Shearwater has announced its latest dive computer: the Perdix 3. Known for its rugged, technical focused dive computers, Shearwater is clearly looking to build on the excellent reputation of its predecessor.
The Perdix 3 appears to be an evolution rather than a revolution, updating some areas while retaining many of the key features that make Shearwater computers so popular.
Perdix 3 Features
Sharing an almost identical physical design to the preceding Perdix 2, the Perdix 3 is a multi-gas, Bühlmann-algorithm, air-integrated dive computer with support for trimix and CCRs. So far, so familiar.
The most obvious upgrade on the Perdix 3 is the screen. It has grown slightly from 2.2” to 2.4” and, crucially, now uses an AMOLED display compared to the older LCD technology found on the Perdix 2. The new screen delivers a far higher resolution (apparently a fourfold increase) along with improved contrast.
The biggest advantage I found during a recent review of the Suunto Nautic, which similarly uses an AMOLED display, was the excellent viewing angles. I’d expect the Perdix 3 to benefit equally from this newer technology. It’s a tangible and practical benefit for divers beyond simply offering more pixels and vibrant colours.
Updates have also been made to the UI, including a new ‘Big Layout’ option featuring extra-large font sizes. The display layouts are endlessly customisable, with up to 14 different screen colour settings. The Shearwater DNA remains, even with this level of customisation, the UI still looks uncluttered and utilitarian.
The removable AA battery is another popular feature that has been retained. It boosts the overall lifespan of the product: there’s no need to send it away for an internal battery replacement further down the line and also means you have the option of an immediate recharge via a battery swap.
The Perdix 3 will connect to existing Shearwater tank transmitters and the company’s recent Swift GPS transmitter. While GPS functionality is not built into the device itself, the additional transmitter gives divers access to smart features such as entry and exit point logging.
Comparisons
We don’t yet have a release date or official pricing for the Perdix 3, but I’d expect it to launch at a similar price point to the Perdix 2 — around £1,200 ($1,200). Shearwater is not competing at the affordable end of the market, and its product lineup reflects that.
With the details released so far, here’s how the Perdix 3 stacks up:
| Shearwater Peregrine TX | Suunto Nautic | Garmin Descent X30 | Shearwater Perdix 3 | |
| Display | Full Colour 2″ LCD | Full Colour 3.26″ AMOLED | Full Colour 2.4″ TFT | Full Colour 2.4″ AMOLED |
| Gases | Air, Nitrox | Air, Nitrox, Trimix, CCR support | Air, Nitrox, Trimix | Air, Nitrox, Trimix, CCR support |
| Wireless Tank Integration | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Price | £625.00 | £625.00 | £649.99 | TBC |
Final Thoughts
Iterative improvements are clearly the name of the game with the Perdix 3. If you’ve dived with a Shearwater computer before, I expect it will feel very familiar. Diver-focused, free from gimmicky features, and built with rock-solid quality, the Perdix 3 looks like a serious tool for serious divers.
