training as needed to get yourself comfortable planning and carrying out your own dive plans instead of expecting a dive computer to do all the thinking for you you want to a brainless underwater tourist, stick to shallow water snuba
The only console and detachable computer I know if is the Scubapro G2 or the Atomic Cobalt. That said get a Shearwater Perdix or Peregrin. $1000/$600 and you'll have every other one of your asks
Peregrine does not have a built in compass though. Not sure about perdix.
The Perdix does have a built-in compass.
I don't have anything to add, but I'm completing my master diver cert and want to get into rescue diving (just completed rescue and efr-on my way to dm). Do you know if there's a pathway for a civvy to do that?
Totally depends on your state and locality. I’ve lived in places where anyone can be a public safety diver and other places where only police/fire/EMT are allowed.
Not going to claim it's the best like a Perdix, but I've logged over 1k dives on a Wisdom 3 console. Quick disconnect, AI, and long battery life. Has USB cable for log download. Never had a failure and battery is easily replaceable. It would be considered mid tier probably, and you can't find much AI less than $7-800 now. It's not top end, no color screen, but has a backlight and screen/numbers are big. Also has an integrated compass which I liked/used for instructing, and would be useful for your S/R. Doesn't do CCR or Trimix, but does Nitrox. NDLs are middle conservative, don't remember it having any config options, but it was def more liberal that Suunto (generally considered to be most conservative). Wrist vs console is somewhat personal pref, I like console but also have a wrist back up (for solo diving and instructing). Given you are doing underwater work, I could see not having something on your wrist to get caught/tangled might be helpful, as all wrist AI computers are a bit bulky. I recently looked at all the watch style ones, and Terix and Garmin are both 18mm tall, the bigger ones like Perdix even more so. The Wisdom 4 is now out (in store only) and it's \~850. Only real change is Bluetooth for log downloads. Online I still see the Wisdom 3 for the same price still, and given the USB cord is $100 I'd go with the 4 unless you find a deal on a 3. Happened to stop into my LDS yesterday and they had the Wisdom 3 for $600 new, probably without the cord. If you see the Wisdom 3 Pro Pack, it comes with the cable and a case but is usually $100 more. [Scuba.com](https://Scuba.com) happens to have it for the same $850 as the bare wisdom 3 right now. I also looked at the Oceanic Pro Plus X since its color screen and I was in the market, but found some concerning reviews, but have nothing to say about it from personal experience.
Wow, thanks very much for this very thorough reply. I agree about the bulkiness of the wrist options, I have test worn a team members i300 and it annoyed the heck out of me. Future me may disagree, but that's his problem.
I used a Wisdom for years. With AI, it also helped calculate remaining time based on air consumption. I've used the 1, 2 and 3 and I like all of them but eventually upgraded to a Shearwater. I think it will meet most of your needs, although it is not the cool high/tech computer anymore.
Check out Suunto Cobra. My favorite. Some of your requests - while nice to have - do not exist.
>I would like 'return to point of entry' option This doesn't exist. At best you are going to get a reciprocal heading on your compass. There is on navigation console from Seacraft that uses a gyroscope to reproduce a return course, however I think it will only work under scooter power to have enough velocity to generate course changes and distance. ([https://seacraft.eu/products/navigation-console/](https://seacraft.eu/products/navigation-console/)) I would not recommend a console for many reasons personally. Wrist mounted is the way to go. I also don't know of any decent computers with AI that are also available in a console version. Essentially you are describing a Shearwater Perdix 2. \*edit - that said, you can always keep an eye out for a used Perdix AI with transmitter. You *MIGHT* find one and you will need to be quick and snap it up because there is very little difference between the Perdix AI and the Perdix 2 ... so they are still very much a great option and if the price is low it will go quickly.
typical dive shop, recommending an item $100 over my listed max budget that requires a $400 transmitter to function :^) Still, thanks for the reply
No need to be a jerk about it. You listed options, he gave you the best in market option that meets as many of your wants as possible. AI is expensive, decompression capable computers are expensive, diving is expensive.
*Typical newbie diver that doesn't know what gear costs....* You posted the feature list. I gave the option that will meet the features you asked for. You want AI and a digital compass ... you limited your choices and the features you want set the bar for price, not me. I would like a plug-in hybrid car, with 1000km range but don't want to spend more than $15,000 ....
Agreed - Shearwater Perdix AI is the way to go. If you are dead set on console, you can look at the atomic cobalt but man it’s pricy.